1900 — July-Aug (esp.) Heat, esp. NY/361 NJ/119 Chicago/102 St. Louis/90 Balt./62 –1,266
–1,266 US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. lxxi.[1]
–1,156 Blanchard tally based on State break-outs below (mostly July-Aug).
— 731 US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 120, item 197, “Sunstroke.”[2]
Summary of Breakout of Heat Fatalities by State
Alabama 9 North Dakota 0
Arizona 1 Ohio 32
Arkansas 12 Oklahoma 1
California 4 Oregon 1
Colorado 2 Pennsylvania 90
Connecticut 30 Rhode Island 8
Delaware 2 South Carolina 11
District of Columbia 9 South Dakota 4
Florida 2 Tennessee 9
Georgia 18 Texas 35
Idaho 1 Utah 2
Illinois 103 Vermont 1
Indian Territory 2 Virginia 30
Indiana 27 Washington 0
Iowa 22 West Virginia 8
Kansas 11 Wisconsin 24
Kentucky 13 Wyoming 0
Louisiana 39
Maine 5
Maryland 62
Massachusetts 89
Michigan 32
Minnesota 3
Mississippi 10
Missouri 91
Montana 1
Nebraska 5
Nevada 0
New Hampshire 4
New Jersey 119
New Mexico 0
New York 361
North Carolina 11
Breakout of Heat Fatalities by State, Localities, and Date (when available)
Alabama ( 9) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 120, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Arizona ( 1) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 120, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Arkansas (12) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 120, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
California ( 4) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 121, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Colorado ( 2) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 121, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Connecticut (30)
— 30 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 80.
— 1 Naugatuck, Aug 13. Naugatuck Daily News. “City Briefs.” 8-13-1900, p. 1.
Delaware ( 2) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 127, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
District of Columbia ( 9)
–9 US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 132, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
–6 District. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 80.
Florida ( 2) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 132, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Georgia ( 18) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 132, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Idaho ( 1) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 132, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Illinois (103)
–61 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 133, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
–62 Chicago. July 2-28. Blanchard tally based on newspaper reports below.
“ –52 July 2-7. The World. “Chicago…Heat…52 Deaths…Week” 7-9-1900, 2.
“ — 5 July 2. Naugatuck Daily News CT. “Severe Storms…Chicago.” 7-3-1900, 1.
“ — 1 July 3. Salt Lake Daily Tribune, UT. “Casualty Record.” July 4, 1900, p. 5.
“ — 8 July 4. Iowa Postal Card, Fayette. “Heat Causes Eight Deaths.” 7-12-1900, 3.
“ — 4 July 5. The World, NYC. “Hotter Still in Chicago.” July 6, 1900, p. 1.
“ –12 July 6. New York Times. “Twelve Deaths in Chicago.” July 8, 1900, p. 4.
“ –12 July 7. The World. “Chicago…Heat…[52] Deaths…Week.” 7-9-1900.
“ –17 July 7-8. Sumner Press, IL. “Many Die of Heat.” July 12, 1900, p. 2.[3]
“ — 5 July 8. Sumner Press, IL. “Many Die of Heat.” July 12, 1900, p. 2.[4]
“ — 5 July 22-28. Monroe Weekly Times, WI. “Later.” 7-28-1900, p. 2.[5]
–40 “ Aug 6-21. Blanchard tally based on newspaper reports below.[6]
“ — 9 Aug 6. Cedar Rapids Republican, IA. “Heat Stays With Us.” 8-7-1900, p. 1.
“ –11 Aug 7. Elgin Echo, IA. “Deaths From Heat.” 8-9-1900, p. 3.
“ — 4 Aug 7. Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “Deadly Heat.” 8-8-1900, p. 3.
“ –17 Aug 7-9. Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave…” 8-10-1900, 1
“ –31 Aug 7-16. Iowa Postal Card, Fayette. “A Week’s Record.” 8-16-1900, 2.[7]
“ — 4 Aug 9. Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave…” 8-10-1900, 1.
“ — 9 Aug 13. Galveston Daily News. “The Heat Record.” 8-12-1900, p. 3.
“ — 9 Aug 15-16. Iowa Postal Card, Fayette. “A Week’s Record.” 8-16-1900, p. 2.
— 1 Shinkley, Aug 21, Galveston Daily News, TX. “Heat in Illinois.” 8-23-1900, p. 3.
Indiana ( 27)
–27 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 80.
–16 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 138, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 1 Lafayette, Aug 29. Logansport Daily Reporter, IN. “Victim of Heat.” 8-29-1900, p. 4.
Iowa ( 22) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 139, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Kansas ( 11) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 144, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Kentucky ( 13) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 144, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Louisiana ( 39) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 145, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Maine ( 5)
–5 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 81.
–4 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 144, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Maryland ( 62)
–62 Baltimore, Aug, MD Weather Ser. MD Weather Ser.. “The Summer of 1900.” 1907, 457.
–23 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 150, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Massachusetts ( 89)
–89 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 81.
— 9 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 150, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 2 Boston, June. Lowell Sun, MA. “Fifty Deaths A Day.” 7-19-1900, p. 12.
— 3 “ July 18. Lowell Sun, MA. “Deaths in Boston. Three Die of…Heat…” 7-19-1900, 12.
— 6 “ July 1-18. Lowell Sun, MA. “Fifty Deaths A Day.” 7-19-1900, p. 12.
— 1 “ Aug 27. Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “The Hot Wave.” 8-27-1900, p. 1.
Michigan ( 32)
–32 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 81.
— 8 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 163, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Minnesota ( 3) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 168, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Mississippi ( 10) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 169, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Missouri ( 91)
–29 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 169, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 1 Kansas City Aug 8. Logansport Reporter, IN. “The Hot Wave.” 8-8-1900, p. 4.
–90 St. Louis Aug 1-18. Marshall News, MI. “Hot Day in St. Louis.” 8-24-1900, p. 3.
–14 “ Aug 15-18. Marshall News, MI. “Hot Day in St. Louis.” 8-24-1900, p. 3.
Montana ( 1) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 174, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Nevada ( 0) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 175, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
New Hampshire ( 4) US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 81.
New Jersey (119)
–119 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 81.
— 46 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 180, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 1 Hoboken, July 18. The World, NYC. “Heat’s Victims All Over State.” 7-19-1900, p. 2.
— 2 Jersey City, July 18. The World, NYC. “Heat’s Victims All Over State.” 7-19-1900, p. 2.
— 1 Montclair, July 18. The World, NYC. “Heat’s Victims All Over State.” 7-19-1900, p. 2.
— 2 Newark, July 18. The World, NYC. “Heat’s Victims All Over State.” 7-19-1900, p. 2.
New Mexico ( 0) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 181, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
New York (361)
–361 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 81.
–112 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 186, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 3 Brooklyn, July 8. New York Times. “People Seek Open Air.” 7-9-1900, p. 7, col. 1.
–205 New York City, June-Sep. An. Rpt. of Dept. of Health…City of[NY]…1911-1912., p. 240.
–0 May –10 June –106 July –79 August –10 September
— 1 July 8 New York Times. “People Seek Open Air.” 7-9-1900, p. 7, col. 1.
— 6 July 16 Mountain Democrat, Placerville, CA. “United States.” 7-28-1900, p. 4.[8]
–70 July 18 Trenton Times, NJ. “Seventy Killed by Heat.” 7-19-1900, p. 6.[9]
–22 July 18 The World, NYC. “22 Die…Heat; Scores Are Overcome.” 7-19-1900, 6.
— 9 July 19 Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “Deaths from Heat.” 7-19-1900, p. 1.
— 2 July 20 The World, NYC. “Hot Wave Knocked Out.” 7-21-1900, p. 6.
— 3 Aug 7 Logansport Reporter, IN. “The Hot Wave.” 8-8-1900, p. 4.
— 1 Aug 8-9 Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave…” 8-10-1900, 1.
— 1 Aug 9 Elgin Echo, IA. “Deaths from Heat.” 8-9-1900, p. 3.
–11 Aug 10 Galveston Daily News, TX. “The Heat Record.” 8-12-1900, p. 3.
–11 Aug 12 Post-Standard, Syracuse NY. “Storm Breaks…” 8-13-1900, p. 1.
— 2 Aug 13 Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Sparks from The Wires.” 8-14-1900. p. 2.
–11 Aug 28 Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “Deadly Heat.” 8-28-1900, p. 6.
— 2 Aug 28 Racine…Journal, WI. “Heat Reaches 105 in New York.” 8-28-1900, p. 7.
North Carolina (11) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 193, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
North Dakota ( 0) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 198, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Ohio ( 32)
–32 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 198, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Breakouts by locality where noted:
— 2 Cleveland, Aug 9. Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave…” 8-10-1900, 1
— 1 “ Aug 10. Galveston Daily News, TX. “The Heat Record.” 8-12-1900, p. 3.
— 1 “ Aug 11. Also notes a non-fatal heat prostration; temperature reached 90°.[10]
— 1 Columbus. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 199, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 1 Fernwood. July 24. James Wilhelm, 54, farmhand; apoplexy brought on by excessive heat.[11]
— 1 Lorain Aug 7. Laborer. (Several other non-fatal heat prostrations noted.)[12]
— 1 Marietta. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 199, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 1 Norwalk Aug 13. Trenton Times, NJ. “Killed by the Heat.” 8-13-1900, p. 2.
— 1 Sandusky Aug 9. Michael Murphy, Sandusky Tool Co. (1st Sandusky heat death).[13]
— 2 Toledo Aug 9. Michael Gunning, railroad conductor, and Jers Lerkisch, laborer.[14]
— 1 “ Aug 13. Wellsboro Agitator, PA. “Killed by the Heat.” 8-15-1900, p. 8.
Oklahoma ( 1) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 204, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Oregon ( 1) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 204, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Pennsylvania ( 90)
–90 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 204, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
–45 State, July 17-Aug 26. Blanchard tally of locality and date breakouts below.
— 4 Allegheny. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 210, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 1 Harrisburg. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 205, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 1 Johnstown. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 204, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
–54 Philadelphia. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 211, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 6 “ July 17. Iowa Postal Card, Fayette IA. “Sun’s Rays Prove Fatal.” 7-26-1900, p1.
— 3 “ Aug 9. Post-Standard, Syracuse NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave…” 8-10-1900, 1.
— 5 “ Aug 10. Galveston Daily News, TX. “The Heat Record.” 8-12-1900, p. 3.
–17 “ Aug 12. Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “Seventeen Deaths.” 8-13-1900, p. 4.
–15 Pittsburgh. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 211, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
–2 “ July 17. Iowa Postal Card, Fayette, IA. “Sun’s Rays Prove Fatal.” 7-26-1900, 1
–2 “ Aug 7. Logansport Reporter, IN. “The Hot Wave.” 8-8-1900, p. 4.
–2 “ Aug 9. Post-Standard, Syracuse NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave…” 8-10-1900, 1.
–5 “ Aug 10. Galveston Daily News, TX. “The Heat Record.” 8-12-1900, p. 3.
–2 “ Aug 26. Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “The Hot Wave.” 8-27-1900, p. 1.
— 1 Pottstown, Aug 9. Post-Standard, Syracuse NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave…” 8-10-1900, 1
— 1 Scranton. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 204, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Rhode Island ( 8)
–8 State. US Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904. 1906, p. 81.
–2 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 211, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
South Carolina ( 11)
–11 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 211, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 4 Charleston. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 211, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 2 Charleston, Aug 17. The Landmark, Statesville, NC. “Matters of News.” 8-24-1900, p. 2.
South Dakota (4) US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 216, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Tennessee ( 9)
–9 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 216, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
–2 Nashville. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 216, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Texas ( 35)
–35 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 217, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 1 Dallas, Aug 27. Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “A Day’s Report.” 8-27-1900, p. 1.
Utah ( 2)
–2 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 217, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
–1 “Utah desert,” Jul 22-28. Mountain Democrat, Placerville, CA. “United States.” 7-28-1900, 4
Vermont (1) US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 217, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Virginia (30)
–30 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 222, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 3 Norfolk. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 222, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 2 Petersburg. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 222, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
— 8 Richmond. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 222, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Washington ( 0) US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 222, no. 197, “Sunstroke.”
West Virginia (8) Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 223, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Wisconsin ( 24)
–24 State. Blanchard breakout of heat-related deaths by locality noted below.
–15 State. US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 223, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Breakout of heat-related deaths by locality (not necessarily restricted to “sunstroke.”
— 3 Milwaukee, Aug 7-8. Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “Deadly Heat.” 8-8-1900, p. 3.
–18 “ Aug 8-9. Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave…” 8-10-’00.
— 2 “ Aug 9. Galveston Daily News, TX. “Heat in Chicago.” 8-10-1900, p. 3.
— 2 “ Aug 10. Galveston Daily News, TX. “The Heat Record.” 8-12-1900, p. 3.
— 4 Oshkosh, Aug 9. Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave…” 8-10-1900, 1.
Wyoming (0) US Census. Statistics of Deaths. 1902, Table 7, p. 222, item 197, “Sunstroke.”
Narrative Information:
Illinois
July 3, Chicago: “Chicago, July 3. – A severe storm that suddenly burst upon Chicago last night after a day of torrid weather…Five persons perished and numerous prostrations resulted from the intense heat preceding the storm.” (Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “Severe Storms in Chicago.” 7-3-1900, 1.)
July 4, Chicago: “Chicago, July 5. – The thermometer registered 90 degrees steadily throughout Wednesday [4th], with scarcely any breeze. Up to midnight eight deaths and four prostrations were reported.” (Iowa Postal Card, Fayette. “Heat Causes Eight Deaths.” July 12, 1900, p. 3.)
July 7, Chicago: “Chicago, July 7. A heavy rainstorm last night was the first decided break in the hot wave. It was declared by the Weather Bureau officials, however, to be only a temporary relief, as hot weather is predicted again for to-day. The deaths yesterday due to the heat were twelve, while the prostrations numbered twenty. Several of the latter are in a serious condition, and their recovery is doubtful.” (New York Times. “Twelve Deaths in Chicago.” 7-8-1900, p. 4.)
July 8, Chicago: “Chicago, July 8 [Sunday]. – Relief has come at last from the intense heat and humidity to which Chicago has been subjected for an entire week. Friday night’s thunderstorm cooled the air a bit, but on Saturday the humidity was nearly as fatal as the scorching heat of the earlier days of the week, and though the thermometer registered a maximum temperature of only 89 degrees, twelve deaths attributable to the weather were reported [July 7] and six persons were prostrated. While the record of deaths and prostrations for the week is necessarily incomplete, fifty-two deaths and ninety-five prostrations are known to have been directly induced by the hot wave.” (The World, NYC. “Chicago…Heat…Humidity caused…[52] Deaths in a Week.” 7-9-1900, 2.)
July 9, Chicago: “Chicago, July 9. – The record for the last two days in Chicago shows seventeen deaths due to the heat and thirty-nine prostrations. In the slum districts the people slept on the sidewalks and in the alleys.” (Sumner Press, IL. “Many Die of Heat.” 7-12-1900, p. 2.)
Aug 6, Chicago: “Chicago, Ill., Aug. 6. – The hot wave which struck this section Saturday [Aug 4] continues today with no sign of relief. The heat is terrific and many cases of prostration are recorded. The high temperature in connection with an almost unbearable degree of humidity has caused much suffering both to men and horses and the people are praying for relief in the shape of a cool wave. Later – One death and several prostrations were reported today as the result of the intense heat. The government thermometer at three p.m. registered 92 degrees and was climbing rapidly. On the street level thermometers registered as high as 95 degrees at that hour.” (Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, WI. “Hot Wave Will Stay.” 8-6-1900, p. 1.)
Aug 9, Chicago: “Chicago, Ill, Aug. 9. – Hot records for this city were broken to-day and will be broken again on Friday and again on Saturday and probably for several more days after that….For twenty-five years, or since the weather bureau was established, there has been but one term of hot weather in which the mercury reached 90 for five consecutive days. The average maximum temperature for those five days was 92. There have now been six days in which the temperature has gone above 90, and the average maximum for the six days has been 93.5. To-day was the hottest of the present heated term, the mercury reaching 95 in the Auditorium tower at 3 o’clock. On the street level, where brick walls and sidewalks were given a chance to radiate it was two degrees warmer than in the tower. There were four deaths due to heat and twenty-nine prostrations, three of which are expected to prove fatal….The four deaths to-day make a total of seventeen due directly to the heat. It is estimated that over 100 deaths of people already ill have been hastened by the weather of this week.” (Galveston Daily News, TX. “The Heat Record.” 8-12-1900, p. 3.)
Aug 16, Chicago: “The intense heat ensued nine deaths and many prostrations in Chicago…Thus far 31 persons have died in Chicago from the heat and in one day 93 horses fell dead in the streets.” (Iowa Postal Card, Fayette. “A Week’s Record.” 8-16-1900, p. 2.)
Aug 21, Pana: “Pana, Ill., Aug 21. – This ahs been the hottest any of the year here, the thermometer standing at 101 in the shade at 10 o’clock. Business and farming were practically suspended. John Yates, a farmer, residing near Shinkley, was overcome in his pasture and died in a few minutes…Many prostrations are reported from all other sections.” (Galveston Daily News, TX. “Heat in Illinois.” 8-23-1900, p. 3.)
Maryland:
MD Weather Service: “August, 1900. According to statistics of the Baltimore Health Officer there were 30 deaths during August due directly to sunstroke, and 32 in addition due to excessive heat as a secondary cause. When we come to examine the record of weather conditions during this period, and compare it with the hot spells of the past, we find nothing to equal it in intensity since the establishment of the Weather Bureau Station in Baltimore in 1871.
“Baltimore has on an average five days in August with a temperature of 90° or above, with a maximum in the past of 98°. In August, 1900, there were 17 such days, with a maximum of 100°, while this maximum was practically maintained for six consecutive days. Temperatures were even higher, and hot days more frequent at other points in Maryland and Delaware. Thus, in Washington County there were 20 days with a maximum temperature of 90° or above, with an absolute maximum of 103° at Hancock. The highest temperature recorded within the two states was 104° at Millsboro, Delaware, on the 14th.
“The hot wave began on the 6th, with a maximum temperature at Baltimore of 97°; from the 7th to the 12th inclusive the afternoon heat readied 99° or 100° each day; from the 13th to the 19th the daily maximum ranged between 90° and 94°. Fortunately the relative humidity was comparatively low, averaging but 65 per cent, the normal value being 70 per cent. A comparatively cool period of four days followed, with heavy showers. The temperature rose again on the 24th to 87°, and ranged between 88° and 96° to the close of the month. While the temperature averaged 6° less daily during the latter period than from the 6th to the 19th, the relative humidity rose from 65 per cent to 81 per cent. To add to the discomfort of heat and humidity, the air movement was extremely light. The total wind movement over Baltimore during the month averaged but 108 miles per day; this is equivalent to an average of 4.5 miles per hour. Such conditions following closely upon the long-continued hot weather of July and the first half of August brought intense suffering to man and beast….
“A particularly uncomfortable feature of the hot spell was the high night temperature. During four successive nights the minimum temperature ranged from 80° to 82°. At no other time in the preceding 30 years has the night temperature exceeded 78°. The normal temperature for the month of August at Baltimore is 75°. During August, 1900, the mean temperature was 80°; this value was equaled but once, namely, in 1872.” (Maryland Weather Service. Maryland Weather Service (Vol. Two). P. 457.)
Massachusetts:
July 19, Boston: “Boston, July 19. – There were three deaths caused by the heat and 20 cases of prostration registered in this city yesterday. The physicians at the hospitals were kept busy all during the day, as a case of sunstroke or of exhaustion from heat, requires care and special attention up to the moment when the patient is entirely out of danger. The greater number of patients were brought in before noon, and, up to the time when the unexpected shower ended the atmosphere, there was no rest for those who had the sick from heat under their care. Even when the danger from the heat prostration is passed all is not over, for there then comes a danger of pneumonia from the cold ice baths to which the sick are subjected to lower their temperature.” (Lowell Sun, MA. “Deaths in Boston. Three Die of the Heat…” 7-19-1900, p. 12.)
July 19, Boston: “Boston, July 19. – Tuesday and Wednesday 101 deaths were reported to the board of health, and they look for about 50, the same proportion, today. This is at the rate of 350 a week, which is an unusually high rate. The highest rate ever recorded in Boston in one week is 412, which was in the grip months. The rate at present prevailing is high, and will doubtless drop as soon as the weather resumes a livable temperature. Fully half of the deaths reported yesterday were those of children, who died of cholera infantum. In June of this year there were two deaths from heat, and so far this month there have been six deaths from too much heat. For the corresponding week last year there were 52 deaths from cholera infantum in Boston, but this number is for the entire week. It will doubtless much exceed that this year when the returns for the whole seven days are made up.” (Lowell Sun, MA. “Fifty Deaths A Day.” 7-19-1900, 12)
Aug 27, Boston and Marlboro: “Boston, Mass., Aug. 27. – With hardly a breath of air stirring, and the thermometer registering 97 during the hottest part of the day, Boston was a most uncomfortable place yesterday and to add to the oppressiveness the air was heavy with moisture. There were two prostrations during the day, and one ended fatally.
“Marlboro, Mass., Aug. 27. – The mercury climbed higher yesterday than at any time in the past 15 years, the thermometer showing an average heat of 100 degrees throughout the city.” (Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “The Hot Wave.” 8-27-1900, p. 1.)
Missouri:
Aug 18, St. Louis: “St. Louis, Aug. 18. – Friday was the hottest day of the year in St. Louis. At four in the afternoon the temperature reached 99 degrees, a jump of three degrees from two o’clock, when it registered 96. All records for August have been broken since the year last, when, on August 12, the thermometer registered 106 degrees. Fourteen deaths were reported to the mortuary office from Wednesday noon to 12 o’clock Friday. This makes a total for the partly completed month of 90 deaths of infants alone.” (Marshall News, MI. “Hot Day in St. Louis.” 8-24-1900, p. 3.)
New York:
July 18-20, NYC: “New York, July 19. — The hot weather Wednesday [July 18] caused or contributed toward the death of more than 70 persons in this city and vicinity. As many more stricken ones are in the hospitals, and some of them will succumb before many hours. More than half the fatalities were among babies and little children, and there are now about 40 bodies of the little ones lying at the morgue at Bellevue. Wednesday was the third day of the spell of intense heat. Late at night the temperature moderated. Early in the morning the sun began its deadly work and before the day was fairly well started the hospitals were busy. On the streets the temperature ranged from 93 to 105, and the official record from the weather bureau, high above ground, was 94 degrees shortly before 5 o’ clock p. m….
New York. July 20. — The hot spell, which has hovered over New York and vicinity for the past four days, causing great suffering among rich and poor alike, is over for the present. During the night a brisk wind from the north-west, laden with cooling cheer, drove out to sea the stored-up heat and humidity of the past four days, and Thursday morning there was a big drop in the temperature.” (Iowa Postal Card, Fayette, IA. “Sun’s Rays Prove Fatal.” 7-26-1900, p. 1.)
July 19, NYC: “After the hottest night of the season, New York woke up yesterday to another broiling day. The mercury reached 84 degrees again—the summer’s record so far—and the humidity was almost at the saturation point. The result was that twenty-two persons were killed by the heat and fifty-six prostrated. There were several suicides, too, and many accidents that could be ascribed only to the heat….
“The wave of torridity held half the world in its grasp. Cleveland, Cincinnati, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Providence and Boston alike sweltered with New York. Everywhere was death and prostration. It was the same story in the dispatches from Europe. All the great continental capitals suffered as they haven’t for a generation, and with no prospect of a let-up…
“For to-day there is a little relief in sight – a drop in the temperature is promised by the weather people. But it will only last a trifling- twenty-four hours or so. Then another wave of torridity, already assembling its sizzling waves out West, is due here.
“The city began its grilling early. There wasn’t a house in town the night before where the thermometer registered below 80. Officially, the coolest moment of the night was 79 degrees, but this was twenty stories above the street, on top of the American Surey Company’s lofty sky-scraper. Sunrise saw the mercury above 80 and mounting madly. It was 85 at 9 A.M. and 88 an hour later. Eleven A.M. saw it at the 90 mark and at noon it was 91. At 3 P.M. the tube read 92 in the shade and at 8 P.S. it was 94. This was nothing compared to the temperatures down on the street level. There were plenty of places along the sun-baked pavements where anybody who looked for it could see the thermometer climbing over the 100 mark. The limit was 105 degrees, which was reached at 2 P.M. at Thirty-third street and Broadway.
“Saddest of all is the slaughter of innocents. Such heat as the town has had for four days past is killing the babies at an awful rate. Every hospital and asylum in New York to-day is battling with an infant mortality that it has seldom known before. At the Morgue alone yesterday were bodies of thirty-three little ones— all under a year— received during the day. That, according to the records, is the largest number ever sent there in twenty-four hours. There were ten little bodies from the Foundling Asylum, two from Bellevue, two from the Sloane Maternity Hospital,
two from the New York Hospital, one from each of four hospitals and eleven from their homes. At the Bellevue Dispensary alone thirty-two other little sufferers were treated for ailments due to the heat. ‘More of this weather,’ said Dr. A Burney Cannon,’ and the infant mortality will be something terrible’.” (The World, NYC. “22 Die of the Heat; Scores Are Overcome.” 7-19-1900, 6.)
July 19, NYC: “New York, July 19. – Over 70 people were killed by the heat in this city and vicinity yesterday, and there are nearly as many more again in the hospitals, many of whom will succumb. Over half of the fatalities were among babies and little children, and there are now about 40 bodies of the little ones lying at the morgue at Bellevue.” (Trenton Times, NJ. “Seventy Killed by Heat.” 7-19-1900, p. 6.)
Aug 7, NYC: “New York, Aug. 8. – The hottest wave was still in business Tuesday [Aug 7]. The highest temperature recorded was 93 degrees. Three deaths and 12 prostrations from heat were reported during the day. The thermometer registered 94 degrees in the shade.” (Logansport Reporter, IN. “The Hot Wave.” 8-8-1900, p. 4.)
Aug 12, NYC: “New York. Aug. 12. – The backbone of the hot spell which for the past week has prevailed in this city was broken today by a violent thunderstorm which swept over the city from the northwest at 2 o’clock this afternoon. A large number of prostrations, however, occurred in the early part of the day and before the storm. There were eleven fatal cases reported up to to-night. “Samuel Peistner, 83 years old, committed suicide because of the heat.
“The highest temperature was 95 at the time the change came. This breaks the record for August 12. The highest previous temperature recorded for August 12 was 92 in 1896. The thermometer fell twenty-five degrees in seven minutes from 95 to 70.” (Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Storm Breaks…Backbone…” 8-13-1900, 1.)
Aug 28, NYC: “New York, Aug. 28. – With a maximum street temperature of 105 degrees, with two deaths and many prostrations from the heat, the hot wave which has been oppressing the city for the last three days has attained its highest point. From an almost cloudless sky the blazing sun poured its rays upon the city.” (Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Heat Reaches 105 in New York.” 8-28-1900, 7)
Aug 28, NYC: New York, Aug. 28. – The extreme hot weather continues and the weather bureau is responsible for the statement that the heat is expected to last two days longer. Eleven deaths from the heat were reported.” (Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “Deadly Heat.” 8-28-1900, p. 6.)
Ohio:
Aug 9, Cleveland: “Cleveland, Aug. 9. – Six persons were overcome by the heat to-day and two of them are dead.” (Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave…” 8-10-1900, 1.)
Aug 10, Cleveland: “Cleveland, O., Aug 10. – There were four prostrations from heat to-day, one of which proved fatal. This was the hottest day of the year.” (Galveston Daily News, TX. “The Heat Record.” 8-12-1900, p. 3.)
Pennsylvania:
July 18, Philadelphia: “The day broke the heat records for July 18, just as the day before did. The hottest July 18 hitherto was 93 degrees, which happened in 1878 and in 1885, but at 4 P.M. yesterday the slender silver column in Forecaster Emery’s eyrie [?] marked 94, and another record was smashed. ‘It is torrid weather.’ Said the Weather Man, ‘from the Ohio Valley all over the Eastern States and New England. Philadelphia continues to be the hottest town in the country. It is over 100 there today. It will be cooler here on Thursday….’.” (The World, NYC. “Philadelphia Hottest City.” 7-19-1900, 6.)
July 19, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh: “…July 19….40 cases [heat prostration] with six deaths at Philadelphia and two deaths at Pittsburgh.” (Iowa Postal Card, Fayette, IA. “Sun’s Rays Prove Fatal.” 7-26-1900, p. 1.)
Aug 8, Pittsburgh: “Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug. 8. – Two deaths and nine prostrations from heat are reported for the last 24 hours.” (Logansport Reporter, IN. “The Hot Wave.” 8-8-1900, p. 4.)
Aug 9, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Pottstown and Greensburg: “Philadelphia, Aug. 9. – Three deaths and twenty prostrations occurred in this city to-day from heat….In the streets…the thermometers placed in the sun registered as high as 120 degrees. At noon the temperature was 90 degrees and at 8 o’clock to-night registered 89.”
Pittsburg. Aug. 9 – The torrid wave shows no sign of abating. Two dead and seven prostrations were reported….”
“Pottstown, PA., Aug. 9. – John R. Sullivan, aged 47 years, an iron worker, died today from the effects of the heat. Drinking a large quantity of water, he was seized with cramps and expired in a few hours.”
“Greensburg, Pa., Aug. 9. – John Fisher [unclear] of Latrobe, after being exposed to the rays of the sun for a time, entirely lost his reason and became a raving maniac. He was locked up in jail here.” (Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave…” 8-10-1900, 1.)
Aug 12-13, Philadelphia: “Philadelphia, Aug. 13. – The heat yesterday resulted in three deaths and 17 prostrations…After a week of almost unprecedented hot weather a wind and electric storms last night caused a fall of 244 degrees in the temperature….The first observation at 4 o’clock yesterday morning disclosed the mercury at the 81 mark, and by noon it had risen to 95. It reached its highest point, 99, at 4 o’clock. By 5 o’clock a drop of 9 degrees was noted and at 8 o’clock last night 75 degrees were registered.” (Wellsboro Agitator, PA. “Deaths From Heat in Philadelphia.” 8-15-1900, 8.)
Aug 13, Philadelphia: “Philadelphia, Aug. 13. – The heat Sunday resulted in 17 deaths and 15 prostrations. After a week of almost unprecedented hot weather a wind and electric storm caused a full of 24 degrees in the temperature.” (Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “Seventeen Deaths.” 8-13-1900, p. 4.)
Aug 26, Pittsburgh: “Pittsburg, Pa., Aug. 27. – Two deaths and 15 prostrations from heat were recorded yesterday. The maximum temperature yesterday was 93.” (Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “The Hot Wave.” 8-27-1900, p. 1.)
South Carolina:
Aug 24, Charleston: “There were six prostrations from heat in Charleston, S.C., Monday, two of the cases reported proving fatal. Gage Williams and Wm. Harrison…who were overcome at the Atlantic Phosphate Works, died within an hour after their prostration.” (The Landmark, Statesville, NC. “Matters of News.” 8-24-1900, p. 2.)
Wisconsin:
Aug 9, Milwaukee: “Milwaukee, Wis., Aug 9. – The health authorities report the deaths of eighteen infants within the past twenty-four hours and ascribe the cause to the intense heat.” (Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave…” 8-10-1900, 1.)
Sources
Board of Health. Annual Report of the Board of Health of the Department of Health of The City of New York for the Year Ending December 31, 1912. NYC: 1913. Google preview accessed 11-26-2019: https://books.google.com/books?id=XqMGqwcyOp8C&ppis=_e&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=1871&f=true
Cedar Rapids Republican, IA. “Heat Stays with Us.” 8-7-1900, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=69595306
Elgin Echo, IA. “Deaths from Heat.” 8-9-1900, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=146232150
Elyria Republican, Elyria, OH. “Intense Heat Causes Death.” 8-9-1900, p. 1. Accessed 1-16-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/elyria/elyria-republican/1900/08-09
Galveston Daily News, TX. “Heat in Chicago.” 8-10-1900, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=42565779
Galveston Daily News, TX. “Heat in Illinois.” 8-23-1900, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=42565933
Galveston Daily News, TX. “The Heat Record.” 8-12-1900, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=42565799
Iowa Postal Card, Fayette, IA. “A Week’s Record [Chicago Heat Wave].” 8-16-1900, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=143260412
Iowa Postal Card, Fayette, IA. “Heat Causes Eight Deaths.” 7-12-1900, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=144083998
Iowa Postal Card, Fayette, IA. “Sun’s Rays Prove Fatal.” 7-26-1900, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=143260401
Lebanon Semi-Weekly News, PA. [Chicago Heat Deaths.] 7-5-1900. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=126784894
Logansport Daily Reporter, IN. “Victim of Heat.” 8-29-1900, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=83780651
Logansport Reporter, IN. “The Hot Wave.” 8-8-1900, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com
Lowell Sun, MA. “Deaths in Boston. Three Die of the Heat, 20 Prostrated.” 7-19-1900, p. 12. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=56790462
Lowell Sun, MA. “Fifty Deaths A Day.” 7-19-1900, p. 12. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=56790462
Marshall News, MI. “Hot Day in St. Louis.” 8-24-1900, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=120390138
Maryland Weather Service. “The Summer of 1900.” Maryland Weather Service (Vol. Two). Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1907. Digitized by Google and accessed 1-15-2017 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=-yjPAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
Monroe Weekly Times, WI. “A Week’s Record,” 7-5-1900, p. 2., col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=53444422
Mountain Democrat, Placerville, CA. “United States.” 7-28-1900, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=5077708
Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “City Briefs.” 8-13-1900, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=2855190
Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “Deadly Heat.” 8-8-1900, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=2854590
Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “Severe Storms in Chicago.” 7-3-1900, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=2850357
Naugatuck Daily News, CT. “The Hot Wave.” 8-27-1900, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=2857412
New York Times. “People Seek Open Air.” 7-9-1900, p. 7, col. 1. Accessed 1-15-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/new-york/new-york/new-york-times/1900/07-09/page-7?tag
New York Times. “Twelve Deaths in Chicago.” 7-8-1900, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com.
Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “A Day’s Report [Dallas Heat Death].” 8-27-1900, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=564416
Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “Deadly Heat [NYC].” 8-28-1900, p. 6. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=564697
Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “Deaths from Heat.” 7-19-1900, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=558709
Newark Daily Advocate, OH. “Seventeen Deaths [Philadelphia Heat Wave].” 8-13-1900, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=562452
Norwalk Reflector, Norwalk, OH. “Deaths from Heat.” 8-11-1900, p. 2. Accessed 1-16-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/norwalk/norwalk-daily-reflector/1900/08-11/page-2?tag
Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, WI. “Hot Wave Will Stay.” 8-6-1900, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=8950515
Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Heat’s Victims in Grave and Madhouse.” 8-10-1900, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22405867
Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Storm Breaks…Backbone…” 8-13-1900, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com
Racine Daily Journal, WI. “Heat Reaches 105 in New York.” 8-28-1900, 7. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=53284256
Salt Lake Daily Tribune, UT. “Casualty Record.” 7-4-1900, p. 5. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=94935277
Salt Lake Tribune, UT. “Sparks from The Wires.” 8-14-1900. p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=94935686
Steubenville Herald-Star, OH. “Died of Apoplexy.” 7-25-1900, p. 5. Accessed 1-16-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/steubenville/herald-star/1900/07-25/page-5?tag
Sumner Press, IL. “Many Die of Heat.” 7-12-1900, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=29630335
The Landmark, Statesville, NC. “Matters of News [Charleston, SC Heat Wave.” 8-24-1900, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=3988572
The Star, Sandusky, OH. “Heat at Toledo.” 8-9-1900, p. 3. Accessed 1-16-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/sandusky/sandusky-star/1900/08-09/page-3?tag
The Star, Sandusky, OH. “The First Fatality Attributable to Heat Was the Death of Michael Murphy.” 8-10-1900, 4. Accessed 1-16-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/ohio/sandusky/sandusky-star/1900/08-10/page-4?tag
The World, NYC. “22 Die of the Heat; Scores Are Overcome.” 7-19-1900, 6. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=137357488
The World, NYC. “Chicago Cooling Off. Heat and Humidity Caused Fifty-two Deaths in a Week.” 7-9-1900, 2. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=137357426
The World, NYC. “Heat’s Victims All Over State.” 7-19-1900, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=137357484
The World, NYC. “Hot Wave Knocked Out.” 7-21-1900, p. 6. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=137357497
The World, NYC. “Hotter Still in Chicago.” 7-6-1900, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=137357413
The World, NYC. “Philadelphia Hottest City.” 7-19-1900, 6. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com
Trenton Times, NJ. “Killed by the Heat.” 8-13-1900, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=1758668
Trenton Times, NJ. “Seventy Killed by Heat.” 7-19-1900, p. 6. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=2675847
United States Bureau of the Census. Mortality Statistics 1900 to 1904 (Special Reports). Washington, DC: Department of Commerce, Government Printing Office, 1906, 990 pages. Accessed 1-11-2017 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsushistorical/mortstatsh_1900-1904.pdf
United States Census Office. Vital Statistics Vol. IV, Part II, Statistics of Deaths. Twelfth Census of the United States, Taken in the Year 1900. Washington, DC: 1902. Accessed 6-9-2018 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsushistorical/vsush_1900_4.pdf
Wellsboro Agitator, PA. “Deaths from Heat in Philadelphia.” 8-15-1900, p. 8. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=11098663
Wellsboro Agitator, PA. “Killed by the Heat.” 8-15-1900, p. 8. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=11098663
[1] Number applies to “registration area” comprising 11 registration States (CT, DC, IN, ME, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VE, plus approximately 360 registration cities. Category is “Heat and sunstroke.”
[2] Not all heat-related deaths would have been ascribed to “sunstroke” on a death certificate, which goes a long way towards explaining difference between this Census document and the 1900-1904 Census summary document. There would have been “heat stroke” and “heat exhaustion” deaths as well, not to mention heat as a contributing cause.
[3] Somewhat of a conjecture on the dating in that the article has a July 9 dateline and speaks of 17 deaths during the last two days. It is possible that the dates could be July 8-9, but we could not find support for July 9 heat deaths. In addition, we know from other reports that there were 12 heat-related fatalities on July 7.
[4] Five is derived by subtracting twelve fatalities on the 7th from the 17 reported here for the 7th and 8th.
[5] The paper is a weekly and dated July 28, thus we make the assumption that the five Chicago deaths could have been roughly anytime during the seven days up to publication.
[6] Includes the one death reported for “Shinkley.”
[7] Possibly the reference is to the days Aug 6-15.
[8] This note states that “There were six deaths from heat and thirty five from prostrations in New York on July 16.” We think that it is more likely that there were 6 deaths and 35 prostrations, not 41 deaths.
[9] Includes infant fatalities not included in the 22 fatality figure cited in the World report of July 19. The World article contains but three infant/child fatalities. Most of the others were adult men, three being women.
[10] Norwalk Reflector, Norwalk, OH. “Deaths from Heat.” 8-11-1900, p. 2.
[11] Steubenville Herald-Star, OH. “Died of Apoplexy.” 7-25-1900, p. 5.
[12] Elyria Republican, Elyria, OH. “Intense Heat Causes Death.” 8-9-1900, p. 1.
[13] The Star, Sandusky, OH. “The First Fatality Attributable to Heat…the Death of Michael Murphy.” 8-10-1900, 4.
[14] The Star, Sandusky, OH. “Heat at Toledo.” 8-9-1900, p. 3.