1936 — Feb 1-28, Polar Coldwaves, Snow, Blizzards, Snowslides, Flooding, esp. MI — 273
–273 Compiled by B. Wayne Blanchard, Jan-Feb 2019 for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–>70 UP. “Cold Abates but Spectre…” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI, 2-11-1936, p. 1.
–>50 Traffic accidents alone. AP. “New Cold Wave Spreads…” Frederick Post, MD, 2-18-1936, p. 1.
–>50 Logansport Pharos Tribune. “Midwest’s Death Toll Reaches 50.” 2-6-1936, p. 1.
Summary of February 1936 Winter Weather Deaths by State[1]
Colorado (11) (Feb 7-25)
Connecticut ( 1) (Feb 8-9)
Idaho ( 1) (Feb 14)
Illinois (17) (Feb 8-18)
Indiana (27) (Feb 4-25)
Iowa (10) (Feb 1-18)
Maryland ( 9) (Feb 4-19)
Massachusetts (3) (Feb 15-23)
Michigan (50) (Feb 4-27)
Minnesota (14) (Feb 2-17)
Missouri ( 4) (Feb 3-21)
Montana (16) (Feb 4-27)
Nebraska ( 6) (Feb 3-25)
New Jersey ( 1) (~Feb 17)
New Mexico ( 2) (Feb 8-9)
New York (10) (Feb 16-21)
North Carolina(2) (Feb 4)
North Dakota ( 3) (Feb 17-20)
Ohio (16) (Feb 1-20)
Pennsylvania (36) (Feb 1-28)
South Dakota ( 8) (Feb 3-28)
Washington ( 2) (Feb 22)
West Virginia ( 4) (Feb 11-27)
Wisconsin (16) (Feb 4-25)
Wyoming ( 4) (Feb 8-12
Breakout of Winter Related Fatalities by State (and locality where noted):
Colorado (11) (Feb 7-25)
–6 Doyle-Hesperus Gold Mine area, La Plata Mt. (west), Feb 16. Avalanche; 5 miners & cook.[2]
–3 Camp Bird gold mine, Devil’s Slide, Chicago Hill, Feb 25. Avalanche. Two men/one woman.[3]
–1 Pueblo, Feb 7. Exposure and frost bite; Sylvester M. Pender, 74.[4]
–1 Pueblo area, Feb 7. Exposure; smelter furnace bldg., temporary residence; Nick Martinez, 50.[5]
Connecticut ( 1) (Feb 8-9)
–1 Feb 8-9. “One death resulted from a whipping storm in Connecticut.”[6]
Idaho ( 1) (Feb 14)
–1 Idaho City area, ~Feb 14. Snowslide; frozen body of mail carrier found wedged in tree.[7]
Illinois (17) (Feb 8-18)
–2 Belleville, Feb 10-16. CO poisoning; frozen ground over leaking mains pushed gas into homes.[8]
–4 Chicago, Feb 8-9. “Four deaths in Chicago over the weekend were attributed to the bitter cold.”[9]
–1 Chicago area north, Feb 10. Car stalls in drift; motorist found dead on summer home porch.[10]
–2 East St. Louis, Feb 18. CO poisoning from leaking gas main; Frank Singer, 42, daughter, Lorraine, 16.[11]
–4 Sycamore, by Feb 18. CO poisoning; frozen ground over leaking mains pushing gas into homes.[12]
–3 Wheaton, Feb 16. Train hits car at crossing on curve in falling snow. Hilborn family.[13]
–1 Locale not noted, Feb 13. Exposure. AP. “33 Perish.” Daily Illini, Urbana, IL, 2-14-1936, 1.
Indiana (27) (Feb 4-25)
–1 Berne area, Feb 6. Exposure; found frozen in snowdrift; Andrew Williams Lash, 85.[14]
–1 Clinton, Feb 4. Pedestrian hit by truck on icy road; Robert Cormican, 37.[15]
–1 Evansville area, ~Feb 10. Cars collide head-on; Robert Russell, 25 of Augusta.[16]
–1 Fulton Co., Feb 18. Died of injuries sustained from fall on icy ground; William M. Morrett, 76.[17]
–1 Goshen, Feb 7. Exposure; elderly woman “when she was carried from her home by neighbors.”[18]
–1 Greensburg, Feb 10. Slips attempting to board train; brakeman Earl L. Sturgeon, 48.[19]
–1 Hammond, Feb. 4. Pedestrian hit by car; road conditions blamed. Mrs. Katherine Stephanian, 60.[20]
–1 Hammond, Feb 20. Heart attack brought on by exposure to extreme cold; Wesley Harnitz, 59.[21]
–1 Huntington, Feb 19. CO poisoning; blowing wind “forced” gas from stove; infant Elizabeth Davis.[22]
–1 Indianapolis? Feb 4. Sled being towed by car hit by fire truck; William Heflin, 13.[23]
–1 Indianapolis, Feb 13. Truck skids “off icy pavement and plunged down a 26-foot embankment.”[24]
–1 Kokomo, Feb 20. Heart attack “induced by the cold;” Mrs. Julie Myrtle Ervin, 49.[25]
–1 Linton, Feb 6. Heart attack carrying coal home in very cold weather; Ed Harper, 64.[26]
–1 Logansport, Feb 8. Hypothermia; “afflicted with palsy…unable to keep up…fires in…home.” Kerns.[27]
–1 Logansport, Feb 10. Woman slips on icy pavement, dies from injuries; Mrs. Jennie Misner, 71.[28]
–1 Logansport, Feb 18. Hypothermia in home; William Beicher, 61.[29]
–1 Logansport, Feb 25. Drowning; Eel Riv. ice gorge breaks; flooding; Mrs. Dorothy Frances Penn, 43.[30]
–4 Maynard, Feb 11. Train hits car at crossing; frost on car windows obscured view.[31]
–1 Newcastle, Feb 20; Fall on ice; Omer J. Cook, 52.[32]
–1 Plymouth area, Feb 4. Vehicles collide on ice-covered road; Rollo Mangus, 35.[33]
–1 Royal Center, Feb 20. Apparent heart attack; over-exertion sweeping snow; Mrs. Emma Deboo, 72.[34]
–1 Rushville, Feb 10. Vehicle runs into tree and utility pole; Russell E. Looney, 35.[35]
–1 Warsaw, West Wayne high school, Feb 6. Exposure after long walk to school, sub-zero weather.[36]
–1 Locale not noted, Feb 13. “Treacherous highways cost two lives in Indiana.”[37] (Note 1 above.)
Iowa (10) (Feb 1-18)
–10 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
Breakout of Iowa winter weather related deaths.
–1 Athelstan, Feb 17-18. Ruptured appendix. Snow crews “fought…48 hours to reach her…”[38]
–1 Davenport, ~Feb 9. Exposure (“froze to death”) in front of home; Mrs. Jeannette Schuerman, 44.[39]
–1 Dumont, Feb 3. Apparent heart attack; over-exertion; “struggled home through the blizzard.”[40]
–1 Floris, Feb 16. Train derailment “traceable to the extreme cold.” Unidentified transient.[41]
–1 Parnell, Feb 5. Pneumonia thought to have resulted from exposure; patrolman Martin J. McDonald, 42.[42]
–1 Randall area, Feb 18. Apparent heart attack; over-exertion shoveling drifting snow, Thomas Knutson, ~60.[43]
–1 South English, Feb 4. Found frozen to death at home; Mrs. Mary Ann Hoskins, 72.[44]
–1 Spencer, Feb 1. Fell into snow bank; “lapsed into unconsciousness” and froze to death.[45]
–2 Locales not noted ~Feb 14-15. “Two were killed along Iowa’s roads.”[46]
Maryland ( 9) (Feb 4-19)
–20 Jan-Feb 12. Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “High Winds Cause…Drifting.” 2-12-1936, p. 10
— 9 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 3 AP. “Three, Including State Police Officer, Die in Maryland’s Blizzards.” 2-8-1936.
Breakout of winter weather-related fatalities by locality where noted:
–1 Baltimore, Feb 4. Drowning after slipping on ice on the waterfront; Tobe Sessions, 45.[47]
–3 Baltimore, Feb 8. Heart attacks “belied induced by over-exertion after the heavy snowfall.”[48]
–1 Baltimore, Feb 13. Fall on ice; fractured skull; Mr. James Marshall.[49]
–1 Baltimore, Feb 18. Unidentified man “found frozen to death in an alley in Baltimore.”[50]
–1 Chesapeake Bay off Crisfield, Feb 8. Exposure; went through ice trying to deliver food.[51]
–1 Mount Rainier, Feb 11. Sledding accident leads to death of Paul Gagnor, 13.[52]
–1 Sylmar, Feb 11. Fall…“slipped on…ice…carrying…wood to his home.” Winnie Gamble, 16.[53]
Massachusetts (3) (Feb 15-23)
–1 Boston, Feb 15. Heart attack shoveling snow; Eli Cohen, 65.[54]
–1 Quincy, Feb 15. Heart attack shoveling snow; Frank Crafts, 55.[55]
–1 Winthrop, Feb 23. Boy crushed by ice in harbor ~100 yards from home; Jackie Reardon, 8.[56]
Michigan (50) (Feb 4-27)
–49 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
–16 Daily Tribune, South Haven, MI. “Mercury Rises.” 2-7-1936, p. 1.
–10 Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. “Ten Deaths in Mich. Due to the Storm,” 2-5-1936, p. 1.
— 8 Feb 4-5. “…exposure, fires or in traffic accidents attributable to winter’s fiercest onslaught.”[57]
Breakout of Michigan winter weater-related fatalities by locality (where noted):
–1 Albion area, Feb 4. Car stuck in drift in snow storm; gets out; hit by lead car of ambulance convoy.[58]
–1 Albion area, Feb 4. Auto accident “during the heavy snow storm;” Miss Elsie Williams, 17.[59]
–1 Albion area, Feb 8 or 9. Exposure/hypothermia; Steve Skrown.[60]
–1 Avoca, Feb 4. Burns from fire started in attempt to thaw out frozen cistern; Bruce Ward, 79.[61]
–1 Bangor, Feb 5. Fire; invalid; firemen blocked by snow drifts; Robert Buchanan, 65.[62]
–1 Battle Creek, Feb 7. Heart attack “ascribed…to over exertion while shoveling snow.” Thompson.[63]
–1 Bay City area, Feb 10. Cold and exhaustion, Flint resident Albert Lindner.[64]
–1 Belleville area, Feb 8 or 9; Hypothermia in home; William Learnedan, about 70.[65]
–1 Cheboygan, Feb 4/5. Scalded; “died because parents unable to get him to physicians.” John Vieau, 2.[66]
–2 Clio, Feb 21. CO poisoning; leak in main outside house; ground contracted from “extreme cold.”[67]
–1 Corinth area, Feb 4. Auto-truck collision; Rev. Gerard Snell.[68]
–1 Detroit, near Terminal railway, Feb 8 or 9. Exposure; Leslie Watkins, 35.[69]
–1 Detroit, Feb 20/21. Lost control of auto “on an icy street and struck a streetcar.” Mrs. Mildred Frick.[70]
–2 Detroit, Feb 20 or 21. CO poisoning; seeped into home from broken gas main.[71]
–6 Detroit, Feb 21. CO poisoning; frozen ground leads to gas leaks from mains.[72]
–1 Detroit, Feb 22. CO poisoning; frozen ground leads to gas leak from main; Mrs. Lilly McEvery.[73]
–1 Escanaba, Delta County infirmary, ~Feb 4 (body found Feb 24 in snow). Exposure.[74]
–1 Escanaba, Feb 7. Clothes catch fire; “in bed for protection against the extreme cold.” Kenneth La Chance, 5.[75]
–1 Fairhaven, Feb 8 or 9. Froze to death on his farm; William Schonoming ~65.[76]
–1 Farmington, Feb 19 or 20. Exposure; body found along highway near his home; Jake Zahn, 70.[77]
–1 Gladstone, Feb 26 or 27. “…woman died of a heart attack…bucking a blizzard at Gladstone.”[78]
–1 Grand Rapids, Feb 21. Snow shoveler crushed when truck backs up; Joseph H. Monschein, 49.[79]
–1 Harrisville area, Feb 10/11. CO poisoning; snowplow operator fell asleep in plow; James Emerson.[80]
–1 Ionia, Feb 5. “…fatally injured…when struck by car.”[81]
–2 Lake Michigan off Good Hart, Feb 10. Exposure; ice fishing when ice broke away from shore.[82]
–1 Lansing, Feb 4/5. “…car became uncontrollable.” Anthony Pline, 50, of Westphalia.[83]
–1 Lansing, Feb 20/21. “A skidding taxicab…struck and killed Mrs. Catherine Heitmeyer, 76.[84]
–1 Long Lake, Feb 4. Hypothermia; after being found unconscious in heatless home; Clem Brown, 78.[85]
–1 Monroe, Feb 8 or 9. Heart attack “caused by exertion of outdoors work.” Peter Yack, 72.[86]
–1 Mount Pleasant. Feb 17. Exposure, crawled 2-miles in snow Feb 5. John Roberts, 34.[87]
–1 Plainwell area, Feb 4. Man trying to warn motorists of a snowbound auto, hit; Edward Sager.[88]
–4 River Rouge, ~Feb 16-17. CO gas seeping into homes “from frozen mains” explodes.[89]
–1 Sault Ste. Marie area, Feb 8 or 9. Frozen body found by mail carrier; Charles Aller.[90]
–1 Sugar Island, Feb 10. Exposure; “froze to death…sub-zero weather…” Charles Oller, 31.[91]
–1 Three Rivers, Feb 4. Car and truck collide “in blinding snow storm.”[92]
–2 Ypsilanti, Feb 19/20. Fire “started from an over-heated furnace.” Clarence Griggs, 54, Clarence Jr., 16.[93]
–1 Locale not noted along US-16. Pedestrian hit by car; John Green.[94]
–1 Locale not noted, ~Feb 10. Heart attack “induced by the cold,” grave digger at work.[95]
Minnesota (14) (Feb 2-17)
–1 Anoka, Feb 8. A “headon collision blamed on blinding snow.” Dr. Frederick W. Van Volkenberg, 37.[96]
–1 Clitherall area, Feb 15. Exposure after falling off horse; -41°; Olaf Christianson.[97]
–4 Jordan, ~Feb 17. “…intense cold…cracked a draw-bar.” Freight trains collided.[98]
–1 Minneapolis, Feb 7. Slipped and fell on icy street; Frank Christopher, 40.[99]
–1 Minneapolis, Feb 11. Exposure; body found in park near Art Institute; Florence Cogswell, 27.[100]
–1 Minneapolis, Feb 14 or 15. Exposure; unidentified man in unheated switch shanty.[101]
–1 North Mankato area, Feb 14 or 15. Headon collision, two cars in snowstorm; Simeon R. Burch, 60.[102]
–1 Pine City area, Feb 2. Car hits train; “frosted windshield prevented…driver from seeing…[it].”[103]
–1 Plymouth township, Feb 16 (body found). Exposure, farmer, in his shack; Albert Gustafson, 60.[104]
–1 Poplar Grove, Feb 2. Exposure. Found frozen to death in church sanctuary; Ms. Nellie Roach.[105]
–1 St. Paul area, Feb 14 or 15. Car and snowplow collide; unidentified woman ~26.[106]
Missouri ( 4) (Feb 3-21)
–1 Colony area, Feb 21. Hypothermia in home, sub-zero temps. outside; Mac Oberlander, 75.[107]
–1 St. Louis, Feb 3. Windshield obscured by ice, car collides with another; Miss Lorraine Meinert.[108]
–1 St. Louis, Feb 5 or 6. Exposure death of a man reported.[109]
–1 St. Louis, Feb 20. Car skids on municipal bridge, killing driver.[110]
Montana (16) (Feb 4-27)
–20 By Feb 25. AP. “Heavy Toll Taken by Winter Storms.” Morning Herald, MD, 2-26-1936, 12.[111]
–16 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
–15 By Feb 23. AP. “Fear Flood in Montana Thru Thaw.” Helena Independent, MT, 2-23-1936, 1.[112]
–11 By Feb 21. Helena Daily Independent, MT. “Weather Moderates in Helena…Parts Suffer.” 2-21-1936, p. 6.
–10 By Feb 19. AP. “State Temperatures Rise as Cold Wave Recedes.” Montana Standard, Butte, 2-19-1936, p. 1.
— 1 Big Sandy area, Feb 17 (found). Exposure trying to walk home from car accident; Ingebretson.[113]
— 1 Bozeman area, Feb 6. Truck skids off icy road, down 35-ft bank; rancher Fred E. Ainger, 67.[114]
— 1 Broadus area, Feb 7. Farm house fire thought caused by overheated stove; Martin Roots.[115]
— 4 Carter area. Explosion following “attempt to start a fire with fuel oil.” Stovall children.[116]
— 1 Fort Belknap/Harlem area, Feb 18. Exposure after car stranded in snow; Charles Sparks, Sr.[117]
— 1 Glasgow area, Feb 7. Exposure on brothers farm; Agnes Aitken, 57.[118]
— 1 Malta (35 miles from), Feb 21. Cold and hunger; Anton Sjogren.[119]
— 1 Polson, Feb 13. Exposure/hunger; found in Flathead lake shack, took by sled to Polson hosp.[120]
— 1 Poplar (25 miles south of), Feb 27. Avalanche; Leslie Vandlinder Jr., 8.[121]
— 2 Red Lodge area, Feb 4. Car; “windows…frosted in the biting cold weather” hit by train.[122]
— 1 Townsend, Feb 14. Hit by train; crossing tracks in blinding snowstorm. Charles Sheldon, 47.[123]
— 1 Wolf Point, Feb 20. Exposure; body found by wife ½ mile from home; Enoch White.[124]
Nebraska ( 6) (Feb 3-25)
–1 Carroll, Feb 18. Frozen body found in snow bank; believed to be hit by snowplow; McAlexander.[125]
–1 Columbus, ~Feb 6. Stroke?; last seen shoveling snow; found frozen in home Feb 10; Fred Clausen, 87.[126]
–1 Falls City, Feb 25. Injured while shoveling snow several days earlier; Dr. could not visit.[127]
–2 Omaha, by Feb 18. CO poisoning; frozen ground over leaking mains pushing gas into homes.[128]
–1 Rising City, Feb 3. Heart attack after trying to get car out of snowdrift; O.L.E. Wade, 68.[129]
New Jersey ( 1) (~Feb 17)
–1 Littlie Falls, ~Feb 17. “A small girl fell through the ice and drowned…”[130]
New Mexico ( 2) (Feb 8-9)
–2 Pueblo, weekend of Feb 8-9. “Two men froze to death in Pueblo, N.M.”[131]
New York (10) (Feb 16-21)
–1 Buffalo, Feb 20. Heart attack while trying to get car started with alcohol; William Gordon.[132]
–1 Buffalo, Feb 20; Heart attack after walking 12 blocks through bitter cold; Charles Keitz, 54.[133]
–1 Delphi Falls, Feb 21. Starvation/exposure combination at home; Charles Chase, 72.[134]
–1 Gowanda, Feb 21. CO poisoning; “overheated pipeless gas stove…”; William Taylor, 36.[135]
–1 Jordan, Feb 20. Exposure; died after found in front of home; frozen arms/legs; E. Kanaley, 60.[136]
–1 New York City, Feb 8-9. “New York’s metropolitan area reported one death…”[137]
–1 Seneca Falls, Feb 20. Exposure; died after found in home with frozen feet; William Devlin, 66.[138]
–1 South Colton, Feb 20. Trucks collide in snow storm; Otis P. Page, 39.[139]
–1 Syracuse, Feb 16. Heart attack after trying to get car out of snowdrift; Dr. J. Otis Kelley, 47.[140]
–1 Troy, Feb 20. Hypothermia; found frozen to death in rear of her home; Anna Shaughnessy, 67.[141]
North Carolina (2) (Feb 4)
–2 Murphy area, Feb 4. Heavy rainstorm; Midway Lake dam fails; Mrs. B. Johnson, son Dewey, 23.[142]
North Dakota ( 3) (Feb 17-20)
–1 Fingal, Feb 20. Farmer found frozen in snowbank; Mike Huber, 50.[143]
–1 Grand Forks area, ~Feb 17. “A 79-year-old man froze to death near Grand Forks, N.D.”[144]
–1 Karlsruhe area, Feb 20. Peritonitis; snow-blocked roads hindered transport to hospital.[145]
Ohio (16) (Feb 1-20)
–1 Cincinnati, Feb 4. Apparent exposure; unidentified male robbery victim, ~40, found frozen.[146]
–1 Cleveland, Feb 1. Exposure; died in hospital after found near milling plant; Edward Sass, 50.[147]
–1 Cleveland, Feb 1. Possible exposure; frozen body found under bridge; Carl Beifus, 45.[148]
–1 Cleveland, Feb 4. Hypothermia; found frozen in rooming house; Nicholas Potecky, 70.[149]
–1 Cleveland?, Feb 4. Skull fracture from slip on icy sidewalk; Joseph Leitner, 50.[150]
–1 Cleveland, Feb 7. Fractured skull from fall on icy sidewalk; Michael Lynch, 45.[151]
–1 Findlay, Feb 18. Exposure; Hancock County Home resident wandered off; Irvin Bolick, 70.[152]
–1 Gallipolis, Feb 4. Exhaustion and exposure; found in snow near his home; Hermit Figgins.[153]
–1 McConnelsville, Feb 2. Sledding accident; sled hit by car; Donald Weaver, 15.[154]
–1 Newark, Feb 7. Skull fracture injuries; sledding accident; hit by car; Earl R. Stabelton, 14.[155]
–1 Newark, Feb 10. Car “skidded off the icy road…” Mrs. Dorothy Everspaugh, 19.[156]
–1 Painesville, Feb 2. Auto accident on icy road; Elmer Massey, 22.[157]
–1 Portsmouth area, Feb 6. Hypothermia; partial paralytic falls on cold floor; Clarence Bruce, 62.[158]
–1 Warren, ~Feb 7. CO poisoning; rooming house bathroom; death “charged” to cold weather.[159]
–1 Warren, ~Feb 7. Froze to death in one-room home; found dead on floor; Louis Bartoni, 46.[160]
–1 Youngstown, Feb. Exposure; found frozen to death in a ravine; Thomas Rees, 70.[161]
Pennsylvania (36) (Feb 1-28)
–36 Blanchard tally from locality fatality breakouts below.
Breakout of PA winter weather related fatalities by locality:
–1 Athens, Feb 4. Girl walked in front of car she did not see in snowstorm; Louise Patton, 6.[162]
–1 Canonsburg, Feb 4. Truck/trailer skid down hill into truck; Vincent Stahle [unclear], 27.[163]
–2 Connellsville, Feb 22 or 23. Sledding accident; Thelma Hughes, 12, and George Legreco, 12.[164]
–1 Danville, Feb 22 or 23. Sledding accident; Charles Davis Jr., 14.[165]
–1 Emporium, Feb 27 or 28. Premature dynamite explosion; set to break up ice gorge; Miller.[166]
–1 Erie, Feb 1 or 2. Exposure; found frozen to death near home; George Geiger, 28.[167]
–1 Johnstown area, Feb 1 or 2. Exposure; found frozen near home; William C. Farabaugh, 59.[168]
–1 Lebanon, Co. Almshouse, Feb 1. Exposure; found near death in his shack; John L. Fisher ~71.[169]
–1 Lima, Feb 16 (frozen body found outdoors near home). Exposure; John Berry, 42.[170]
–1 McKeesport, Monongahela River, Feb 27 or 28. Drowning; Edward Finn, 19.[171]
–1 Meyersdale, Feb 22 or 23. Carbon monoxide poisoning; Paul E. Baer, 21.[172]
–2 Mount Joy, Feb 23 (bodies found). Hypothermia; brothers Clabe Gantz, 77/John Gantz, 74.[173]
–2 New Brighton, Feb 15 or 16. Drowning; playing on Beaver River thin ice; Boyde & Connor.[174]
–1 Oil City area, Feb 27-28. Baby swept from grandmother’s arms in flood; Naomi Mellring, 18-mo.[175]
–1 Philadelphia, Feb 4. Auto collision on Bristol Pike during storm; Joseph Pawlus, 55.[176]
–1 Philadelphia, Feb 4. Pedestrian hit by a trolley during storm; Joseph Allen.[177]
–1 Philadelphia, Feb 4. Pedestrian killed by motorist who failed to stop.[178]
–1 Philadelphia, Feb 8. CO poisoning; gas main leak in frozen ground outside garage; John Murphy, 65.[179]
–1 Philadelphia, Feb 15 or 16. Injuries from fall on icy sidewalk near home; Mrs. Helen Zazowski, 52.[180]
–1 Pittsburgh, Feb 22 or 23. Injuries from fall on icy street; Miss Mary McLaughlin, 64.[181]
–1 Pittsburgh, Feb 22 or 23. Injuries from fall on icy street; Mrs. Slattery, 50.[182]
–1 Pittsburgh, Allegheny River, Feb 27 or 28; Drowning; fell into river; William Buttsnitz, 10.[183]
–1 Ramey, Feb 7. Heart attack; over-exertion walking mile through snow to see patient; Dr. J.M. Cornely.[184]
–6 Rankin, Pittsburgh suburb, Feb 4 and 12. CO poisoning, Dominick Fusco family.[185]
–1 Reading, Feb 1 or 2. Sledding accident; LeRoy Krick, 11.[186]
–1 Schuylkill Haven, Feb 1 or 2. Boy sleds into bus; Richard Ney, 13.[187]
–1 Shiremanstown, Feb 22 or 23. Sledding accident; Joseph Ebersole, 14.[188]
–1 Somerset, Feb 24. CO poisoning after car became stuck in snowdrift; Paul Baer, 21.[189]
South Dakota ( 8) (Feb 3-28)
–9 By Feb 11. AP. “Another Storm is Approaching,” Lincoln Evening Journal, NE, 2-12-1936, p. 6.[190]
–7 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–1 Flandreau, Feb 14. Heart attack while shoveling snow at his home. C. Ellis Nichols, 67.[191]
–1 Isabel area (30 miles), ~Feb 11. Illness; snow-blocked roads stopped four attempts to reach her.[192]
–1 Philip area, Feb 10, rancher found frozen to death in his corral; F. C. Fessenden, ~50.[193]
–1 Selby, ~Feb 28. Septicemia; set in after foot froze; Bradley S. Stowell, 76.[194]
–1 Sioux Falls, Feb 3. CO poisoning; car left running for heat; Naomi Tootssie Voelsch, 20.[195]
–1 Sioux Falls, Feb 4. CO poisoning; car left running for heat; Hale Keith, 33.[196]
–1 Sioux Falls, Feb 10. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Charles E. Swark, 66.[197]
–1 Toronto, Feb 8. Found “frozen to death in a refrigerator car.” Jess Ara Wakman, 21.[198]
Washington ( 2) (Feb 22)
–2 Snoqualmie Pass, Feb 22. CO poisoning; cab of truck trapped in snowslide.[199]
West Virginia ( 4) (Feb 11-27)
–1 Charleston, Feb 13. Car slides on ice into another, driver gets out falls, fracturing skull.[200]
–1 Cranberry, Feb 11. Hypothermia; froze to death in home; Mrs. Ann Douse, about 65.[201]
–1 Morgantown, Scots Run, Feb 27 report of earlier death. Drowning; Dorothy Fain, 6.[202]
–1 Sutton, Feb 23 report of finding of body of Lloyd Dillon in creek; froze to death.[203]
Wisconsin (16) (Feb 4-25)
–1 Beaver Dam hospital, Feb 20. Gangrenous infection; frozen hands/feet; Richard Neider, 52.[204]
–1 Darlington area, Feb 7. Pneumonia, after blizzard and snowdrifts blocked med. aid attempts.[205]
–1 Dayton area, Feb 21. Exposure; trying to walk 4½ miles to son’s farm; John Nelson, 45.[206]
–1 Elkhorn area, Feb 20. Infection from two frozen feet; farmer Ed Schlagenhau, 45.[207]
–1 Fond du Lac, Feb 14. Apparent heart attack; exhaustion; shoveling snow at home; Fred Weiddmen, 58.[208]
–1 Janesville, Feb 6. Found Feb 5 ill at home with frozen feet and gangrene; Inert Olson, 50.[209]
–1 Kenosha, Feb 25. Cold and lack of food; died in hospital; Silver Lake resident; Charles Kerwin.[210]
–2 Kiel area, ~Feb 5. Exposure in storm; Marion Mahlock, 16, and Endine Pagel, 18.[211]
–1 Madison, Feb 10. Exposure; car went into drift; died in snow near home. August Troia, 41.[212]
–1 Marinette, Feb 6. Starvation/hypothermia in home with no heat; Mrs. Joseph Harbick, 67.[213]
–1 Neillsville area, ~Feb 15. Exposure, following heart attack; Andrew Shaer, 80.[214]
–1 Oshkosh, Feb 4. Overexertion and exposure; former fire chief, Robert Brauer, 85.[215]
–1 Richmond area, Feb 9. Chain used to pull truck from snowdrift breaks; hits George Dorr, 65.[216]
–1 Waucousta area, ~Feb 10. Froze; WPA worker lost in blizzard; William Little, 58.[217]
–1 Locale not noted, Feb 4. Trucks collide; “drivers were blinded by the snow.”[218]
Wyoming ( 4) (Feb 8-12
–1 Lander, Feb 11. Car overturns on curve; so cold that death was from exposure; Paul Wilkins, 33.[219]
–1 Lingle-Torrington highway, Feb 8. Car skids into culvert; Ralph Hollenbrink, 27.[220]
–1 Rawlings area, Feb 9. Froze to death after car skidded on ice; Robert S. (Smiley) Fertig, 56.[221]
–1 Rock Springs area, Feb 10. Heart attack while digging thru a snowdrift; William McIntosh, 60.[222]
Narrative Information — General
Kohler: “The weather during the year 1936 was characterized by marked extremes in temperature and precipitation. Unparalleled prolonged periods of subzero temperatures obtained in many Western States in the early months of the year…January and February 1936 brought the most severe weather ever experienced to several States in the north and middle sections of the Mississippi and Missouri Valleys; also locally in parts of the Ohio Valley. In the month of January only six States, namely, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington had average temperatures above normal. The greatest negative departures were centered in the northern portions of the Missouri and Mississippi valleys. The mean temperature for North Dakota was -5.8° or 12.1° below normal; likewise in Minnesota the departure from normal was –10.8°; South Dakota, -10.2°; Iowa, -9.0’; and Wisconsin, -6.0°. The lowest for the month was -55° at Warroad, Minn., on the 23d. In Kentucky a new monthly minimum was established with a temperature of -25°.
“The winter reached its most severe stage in February. Only two States, Nevada, and Utah reported an average temperature above normal. The maximum negative departures, as in January, were centered in the northern portions of the Great Plains, the Mississippi and Missouri Valleys. New low mean temperature records were established in eight States, namely, Iowa, 6.0° departure from normal, -16.3°; Missouri, -5.5° departure, -17.8°; Montana, -0.1°, departure -22.3°; Nebraska, 8.9°, departure -17.3; North Dakota, -12.9°, departure -22.6°; South Dakota, -3.8°, departure -22.3°; Wisconsin, 2.8° departure -19.6°; and on the Pacific coast the State of Washington experienced an unusually severe month, the mean temperature being 22.5°, or 12.7° below normal, establishing a new low mean temperature for the State.
“The lowest minimum of the month and also a new record for the State of North Dakota was 60° below zero which occurred at Parshall on the 15th; the latter is within 6° of the lowest temperature ever reported in this country-66° below zero at Riverside Ranger station, Yellowstone Park, Wyo., in February 1933. Two other States in this area, namely, South Dakota and Wisconsin with minima of –58° and -52° established new minimum records. The highest minimum for the month was 18° which occurred at Quincy, Fla.” (Kohler, J. P. “Weather of 1936 in the United States.” Monthly Weather Review, Vol. 65, No. 1, Jan 1937, pp. 12-16.)
Newspapers
(Scroll down below for breakout by State)
Feb 1: “Chicago, Feb. 1 (UP, 1936.)–Worried officials in five Mid-western states scanned threatening weather reports tonight as coal miners worked overtime to avoid a critical fuel famine. After 11 days of unprecedented cold, new forecasts of ‘snow and colder’ in four affected states were a heavy blow. Already 15 counties in Iowa are without relief coal — five additional having appealed for help today. Gov. Clyde Herring, who personally supervised distribution to
[February 1 General Newspaper Account (continued)]
relief cases of 30,000 tones of soft coal mined overtime today, said: ‘Iowa can avoid suffering
from shortage unless another period of severe cold and snow sets in.’ The weather man predicted a drop in temperature in south-eastern Iowa over the week-end, but no snow.
“Forecasts of snow and colder were made for Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Missouri. Coal shortage in these states is serious only in scattered communities, but authorities feared prolongation of the cold wave–already longest in a generation–would cause widespread hardship….” (United Press. “5 States Face Coal Famine as More Cold is Forecast.” Syracuse Herald, NY, 2-2-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 2: “Hurry-up calls for coal continued to pour into local operators Saturday as many sections of th country faced fuel famines because of the unprecedented and extended cold wave. Many of the orders went unanswered so far as the Kanawha mining district was concerned. While operators filled orders as rapidly as they could, many of them turned away hundreds of requests for shipments because their request of Van A. Bittner, president of district No. 17, United Mine Workers of America, to permit the minters to work six days a week instead of the five specified in their contracts, was refused. The request was made so that the mines could turn out more coal. Although there were reports that the railroads were experiencing a car shortage, it was learned from official sources that if the mines turned out the coal the railroads would move it to the places that now are threatened with actual suffering in the homes because of fuel shortage.
“In refusing to permit the mines to run longer than the 35 hours per week as set forth in the wage agreement, Mr. Bittner informed the operators that only for such emergencies as needs at hospitals, schools and electric power plants could the miners work longer than the hours stated in the contract. Mr. Bittner followed the example set by his chief, John L. Lewis, president of the international miners’ union, who, appealed to at Washington from many quarters, made a qualified proposal. He was quoted as saying that his organization would cooperate in every way possible to alleviate the midwestern coal shortage, adding that miners would be allowed to work more than 35 hours a week wherever threatened shortages of coal ‘cannot be remedied otherwise,’ but he said that the United Mine Workers ‘do not intend to allow avoidable shortages to be used as a subterfuge for breaking wage and hour contracts.’ Decisions as to extra working time, Mr. Lewis said, would be left in the hands of district officers in the areas affected….
“Another delay to the movement of coal from this district has been due to the freezing of the Kanawha river and the blocking of the Ohio river by ice jams. River transportation is at a standstill. The greatest ice jam is in the Ohio river at lock No. 26. Several large coal companies in this section are big users of river transportation, shipping about 1,250,000 tons a year to Cincinnati where it is ordinarily transferred to hoppers and shipped further west. This traffic is now at a standstill and the companies are using their facilities as best they can to lead coal upon trains at their mines….” (Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Coal Famine Threatened; Mine Union Leaders Turn Down Overtime Work Plea.” 2-2-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 3: “You can walk across Niagara now. Since the ice has completely chocked the upper Niagara River and the flow of water over the American side has been reduced to a trickle, thrill seekers…may now cross the river above the falls on foot…the sub-zero cold turned the swiftly-flowing Niagara into a mass of ice. The Canadian (or Horseshoe) falls, however, flows as usual.” (Harrison Daily Times, AR. “How Frost King Muted American Niagara Falls,” 2-3-1936, p. 1.)
[February 3 General Newspaper Account (continued)]
Feb 3: “Chicago, Feb. 3.–A chill-racked nation watched the groundhog crawl back to the warmth of his hole Sunday night [Feb 2], then did the next best thing–heaped the fire with fuel from a coal pile that was almost gone. Coal miners in four states gave up Saturday holidays to keep their neighbors warm, but fuel shortage remained acute in the Mid-West and South as the weatherman, like the groundhog warned against more Arctic blasts. Rationing of fuel supplies spread to Ohio from Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Alabama and Mississippi.
“Another snowstorm was sweeping south and east from Canada and the Dakotas, the weathermen said, and temperatures would remain abnormally low everywhere east of the Rockies. Snow was forecast within 36 hours for North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and as far east as the national capital at Washington.
“The Mid-West remained the seat of the frigid kingdom, but the East was hard hit. Chesapeake bay was icebound, tying up all vessels there. Food was carried in a blimp to 1,500 residents of Tangier island marooned by the ice. The mercury could get no higher than 23 degrees at noon despite a bright sun. Ice-coated streets made motoring hazardous in New York City, which remained in the grip of a two-week cold snap.” (Harrison Daily Times, AR. “Chill-Racked Nation Stokes Up Furnaces.” 2-3-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 4: “The inexorable McKenzie river basin shoved another sub-zero wave southeastward Monday night after most of the nation enjoyed a breathing spell from Arctic weather of the past fortnight. Except in the Rocky Mountain country where near blizzard conditions accompanied readings as low as 18 below at Havre, Mont., comparative mildness prevailed. Snow and rain were widespread over the eastern half of the County. At Craig, Colo., 15 inches of snow blanketed the western slope of the Rockies, a 24-hour storm left a foot of snow in Salt Lake City, and all Wyoming was covered.
“A heavy sleet proved as effective as cold in preventing efforts to aid the ice bound residents of Tangier and Smith Islands in Chesapeake Bay. Plans for plane flights to the islands were cancelled because of the hazardous landing conditions the sleet created. But a ton of food stuffs came to equally ice blocked Nantucket, Mass. Island. Three thousand residents witnessed landing of the three planes forestalling a threatened bread shortage. New York coast guard headquarters received more than 25 calls for aid from boats plying New York bay, which was studded with ice blocks.” (Associated Press. “Winter Holds Harsh Reign over Country.” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO, 2-4-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 5: “Snowblocked roads, ice-glazed streets, piercing winds, arctic cold and floods caused accidents and hardships in the eastern half of the United States today. Only the crust which formed on yesterday’s snow averted blocking of highways in this area by drifts when a strong wind swept this region last night.
[February 5 General Newspaper Account (continued)]
“The peril of a coal shortage became increasingly serious in many regions. Iowa has been without an adequate supply for more than a week; transportation tieups and the severe cold cut supplies to the danger point in parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky and Massachusetts.
“A bitter northwest wind swept a new cold wave down from the Canadian northwest, across the mid-west and toward the East. Snow which stalled trains and blocked highways drifted back again after plows dug out main transportation lines.
“Heavy rains raised streams in four southeastern states over their banks, causing at least four deaths and leaving many families homeless. A cold wave added to the suffering after the rains in Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina and Georgia. Two persons drowned near Murphy, N.C., when raging mountain streams poured flood waters into Midway Lake. The lade dam burst carrying away the farm home of Blalock Johnson. Mrs. Johnson, sixty-five, and her son, Dewey, twenty-three, drowned. Johnson, another son and a small niece were carried several hundred yards downstream but escaped.
“Near Maylene, Ala., two trainmen were killed when a freight train plunged down an embankment weakened by floods.” (Middletown Times Herald, NY. “Gales Chill East; Floods Strike South.” 2-5-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 6: “Far up on the Canadian northwest the temperature dropped to 50 degrees below zero today, chilling huge masses of air which will follow the present sub-zero wave across the country. Slight relief was expected in some parts of the midwest late today before the new Arctic blasts sweep toward the east. Abnormal temperatures continued in the vast territory from the Rockies to the Appalachians.
“More than 50 deaths were attributed to the latest cold wave in one of the coldest winters on record. Most of the midwest was digging out of deep drifts which paralyzed rail and automobile transportation and forced closing of many rural schools.
“In Iowa snowplows were concentrated on side roads leading to soft coal mines. Scores of isolated towns reported fuel supplies practically exhausted. Gov. Clyde Herring awaited a reply from mine operators after calling upon them to double shifts wherever possible and disregard their 35 hour week contracts. Mayor John Lloyd Capel of the village of Yale, Ia., said ‘things will be so critical I don’t like to think about them unless highways and mines soon become accessible. Residents of Yale and other towns have been cutting down trees and burning green wood for fuel for a week. Frantic request for fuel swamped the state capitol at Des Moines and a special corps of telephone operators was installed.
“Rural communities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Kentucky also reported acute coal shortages.
“The mercury sank to…48 below at Warroad, Minn., near the Canadian border and 47 below at Eveleth, Minn. ….” (Logansport Pharos Tribune. “Midwest’s Death Toll Reaches 50.” 2-6-1936, p. 1.)
[February 7 General Newspaper Account]
Feb 7: “Bitter cold held its grip on the northwest today while the mid-west enjoyed a brief respite from subzero temperatures and a new ice storm swept the eastern coast from Florida.
“Coal shortages which have kept scores of Iowa families shivering for days spread to the deep south. Swollen rivers throughout Dixie surged over their banks and sent hundreds of families fleeing from their homes.
“Alabama’s miners will work Saturday to speed up production. Gov. Clyde Herring of Iowa expected a reply today from mine unions asking to work a 48 hour week to relieve distress. Wisconsin industries were clamoring for coal and faced a shutdown unless prompt deliveries were made.
“The storm north of Florida forced an Eastern Airlines plane carrying six persons to land on an unlighted water-covered field near Pensacola last night. The plane was missing for two hours.
“Below zero temperatures struck the Rocky Mountain region with Gillette, Wyo., reporting 20 below and Helena, Mont., 24 below. More than 3,000 sheep died from exposure and starvation on the ranch of Art Allison, near Gillette, when he was unable to push through drifts to bring them feed.
“Traffic in the far northwest was tied up in a snow storm which swept across British Columbia and Washington. Fifty passengers were rescued from a snowbound Milwaukee road train at Hyak, Wash., and transferred to buses. Washington logging camps were closed, throwing hundreds of men out of work.
“Snowplow crews in Michigan worked frantically to open roads to dairies when milk supplies ran short in Kalamazoo and Muskegon county. Snow prevented removal of 100,000 tons of coal from the Muskegon, Mich., docks.
“Trains throughout the central states returned to normal schedules after fighting snowdrifts for two days.
“Colder weather was forecast for the entire eastern half of the continent over the weekend with more snow in the north central states.” (United Press. “Bitter Cold Still Gripping Midwest; Storm Sweeps East.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL. 2-7-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 8: “Chicago, Feb 8. Millions of dollars added to the cost of highway maintenance, skyrocketing fuel prices, and more than 185 dead in 22 states[223] were the tolls computed today in the wake of the nation’s second bitter cold wave. Industry was crippled and private fuel dealers from Wisconsin to Alabama parceled out orders in bushel lots as they fought serious fuel
[February 8 General Newspaper Account (continued)]
famines. Coal miners added an extra day to their schedule to help abate the emergency. Railroads estimated increased coal shipments from a low of 32 per cent to a high of 68 per cent over last year. Deliveries were delayed by mountainous drifts which held up trains for hours. Shipping docks in the Great Lakes area were choked with coal which could not be moved to the needy areas.
“Wisconsin alone estimated the cost of clearing snow-blocked highways at $5,000,000. Metropolitan New York reported snow removal costs at $5,100,000 and fuel costs at more than $5,000,000. Hundreds of thousands of dollar damage were reported in southern states where rain and snow combined to swell streams over their banks and to precipitate disastrous floods.
“Suffering was reported in the east. North and south. Relief officials said extra millions of dollars would be necessary to care for indigent families. Final figures will not be known until books are balances.
“Roads were hazardous and garage men estimated automobile repair jobs would cost owners at least 30 per cent more than normal.
“A survey by the United Press in states most affected showed:
“Minnesota — Coal consumption was up 75,000 tons weekly; 500,000 gallons of fuel oil were burned and total fuel costs were up $915,000. Highway maintenance cost $100,000. Twelve were dead.
“Wisconsin — Coal consumption increased 240,000 tons weekly. Fuel bills were up $4,800,000 and costs of highway maintenance was fixed at $5,000,000 Emergency funds were required to purchase added snow-plows and to furnish relief for the needy.
“Missouri — Officials estimated fuel costs for average families doubled. St. Louis reported 160 persons injured in falls on icy streets. Ten deaths from cold were reported. The Mississippi river was frozen over. Miners in the area worked a six day week.
“Iowa — Snow removal costs were fixed at $4,000,000. Coal consumption was up 250,000 tons and fuel bills increased about $1,500,000. Eleven dead.
“Illinois — at least ten deaths in central portion. Auto repair work tripled. ‘Incidental’ costs, medical treatment, heavy clothing, etc., up several million dollars; coal consumption doubled.
“Nebraska — Road clearing costs reported at least $500,000; residents buying 15 per cent more fuel, and shortage feared. Four dead.
“Ohio — Highway officials estimated between $13,000 and $15,000 daily cost to keep roads clear. Coal deliveries in some portions were limited to one ton per customer.
“Michigan — Sixteen dead; coal costs up 10 to 30 per cent in all sections.
“Indiana — Fifty-five dead; $200,000 spent on clearing roads; 770,000 tons of coal consumed.
“Tennessee — Knoxville reported the deepest snowfall since March 15, 1900. Miners added an extra day to their schedule to meet the unprecedented demand for fuel. Snow was three feet deep in the mountains.” (UP. “Terrific Cost of Cold Wave.” Hammond Times, IN. 2-8-1936, p. 2.)
[February 8-9 General Newspaper Account (continued)]
Feb 8-9, Madison, WI: “Madison grandfathers who ventured out this morning buttoned their ulsters high and held their chins in collars, for no longer could they awe young ones with tales of ‘the winters we used to have.’ A breath-taking blizzard, the worst some old timers ever had seen, ripped through Madison and the mid-west Saturday [Feb 8] and during the night, tying up traffic and reclosing roads only recently opened, and even marooning towns and villages. Riding high on a 20-mile-an hour wind came another severe cold wave which dropped the temperature here 21 degrees in one hour Saturday afternoon then continued to pull it downward through the night.
“Motorists were warned Saturday night to stay off the roads, throttled from one end of the state to the other with snowdrifts packed hard by the latest severe cold spell….Bus traffic from and to Madison was cut off entirely Saturday….Throughout the state road crews fought the blinding snow, then gave up as the wind swept the drifts right back in their wake….About 35 men were cutting at drifts in Dane county Saturday night and at the same time discovering many cars stalled by heavy snow walls and the driving snow which even penetrated to engines….
“Only about two and one-half inches of snow fell here Saturday, the weather bureau reported, but consistently high wind increased that amount by ripping layers from snow already fallen….
“With the blizzard raging and roaring outside, many huddled around stoves in isolated farm and village homes, for the time being cut off from the rest of the state….
“Weather forecasters said the storm slowly was moving toward the Atlantic seaboard.
“Superior, one of Wisconsin’s northernmost cities, was lashed by winds of tornadic force.
“For hours after the snow began falling here this morning, the city clung to balmy temperatures, seeing the mercury hit a high point of 26 degrees at 2 p.m. An hour later it was 24, and in the next 60 minutes the fluid shot down 21 degrees. By 9 p.m., it had reached 13 degrees below zero.
“More than 80 vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, and a bus, were snowbound on the Madison-Fond du Lac road Saturday night, their occupants sheltered in farmhouses….
“Looking ahead of the storm, county highway officials established a picket line around Monroe Saturday morning and tried to keep traffic from leaving the city. Herman Koh, county highway commissioner, declared the system ‘worked out fine, and kept many from getting uncomfortable.’….
“On highway 19, near Waterloo, workers found 27 stalled cars on a long curve.
“Buried behind heavy drifts, the little village of Livingston in Grant county happily greeted a truck Saturday as it carried in the first bread the community had had in three days….” (Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Roaring Snowstorm Blocks Roads, Drops Temperature 21 Degrees in Single Hour.” 2-9-1936, p. 1.)
[February 10 General Newspaper Account]
Feb 10: “Chicago, Feb. 10.–Towering snowdrifts and glacial cold crippled much of the mid-continent region today, returning the fight against the elements to the terms of pioneer days. Isolated ranchers in South Dakota burned fence posts and hay to keep warm while their city cousins in snow-bound communities in that and other central states rationed fuel against the sub-zero cold.
“Abnormally cold weather, the weather bureau said, would continue in the north central states tomorrow and probably thru Wednesday.
“Thruout the middle west augmented crews worked to dig out the paths of modern travel, highway and railroads, after a week end in which both were almost closed. Double engines pulled trains into Chicago. Drifts in railroad cuts were reported as deep as 30 feet.
“The longest and bitterest cold spell of many years clung on relentlessly with the lowest recorded temperature 32 below at Williston, N.D. Almost the entire northern half of the country was deep in the grip of zero, sub-zero, or near zero cold.
“A dirigible buffeted by high winds spanned the icy waters of Chesapeake Bay to land a half ton of food on Tangier Island where 3000 inhabitants were imprisoned by ice.
“It was so cold in the zero belt that drifts at Fairmont in southern Minnesota froze so hard residents of that snowbound town, isolated by a weekend blizzard, had to crack them with an axe.
“A lack of fuel halted classes in South Dakota university at Vermillion with temperatures in the state ranging to 23 below.” (Associated Press. “Fence Posts, Hay as Fuel in Cold Wave.” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. 2-10-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 11: “Chicago, Feb. 11–(UP)–Winter’s most violent attack of the century increased fear of starvation and exposure in many midwest communities today. Stinging cold today made the 21 day period the coldest three weeks on record in Chicago. The death toll over the nation mounted to more than 270.[224]
“Iowa, digging out of the worst blizzard in 40 years, was the most seriously affected of central states. Householders, unable to buy coal for two weeks, today could purchase only small
[February 11 General Newspaper Account (continued)]
quantities of groceries, meat and milk. Farmers in Iowa and the Dakotas were burning corn cobs and stalks to keep warm in frail houses literally banked to the roofs with snow. Main highways were being opened for the first time in four days but many side roads remained blocked with
mountainous drifts. Huge rotary plows swirled snow from railroad tracks. Main line trains were only four to five hours behind schedules. Over the weekend they were 12 to 24 hours late and many coal trains did not run at all….Coal supplies for relief families were exhausted in 46 Iowa counties….
“Temperatures were somewhat higher yesterday bu abnormally cold weather continued today from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic seaboard. North Dakota cities reported 20 to 25 below zero readings today while it was 4 below in Chicago.
“Scores of Michigan cities were without adequate supplies of milk and coal. Grand Rapids had no milk tor today. Highway crews worked furiously to open roads to dairy centers. Trains were unable to buck drifts to reach the Michigan cities of Manistee, Grand Haven, Holland, Pentwater, Whitehall, Shelby and Allegan. Coal was rationed in half ton lots in Allegan….Mayor O. R. Pollard of Columbia, Mo., ordered schools, churches and other public assemblies closed because of a threatened coal shortage….
“Three Illinois counties reported acute coal shortages. At Toulon all available coal was dumped in a community pile and distributed a bushel at a time.
“Forecasts of local snow added to thee problem of opening roads to bring in coal, food and milk to isolated communities in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Michigan.
“Skis, bobsleds and an eight horse team were used to bring milk to Wisconsin towns. Beloit, in the heart of the milk producing area, had less than five percent of its normal milk supply during the past two days. Schools will be closed all week in Lake Geneva and Walworth to conserve fuel supplies.
“The threat of the worst ice jam since 1918 was felt along the Mississippi river. A sudden breakup would crush channel fences, riprap work and numerous small craft caught in the ice between Chester and Cairo, Ill.
“Cost of the fierce winter onslaught mounted well into the millions in addition to the intense human suffering. Railroads serving the west and north estimated increased expenditures since the first cold wave at between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000.
“The snowbound area extended into Kansas and Missouri but warmer weather was expected….
“The University of South Dakota at Vermillion was closed along with all rural schools in the state. A rescue party battled huge drifts to reach the town of Marcus in the Black Hills. The 200 residents have been cut off from all communication for a week….” (United Press. “Fear of Hunger and Exposure Grips Midwest.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL, 2-11-1936, p. 1.)
[February 12 General Newspaper Account]
Feb 12: “Chicago, Feb. 12 (AP)–Snow clouds whirled more cold into the frozen West today, rolling new drifts across crippled food, fuel and transportation lanes. The traffic-tangling white blanket deepened from Montana eastward as Canada’s Ice-lined Mackenzie River basin tipped new chill down the Rocky Mountains for a winter rendezvous with a Texas rainstorm.
“Plunging mercury columns hit 10 to 36 below zero in the Northwest as the biting blast jabbed into a farm belt that was just starting to thaw. Strong winds will swirl rain out of Texas over the Gulf States and snow into the Northeast within the next 24 hours, the weather man said. In was predicted heavy snow would pull more zero cold into the North Central States to harry thousands who took advantage of a brief 10 to 14 degree temperature rise to shovel roads and railways clear. Fine snow fell all morning in Chicago, where the overnight minimum was a mild 6 above zero. By contrast, Devil’s Lake, N.W. [ND?] had 36 below.
“Suffering continued unabated as the cold wave reached the middle of its third week. Food and fuel shortages were acute in many places, schools remained closed, and some towns were still marooned. Many cities were forced to burn wood and in a few instances corn was used to supply heat.
“Blizzards choked highways anew in western Montana. Highway traffic in northern Oregon was almost at a standstill due to sleet storms. Idaho reported roads blocked by snow for the past four days….” (Associated Press. “New Blizzard From Arctic Grips Midwest.” Syracuse Herald, NY, 2-12-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 13: “Chicago, Feb. 13–(UP)–The icebound midwest drew a brief respite from paralyzing subzero temperatures today but fuel and food shortages continued to harass many sections of the stricken area.
“City officials took personal charge of the fuel supply in many Iowa cities, rationing the meagre stores. Relief from winds of blizzard intensity was reported in southern Minnesota and South Dakota. Food and fuel supplies in many isolated communities, however, were believed nearly exhausted. A new snowfall prevented assistance. Green wood, furniture and books were being used as fuel in some homes.
“In Iowa, Mayor Paul Jurkin of Fairfield accused coal operators of ‘profiteering’ during the emergency and asked Gov. Clyde L. Herring to take immediate action….
“Five deaths were attributed to the cold in Indiana.
“More than 300 storm and cold deaths have been recorded in 24 days….” (United Press. “Cold Wave in Middlewest Appears Definitely Broken,” Logansport Pharos Tribune, 2-13-1936, p. 1.)
[February 14 General Newspaper Account]
Feb 14: “Chicago, Feb. 14….The cold wave which advanced southward over the Rocky Mountain region was expected to reach most of the midwest by Friday night. Moderate weather yesterday with rain in southern areas again crippled traffic. Motorists were warned off Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana roads….
“Iowa’s coal shortage remained acute. A Rock Island train loaded with coal for Audubon, Ia., was stuck in a snowdrift one mile south of Hamlin. The Marshalltown, Ia. City council assumed charge of distribution of coal. Guards were stationed at the city scales to prevent ‘hoarding.’ Public buildings were permitted to stock coal but individuals were limited to a half ton.
“The Ohio river ice gorge broke at Carrsville, Ky., 22 miles below the houseboat in which eight government workers are marooned. Colder weather would re-gorge the ice, bringing a sudden rise of water which would crush the houseboat under huge cakes of ice….” (United Press. “South Dakota Communities Snow Bound.” Hammond Times, IN, 2-14-1936, p. 2.)
Feb 15: “Chicago, Feb. 15 (AP). — Storm winds and flood waters lashed the land and churned the sea today from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Ships were tossed by raging waves, buildings were caved in by snow, lives were lost in the cold, and whole towns were marooned by floods and snowdrifts. Fear of death from disease, escaping gas, and fuel and food famine was felt in various places as a new cold wave advanced from the Rockies eastward. Zero weather, already gripping the West, was expected to chill the East before the week-end passed.”
(Associated Press. “Whole Towns Marooned by Floods and Snowdrifts, Lives Lost in Cold; Zero Weather Now on Its Way East.” Berkshire Evening Eagle, MA, 2-15-1936, p. 1.
Feb 16: “Chicago, Feb. 16.–Scattered snow and piercing cold tightened winter’s protracted siege in the northern states today. Snow ranging from flurries to several inches fell in many sections in the upper half of the nation. More was in prospect. No relief from the frigid conditions that have formed the rule in the Mid-West for a month was sighted.
“A reading of 50 below aero was registered at Willston, N.D. It was the lowest on record. Other under-zero temperatures included: Havre, Mont., 46; Miles City, Mont., 38; Devils Lake and Bismarck, N.D., 42; Huron, S.D., and Moorhead, Minn., 32; Charles City, Ia., 22. The zero belt spread as far south as Wichita, Kan.
“The men of Hatfield, Mo., snowbound for a month, shoveled all day in an effort to clear clogged roads and bring in food and fuel. The coal and kerosene supplies were exhausted. Stores estimated their provisions would last only two more days.
“Emergency methods ended the complete isolation of a dozen hamlets in South Dakota and Minnesota. Planes rushed supplies to some of the communities in the former state. Dynamite charges blasted caked drifts blocking the paths of snow plows and trucks. Two planes were pressed into service at Kalamazoo to fly food and medicine to beleaguered towns in Michigan.
“A heavy thaw raised a flood menace in Maryland; a drop in temperature checked flood dangers in Ohio. Water of the Shenandoah and Potomac rose, but there were no indications of inundation.” (AP. “Weather Experts See No Relief From Cold Wave.” Titusville Herald, PA, 2-17-1936, p. 1.)
[February 17 General Newspaper Account]
Feb 17: “Chicago, Feb 17.–A new cold wave sped across the country from the Northwest today on the heels of an almost nation-wide snowfall. Severe cold was forecast for at least two more days as records for continued sub-zero weather were shattered in Northwestern States. The new snow hampered rescue parties in their efforts to reach marooned cities. The coldest spot recorded was 33 below at Havre, Mont. All marks for sustained frigidity at Watertown, S.D. were broken with 36 below. It was Watertown’s thirty-seventh consecutive day of sub-zero weather. The cold blanketed the country except for parts of the Pacific States and near Southwest and the Atlantic slope. Zero temperatures reached southward to the Kansas-Oklahoma boundary and thence northeast to the Mackinac Straits in Michigan.
“The number of deaths rose as the temperatures fell. Traffic accidents took more than half a hundred lives. A small girl fell through the ice and drowned at Little Falls, N.J. Four died of the cold in Michigan. At Sycamore, Ill., the cold was indirectly blamed for the asphyxiation of four persons. A 79-year-old man froze to death near Grand Forks, N.D.
“A hard wind drifted snow back into the freshly opened roads leading to six marooned communities in South Dakota. The Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad division between Fort Dodge, Iowa, and the twin cities was opened for the first time in two weeks. A rising Ohio river, carrying churning floes of ice, threatened to flood lowland sections. A forecast of falling temperatures, however, was seen as a probable, if temporary, salvation. Chicago, protected by lake breezes and a predicted cloud formation later today, was promised only moderate cold with a probable minimum of 10 degrees above. Pittsburgh reported ice gorges in the Ohio below Wheeling, W.Va., turned the river into a mass of churning cakes. A big jam caused a three-foot rise, but predicted colder weather was expected to avert immediate flood danger.” (Assoc. Press. “New Cold Wave Spreads Over Northwestern Area.” Frederick Post, MD, 2-18-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 18: “Chicago, Feb. 18–(UP)–Starvation and cold threatened 200 residents of Athelstan, Ia., today as a new cold wave smothered besieged middle western states. The little community has received no supplies since Feb. 7, and bread, sugar, flour, kerosene, and lard rations were completely exhausted. There was no feed for livestock and only half a ton of coal remained among all the residents. ‘If we don’t get food and fuel today,’ Mayor C. M. King said ‘there will be a more than dangerous situation here.’ Beleaguered householders tore down empty buildings and chopped everything available to keep small fires burning in single rooms.
“Drifts driven by northwest winds crawled over the stricken area and railroads in an area bounded by the Dakotas, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin again were hours behind schedule. Milwaukee trains stopped at Spencer, Ia., unable to proceed. They were 12 hours behind schedule in Minnesota’s iron range district and many branch lines were cancelled completely. The Olympian from Seattle, fighting gigantic drifts in Montana, was 24 hours late.
[February 18 General Newspaper Account (continued)]
“Extreme cold cracked gas mains in at least four midwestern cities and towns Six new deaths were reported.
“Five miners and a woman were crushed beneath a roaring snowslide at Mancos, Colo. A survivor struggle 10 hours through…drifts to notify the outside world of the tragedy.
“The coast guard cutter Escanaba sped from Traverse City, Mich., carrying provisions to 50 persons isolated on Manitou Island in Lake Michigan.
“Trucks loaded with food moved slowly behind snow plows attempting to open roads to Twilight, Red Owl, and 10 other small settlements in South Dakota. Winds closed roads behind them and there was no turning back.
“Records of nearly a century were smashed as temperatures plummeted. Representative readings included:
Miles city, Mont., 30 below zero;
Harve, Mont., 30 below;
Memphis, Tenn., 2 above;
Omaha, 10 below;
Des Moines, 10 below; Milwaukee, 16 below;
Minneapolis, 16 below;
Cleveland, zero;
Detroit, 8 below;
Kansas City, six below; and
Miami, Fla., 60 above.
“Volunteers drove four horse drawn sleds and a tractor across snow ridges to Hatfield, Mo., where 200 residents had been snowbound for a month. They left enough food and kerosene to last a week. Householders were burning fences and flooring for fuel, the rescuers reported.
“The menace of death from gas escaping from frozen mains increased with four new deaths reported at Sycamore, Ill., and two at Omaha. Nineteen persons have been asphyxiated or killed in gas explosions during the past week
“Collision of two freight trains which took four lives at Jordan, Minn. Was blamed on intense cold which cracked a draw-bar….” (United Press. “Temperature Touches 16 Below.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-18-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 19: Chicago, Feb 19….Throughout the frozen middle west weather observers foresaw a break in the unprecedented cold wave which has caused more than 400 deaths and intense suffering during the past month. Temperatures eased slightly in the subzero area today after dropping to as low as 46 below yesterday. Rising temperatures were forecast for Thursday….” (UP. “End of Extreme Cold Predicted in Middlewest.” Circleville Herald, OH, 2-19-1936, p. 1.)
[February 20 General Newspaper Account]
Feb 20: “Chicago, Feb. 20 (AP)–A new cold wave from Canada today cancelled the nation’s brief respite from arctic weather. The icy blasts were renewed when a low pressure area that promised to keep things a little warmer was shunted off the western slopes of the Rockies. Temperatures rose from 2 to 15 degrees east of Rockies, except in New England, during the night, but the weatherman predicted they would drop during the next day or two. Despite the milder weather the mercury still was 20 to 30 degrees below normal, he said. The zero line which cut across northern Nebraska and Iowa to Michigan this morning was due to stretch southward over Nebraska and Iowa tonight. Light snowfall was forecast for parts of the North and Middle West, bringing new worries for highway and railway crews trying desperately to catch up with blizzards in the Northwest. During the lull some snowbound towns got their first fuel in two weeks….” (Associated Press. “Fresh Cold Wave Sweeps Out of North.” Salamanca Republican-Press, NY. 2-20-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 21: “Chicago, Feb. 21 — (AP) — Another cold wave today threatened the plains states after a brief respite from sub-zero weather. Forecaster C. A. Donnel, of the Chicago weather bureau, predicted it would be colder today, but said there was no immediate prospect of subzero temperatures. The midnight reading here was 19 above. ‘Cold weather, but in less severe form, will prevail in all north central plains states Friday and Saturday,’ Donnel said, ‘while in southern sections temperatures will range from five to ten degrees below normal, except in Kansas which will be above normal.’ He said in ‘extreme northern Rocky mountain sections, temperatures last night ranged from 15 to 30 degrees below normal, with the minimum, 12 degrees below at Harve, Mont.’
“Lincoln reported average temperatures across the state were 5 above, while Milwaukee, Wis., was 11 above. The Wisconsin forecast was ‘fair and no change in temperature.’ Lake shore roads were reopened and coal moved to several stricken Wisconsin towns.
“Deaths from weather causes continued. Wisconsin reported three men died as a result of infections from frozen parts of the bodies. A Chicago railroad fruit inspector died of carbon monoxide poisoning from a charcoal burner in a freight car. Two more persons died from inhaling gas, believed to have seeped into their home from a broken gas main, in Detroit.” (Assoc. Press. “Plains States Threatened by Mercury Drop.” Lima News, OH, 2-21-1936, p. 10.)
Feb 21: “Milwaukee, Wis. — For the first time in the memory of the Great Lakes’ oldest navigators, going back beyond the day when records were first kept, Lake Michigan’s 22,500 square miles Friday were completely frozen over from Milwaukee to Ludington and from Chicago to Sault Ste. Marie. When the Pere Marquette line’s carferry 31, City of Saginaw, put in here Friday [Feb 21] after crossing from Ludington, Capt. J. F. Johnson reported seeing no open water during the entire trip. The lake surface is covered with ice fields, he said. Praise for the crew of the ship came from all the five passengers,…Officers remained on duty without sleep through watch after watch during the crossing.
[February 21 General Newspaper Account (continued)]
“The Saginaw left Milwaukee at 11 p.m. Tuesday. Ice extending almost to midlake from the Wisconsin side caused little delay, but about 5 a.m. Wednesday the boat ran up against a huge ice mass 23 miles southwest of Ludington. The Saginaw’s bow was ledged on the pack so solidly that efforts to back off were futile. Several thousands of tons of water ballast were taken on in an attempt to made the boat settle down enough to crack open the ice and free itself. Motors were kept going all day to keep the water stirred aft so the propellers would not freeze in.
“Carferry No. 22, coming from Ludington after being freed by the U.S. coast guard cutter Escanaba, tried to break the ice alongside the Saginaw, but was soon stuck in the same manner. The Escanaba, following, freed the boat by breaking off sections of the ice. Two hours later, or about midnight, the Saginaw was released, and started backing toward Ludington, propellers cutting the heavy floes. About 6 a.m. Thursday the Saginaw was stopped again, three miles out of Ludington, and the ship spent the day plowing back and forth in a narrow lane. Shortly after dark the lights of the City of Flint, inbound from Milwaukee, and Carferries 18 and 19, from Manitowoc, came into sight. The Flint backed in and broke a path alongside the Saginaw, freeing it about 11 p.m. The Saginaw and Flint then freed 18 and 19, outbound from Ludington. The Flint and Saginaw then battled their way to the Ludington docks, and left at 2 a.m. Friday for Milwaukee, reaching here at 10:30.” (La Crosse Tribune, WI. “Ships Report Lake Michigan Frozen Over For First Time.” 2-22-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 25: “Chicago, Feb. 25. — (U.P.) — Floods today menaced the vast mid-continent area drained by raging, ice-choked streams which flow into the Mississippi. Huge accumulations of snow melted over thousands of acres as temperatures mounted well above freezing in the territory which suffered a month of sub zero cold.
“Breakup of ice gorges in the Ohio river lessened the flood danger in southern Indiana and Kentucky where spring floods are an annual occurrence. Residents of lowlands were moved from their homes by the Red Cross.
“Two streams in southeastern Nebraska, where two feet of snow melted in two days, poured over their banks. Lowlands residents evacuated their homes.
“Weather observers believed lower temperatures during the next few days would retard the early thaw and alleviate the flood threat. Heavy rains would spread disaster by raising hundreds of streams, large and small, above flood stage.
“The Mississippi ice gorge broke at Chester, Ill., last night, threatening to crush boats and levees under huge ice cakes. The ice moved slowly at first but rivermen foresaw thousands of dollars damage should it gain momentum. Tremendous blocks of ice jolted down the Ohio river but shore ice held fast, keeping the ice cakes from lowland homes….
“With Scioto river ice pressing dangerously against bridges at Columbus, Ohio, city engineers dynamited several dams. In Milwaukee, engineers prepared to dynamite ice jams in the Lincoln park section where floods annually inundate a wide territory. The Milwaukee river rose six
[February 25 General Newspaper Account (continued)]
inches yesterday. CCC workers were called out to dynamite ice which threatened to sweep away a highway bridge over the Hennepin canal, 13 miles north of Kewanee, Ill. Twelve families in the lowlands moved from their homes….” (United Press. “Ice-Choked Streams Cause Grave Alarm in Several States,” Racine Journal-Tribune, WI, 2-25-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 26: “Bulletin. The Wisconsin highway department late today was notified by its Eau Claire and Wisconsin Rapids divisions that blizzard conditions were so serious that automobile travel northward to those areas was inadvisable. Snowfall at Eau Claire had totaled five to six inches and visibility was so bad that snowplows were unable to proceed. It was expected that all north and south highways would be blocked by night…
“The March lion, which awoke Madison with a premature roar today, is booked to produce fresh north winds, snow flurries, and colder weather tonight….Howling southeast winds accompanied a one-inch fall of wet, heavy snow during the night, and occasional flurries are in prospect tonight while the wind shifts around into the northwest…A rapid drop in temperature occurred overnight in the Missouri valley, Sioux City, Ia., reporting 18 above this morning and Huron, S.D., 4 above.
“The snowstorm that followed a three-day thaw in Madison developed partly from the low pressure center that had been dallying around Yellowstone park for several days, and partly from a new low from Texas, which threw in a rich mixture of thunderstorms along a line between Abilene to Ft. Wayne, Ind. The heaviest part of a snow or rain storm moves ahead of the low pressure center…and as the center was over Iowa early today it was not likely that Madison would receive enough additional snow to affect traffic….
“La Crosse today reported one of the worst storms of the winter and other states west of Wisconsin experienced a recurrence, in places, of the snow blockade that held up freight and passenger movements throughout the first half of February. The ticker at the Madison weather bureau showed an erratic map with clear skies and a 15-mile visibility at Dickinson, N.D., while at Jamestown, in the same state, a blizzard was raging. The snowstorm, one of the heaviest of the record-breaking winter, also reached blizzard proportions in sections of western Minnesota, the United Press reported. Railroad traffic again bucked drifts that mounted hourly.
“Cold weather still prevailed over the far northwest today, Churchill reporting 30 below zero, The Pas 22 below and Prince Albert 20 below, while at Battleford, Sask., where 24 below was recorded during the night, a snowstorm brought a rise to 12 below this morning….” (Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “March Lion’s Roar Sends Mercury Hurrying to Cover.” 2-26-1936, 1.)
Feb 27: “Minneapolis, Feb. 27.–(U.P.)–Wind driven snow blotted out the northwest’s transportation systems yesterday all the way from Chicago to Bismarck, N.D. The snow storm, one of the heaviest of a record-breaking winter, reached blizzard proportions in sections of western Minnesota and the Dakotas. Roads that have been cleared little more than 10 days of the last two months again were drifted. Railroad traffic again bucked drifts that mounted hourly as the wind increased and the snow continued. Communities were well stocked with food and fuel,
[February 27 General Newspaper Account (continued)]
however, because of the six-day breathing spell that interrupted the most prolonged sub-zero wave ever recorded in this section of the United States. Temperatures plummeted downward throughout the northwest. The forecast was for another cold wave today.” (United Press. “Snow Storm Reaches Blizzard Proportions.” Hammond Times, IN, 2-27-1936, p. 3.)
Colorado
Feb 4: “Denver, Feb. 4.–The old fashioned brand of weather that has avoided Colorado for three years left icicles hanging from the two mile high roof of the continent in Colorado today. The deepest snow in three years, ranging up to six feet, covered some sections of the mountain territory. Temperatures collapsed, dropping to 12 below official reading at Pueblo and 24 at Greeley. At the Pueblo airport it was 18 below. Highway crews fought thru deep drifts and rescued dozens of trucks marooned on Wolfe creek, and rotary snow plows were opening a way over Cumbres pass for railroad trains. In Denver the low was seven below zero; at Fort Collins 8.8 below; at Leadville 6 below; Sterling 15 below; Trinidad 2 above; and at Colorado Springs 11 below. On the western slope it was comparatively warm; 13 above at Grand Junction and zero at Durango. Engineers reported that there was more snow on Berthoud pass than at any time in three years, the total depth was about seven feet. Roads were dept open with rotary plows.” (AP. “Deepest Snow of Long Time in Mountains.” Greely Daily Tribune, CO, 2-4-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 7: “Sudden drop in temperature accompanied by a raw east wind made Friday morning [7th] one of the most disagreeable of the winter for outside work in Weld county and caused most of the outside WPA projects to be shutdown before noon. Official thermometer reading was three degrees above zero at 8 a.m., the coldest of the night. Before 8 o’clock a cold moisture-laden wind sprung up from the east. A thermometer on the Greely building in downtown Greeley registered 20 degrees above zero at 7 a.m., and by 9 a.m. had dropped to four degrees below zero — a drop of 24 degrees in three hours.” (Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “Temperature Drops 24 Degrees, WPA Projects Shut Down.” 2-7-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 8: “Greeley Airport Government thermometer which is just outside the south city limits of Greeley recorded a minimum temperature of 30 degrees below zero at 6 a.m. Saturday [Feb 8]–two degrees lower than that at the Greeley Sugar factory. This is believed to be an all time record, except for two occasions, one of which was a 54 below zero reading before the turn of the century. The airport thermometer registered 32 below at 7 a.m. and was still five below zero at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
“Biggest one day coal bill in many winters was sustained by Greeley householders and business men Friday. The Greeley building, largest office building in town, used seven tons of coal for the 24 hours from 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. This is twice the normal consumption…
“Weld county’s storm of the season ended Friday night with clearing skies that sent the thermometer down to the lowest mark in many years–37 degrees below zero at Greeley.
[Colorado February 8 Newspaper, continued]
“Saturday morning’s check showed that all marooned adults and school children were reported to have gotten to their homes without injury or to have stayed overnight in homes or teacherages.
“Main highway to Cheyenne was reopened north of Rockport Saturday, but many of the east west county roads, particularly in Northeast Weld, remained closed. Even main highway 14 east of Briggsdale had to be cleared by county maintenance units Saturday morning to let 40 persons marooned at the McBeth ranch home….
“Chambers Lake reported six inches of new snow. The Grand River ditch, head of the Water Supply & Storage, reported ten inches of new snow, making a total for the year of five feet. At Chambers Lake the mercury stood at 10 below zero at 6 o’clock Saturday morning….” (Greeley Daily Tribune. “Marooned Adults and Students Get Safely to Homes in Snow and Cold Wave 37 Below Zero.” 2-8-1936, p. 1.)
Idaho
Feb 7: “A roaring chinook wind that swept south central Idaho yesterday [Feb 6] rendered virtually all roads and highways in the district impassable and completely isolating several towns, last night reached blizzard proportions as the temperature slumped and heavy snow fell.
“Twin Falls, a central point in the storm swept area, last night had suffered less than any other city or town, although early this morning all routes out of the city were reported blocked by drifts–some of which were seven feet in depth.
“The wind swept out of the southwest early yesterday and the mercury was above freezing throughout the day, registering considerable thawing, but last night a drop in temperature provided an icy surface at all points on the highways where the snow had failed to drift….Bus service out of Twin Falls was cancelled last night when both east and west bound stages arrived here several hours behind schedule. The eastbound stage arrived after taking one and one-half hours to cover the 18 miles from Buhl. It immediately left for the east but was halted four miles east of Murtaugh when it became entangled in drifts between five and six feet in depth. Finally being able to turn around, the bus returned to Twin Falls.
“Bad as conditions were on the west and east of Twin Falls, highways to the north and south were in a much worse state. Cars lined the highways between Halley and Wells, Nevada, all day yesterday and the drifts were so deep that no stages attempted the trip.
“Wendell, Jerome, Eden, Hazelton, Hollister and Rogerson were last night reported to be completely cut off from the outside world. The Twin Falls-Hailey bus was marooned at Jerome early yesterday and the driver reported any attempt to leave will prove futile.
“Train service was also hampered, trains arriving behind schedule on the Twin Falls branch throughout the day yesterday. When trains did arrive here from Buhl or Murtaugh the engines
[Idaho February 7 Newspaper Report, continued]
were piled high with snow. No train service on the Wells branch out of Twin Falls was attempted yesterday….
“Hollister has been seriously affected by the storm, a heavy snow falling nightly for the past week. Schools have been closed all week and no means of transportation has proved successful on the Salmon tract….
“Lewiston, Idaho, Feb. 6 (AP)–A blizzard swept over the Camas prairie country, southeast of here, last night and today, piling deep drifts in highways and slowing both rail and highway traffic. Highway officials said the Winchester hill section of the North and South highway was filled with drifts, some of which were 10 feet deep. They said it may be several days before roads to Grangeville and other towns were opened. Railroads of the area were operating rotary plows to clear their tracks, and most trains were running several hours late. The road to Moscow, north of here, also was reported to be closed by drifts.
“Heavy snow fell throughout north Idaho during the night, a nine-inch fall being reported at Wallace. Main highways generally were being kept open.” (Twin Falls Daily News, ID. “New Snows Following High Wind Complicate Idaho Traffic Problem.” 2-7-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 13: “Wallace, Idaho, Feb 13 (AP) — Menacing snowslide conditions kept the Jack Waite mine closed today, while Northern Pacific officials said they expected normal traffic to be resumed tomorrow on the Wallace-Missoula line. The 24-hour blizzard which blocked the rails ended during the night, scuttling the temperature to the second lowest in 29 years. The mercury reached 19 below zero here and 28 below at Lookout summit. Roads were kept open. Sandpoint, in extreme north Idaho, reported resumption of school, but the classes depleted by the inability of many school buses to buck the drifts. It was 13 below.” (Associated Pres. “Snowslide Menace Closes Idaho Mine.” Twin Falls Daily News, ID, 2-14-1936, p. .1.)
Iowa
Feb 3: “Spirit Lake, Ia., Feb 3.–(UP) Children in northwest Iowa consolidated schools were rushed home at noon today and rural schools were unable to open as a snowstorm, approaching blizzard proportions, whipped into Iowa from the northwest. The dry snow became heavier as the day advanced. The wind was high. Roads were becoming badly drifted. School busses from Sirit Lake, Arnolds Park, Milford and Okoboji consolidated and other high schools in this region were ordered to take students home at noon. It was feared that the storm would block highways and isolate the schools by nightfall. Rural schools throughout the Spirit Lake region failed to open this morning when the severity of the storm became apparent. Few motorists were on the highways this afternoon and railway officials were fearful that rail traffic will be halted if the storm continues unabated.” (United Press. “Blizzard Hits at Spirit Lake.” Oelwein Daily Register, IA, 2-3-1935, p. 1.)
Feb 4: “Des Moines.–(AP)–Iowa burrowed its way out today from beneath last night’s paralyzing snowstorm which blocked highways, stalled trains and brought bitter, below zero
[Iowa, continued]
temperatures back to harass the entire state. The snow, ranging from a half inch in the southeast section up to eight inches in the west and north part of the state, piled into six-to-ten-foot deed drifts before a lashing wind. And temperatures which sank below zero, held there or continued their decline as skies cleared over the entire state. Tonight, the weather man forecast, this newest sinking spell will carry the mercury to 30 below in the north half of the state and to 20 below in the south. A dozen trains were reported either snowbound or annulled. On the Illinois Central line, three trains were stalled, one at Cherokee, one at Iowa Falls and one at Waterloo. Fort Dodge reported the last train to reach there was a Great Western passenger.” (Associated Press. “Iowa Digs Out From Under Drifts.” Ottumwa Daily Courier, IA, 2-4-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 5: “Des Moines, Feb. 5–Temperatures collapsed to 30 below zero–and lower–in north Iowa again early today, just as they did two weeks ago when winter locked the state in the worst cold wave it has experienced since the turn of the century. The bitter weather added two more lives to its toll, making a total of ten it has exacted in fourteen days.[225] Emmetsburg, where the mercury shrunk to 36 below early January 22, the winter’s record, and the next to the lowest temperature ever recorded in Iowa, reported a minus 30 early today. Marshalltown caught the mercury at 32 below. Virtually the entire state reported temperatures ranging from 15 below down to the minimums recorded at Emmetsburg and Marshalltown.
“Mrs. Mary Ann Hoskins, 72, who lived alone at South English, Iowa, was found frozen to death at her home last night.
“At Parnell, Martin J. McDonald, 42, Iowa county road patrolman died of pneumonia, believed to have resulted from exposure suffered a week ago.
“Temperatures started a slow rise early today. The mercury which hit 18 below at Des Moines at 5:30 a.m. climbed to 14 below at 9 a.m. Other points reported a similar trend….” (Assoc. Press. “Lives of Two More Added to Toll in State.” Boone News-Republican, IA, 2-5-1936, p. 2.)
Feb 6: “Des Moines, (UP).–Sputtering green-wood fires, the feeble heat of gas ovens and the smoky warmth of resurrected oil heaters today protected hundreds of Iowa homes from freezing cold as the state fought to break a fuel famine causing widespread human suffering. Snow plows and hand labor were rushed into service to free isolated towns of snow blockades which have prevented movement of such meager supplies of fuel as are available, as the weather bureau warned of another onslaught of Arctic cold, racing toward Iowa from the north.
“Confronted with the threat of a return of temperature ranging down to 30 degrees below zero by tonight, Gov. Clyde L. Hering today anxiously awaited a reply of 66 local mine unions to his appeal to miners to work a 48 hour week to relieve the crisis. ‘Real suffering exists in many communities,’ the governor said. ‘When little children and ill people are suffering in cold homes,
[Iowa, continued]
and obligation above that of written contract rests upon all good citizens.’ The governor’s remarks were directed to the miners after national mine union officials had rejected his plea to go beyond contractual agreements and permit miners to work 48 rather than 35 hours weekly during the crisis. At Centerville, in the heart of Iowa’s mine region, miners employed on WPA projects were told to take mine jobs where offered. Failure to do so, it was announced, would result in removal of such men from WPA eligibility lists.” (United Press. “Iowa Fighting Fuel Famine.” Evening Democrat, Fort Madison, IA, 2-6-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 7: “Continued sub-zero cold and occasional snow will be Iowa’s lot for the week end. Federal Meteorologist Charles D. Reed said today. ‘There is no sign of a break in the severe weather which has held the mercury near or below the zero mark for three weeks,’ the weather observer said.
“Snow was falling today in the north portions of the state and temperatures during last night fell to 22 degrees below zero at Spirit Lake and were at sub zero levels throughout the state. Approximately an inch of snow had fallen over the entire northwest and north central region of the state. Approximately an inch of snow had fallen over the entire northwest and north central region of the state. Along the Mississippi river at Davenport and Dubuque lighter snowfall was recorded. Coal shortages which have kept scores of Iowa families shivering for days spread to the deep south today….” (United Press. “Subzero, Snow Iowa Lot for Over Sabbath [Feb 9].” Boone News-Republican, IA, 2-7-1936, p. 2.)
Feb 8: “Des Moines, (UP).–A howling blizzard raced across Iowa today, toppling temperatures, paralyzing traffic and threatening hundreds of fuelless homes with a week-end of intense suffering from cold. As the frigid, 40-mile-an-hour gale lashed blinding snow into the air, railway and bus lines cancelled branch line schedules, motor traffic slowed to a halt, and air traffic from Grand Island, Neb., to Iowa City was grounded.
“Federal Weather Observer Charles D. Reed warned that the storm will be the most bitter of a winter already marked by temperatures which shattered records standing for a quarter of a century.
“State officials, mine operators and coal dealers received the forecast with alarm. The new storm struck as frantic efforts were being made to increase fuel production. Scores of towns were caught without fuel or with supplies sufficient for only a day. Roaring winds, mine operators learned, were rapidly drifting side roads leading to the soft coal mines on which Iowa is largely dependent for fuel. ‘By noon, at this rate, we won’t be able to get trucks to or from the mines,’ mine operators agreed….
“Temperatures, Reed said, will fall to 35 below zero tonight in the northwest portion of the state. The sharp drop in temperatures began early today. Mercury plummeted as much as 20 degrees in a two hours period at many points as the wind shifted from the south to the northwest….” (United Press. “Southeast Section of State in Grasp of Blinding Storm.” Evening Democrat, Fort Madison, IA, 2-8-1936, p. 1.)
[Iowa, continued]
Feb 14: “Des Moines, Ia.–(AP)–A bitter wind whipped out of the northwest today, piling new drifts of snow over the blockades built by last week’s blizzard and stalling traffic over much of the state. Railroads, taking a lesson from bitter experience, halted train after train in stations rather than risk marooning them in the new drifts. The clouds, which sifted new snow ranging from an inch to five inches over the state in the lat 48 hours, fled eastward before the wind, letting the sun through. ‘But,’ the weatherman said, ‘the sun won’t help much for temperatures which Thursday [Feb 13] rose to their highest levels in more than three weeks, scuttled back down into the minus twenties early today. ‘They’ll sink down to 30 below in the north part of the state tonight and to 20 below in the south.’
“The wind, the weatherman said, apparently is losing its drive, but reports from throughout the state indicated the 30 to 40 mile an hour velocity it attained early today at many points was sufficient to fill up the canyons newly cut through the snow mountains piled up last Saturday and Sunday. The tie-up, as in Saturday’s blizzard, is worst in the north and west sections of the state.
“Sioux City reported for the second time in a week that it is virtually cut off from the rest of the world by drifts that blockage all bus and railroad lines. Drifting within the city was not as bad, however, as that over the week-end.
“At Mason City, highways and railroad service again were blockaded. Waterloo reported all highways snowed in and all train service except over the Illinois Central to the east halted. Fort Dodge reported highways badly drifted again and all train service cancelled. Emmetsburg, which Jan. 22 recorded 36 below zero for the coldest temperature in Iowa since 1912, was paralyzed again by drifts. Motorists could not get in or out of the city. Neither could trains….” (Associated Press. “Trains, Vehicles Halted as Wind Piles up New Drifts; Another Cold Wave Sighted.” Muscatine Journal, IA, 2-14-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 15: “Des Moines, Ia., Feb. 15.–(AP)–Iowa, which a week ago today was scourged with a blizzard, got off with light snow today. But temperatures hung down in the zero zone and the weather man said: ‘There is no definite indication of a break in the cold wave next week.’ Temperatures in northwestern Canada, spawning place of this cold wave, still hung down near the jumping off place, he declared adding: ‘Ss long as Prince Albert, Can., is getting 50 below zero–and that was the temperature there early today–Iowa is going to continue suffering.’
“Clouds convened over the state last night holding the 25 below minimum temperatures expected early today to higher levels than forecast. Spirit Lake reported 16 below for the coldest reading. Charles City and Sioux City both reported 12 below. Virtually all points reported some snow, though it was light to moderate.
“Meanwhile, railroads got most of their main line trains operating again today and turned again to the job of breaking open the drifts which still block branch lines and isolate many towns. The highway commission, its snow removal equipment creaking under the strain of the longest hardest siege of drift-bucking it ever has undergone, reopened most of the trunk-route blockades formed by yesterday’s wind. ‘We can’t let up to repair the machinery,’ a maintenance engineer
[Iowa, February 15 newspaper reporting, continued]
said, ‘until we’ve got the roads not only opened, but two way passage re-established. Then we’ve got to get the secondary’s dug out.’
“The wind receded last night below that 15-mile an hour velocity which starts drifting. The weather man warned, however, there are indications that northerly winds strong enough to drift might develop again over the week-end.
“For tonight he predicted snow possible in the south portion of the state along with 15 below zero minimum temperatures. The north part of th state, he said, may expect 25 below. Sioux City reported two inches of new snow which made 18.6 inches of snow there during the first 15 days of February. Charles City measured .5 inches of snow, Waterloo .8 inches; Fort Dodge, a light snow; Mason City .7; Council Bluffs an inch; Dubuque an inch; Des Moines a trace.
“Other los temperatures included:
Mason City 15 below;
Dubuque 3 below;
Ottumwa 6 below;
Waterloo 11 below;
Cedar Rapids 11 below;
Fort Dodge 13 below;
Council Bluffs 12 below;
Iowa City 4 below;
Davenport 2 below.
“The warmest points in the state yesterday were Keokuk and Davenport with 4 above.” (Associated Press. “Weather Man Sees No Finish to Cold Wave.” Daily Hawk-Eye Gazette, Burlington, IA, 2-15-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 18-19: “Chicago, Feb 19–Two hundred snowbound residents of Athelstan, Ia, warmed by coal fires for the first time in days, sat down to breakfasts of bacon and eggs today after a rescue train broke through deep drifts. Families had faced starvation with only a few cans of beans and other tinned goods remaining in the town. They had torn planks from empty buildings to keep enough fire to warm one room of their home. Housewives today baked bread and fried chops and potatoes for their hungry husbands and children. The train which brought food and fuel last night was the first to reach their town in 11 days.” (United Press. “End of Extreme Cold Predicted in Middlewest.” Circleville Herald, OH, 2-19-1936, p. 1.
Maryland
Feb 4: “A sheet of ice that covered Maryland today reduced highway traffic to a minimum, caused numerous minor accidents to motorists and pedestrians and caused the death of a…sailor. Tobe Sessions, 45-year-old negro fireman aboard the Bull Line’s steamer Betty, slipped on the ice along Baltimore’s waterfront, fell into the harbor and was drowned. Sessions was the fourteenth person to die in Maryland as a direct or indirect result of the weather since the persistent freeze set in two weeks ago.
“For the first time since Jan. 22, the mercury went above the freezing mark at Oakland and Cumberland in Western Maryland and in the Baltimore-Annapolis section.
“Temperatures were higher than in the past few days but a sharp drop was awaited, and with a cold wave predicted to sweep into Western Maryland tonight….” (Associated Press. “New Cold Wave is Predicted for Maryland.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD, 2-4-1936, p. 1.)
[Maryland newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 7: “A blizzard sweeping out of the northeast today, added to the woes of Hagerstown and Washington County, which since the night of January 18 has been intermittently snowbound and frost-bitten. The snow is general throughout Maryland, with the Eastern Shore counties and those counties bordering on the bay on the Western Shore being hardest hit. Already today’s blizzard had closed every school in Anne Arundel county, according to a dispatch from Annapolis, where roads were drifting badly. At Annapolis, there was only a 10 percent attendance and the high school was also dismissed for the day.
“At Frostburg the snowfall was five inches at 10 o’clock, with traffic in that section moving slowly over the new layer of snow hiding treacherous ice underneath. At Berlin, Md., a foot of snow had fallen by 10 a.m. and it was still snowing hard. Frederick reported roads in that county are fast becoming blocked by drifts as a gale swirled the snow over the countryside. Drifting was reported much worse on the east-west roads than those running north and south. Rural schools there were not opened and others were sending pupils who did report to their homes.
“Ferry company officials reported that the road leading to their terminal at Matapeake was blocked and that all service between that point and Annapolis would be held up until the highway was opened. The channel the steamer has been using across the bay also has frozen over and it will take from 4 o 5 hours for the vessel to crash its way over on its first trip from the Eastern Shore when it begins operating. All county schools in Queen Anne’s county were ordered closed today as a snow storm swept the Eastern Shore….
“In Dorchester County, a 16-inch snowfall had blocked lateral roads, causing the closing of schools. It was called the worst blizzard of the season to strike that section of the Eastern Shore. Snow began falling there at 11 o’clock last night and there had been no let-up at noon. Drifts six feet deep were reported in some sections near Cambridge….” (Daily Mail, Hagerstown, MD. “Blizzard Closes Many Schools.” 2-7-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 8: “The sun shone brightly on Maryland today in the wake of sub-zero weather and a blizzard that left at least three persons dead, blocked roads, closed schools and slowed traffic. The damage resulted from what was described as the worst snow storm since 1922. Sweeping across the state, the blinding snow and wind, bringing intense cold, vented its fury on 16 men trekking across the ice from Crisfield with food for Tangier slanders in the Chesapeake Bay. One
[Maryland February 8 newspaper reporting, continued]
member of the group, Sgt. Wilbert V. Hunter, froze to death endeavoring to make his way across the ice of the bay. At least five others suffered from exhaustion and exposure.
“Before the bright sun sent the mercury rising, near record lows for the season were set in some sections. The official reading at Oakland was 20 below zero and an unofficial temperature of 24 below was reported. The thermometer dipped to 16 below at Keedysville and 11 below at Chewsville near Hagerstown, 12 below at Altamont, Garrett county, 11 below at the Frederick airport, and two below at Cumberland.
“Although the temperatures were less severe on the Eastern Shore, for once the burden of the storm rested there rather than on the mountains of Western Maryland. The snow fall on the Eastern Shore for some places was two feet or more, while drifts six feet deep blocked the roads. From six to nine inches fell in the western and central portions of the state. Southern Maryland shared the heavy fall which mantled the Eastern Shore. Veteran road maintenance men said the Eastern Shore fall was the worst in their memory. However, they said that all main roads were open except the ones to Point Lookout and Pearson in southern Maryland and in the vicinity of Salisbury and Berlin. Ocean City was reported isolated. Snow ploughs labored in an attempt to clear the lanes for traffic….” (Associated Press. “Maryland Storm is Described as Worst in Fourteen Years.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD, 2-8-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 9: “Recovering slowly from the effects of a howling snowstorm that resulted in the deaths of four persons, Maryland was prepared today for another fall on top of the three to sixteen inches that already blankets the state. The weather forecast was for ‘increasing cloudiness probably followed by snow Sunday.’…Three men died in Baltimore of heart attacks believed induced by over-exertion after the heavy snowfall. While new efforts were launched to reach ice-locked Smith and Tangier islands with food, the coast guard cutter Travis was battling the ice at the
entrance of Crisfield harbor in an attempt to fulfill the mission in which [State Police Sgt. Wilbert] Hunter died. Falling temperatures yesterday caused new ice to form on the Chesapeake Bay and hinder shipping, while motor traffic moved slowly over ice and snow covered roads.
“The snowfall Friday on the Eastern Shore, which bore the brunt of the storm, reached two feet on the level in some places. Virtually every school on the shore was closed because buses could not negotiate the snow-choked roads….” (Associated Press. “Four Die In Storm.” Cumberland Sunday Times, MD, 2-9-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 12: “With the mercury at 2 below zero this morning [Hagerstown], and the Weather Man making no promises of any immediate relief, this section braced itself for some more snow tomorrow, which for several weeks seems to be the order of things once it moderates. It will probably be slightly warmer tomorrow, but that means more snow, says the Weather Man.
“The main highways are open today and most of the secondary roads are passable, but 14 snow plow crews are out again today battling drifts on the smaller roads. High winds again last night caused drifting in spots and while it had calmed today, the state workers sought to keep ahead of the drifting.
“Chewsville’s 2 below was among the coldest reported in Maryland today. At 3:30 o’clock, however the mercury had moved up to 15 above. At Cumberland the lowest was 15 above…” (Daily Mail, Hagerstown, MD. “2 Below Here; More Snow Due.” 2-12-1936, p. 1.)
[Maryland newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 18-19: “Winter’s brief holiday appeared to have ended last night [18th] as the mercury started its trek toward the zero mark to the accompaniment of brisk westerly winds. At sundown yesterday evening the official reading at Chewsville was 13 above zero, D. Paul Oswald reported, while at Keedysville, J. A. Miller reported a 16-degree temperature. At 10 o’clock last night the official recording at Chewsville was five degrees above zero. Mr. Oswald predicted a sub-zero recording by early morning. To add to the worries of snow removers in town and county, the light snow which fell early yesterday morning drifted considerably and some roads in rural sections were again reported virtually impassable.
“Fears of any immediate flood danger in the Potomac river or its tributaries were allayed by the new frigid wave which swept out of the northwest where temperatures as low as 50 degrees below zero were recorded two days ago. An ice jam in the Potomac at Point of Rocks caused some apprehension earlier in the week as the river climbed to six feet above normal. It was receding last night, however.
“The sudden freeze changed slush and water on county roads to ice and many automobiles were stranded yesterday evening. In the Keedysville section horses were used to free the stranded machines….
“The snowfall was general over the State with Garrett county getting the worst end of the deal. Snow plows were at work cutting through the drifted snow. A negro was frozen to death in
Baltimore, bringing to 24 the number of the fatalities attributed to the cold this winder in Maryland.
“The sudden drop in temperature halted thawing and again tied up water traffic in Chesapeake Bay.
“Work of ice and snow removal in Hagerstown continued despite the sudden frigid wave. All crosswalks have been cleared and the business section is in good condition. Streets in the residential districts were being cleared last night. City workers are being aided by PWA employes.” (Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “New Frigid Wave Arrives Suddenly.” 2-19-1936, p. 1.)
Michigan
Feb 3-4: “Railroad schedules at Escanaba [on Little Bay de Noc] were upset again by the blizzard which struck Monday night [Feb 3], and trains into Escanaba were running five and six hours late Tuesday….Less than 3 inches of snow fell at Escanaba Monday night and Tuesday. Main highways were help open for vehicles, but motor traffic was light, and many travelers postponed trips, staying over at Escanaba to await abatement of the high wind which made visibility poor on some roads. Side roads plowed out after the January storm were filled up again, especially the north-south roads, and the highway commission faced another session of fighting drifts. The temperature started off at 13 above zero Tuesday morning, but dropped sharply in the afternoon, and more below zero weather was on the schedule last night.” (Escanaba Daily Press, MI. “Blizzard Felt in Peninsula.” 2-5-1936, p. 1.)
[Michigan newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 4: “A blizzard swept out of the west yesterday, blockading highways and sending temperatures tumbling from the 30’s and 40’s toward the zero mark which has been their habitat for three cold weeks. The gale-driven blizzard came hard on the heels of a brief period of unseasonably high temperatures, which spread a coating of sleet on the already deep snow. Weather forecasts said that lower Michigan might experience five-below-zero cold tonight, and that readings of 15 below could be expected I the upper peninsula.
“The state highway department said that road conditions in the lower peninsula were the worst of the winter. In Berrien county, the road commission gave up the fight and called in its snow plows because the drivers could not see where they were going….
“Schools were dismissed at Kalamazoo, when the blizzard increased in intensity at noon….
“An ice field in Green Bay held the Wabash, flagship of the Ann Arbor carferry line, fast after the vessel had bucked slush ice for several miles in the Green Bay ship canal. The Wabash, due at Menominee Monday night, was not considered in danger. It was reported 16 miles out of the Menominee harbor. Menominee had a six-inch snowfall. Roads were blocked, halting milk collections. Ironwood reported seven degrees below zero and Calumet zero yesterday, but the snowfall was light.
“In the northwestern part of the lower peninsula, drifts, 15 feet deep in some places, made highways impassable. Snow plows were helpless and families on side roads were snowbound until snow-shovel crews could remove the mountainous drifts….” (Associated Press. “Snow Drifts.” Escanaba Daily Press,” 2-5-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 5: “Detroit, Feb. 5–(AP)–Numbing cold that reached 33 degrees below zero in the Upper Peninsula, gripped Michigan today as it dug itself out of ice and snowdrifts left by the worst blizzard of the season. At least eight persons died of exposure, fires or in traffic accidents attributable to winter’s fiercest onslaught.
“The entire Lower Peninsula suffered in sub-zero cold, ranging from two below at Detroit to 12 below at Niles and in the outskirts of Flint. At Owosso at 40-degree drop in temperature sent the mercury skidding to 10 below. Continued cold was forecast with sub-zero temperatures not improbable again tonight.
“Ice-coated and snow drifted highways made traffic conditions the worst of the winter. Drifts were 10 and 15 feet deep in some places. The snow fall generally ranged from two to ten inches. Schools were closed in some communities.
“The blizzard still raged today in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. Ten inches of snow already had fallen at Mackinac City. Muskegon and nearby communities were virtually isolated, excepting for wire communication, the harbor filled with ice and trains and motor traffic paralyzed by snow and ice.
“The storm was described as the worst combination of the winter elements in 20 years. A few cold spots in the state during the night were: Marquette, 22 below; Sault Ste. Marie, 9 below; Alpena 8 below; Pontiac, 7 below; Lansing, 5 below; Ort Huron, 4 below.
“Between Muskegon and North Muskegon, 50 automobiles were stalled in the snow. No trains have reached Big Rapids since Tuesday afternoon.” (Associated Press. “No Relief in Sight Yet.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-5-1936, p. 10.)
[Michigan newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 6-7: “Michigan attacked the bonds of ice and snow left by the winter’s worst blizzard yesterday [Feb 6], and made progress in spite on continued sub-zero cold. Although snowplows reopened most trunk line highways and normal railroad traffic was restored on all but a few lines, many farmer-to-market roads still were blocked, and fuel and milk shortages persisted in a few communities.
“Fuel was rationed in Hart and Marion, in western Michigan, and such precautionary measures were considered in Ludington, Whitehall, White Cloud and other north-western Michigan towns. In Muskegon, WPA workers, armed with shovels, convoyed coal delivery trucks, to dig paths through the drift-clogged streets….
“Minimum temperatures yesterday ranged from 23 below at Escanaba to 2 above at Grand Rapids. Temperatures as low as 5 below at Detroit and 10 to 15 below in the northern part of the lower peninsula were predicted for this morning. Local snows were predicted.
“Navigation was at a standstill on Lake Michigan. Four vessels, the City of Milwaukee, the Nevada, the City of Grand Rapids, and the Madison were ice-bound in the Muskegon harbor, the coast guard cutter Escanaba was fighting its way through the ice at Grand Haven, its base, under orders to cut a channel in the Muskegon harbor. Pere Marquette car ferries were trapped in the harbor at Ludington….” (Associated Press. “Main Roads Opened by Highway Crews; Cold Still Intense,” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 2-7-1936, p. 1.)
Minnesota
Feb 3: “St. Paul, Feb 3.–Stinging snows raked portions of Minnesota today, drifting roads in the south and foreshadowing blizzardy storms for the next 24 hours as the protracted cold wave continued. Heavy snows cloaked southern and central portions this morning with more predicted continued cold dominated the forecast. Crookston had -29 during the night. Mankato reported its third week of delayed trains and buses. Snow measuring seven and one-half inches there blocked roads and highways….Snowfall received included Faribault 7 inches, Red Wing 4 inches, Albert Lea 5 inches, Marshall 65 inches, Willmar 2 inches, Winona 3 inches, Rochester 4 inches, and Fairmont 6 inches. The Twin Cities, with a minimum of 2 above, had two inches of snow this morning. The cold wave gave no quarter in the northwest. Temperatures included Bemidji -25, Duluth -6, Moorhead -14, Fergus Falls -8, Willmar 2, Marshall -2, Virginia -17, Mankato zero, Rochester 4 above, and Fairmont 5 above….” (Associated Press. “Heavy Snows Sweep State.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 2-3-1936, p. 1.)
[Minnesota newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 4: “A blizzard lashed a swath through western and southern Minnesota late today, isolating dozens of cities and towns as highways and railroads were blocked with mounting snow drifts. Temperatures ranged downward to 20 below zero in the racing gale that touched a velocity of 40 miles per hour. Snow plow crews abandoned the task of trying to clear roads. Several trains were abandoned on branch lines. The entire half of the state was more or less snow bound. The area seriously affected ranged from Fergus Falls in west central Minnesota southeastward to Albert Lea and Fairmont in the extreme south central part of the state. Schools were closed at virtually all places in the center of the storm. Traffic was at a standstill. The snow-choked air threatened loss of life….No death was reported at midafternoon but numerous automobiles became stalled along highways, the suffering occupants seeking refuge in farm homes from the biting cold.
“The storm was described by weather observers as the worst of the winter in Minnesota and threatened to equal the blizzard that swept the southwestern tip of Minnesota on Christmas eve and covered most of the state. Rescues of many motorists after their cars had become stalled were reported. Temperatures in the northern sections dropped to 38 degrees below zero….Snow fell to a depth of almost a foot and strong winds whipped it into drifts 10 feet high in the southern area….
“Temperatures included Bemidji and Park Rapids -38; Crookston -32; Pipestone -24; Mankato -25; Albert Lea -20; Fairmont -20; Faribault -18; Minneapolis -18; Austin -14; Red Wing -24 and Winona -10….” (Associated Press. “Swirling Snow and Cold Ties up Traffic in South Part of State.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 2-4-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 5: “St. Paul, Feb. 7–(AP)–Enduring one of the worst winter storms in a decade without reported fatalities the northwest poked its head above the drifts today but remained clutched in the bitter cold wave with no sign of relief. At Eveleth, Minn., it was 47 below zero. Bemidji had -43. The mercury dived to 44 below zero at Hallock in the extreme northwest part of the state. Highway crews labored throughout the night boring through drifts, but a number of town and secondary highways were still blocked today. Fairmont was without train service for the third day today while railroads worked on drifts with snow plows in a temperature of 27 below. ‘Continued cold tonight and Thursday,’ was the forecast of the weather man for Minnesota. In the Twin Cities a record of 37 years standing was equaled when the nineteenth consecutive day of sub-zero minimum was marked up. The former record was in 1899….In the Twin Cities the mercury touched 22 below zero. Other Minnesota temperatures included: Virginia -41; Crookston -40; Mankato -33; Faribault -26; St. Cloud -25; Albert Lea -25; Winona -23, and Red Wing -22….” (Associated Press. “Eveleth Has 26 Below Zero Temperature.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN, 2-5-1936, p. 1.)
[Minnesota newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 6: “The 24-year record for low temperatures established in the present cold wave probably will go by the boards tonight with predictions of R. J. McClurg, weather observer, that the mercury will register between 35 and 40 below here by morning. No relief from the bitter temperatures, wafting down from Canada where 50 below was recorded today, is seen by the observer…At 8:15 a.m. today the official thermometer registered 35 degrees below zero.
“The main Minnesota roads were cleared except along the South Dakota and Iowa borders, according to the United Press. Highway crews foresaw weeks of work to clear the secondary roads, some of which may await the spring thaw to make them passable….
“Duluth schools remained closed. A 24-year record for continuous sub zero weather was equaled on the 21st day today. Work on WPA projects was suspended. Business was dull as people remained indoors….” (United Press. “35 to 40 Below Predicted Tonight.” Moorhead Daily News, MN, 2-6-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 7: “St. Paul, Feb. 7–(AP)–The north-west’s record cold wave threatened to assume alarming proportions today as the weather man forecast added frigidity over the weekend with no break in sight. Head of the lakes coal supplies at Superior and Duluth, principal source of the northwest supply, were reported taxed to the limit for the first time in 15 years. Transportation difficulties slowed up deliveries. Bemidji had 44 below zero. A shift in the wind piled new drifts in southwestern Minnesota that snow plows had burrowed through earlier this week. Fresh snow churned over Marshall, Faribault, Albert Lea, Pipestone and other southern and south-western communities this morning….Other Minnesota temperatures included Faribault -22; Albert Lea -22; Red Wing -26; Fergus Falls -28; Twin Cities -21; Duluth -22; Fairmont -26; Mankato -29;
Eau Claire, Wis. had -27….” (Associated Press. “State Fuel Shortage Grows Acute as Cold Continues.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN, 2-7-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 7: “People hereabouts [Moorhead] have come to regard the expected ‘break’ in the cold wave as they did the prosperity ‘corner’ of the depression. Warmer weather may be ‘Just around the corner,’ but if so the weatherman’s forecast today didn’t indicate it. ‘Fair and continued cold tonight and Saturday; lowest temperatures tonight 25 to 30 below,’ was his unwelcome prediction. However, the threatened ’35 to 40 below’ weather which was predicted for this morning failed to materialize, although the mercury did slide to -29, the lowest mark of the night. At 1 p.m. today the mercury registered -16.
“January 14 seems a long ways back, but that was the last time a mark above zero was registered in Moorhead, records of R. J. McClurg, official observer, show. Actually, on February 1 the mercury flirted with the warm side of the zero mark, registering a bare tenth of a degree over, but that has been the highest reading in 23 days — the longest stretch of sub-zero weather in the 55-year history of the weather bureau….” (United Press. “Continued Cold; 25 to 30 Below Again Tonight.” Moorhead Daily News, MN, 2-7-1936, p. 1.)
[Minnesota newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 8: “Minneapolis, Feb. 8 (UP)–Southern Minnesota was virtually isolated today in the worst blizzard in the history of the local weather bureau. Winds of gale intensity whipped with terrific fury snow which fell steadily throughout the night. All side roads in the entire southern half of the state were blocked. Nearly all main highways were hopelessly drifted. Snow plow crews gave up during the night and reported to the state highway department here that because of the wind and blinding snow the task was hopeless.
“At Marshall, Minn., seven inches of snow fell during the night, adding to the blockaded conditions which had prevailed during most of the week. The temperature there was 12 below zero and a 25-mile-an-hour wind was whistling across the open plains country with Arctic violence. Marshall was completely isolated from all transportation. At Windom, Minn., all highways were blocked. The mercury was at 15 below and a gale was blowing. Mankato, Minn., reported what was described as one of the worst blizzards in its history….Owatonna reported that the blizzard was striking there this morning. Snow fell throughout the night and the wind was rising this morning….” (United Press. “Storm Isolates Southern Minnesota.” Moorhead Daily News, MN, 2-8-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 10: “Train, highway and city traffic continued today to ‘dig out’ from beneath the heaviest snowfall of the year following a raging blizzard Saturday and Sunday which raised havoc with all forms of transportation….Many highways were still blocked with large groups of motorists stranded in little towns awaiting arrival of snowplows to open their routes toward home. Airplanes were grounded….” (Moorhead Daily News, MN. “Moorhead-Fargo area ‘Digs Out’ Following Storm.” 2-10-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 15: “St. Paul, Feb. 15–(AP)–Conquering bitter cold, combined manpower and machinery today battered mountainous drifts to deliver sorely needed fuel supplies to parts of snow-bound
southern Minnesota as the winter’s official low northwest temperature of 56 below zero was reported. Trains and trucks, loaded with fuel and food supplies got through to towns and cities for the first time in several days; Slayton reported the first train in nine days.
“Three deaths, one directly attributable to the extreme cold, occurred. An unidentified man froze to death in an unheated switch shanty in Minneapolis. Collision of an automobile with a snow plow in south St. Paul cost the life of an unidentified woman, about 26 years old. Paul Matteson, 24 year old farmer, near Dassel, was fatally burned in a fire that destroyed his farm house. Simeon R. Burch, 60, North Mankato, was fatally hurt when his car collided head-on with another machine during a snow storm….” (Associated Press. “Cold Blasts Will Continue for Another Week; No Relief Seen.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 2-15-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 18: “Minneapolis–Southern Minnesota again was snowbound today with little prospect of train service in some sections for two or three days and coal bins practically empty. The cold eased slightly but still was 15 to 20 degrees below zero with no prospect of a letup. A 24 hour blizzard raged through Pipestone, Willmar, Heron Lake, Slayton, Lake Wilson and other points. Three cars of coal were tied up at Heron Lake while Lake Wilson residents shared fuel from private bins 36 miles to the west. Lake Wilson retailers had no coal.
“Railroads all along the western border of the state suspended service. Huge new drifts blocked tracks through the Dakotas. Bus service was disorganized. Highways again were impassable. Highway crews were forced to halt operations late Monday [Feb 17] pending a letup in the high winds. At Ortonville, the Milwaukee road’s Olympian was stalled.
“Two men who fought 25 miles of drifts on foot arrived at Beardsley suffering so from exposure they had to be rushed to Willmar for hospital attention. The men are F. L. Loomis, of Willmar, and William Cowan, St. Louis salesman. Their truck stalled out of Beardsley.
“Mayor E. J. Jones of Worthington issued a statement asking all townspeople to conserve heat and electricity due to a coal shortage at the city light plant. No street lights were used last night. The city was among those snow bound in the new blizzard.” (Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “South Part State Again Snowbound.” 2-18-1936, p. 1.)
[Minnesota newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 20, Moorhead: “Almost, but not quite, was the word from the weather man today, referring to the mercury’s effort to climb above zero and break the history-making cold wave record now 37 days old. Yesterday it reached a point just one-tenth of a degree under the zero mark, but the recording officially was entered as zero. Meanwhile little chance of above zero temperatures for today, indicated in yesterday’s weather maps, was seen. At 2 p.m. the thermometer registered -4 and it was not expected to go much higher….Last night the lowest mark was -18….In Minneapolis the mercury rose to zero at 7 a.m. today and then began sinking again. It was 2 below at 9 a.m….” (Moorhead Daily News, MN. “Mercury’s Effort to Break Frigid Cold Fails Again.” 2-20-1936, p. 1.)
Missouri
Feb 5: “Kirksville, Mo., Feb. 5.–(U.P.)–Kirksville continued last night and today, as the coldest spot in Missouri. The mercury dipped to 18 degrees below zero last night and at 8 o’clock today was at 15 below.” (United Press. “Kirksville Coldest Spot.” Brookfield Argus, MO, 2-5-1936, 1.)
Feb 6: “Slight relief from the extended siege of blustery Arctic weather was promised today with temperatures bidding a happy farewell to uncomfortable sub-zero readings. But the weatherman refused to voice an opinion on how long the respite would last and hazarded only the forecast of ‘increasing cloudiness and slightly warmer’ weather fore today. The mercury here, after dipping to 5 below the previous night and climbing to 15 above yesterday, went into its habitual decline that carried it to 8 above at midnight.
“The state highway patrol reported highways in this section were ‘passable] but quickly added it was not recommending traffic over the treacherous, ice-coated arteries.
[Missouri February 6 newspaper report, continued]
“Possible rain or snow was forecast for Kansas City and the western half of the state. Eastern, southern and central regions were expected to benefit most from a coyly climbing mercury, but the northern communities had to look forward to another night of zero or lower.
“Meanwhile the Associated Press reported the Arctic marathon continued to hang up records to confound the ‘way bank when’s’ of reminiscent old timers.
“North Missouri bore the brunt, it dropped to 20 below early yesterday at Brookfield and the temperature at Unionville lingered beneath zero for the 18th consecutive day. Ice was reported 18 inches thick in the Mississippi at Hannibal, where the river has been frozen over for a longer time than any since 1910.
“Ice-sheeted highways, despite the efforts of road crews, were still hazardous over wide areas. Threatened fuel shortages forced further rationing of coal and wood in the hardest hit norther towns.
“Farmers reported haven and forage had been found for most livestock but state bird and wild animal life, their usual food sources blanketed by ice and snow, suffered intensely.
“A 25 per cent increase in the relief load was noted at St. Louis, where the temperature was expected to drop to 4 above overnight. Forty-five persons were treated for falls on frozen streets and sidewalks and one man was found dead of exposure.
“Highways were slick near here but mostly clear at Springfield. Snow was forecast for today at the latter point with a low mark of 15 to 18 above.” (Daily Capital, Jefferson City, MO. “Some Relief Promised by Weather Man.” 2-6-1936, p. 1.)
Montana
Feb 4: “A piercing chill that held Montana in its grip early in the day seemed to retreat Monday night. Butte, which took Rocky Mountain honors with its 26 below zero reading at 4 a.m., reported a temperature of about zero as night fell. A light snow was falling and the air in the Mining City was sharp but motionless. Billings and Helena both reported minimum recordings of 11 below. The Billings temperature at 5:30 p.m. Monday was six below, but Helena’s mercury climbed to zero in midafternoon and at 6 in the evening was standing at 6 above. A ling snow fell in Missoula early in the evening for about two hours. The maximum temperature for Monday was 13 above. There was only a slight fall as darkness came. A slight wind whipped about the city. The Great Falls reading had climbed from 21 below zero at 7:30 to two below in the early evening. Skies over the Electric City were partly cloudy. “The evening temperature in Bozeman was about zero and a hard fine snow started to fall. During the daytime hours the top of the column got up to two above after dropping as low as 14 below early in the morning.
“The inexorable MacKenzie river basin shoved another subzero wave southeastward Monday night after most of the nation enjoyed a breathing spell from the Arctic weather of the past fortnight….” (AP. “Piercing Chill in Montana.” Helena Independent, MT, 2-4-1936, p. 1.)
[Montana newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 6: “Helena, Mont., Feb. 6.–(AP)Montana, from the continental divide east, dug in today for the fiercest cold siege of the winter as a howling blizzard sweeping down from the northwest sent temperatures, as unofficially reported, to 40 below zero. It was minus 40 at Culbertson, in the northeast corner of the state, and a score of western Montana points reported unofficial thermometer readings of 30 below or colder.
“A blizzard hit Kalispell this morning, driving the mercury down to eight below at 10 a.m. The snow had piled to a depth of a foot. Across the divide to the west, the unofficial temperature at Thompson Falls was 20 above.
“Unofficial temperature reports included minus 30 at Chester and Morony dam, while Sun River had minus 22; Sand Conroe, minus 26; Big Sandy, minus 24; Chinook, Malta, Glasgow, Belt and Dutton, all minus 20; Fort Peck, minus 23; Harlowton, minus 10 and Lewistown, minus 16. The official Helena temperature at 10 a.m. was minus 19. Airplanes were grounded in Helena….
“Snow was falling throughout the eastern part of the state. Eight inches of new snow fell in the Bitter Root valley, west of the divide, where thermometers were reported rising. Driven by an icy gale, the snowstorm was fiercest in the area around Browning and Shelby, according to telephone reports to Great Falls. The temperature was unofficially reported at minus 30 at Browning. At the same hour the unofficial recording at Great Falls was 19 below and an icy wind was sweeping the vicinity…” (Associated Press. “Mercury Tumbles as Raging Storm Sweeps in From Northwest.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 2-6-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 7: “Helena, Mont., Feb 7.–(AP)–Death, fire destruction and scores of victims of painful exposure to paralyzing cold were counted today as all Montana was clutched tight in the grip of the fiercest weather in many winters. Thirty-two below zero in Helena at 8 a.m., was the lowest temperature officially reported, but from Jardine an unofficial temperature of 54 below zero was reported. Jardine is just north of Yellowstone Park. Corbin reported an unofficial minimum of minus 44….” (Associated Press. “Montana is Gripped by Bitter Cold.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 2-7-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 9: “A thankful Montana yesterday eyed thermometers, which early in the morning began climbing from the low levels of the preceding night, finally reaching 12 below. As the day wore on it seemed evident that the severe cold spell, which had caused so much havoc, had been halted in its biting attack. From 35 below at midnight Friday night, the temperature in Helena began a steady ascent until at 11 p.m. last night the mercury leveled off at minus 12, and weather bureau officials said they didn’t look for it to recede more than one or two points during the rest of the night….” (Helena Independent, MT. “Rising Temperatures Bring Relief to Wintry Montana; 24 Degree Rise in 24 Hours.” 2-9-1936, p. 1.)
[Montana newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 12: “Helena, Feb. 12.–(AP)–Buried under the deepest general snow of the winter, blizzard-swept Montana welcomed today a Lincoln anniversary forecast of ‘slowly rising temperatures’ that brought hope of emancipation from the prolonged sub-zero cold wave. Driving snowstorms continued over the state today, the Helena weather bureau reported, except for the extreme northeastern portion. Billings had a foot of snow and Helena an equal amount. Elsewhere the snow was just as deep and highways in many areas were badly drifted. Minimum official temperatures overnight were minus 30 at Havre; minus 19 in Helena; minus 18 at Miles City; minus 4 at Kalispell and Missoula, and minus 32 at Williston, just over the North Dakota line. Unofficial minimum recordings included Billings, minus 22; Belt, minus 30; Choteau, minus 28, Stanford, minus 26; Lewistown, minus 20; Harlowton, minus 20; Butte, minus 10; Great Falls, minus 14, and Thompson Falls, plus 4.
“The maintenance division of the state highway department announced today the Deer Lodge-Garrison road was blocked and McDonald Pass was described as ‘very bad.’ The highway officials said both roads were expected to be opened this afternoon. Many side roads over the state, choked with snow, were impassable….” (Associated Press. “Snowstorms Continue Over State; Slowly Rising Mercury Forecast.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 2-12-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 13: “Helena, Mont., Feb. 13–Earthquakes struck terror in several Montana cities tonight as an added hardship to the state’s longest cold wave and heaviest snowfall in years. A series of short, sharp quakes shocked Helena late today. No damage was reported in any of the cities. Pedestrians jumped from the sidewalks in Helena as large quantities of snow, loosened by the earthquakes, toppled from copings of buildings The shocks occurred between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. (Mountain standard time).
“A blizzard marooned the small town of Ekalaka in extreme southeastern Montana. Only two days food supplies were on hand. The town called upon Governor Elmer Holt for assistance.
Eight to ten-foot snowdrifts blocked the road from Baker to Ekalaka, 40 miles, and prevented transportation of about 250 tons of foodstuffs to the snow-locked town of 600 population.
“In northwestern Montana, Flathead county sportsmen were asked for financial assistance in feeding thousands of starving geese, ducks, Chinese pheasants and Hungarian partridges….
“A Butte-Helena train was rerouted because of two feet of snow on the tracks.” (Associated Press. “Earthquakes and Heavy Snowfall Harass Montana.” Twin Falls Daily News, ID, 2-14-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 14: “Helena, Mont., Feb. 14.–The mercury dived to an unofficial 60 below zero today as the known death toll in Montana’s worst storm in many winters climbed to four. Jordan in Garfield county in east central Montana reported a temperature of minus 60. The official minimum temperature overnight at Glasgow was 55 below zero, within one degree of an all-time record. The Helena weather bureau said minus 65 at Fort Keogh in 1888 is the all-time official cold record of this state. The fourth storm death was that of Charles Sheldon, 47, who was killed by a train as he attempted to cross the Northern Pacific tracks at Townsend, during a blinding snowstorm.” (Associated Press. “Quake, Snow, and Dust in the Rockies,” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. 2-14-1936, p. 1.)
[Montana newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 17: “….Sunday morning temperatures reported to the weather bureau showed: Kalispell, 16 below; Miles City, 42 below; Missoula 2 below and snow; Havre 46 below. Great Falls, where minus 49 Saturday [Feb 15] set a new all-time cold record for that city–reported sunny skies and unofficial temperatures as high as minus 20. It was down to minus 25 at Billings, yesterday, in unofficial temperature recordings, and some churches there cancelled services. Great Falls school authorities said Saturday classes would be dismissed until the cold abated.
“Miners in the Roundup district had permission of John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers of America, to stay on the job past the union 5-day week limit to supply the demand for fuel in that area.
“Snowbound Ekalaka in Carter county was receiving supplies from Baker after a detour road was opened.
“A physician was unable to reach the isolated home of Ray Mann, on Pilgrim creek, near Broadus, where Mrs. Mann was expecting the birth of a child. Mann put his wife on a sled and pulled her two miles through 20 below zero weather to a neighbor’s where a daughter was born. The mother and child were reported doing well.
“The thermometer in a vault in the Powder River court house at Broadus has registered four degrees or colder for a week, county officials said, and officials are forced to put on heavy clothing when they work in the enclosure.
“Because of the intense cold, the Billings public schools will close Monday morning and reopen when the severe weather abates. It was 28 degrees below zero there Sunday morning and 19 degrees below last night….” (Helena Daily Independent, MT. “Change in Weather is Expected.” 2-17-1936, p. 10.)
Feb 18: “Chinook, Feb. 18.–(AP)–Charles Sparks, 60, a merchant at Lodge Pole, froze to death about nine miles south of Harlem, after his truck had stalled on the snow-choked highway. He and a companion started to walk to town, and after they had gone about three miles, Sparks became exhausted and died before his companion could return with assistance.
“Helena, Feb. 18.–(AP)–Temperatures over Montana were climbing today, but the Helena weather bureau report held no hope that the long, severe cold wave, which has taken 10 lives in the treasure state, was at an end….While main highways are open few side roads in many counties have been cleared of deep snow….” (Associated Press. “State Temperatures Rise as Cold Wave Recedes.” Montana Standard, Butte, 2-19-1936, p. 1.)
[Montana newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 19: “Helena, Feb. 19.–(AP)–With the mercury above zero, generally, for the first time in four weeks, Montana thawed out today after the worst cold wave in a half-century had taken 10 lives and caused widespread suffering. An official weather bureau forecast of warmer tonight and Thursday gave the frozen Treasure state its first hope the backbone of the prolonged fierce cold siege was broken….” (Associated Press. “State Out of Sub-Zero First time in 4 Weeks as Winter Grip Eases.” Montana Standard, Butte, 2-20-1936, p. 1, State Edition.)
Feb 20: “Although temperatures in Helena yesterday seemed ‘spring-like’ a compared with recordings of the last few days, some cities and towns in the north and east parts of the state still were in the grasp of the icy storm which has brought death to 11 in Montana. Rising from 9 above at midnight Wednesday [Feb 19], the mercury reached 20 above at 2 p.m. here yesterday before slowly starting down the tube for the nightly decline. At 11 o’clock last night, the weather bureau reported the mercury 8 above.
“Highways in the Helena area were generally in good condition yesterday and many county roads which had been closed since th beginning of the long storm were opened to travel. The Lincoln road is open only to the ‘snowbird,’ residents from there said yesterday….
“The north central portion of the state which suffered in severe cold while the rest of the state warmed up Wednesday, had subzero weather again yesterday. Some unofficial temperatures reported here follow: Choteau, minus 15; Conrad, minus 24; Chester, minus 32; Malta, minus 20; Harlem, minus 34; Glasgow, minus 24; Sand Coulee, minus 26.
“The state’s eleventh storm death was reported yesterday. The body of Enoch White, an Indian, was found frozen and half covered with snow near Wolf Point. His wife came upon the thinly-clad body about a half-mile from their home.
“The U.S. engineer office at Fort Peck disclosed that an all-time low temperature record was established at the Fort Peck weather station at 8 a.m. February 15 when the mercury fell to minus 54. Nearby Glasgow had an official all-time low of minus 59 at the same time. Only necessary outside construction was in progress at the Fort Peck dam project, where, engineers said, ‘machines failed before men.’ Workmen reported for duty, the officials said, but the extreme cold made operation of internal combustion engines impossible. In the tunnels, the work sent forward, but under difficulties. Steel and other materials taken into the tunnels, from outside storage were so cold workmen were unable to handle them until they had warmed up during several hours stay underground. Temperatures in the project area reached down into the minus fifties during the protracted frigid wave.” (Helena Daily Independent, MT. “Weather Moderates in Helena Although Some Parts Suffer.” 2-21-1936, p. 6.)
Feb 23: “Great Falls, Feb. 23.–(AP)–Nearly 1,000 pounds of barley was dropped from airplanes on windswept slopes in Cascade county today to provide aid for game birds which have been handicapped in their search for food by deep snow and cold. The seed was in paper sacks which broke when dropped….
“Helena, Feb. 23.–(AP)–Montana’s flood threat was materially lessened tonight by an official weather forecast of somewhat colder. Temperatures dropped generally over the state with Havre reported a minimum of -8 this morning and a minimum of 16 above. Helena’s overnight minimum was 28 above but at 3 p.m. the mercury had gone down to 18.
“Rail traffic on the Northern Pacific and Milwaukee lines into Missoula was delayed yesterday when snow slides blocked the track….” (Associated Press. “Montana Flood Threat Cut as Half of Nation Battles High Water and Snowslides.” Montana Standard, Butte, 2-24-1936, p. 1.)
[Montana newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 24: “Helena, Feb. 24.–(AP)–Flood threats were forgotten, temporarily, in Montana today as the mercury slipped back down below zero in the north central portion, and elsewhere in the state the weather outlook was for snow and falling temperatures. Havre had four inches of fresh snow overnight and at 6 a.m. was the coldest spot in the state with an official minus two. Helena had an official two above at that hour; Kalispell, 24; Missoula, 20; Miles City, 8, and Williston, N.D., 10. The overnight snowfall deepened the white covering over virtually every section of Montana except the Kalispell area, the Helena weather bureau reported. The February snowfall here has already exceeded 30 inches.” (Associated Press. “Flood Threats in State Fade; Mercury Down.” Montana Standard, Butte, 2-25-1936, p. 1.)
Nebraska
Feb 4: “Nebraskans had a bright sun to work under Tuesday as they began digging out from the most general snowstorm of the winter. Temperatures stayed low, Lincoln having 7 above zero at 2 p.m. A wind of from 20 to 30 miles velocity whirled the snow over fences, already drifted to their tops, into the roads and blockaded highways Monday night [Feb 3]. With nightfall came a sharp drop in temperatures sending the mercury down to 10 and 20 degrees below zero over the entire state. Most rural schools and many city schools were closed Tuesday. Lincoln’s schools were closed for the first time in many years, but will open again at the regular hour Wednesday morning. A force of 2,000 state highway employes supplemented by county road forces rapidly opened main highways and important secondary roads. The snowfall ranged from 2 to 8 inches over the entire state Monday. It was the first general snow of the winter, western Nebraska having previously been left out of the snowfall picture.
“At noon Tuesday temperatures had generally eased out of their sub-zero abodes. Readings, reported by United Airlines included: Omaha, 1; Grand Island, 4; Cozad, 7; North Platte, 6; Big Springs, 10; Sidney, 12. Two Tuesday morning planes were forced to pass Lincoln up because of drifted runways but landing paths had been cleared by late afternoon….
“Temperatures took a nose-dive beginning late Monday afternoon and dropped as low as 26 degrees below at Gothenburg. In eastern Nebraska, from north to south, the mercury ranged from 10 to 20 below zero. Lincoln’s low was 13 below zero at 7 and 8 a.m. Snowfall here since Sunday night was 4.1 inches. The night’s low temperatures as reported by the weather bureau Tuesday morning were as follows: Omaha, -16; North Platte, -18, Valentine, -22; Sioux City, -16; St. Joseph, -8; Concordia, Kas., -8; Goodland, Kas., -8, Cheyenne, -6….” (Lincoln Star, NE. “State Digging Out of Heavy Snow.” 2-4-1936, p. 1.)
[Nebraska newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 5: “The most bitter cold in 17 years was recorded in Lincoln at 6 a.m. Wednesday [Feb 5] when the weather bureau reported a reading of 20 degrees below zero. It has not been that cold here since Dec. 10, 1919. The previous low of the winter was -19 on January 27. The lowest official reading in the state was 30 below at Norfolk. A telephone company observer at Weeping Water reported a -28 reading there. There was no new snow in the state. Skies were clear but smoke hung low. By 2 p.m., the mercury had leaped upward 37 degrees to 17 above zero. This is the widest spread within a single day that the temperature has made this year. From a high of 7 above zero here at 3 o’clock Tuesday afternoon the mercury dropped steadily to its -20 below. At 7 a.m. it went up 4 degrees to -16 only to sag back to -20 again at 8 o’clock. It is the fifteenth consecutive day here with a below zero reading. The all-time low for February here was -26 in 1899. The record all-time low for any winter was -29 in 1892….
“A new seasonal record of 24 below zero was set at Falls City. It was the nineteenth consecutive sub-zero day there….” (Lincoln Star, NE. “-20 City’s Coldest Since 1919.” 2-5-1936, p. 1.
Feb 7: “A new cold wave moved into Nebraska on the wings of a strong northwest wind Friday and the mercury dropped rapidly. Weather bureaus warned stock raisers of the impending ‘severe cold wave with strong northerly winds.’ The Lincoln weather bureau predicted the lowest temperature in the capital city Friday night would be about 20 below zero. Lashed by a 22 mile-an-hour northwest wind a hard snowstorm raged at Valentine during the morning and the mercury there stood at 19 below zero at 10 a.m. now also was reported at Cozad, O’Neill, Randolph, Spencer, Stuart, and Wakefield Friday morning.
“North Platte, Neb., Feb 7 (AP)–Supt. W. J. Braham today ordered all city schools closed at noon as temperatures dropped from 4 above at 8 a.m. to 11 below at 11:30 a.m. The weather bureau predicted it would be 20 below by midafternoon.” (Associated Press. “Another Cold Wave Descends on Northwest.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE, 2-7-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 8: “Tekamah, Neb. (AP). Coal is being rationed out in 300 and 500 pound lots here. ‘One more day and we may be in trouble,’ said Mayor A. M. Anderson. He thought prospects of getting more coal soon were slight. Tekamah was the third Nebraska town to begin rationing coal, Norfolk and Waterloo being the others. Only one dealer had coal at Waterloo and he was rationing it out sack by sack.” (AP. “Coal is Being Rationed.” Lincoln Evening Journal, NE, 2-8-1936, p. 2.)
New York
Feb 20: “Albany, Feb. 20 (AP)–New York State shivered in the grip of another Arctic blast which caused six deaths and wide suffering. Three of the victims died of exposure while the storm was indirectly responsible for the other three deaths. Hundreds were marooned overnight by huge snowdrifts in the up-state areas, several trains were stalled for hours and scores of automobiles and busses were stranded on the snow-blocked highways. The dead:
“Anna Shaugnessy, 67, of Troy, found frozen to death in the rear of her home.
“William Devlin, 66, of Seneca Falls, who died after he was found in his home with both feet frozen.
“Otis P. Page, 39, gas station attendant, killed at South Colton when show obstructed his vision and he drove his truck into another.
“Edward Kanaley, 60, Jordan farm-hand, who died a short time after he was found in front of his home with hands, arms and legs frozen.
“William A. Gordon, 41, of Buffalo, succumbed to a heart attack while putting alcohol in his car.
“Charles Keitz, 54, Buffalo, fell dead at his place of employment after walking 12 blocks through the bitter cold. A heart attack, due to over-exertion was blamed….” (Associated Press. “Storm Blamed For Six Deaths.” Salamanca Republican-Press, NY. 2-20-1936, p. 1.)
North Dakota
Feb 1: “….North Dakota had from 15 to 20 below, with forecasts of colder today and Sunday.” (Assoc. Press. “Added Sufferings Follow New Cold.” Hamilton Journal, OH. 2-1-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 3: “In North Dakota Minot had -25, and Grand Forks -30.” (Associated Press. “Heavy Snows Sweep State [MN].” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN, 2-3-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 6: “St. Paul, Feb. 6.–(AP)–Cold records toppled before new frigid onslaughts in the northwest today….Fifty-one below zero was officially recorded at Willow City, N.D., in the north central section of the state. It was the lowest North Dakota reading in 20 years….Minot, N.D., had 45 below zero….” (Associated Press. “Mercury Dives to 51 Below in N.D., No Relief.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN, 2-6-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 8: “….Bismarck reported 26 below, Devils Lake 18 below…Williston, N.D., 32 below….Williams county, N.D., commissioners sought WPA trucks, teams and workers to aid in keeping roads open to coal mines that supply that area in an effort to prevent a fuel famine….” (Moorhead Daily News, MN. “High Gale Whips Snow Across Blocked Roads.” 2-8-1936, p. 6.)
Feb 10: “….North Dakota officials gave up as hopeless the task of clearing primary roads and announced they would remain closed until milder weather.” (Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Fight to Open Roads as Fuel Food Famine Threatens Towns,” 2-10-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 12: “St. Paul, Feb. 12–(AP)….In North Dakota, Minot reported 39 below….” (Associated Press. “New Blizzard to Sweep South Part of State; Colder Weather.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN, 2-12-1936, p. 1.)
[North Dakota newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 13: “….South Dakota and western North Dakota communities and ranch homes were in the most critical condition, said the United Press. They have borne the brunt of the prolonged Arctic attack. Bismarck entered its 34th day of sub-zero weather….” (Moorhead Daily News, MN. “Snowfall Brings Threats of New Road Blockades.” 2-13-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 15: “….50 Below in North Dakota. The mercury continued on its record shattering path as it brought readings 40 to 50 below zero at numerous points. Fifty-six below zero was officially recorded at the Denbigh Dunes forestry station north of Minot, N.D. The temperature dropped to 49 below at Minot for an all-time record. It was the coldest night of the winter in North Dakota.” (Associated Press. “Cold Blasts Will Continue for Another Week; No Relief Seen,” Evening Tribune, MN, 2-15-1936, p. 1.)
Ohio
Feb 20: “Continued sub zero cold set new records yesterday which enabled Ohioans to say ‘the winter of 1936 is the worst in history.’ Temperatures hovering around zero made new marks for all time in the records of many weather bureaus. The previous record for continued cold was a 28-day low of 51 years ago in 1885. More comforting was the word last night of Ralph C. Mize, U.S. weather forecaster at Cleveland, who said that after today some relief might be expected. Top temperature today will be around 15 to 20 degrees above zero, he said. There may be some snow.
“As Ohioans became used to the arctic conditions, only one man was frozen to death. He was Thomas Rees, 70, whose body was found in a ravine at Youngstown. Fires took five lives and caused heavy damage in many localities as the extended cold crippled water lines. Five firemen fell with a brick wall and were killed in the $70,000 fire which destroyed the Odd Fellows lodge building in Columbus.” (Associated Press. “Cold Marathon Makes Record; Relief Sighted.” Sandusky Register, OH, 2-20-1936, p. 1.)
Pennsylvania
Feb 4-5: “A lashing wind hurled temperatures downward in Pennsylvania again Tuesday, bringing near-zero temperatures and at least 12 deaths. Five died in a gas-filled home in Rankin, a suburb of Pittsburgh. They were Dominick Fusco, 55 year-old tailor, his wife and thee children.[226] Seven others died in yesterday’s storm, boosting weather fatalities in the last two weeks to more than 50. Scores were injured in automobile accidents and falls on icy streets. Freight trains were stalled on the ice; pedestrians skidded over glassy walks; motor trucks crawled over the highways and planes stayed out of the ice-laden air.
“Three were killed in Philadelphia. Joseph Pawlus, 55, died in an automobile collision of the Bristol Pike; Joseph Allen, 32…was struck by a trolley, and Isaac Allen was killed by a motorist who failed to stop. Two…burned to death in a garage fire at Pittsburgh. A truck and trailer skidded down a hill at Canonsburg, struck another truck and killed Vincent Stahle…of Pittsburgh. Louise Patton, six-year-old Athens girl, walked in front of a car she did not see.
“Trees snapped under the beautiful but heavy burden of ice-coated limbs. Wires sagged, breaking poles and lines. The warm wind and the rain melted much of the snow remaining from the frigid blast of several days ago. The highway department, just through with its job of opening snow-blocked roads, turned its full force of workers to cindering in an attempt to make highways safer. Wayne and Susquehanna counties apparently got all of the snow in a day of weather inconsistencies. Drifts stalled three freight trains on the New York, Ontario and Western railroad between Pleasant Mount and Uniondale. The railroad sent a plow and the plow stalled….” (Assoc. Press. “New Storm From West Hits State.” Bradford Era, PA, 2-5-1936, p.1.)
South Dakota
Feb 14: “Chicago, Feb. 14.–Ski-equipped planes take off today to take supplies to 11 snow-bound communities in western South Dakota. A new cold wave was seeping the central states and the east. Rain, sleet, and snow over 90 per cent of the nation during the past 24 hours increased hazards of the worst winter on record. The death roll mounted to more than 320….
“Highway crews have been unable to break through huge drifts to Red Owl, Advance, Cooper, Camp Crook, Stoneville, Herford, Fairpoint, Enning, Cedar Canyon, Sulphur and Pedro [SD]. Communications lines were down to some of the ranching communities and it was impossible to determine the extent of suffering from lack of food and fuel. A new blizzard yesterday and last night kept the planes on the ground but fair and colder weather was forecast for South Dakota today. From fifty to several hundred persons were isolated in each of the snowbound communities. Two hundred residents of Camp Creek appealed to Gov. Gom Berry for food. He ordered supplies held in reserve at Pierre to be moved at the first opportunity to the Black Hills region. Communication lines were down to the towns of Cooper, Red Owl and several other small settlements. They had appealed for aid before the latest blizzard struck….” (United Press. “South Dakota Communities Snow Bound.” Hammond Times, IN, 2-14-1936, p. 2.)
Wisconsin
Feb 15: “Milwaukee, Feb. 15–(AP)–Traffic crawled, but with a few exceptions kept moving, in Wisconsin and upper Michigan today as road-blocking snow and sub-zero cold continued its record breaking run….
“Minimum temperatures in Wisconsin and upper Michigan last night: Superior -27; Ashland, Rhinelander -25; Antigo -21; Calumet, Hancock and Chippewa Falls -20; Marshfield -19; Wausau -18; Wisconsin Rapids -15; Oshkosh -14; Green Bay and La Crosse – 12; Marinette and Menominee -11; Sheboygan, Janesville and Madison -10; Fond du Lac – 9; Manitowac -8; Kenosha and Milwaukee -6.” (Associated Press. “Traffic Still Barely Moving.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-15-1936, p. 1.)
Feb 22, La Crosse, WI: “The temperature at the weather bureau at 2:15 this afternoon was 17 degrees above zero, a rise of 35 degrees since 7 o’clock this morning.
“Winter double-crossed the weather man Saturday [Feb 22], giving La Crosse and the upper Mississippi valley a final fling of severe sub-zero temperatures before relinquishing its long siege. But, winter is slowly fading out of the picture, and by next week moderating temperatures are expected, a welcome relief after five weeks of th most severe cold in La Crosse history.
“Saturday’s low was 17 degrees below zero, reached at 6 a.m., the weather bureau said. By 10 o’clock the mercury had risen to -5, and was expected to go well over the zero mark during the afternoon. ‘We expect snow tonight and Sunday, bringing with it higher temperatures,’ Meteorologist A. D. Sanial said. ‘The low temperature expected during the night is zero, or slightly higher.’ Snow was forecast by the La Crosse weather bureau throughout Wisconsin, parts of Minnesota and Iowa.” (La Crosse Tribune, WI. “Snow Predicted Tonight, Sunday. Mercury Hits 17 Below This Morning; Warmer Weather Expected.” 2-22-1936, p. 1.)
[Wisconsin newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 23, Madison, WI: “A weather-weary Madison went to church today, thankful for a wedge in a month-long, record smashing cold wave, a wedge which let the mercury rise to 22 degrees above zero Saturday night, and gave a cheerful outlook for the week.
“Forecasters in the midwest Saturday night [Feb 22] reported the cold wave broken, but other observers were so pessimistic as to look far ahead to see the breakup of packed snow and ice and resultant floods.
“Madison schools, closed for three days the past week to conserve fuel supply, will be reopened Monday….
“Railroads reported a heavy run of fuel supplies into Madison, as the trainmen were relieving cars from the congestion caused by the long cold wave. About 25 cars came in on one road Saturday, and the other also had a large number.
“The rising temperature, which stuck to it Saturday night was expected to continue its ascent today–hitting the 20 mark easily. Wisconsin’s outlook for today was somewhat unsettled with the higher temperatures. Unsettled weather still was forecasted for Monday–along with probable snow in the south and rising temperature in the east and the extreme south.
“Break in the cold wave was reported from Chicago, and Eric Miller, government meteorologist, was prompt to point out that ‘What’s good enough for Chicago is generally good enough for us..’ He added, however, that Madison’s temperature might be lower than Chicago’s, that ‘things change a good deal, and there’s lots of cold weather up in the north yet.’ Saturday night’s reading was edged with optimism. It was the highest point reached since Feb. 8, when the mercury worked up to 28 degrees above the zero mark. A ring of truth echoed from the cheerful new of the end of the cold wave, since no city in the United States reported the temperature below zero on Saturday.
“Tired from the incessant struggle of digging itself out of mountainous drifts, the midwest sat back and rested, ready to enjoy a period of normal weather, until all that melted snow starts to race for rivers which weren’t build for it.
“Although Wisconsin was apparently frozen enough to lay aside such worries, other communities were preparing for floods. In Evansville, Ind., a threatened breakup of a 96-mile gorge in the Ohio river last Saturday periled farms in fertile lowlands and sent scores of families running from the flood-menaced area. It was a critical situation, and city officials and Red Cross units were marshaled for relief duty. A break in the gorge almost 24 hours earlier flooded much of the lowland, and it was certain another rupture would cause widespread damage.
“Swollen streams, high waves and unusual tides swept across Northern California Saturday, spreading death and destruction, aftermath of 13 days of almost incessant rainfall. Flood dangers in the Upper Sacramento river valley were at their most acute stage in 10 years. Many homes have been washed away by streams and an agricultural empire of 250,000 acres was in danger of inundation….” (Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Record Cold Wave Smashed, Mercury Stays in Twenties.” 2-23-1936, p. 1.)
[Wisconsin newspaper reporting, continued]
Feb 24: “Highest temperature in Racine [WI] in the last 15 weeks was experienced this forenoon when the mercury touched 46. On Nov. 11 the high temperature was 48. Previous high for this year was 40 on Jan. 1. The change in weather conditions came yesterday after Racine had recorded a low of 7 below 24 hours previously. Highest recorded on Sunday was 43, Lowest last night was 34. As the result of the mild conditions a belated ‘January thaw’ arrived yesterday and continued today. Probably some snow is due tonight or Tuesday the forecast said, with colder.
“Breakup of the 67-mile long Ohio river ice gorge swept huge cakes of ice downstream today averting the menace of serious floods in southern Indiana and Kentucky. Freakish weather conditions prevailed throughout the nation. Floods, thaws, dust storms and blizzards were on the weather map.
“The first real thaw of the winter melted immense accumulations of snow and ice in the middle west after more than a month of record-breaking cold and blizzards. Flood dangers increased in a dozen states.
“Heavy dust storms swirled over six plains states….Visibility was zero at Pueblo, Colo.
“The temperature climbed to 76 degrees at Dodge City, where sub-zero temperatures, coal shortages and frozen water pipes were reported fur days ago.
“After several minor breaks upstream, the Ohio river ice gorge at Dam 49 at Uniontown, Ky., went out with a tremendous roar last night. The water rose three feet in 30 minutes but later started to fall as the general breakup sent ice cakes down to clear water below Uniontown.
“Several hundred families had moved from their farm homes in the lowlands near Evansville, Ind., over the weekend. Red Cross officials were prepared to care for 2,500 families but government engineers said the flood threat had abated with the general breakup….
“With rivers frozen as deep as 36 inches and frost reaching three and fur feet into the ground, Central states anticipated the worst floods in years if the thaw continues. Plans were made at Sioux City, Ia., to use bombing planes to break up ice jams in the Missouri river. The temperature rose to 43 degrees above zero at Sioux City yesterday, the first time since Jan. 12 that the mercury had been above freezing. Dynamite was placed at strategic points along scores of rivers in the central states to be ready for blasting ice jams. The war department at Washington reported that district engineers throughout the nation have made detailed plans to meet any emergency flood situation.” (Racine Journal-Times, WI. “Thaw Creates Flood Peril in Dozen States.” 2-24-1936, p. 1.)
Wyoming
Feb 13: “Cheyenne, Wyo., Feb 13 (AP)–Numerous rescues of snowbound travelers were reported today as western Wyoming experienced the worst blizzard of the winter. Reports from Kemmerer, where the travelers were taken by highway crews said roads were closed in all directions but all persons on the highways were believed accounted for. Similar reports came from Rock Springs where a raging ground blizzard halted buses. Passengers were transferred to trains….” (AP. “Wyoming’s Worst Blizzard Strikes.” Twin Falls Daily News, ID, 2-14-1936, 1.)
Sources
Afro American, Baltimore, MD. “Aged Brothers Freeze to Death.” 2-29-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/baltimore-afro-american-feb-29-1936-p-8/
Afro-American, Baltimore, MD. “One Dead, Six Seriously Hurt, 113 Injured in Cold Snap.” 2-15-1936, p. 24. Accessed 1-20-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/baltimore-afro-american-feb-15-1936-p-24/
Associated Press. “2 Dead from Frost Bites near Pueblo.” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO, 2-10-1936, pp. 1 and 8. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greeley-daily-tribune-feb-10-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “2 Dead from Severe Cold in Wyoming.” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO, 2-11-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greeley-daily-tribune-feb-11-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “16 Die in Weekend Tragedies.” Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA, 2-17-1936, p. 2. Accessed 2-2-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-feb-17-1936-p-2/
Associated Press. “19 Accidental Deaths in State in Week-End.” Lock Haven Express, PA, 2-3-1936, p. 8. Accessed 1-31-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lock-haven-express-feb-03-1936-p-8/
Associated Press. “33 Perish.” Daily Illini, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 2-14-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/chicago-daily-illini-feb-14-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Added Sufferings Follow New Cold.” Hamilton Journal, OH. 2-1-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hamilton-daily-news-journal-feb-01-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Another Cold Wave Descends on Northwest.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE, 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beatrice-daily-sun-feb-07-1936-p-1/
Associated Press, Sturgis, SD. “Another Storm is Approaching,” Lincoln Evening Journal, NE, 2-12-1936, p. 6. Accessed 1-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-evening-state-journal-feb-12-1936-p-6/
Associated Press. “Arctic Blast Hits Upstate.” Cornell Daily Sun, NY, 2-20-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ithaca-cornell-daily-sun-feb-20-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Auto Stalls in Drift on Road.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE, 2-6-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beatrice-daily-sun-feb-06-1936-p-1/
Associated Press, Milwaukee. “Backbone of Long Cold Spell Broken.” La Crosse Tribune, WI, 2-21-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-6-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/la-crosse-tribune-and-leader-press-feb-21-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Blizzard Rages Over State; Indian Boy Is Storm Victim.” Evening Huronite, Huron, SD, 2-8-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-2-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/huron-evening-huronite-feb-08-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Body is Found in Snow Bank.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. 2-19-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beatrice-daily-sun-feb-19-1936-p-1/
Associated Press, Janesville. “Both Feet Frozen, Janesville Man Dies.” La Crosse Tribune, WI, 2-6-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/la-crosse-tribune-and-leader-press-feb-06-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Breaking Ice Gorges Threaten New Flood as Allegheny Rises.” Bradford Era, PA, 2-28-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bradford-era-feb-28-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Bruise Suffered in Shoveling Snow is Fatal to A. Meyers.” Lincoln Star, NE, 2-25-1936, p. 14. Accessed 1-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-star-feb-25-1936-p-14/
Associated Press. “Child is Killed by Avalanche of Snow at Poplar.” Havre Daily News, MT, 2-28-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/havre-daily-news-feb-28-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Coal is Being Rationed.” Lincoln Evening Journal, NE, 2-8-1936, p. 2. Accessed 1-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-evening-state-journal-feb-08-1936-p-2/
Associated Press. “Cold and Snow Grips Country.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-10-2936, p. 1. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-globe-feb-10-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Cold Blasts Will Continue for Another Week; No Relief Seen.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 2-15-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-feb-15-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Cold Marathon Makes Record; Relief Sighted.” Sandusky Register, OH, 2-20-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-feb-20-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Cold Weather Curbs Floods.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 2-27-1936, p. 9. Accessed 1-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-globe-feb-27-1936-p-6/
Associated Press. “Crash is Fatal to Casper Man.” Billings Gazette, 2-12-1936, p. 10. Accessed 1-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/billings-gazette-feb-12-1936-p-10/
Associated Press. “Crossing Crash Fatal to Five.” Titusville Herald, PA, 2-17-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-feb-17-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Death Comes in Storm,” Berkshire Evening Eagle, MA, 2-15-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-20-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/pittsfield-berkshire-evening-eagle-feb-15-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Death Toll in Cold Mounts; Lake Frozen.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 2-20-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-feb-20-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Deepest Snow of Long Time in Mountains.” Greely Daily Tribune, CO, 2-4-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greeley-daily-tribune-feb-04-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Dog Finds Body of Boy Crushed by Ice.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 2-24-1936, p. 4. Accessed 1-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-globe-feb-24-1936-p-4/
Associated Press. “Earthquakes and Heavy Snowfall Harass Montana.” Twin Falls Daily News, ID, 2-14-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/twin-falls-daily-news-feb-14-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Eveleth Has 26 Below Zero Temperature.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN, 2-5-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-feb-05-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Explosion Kills Four in Detroit. Believed to Have Been Caused by Gas Escaping from Frozen Mains.” Titusville Herald, PA, 2-17-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-feb-17-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Exposure Costs Life of Cleveland Man, 50.” Lima News, OH, 2-1-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-feb-02-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Fence Posts, Hay as Fuel in Cold Wave.” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. 2-10-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greeley-daily-tribune-feb-10-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Find Blind Invalid Dead of Starvation, Exposure.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-globe-feb-07-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Five Killed on Ohio Highways.” Newark Advocate, OH, 2-3-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/newark-advocate-feb-03-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Flood Threats in State Fade; Mercury Down.” Montana Standard, Butte, 2-25-1936, p1. Accessed 1-26-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/montana-standard-feb-25-1936-p-13/
Associated Press. “Floods Rage, Four Dead in West Pennsy.” Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD, 2-28-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/morning-herald-feb-28-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Four Die In Storm.” Cumberland Sunday Times, MD, 2-9-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-times-feb-09-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Fresh Cold Wave Sweeps Out of North.” Salamanca Republican-Press, NY. 2-20-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salamanca-republican-press-feb-20-1936-p-2/
Associated Press. “Frozen Foot Causes Death of Pioneer.” Evening Huronite, Huron, SD, 2-29-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-3-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/huron-evening-huronite-feb-29-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Fuel Supply is Threatened if Cold Remains.” Newark Advocate, OH, 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/newark-advocate-feb-07-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Girl is Frozen to Death.” Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal-feb-07-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Give Verdict in Spencer Death.” Telegraph-Herald, Dubuque, IA, 2-2-1936. p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubuque-telegraph-herald-feb-02-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Hale Keith, Second Sioux Falls Monoxide Gas Victim, Succumbs.” Evening Huronite, Huron, SD, 2-4-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/huron-evening-huronite-feb-04-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Heart Attack.” Evening Huronite, Huron, SD, 2-14-1936, p. 2. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/huron-evening-huronite-feb-14-1936-p-2/
Associated Press. “Heavy Snows Sweep State.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 2-3-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-feb-03-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Heavy Toll Taken by Winter Storms.” Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD, 2-26-1936, p. 12. Accessed 1-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hagerstown-morning-herald-feb-26-1936-p-12/
Associated Press. “Iowa Digs Out From Under Drifts.” Ottumwa Daily Courier, IA, 2-4-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ottumwa-daily-courier-feb-03-1936-p-15/
Associated Press. “Iowan Falls Dead.” Ottumwa Daily Courier, IA, 2-4-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ottumwa-daily-courier-feb-03-1936-p-15/
Associated Press. “Kenosha Recluse Dies of Cold and Hunger.” Racine Journal-Times, WI, 2-25-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-6-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/racine-journal-times-feb-25-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Lives of Two More Added to Toll in State.” Boone News-Republican, IA, 2-5-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boone-news-republican-feb-05-1936-p-2/
Associated Press. “Mailman Discovers Farm Recluse Dead.” Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, WI. 2-18-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-5-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/wisconsin-rapids-daily-tribune-feb-18-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Main Roads Opened by Highway Crews; Cold Still Intense,” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-feb-07-1936-p-1/
Associated Press, Columbus. “Man Found Frozen on Floor of Home.” Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, 2-11-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-7-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal-feb-11-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Maryland Storm is Described as Worst in Fourteen Years.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD, 2-8-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-evening-times-feb-08-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Mercury Dives to 51 Below in N.D., No Relief.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN, 2-6-1936, p.1. Accessed 1-29-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-feb-06-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Mercury Tumbles as Raging Storm Sweeps in From Northwest.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 2-6-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kalispell-daily-inter-lake-feb-06-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Montana Flood Threat Cut as Half of Nation Battles High Water and Snowslides.” Montana Standard, Butte, 2-24-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/montana-standard-feb-24-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Montana is Gripped by Bitter Cold.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2019 at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AveCENBgybQ
Associated Press. “Mother and Son Drown as Home is Washed Away.” Wilson Times, NC, 2-7-1936, p. 5. Accessed 1-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wilson-times-feb-07-1936-p-5/
Associated Press. “New Blizzard From Arctic Grips Midwest.” Syracuse Herald, NY, 2-12-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-feb-12-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “New Blizzard to Sweep South Part of State; Colder Weather.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN, 2-12-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-feb-12-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “New Cold Wave is Predicted for Maryland.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD, 2-4-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-evening-times-feb-04-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “New Cold Wave Roars Across Ohio,” Washington Court House, OH, 2-5-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-c-h-herald-feb-05-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “New Cold Wave Spreads Over Northwestern Area.” Frederick Post, MD, 2-18-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-20-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/frederick-news-post-feb-18-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “New Snow and Cold Wave Hit Maryland.” Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. 2-18-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hanover-evening-sun-feb-18-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “New Storm From West Hits State.” Bradford Era, PA, 2-5-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bradford-era-feb-05-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “New Subzero Blast Moves Across West.” Syracuse Herald, NY. 2-14-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-feb-14-1936-p-2/
Associated Press, Detroit. “Nine Dead in Michigan.” Lincoln State Journal, NE, 2-11-1936, p. 2. Accessed 1-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal-feb-11-1936-p-2/
Associated Press. “No Relief in Sight as Yet.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-5-1936, p. 10. Accessed 1-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-globe-feb-05-1936-p-10/
Associated Press. “Out State.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 2-21-1936, p. 3. Accessed 1-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-globe-feb-21-1936-p-11/
Associated Press. “Piercing Chill in Montana.” Helena Independent, MT, 2-4-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/helena-independent-feb-04-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Plains States Threatened by Mercury Drop.” Lima News, OH, 2-21-1936, p. 10. Accessed 1-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-feb-21-1936-p-10/
Associated Press. “Plows Fight Snow Drifts After Storm.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 2-11-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-feb-11-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Quake, Snow, and Dust in the Rockies,” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. 2-14-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greeley-daily-tribune-feb-14-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Refuses Relief, Dies.” Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY, 2-22-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/canandaigua-daily-messenger-feb-22-1936-p-1/
Associated Press, Pittsburgh. “Rising Waters Rout Scores in Towns of State.” Bradford Era, PA, 2-28-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bradford-era-feb-28-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “S.D. Surveys Heavy Toll As Severe Blizzard Eases Grip.” Evening Huronite, SD, 2-10-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/huron-evening-huronite-feb-10-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Severe Cold Likely Today for Michigan.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 2-22-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-feb-22-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Shovels Snow; Dies.” Janesville Daily Gazette, WI, 2-14-1936, p. 6. Accessed 2-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/janesville-daily-gazette-feb-14-1936-p-6/
Associated Press. “Snow and Cold Back of Sleet.” Moberly Monitor-Index, MO, 2-3-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moberly-monitor-index-feb-03-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Snow Drifts.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 2-5-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-feb-05-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Snow–Sleet Slow Up Transportation.” Logansport Press, IN, 2-14-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-press-feb-14-1936-p-1/
Associated Pres. “Snowslide Menace Closes Idaho Mine.” Twin Falls Daily News, ID, 2-14-1936, p. .1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/twin-falls-daily-news-feb-14-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Snowstorms Continue Over State; Slowly Rising Mercury Forecast.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 2-12-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kalispell-daily-inter-lake-feb-12-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “State Fuel Shortage Grows Acute as Cold Continues.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN, 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-feb-07-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “State Out of Sub-Zero First time in 4 Weeks as Winter Grip Eases.” Montana Standard, Butte, 2-20-1936, p. 1, State Edition. Accessed 1-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/montana-standard-feb-20-1936-p-17/
Associated Press. “State Temperatures Rise as Cold Wave Recedes.” Montana Standard, Butte, 2-19-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/montana-standard-feb-19-1936-p-13/
Associated Press. “Storm Blamed For Six Deaths.” Salamanca Republican-Press, NY. 2-20-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salamanca-republican-press-feb-20-1936-p-2/
Associated Press. “Swirling Snow and Cold Ties up Traffic in South Part of State.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 2-4-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-feb-04-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Syracuse Doctor Dies.” Titusville Herald, PA, 2-17-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-feb-17-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Three, Including State Police Officer, Die in Maryland’s Blizzards.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD. 2-8-1936. Accessed 1-19-2018: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-evening-times-feb-08-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Traffic Still Barely Moving.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-15-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-globe-feb-15-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Trains, Vehicles Halted as Wind Piles up New Drifts; Another Cold Wave Sighted.” Muscatine Journal, IA, 2-14-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/muscatine-journal-feb-14-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Two Autoists Killed, Others Trapped in Snow.” Alton Evening Telegraph, IL. 2-22-1936, p. 5. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-evening-telegraph-feb-22-1936-p-5/
Associated Press. “Weather Experts See No Relief From Cold Wave.” Titusville Herald, PA, 2-17-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-feb-17-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Weather Man Sees No Finish to Cold Wave.” Daily Hawk-Eye Gazette, Burlington, IA, 2-15-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-hawk-eye-gazette-feb-15-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Week-End Mishaps Fatal to 14; River Patrols Vigilant.” Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA, 2-24-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-feb-24-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Winter Siege Loosens Grip Over Midwest.” Daily Capital News, Jefferson City, MO, 2-20-1936, p. 4. Accessed 1-25-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jefferson-city-daily-capital-news-feb-20-1936-p-4/
Associated Press. “Whole Towns Marooned by Floods and Snowdrifts, Lives Lost in Cold; Zero Weather Now on Its Way East.” Berkshire Evening Eagle, MA, 2-15-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pittsfield-berkshire-evening-eagle-feb-15-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Winter Holds Harsh Reign over Country.” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO, 2-4-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greeley-daily-tribune-feb-04-1936-p-1/
Associated Press. “Woman Frozen.” Lincoln State Journal, NE. 2-10-1936, p. 2. Accessed 1-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal-feb-10-1936-p-2/
Associated Press. “Wyoming’s Worst Blizzard Strikes.” Twin Falls Daily News, ID, 2-14-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/twin-falls-daily-news-feb-14-1936-p-1/
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Around the State and Nation,” 2-23-1936, p. 2. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-feb-23-1936-p-2/
Boone News-Republican, IA, “Gets Home With Coal, Drops Dead at Gate of Farm.” 2-18-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boone-news-republican-feb-18-1936-p-1/
Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “Fight to Open Roads as Fuel Food Famine Threatens Towns,” 2-10-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-feb-10-1936-p-1/
Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. “South Part State Again Snowbound.” 2-18-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-feb-18-1936-p-1/
Bristol Courier, PA. “One Dead From Gas.” 2-8-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bristol-courier-feb-08-1936-p-1/
Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Coal Famine Threatened; Mine Union Leaders Turn Down Overtime Work Plea.” 2-2-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/charleston-daily-mail-feb-02-1936-p-2/
Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Injuries Received in Fall are Fatal to George S. Couch, Jr.” 2-14-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/charleston-daily-mail-feb-14-1936-p-2/
Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Ohio Waters Rise to Peak. Rivers Overflow Banks in Tri-State Area; Three Deaths Reported.” 2-27-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/charleston-daily-mail-feb-27-1936-p-1/
Chester Times, PA. “Find Corpse of Frozen Negro.” 2-17-1936, p. 11. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/chester-times-feb-17-1936-p-11/
Circleville Herald, OH. “Heroism is Told in Storm Wake.” 2-17-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/circleville-herald-feb-17-1936-p-16/
Clare Sentinel, MI. “Snow Slants.” 2-21-1936, p. 4. Accessed 1-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/clare-sentinel-feb-21-1936-p-4/
Daily Capital, Jefferson City, MO. “Some Relief Promised by Weather Man.” 2-6-1936, p. 1.
Accessed 2-7-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jefferson-city-daily-capital-news-feb-06-1936-p-1/
Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA, “Leaking Gas is Taking Heavy Toll in Frozen Midwest.” 2-18-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/connellsville-daily-courier-feb-18-1936-p-1/
Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL. “Food and Fuel Famines Grip Middle West.” 2-10-1936, p. 6. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/murphysboro-daily-independent-feb-10-1936-p-6/
Daily Mail, Hagerstown, MD. “2 Below Here; More Snow Due.” 2-12-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hagerstown-daily-mail-feb-12-1936-p-1/
Daily Mail, Hagerstown, MD. “Blizzard Closes Many Schools.” 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hagerstown-daily-mail-feb-07-1936-p-1/
Daily Tribune, South Haven, MI. “Deaths Mounting as Cold Wave Continues.” 2-10-1936, p. 6. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/south-haven-daily-tribune-feb-10-1936-p-6/
Daily Tribune, South Haven, MI. “Mercury Rises.” 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/south-haven-daily-tribune-feb-07-1936-p-5/
Dixon Evening Telegraph, IL. “Woman Swept to Death in Flood.” 2-27-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dixon-evening-telegraph-feb-27-1936-p-1/
Dubois Morning Courier, PA. “Well Known Physician of County Dies.” 2-8-1936, p. 8. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubois-courier-feb-08-1936-p-8/
Durango Herald, CO. “White Death of 1936. 2-14-2010. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://durangoherald.com/articles/9136
Escanaba Daily Press, MI. “Blizzard Felt in Peninsula.” 2-5-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-feb-05-1936-p-1/
Escanaba Daily Press, MI. “Fred Merriam’s Body Found in Snowdrift at County Infirmary.” 2-25-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-feb-25-1936-p-1/
Evening Times, Cumberland, MD. “Ships Menaced by Chesapeake Ice Conditions.” 2-12-1936, p. 2. Accessed 1-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-evening-times-feb-12-1936-p-1/
Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Auto Strikes Train; 1 Killed, 4 Injured.” 2-3-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-feb-03-1936-p-1/
Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Miss Roach’s Death Due to Exposure.” 2-6-1936, p. 7. Accessed 1-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-feb-06-1936-p-7/
Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Monoxide Kills S.D. Girl; Policeman Ill.” 2-3-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-22-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-feb-03-1936-p-1/
Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Rescue Crews Battle Way to Storm-Isolated Communities.” 2-17-1936, p. 2. Accessed 1-24-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-feb-17-1936-p-2/
Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. “Man Freezes to Death While Walking to Son’s Farm Northeast of Monroe.” 1-21-1936, 4. Accessed 1-16-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/freeport-journal-standard-feb-21-1936-p-4/
Greeley Daily Tribune. “Marooned Adults and Students Get Safely to Homes in Snow and Cold Wave 37 Below Zero.” 2-8-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-7-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greeley-daily-tribune-feb-08-1936-p-1/
Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “Snowstorm,” 2-8-1936, p. 2. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greeley-daily-tribune-feb-08-1936-p-2/
Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “Temperature Drops 24 Degrees, WPA Projects Shut Down.” 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greeley-daily-tribune-feb-07-1936-p-1/
Hammond Times, IN. “Exposure Victim is Identified.” 2-24-1936, p..6. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hammond-times-feb-24-1936-p-76/
Hammond Times, IN. “Seventeen of the Last 20 Days are Sub-Zero.” 2-10-1936, p. 8. Accessed 1-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hammond-times-feb-10-1936-p-63/
Harrison Daily Times, AR. “Chill-Racked Nation Stokes Up Furnaces.” 2-3-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrison-daily-times-feb-03-1936-p-1/
Harrison Daily Times, AR. “How Frost King Muted American Niagara Falls,” 2-3-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrison-daily-times-feb-03-1936-p-1/
Havre Daily News, MT. “Big Sandy Rancher is Found Frozen to Death Near Home.” 2-18-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/havre-daily-news-feb-18-1936-p-1/
Havre Daily News, MT. “Lodge Pole Man Freeze to Death Near Ft. Belknap.” 2-19-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-26-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/havre-daily-news-feb-19-1936-p-1/
Helena Independent, MT. “Rising Temperatures Bring Relief to Wintry Montana; 24 Degree Rise in 24 Hours.” 2-9-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/helena-independent-record-feb-09-1936-p-1/
Helena Daily Independent, MT. “Weather Moderates in Helena Although Some Parts Suffer.” 2-21-1936, p. 6. Accessed 1-26-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/helena-independent-record-feb-21-1936-p-6/
Independent News Service. “2 New Hoosier Cold Victims.” Hammond Times, IN, 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hammond-times-feb-07-1936-p-113/
Independent News Service. “Arctic Wave to Keep Grip Several Days is Report as Midwest Shivers in Snow.” Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN, 2-10-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/valparaiso-vidette-messenger-feb-10-1936-p-1/
Independent News Service. “Death Follows Attempt At Rescue.” Hammond Times, IN, 2-8-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com
Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Overnight Briefs,” 2-24-1936, p. 3. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-feb-24-1936-p-3/
International News Service. “Ninth Fatality Result of Gas in Detroit, Mich.” New Castle News, PA, 2-22-1936, 2. Accessed 2-2-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-castle-news-feb-22-1936-p-2/
Kohler, J. P. “Weather of 1936 in the United States.” Monthly Weather Review, Vol. 65, No. 1, Jan 1937, pp. 12-16. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://journals.ametsoc.org/toc/mwre/65/1
La Crosse Tribune, WI. “Ships Report Lake Michigan Frozen Over For First Time.” 2-22-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/la-crosse-tribune-and-leader-press-feb-22-1936-p-1/
La Crosse Tribune, WI. “Snow Predicted Tonight, Sunday. Mercury Hits 17 Below This Morning; Warmer Weather Expected.” 2-22-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/la-crosse-tribune-and-leader-press-feb-22-1936-p-1/
Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Cold Wave Takes First Victim in Lebanon Co.” 2-1-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-31-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lebanon-daily-news-feb-01-1936-p-1/
Lincoln Star, NE. “-20 City’s Coldest Since 1919.” 2-5-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-star-feb-05-1936-p-1/
Lincoln Star, NE. “State Digging Out of Heavy Snow.” 2-4-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-star-feb-04-1936-p-1/
Lincoln State Journal, NE. “No Relief From Tieup of Roads Seems in Sight.” 2-15-1936, p. 9. Accessed 1-27-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-nebraska-state-journal-feb-15-1936-p-9/
Lincoln Sunday Journal and Star, NE. “In The State.” 2-23-1936, p. 12. Accessed 1-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-sunday-journal-and-star-feb-23-1936-p-12/
Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Flood Claims One Life.” 2-25-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-feb-25-1936-p-1/
Logansport Pharos Tribune. “Midwest’s Death Toll Reaches 50.” 2-6-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-feb-06-1936-p-1/
Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Will Kerns Victim of Cold Wave.” 2-8-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-feb-08-1936-p-1/
Macon Chronicle-Herald, MO. “Old Man Dies From the Cold.” 2-22-1936, p. 3. Accessed 1-25-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/macon-chronicle-herald-feb-22-1936-p-3/
Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. “Ten Deaths in Mich. Due to the Storm,” 2-5-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marshall-evening-chronicle-feb-05-1936-p-1/
Middletown Times Herald, NY. “Gales Chill East; Floods Strike South.” 2-5-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middletown-times-herald-feb-05-1936-p-1/
Moorhead Daily News, MN. “High Gale Whips Snow Across Blocked Roads.” 2-8-1936, p. 6. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moorhead-daily-news-feb-08-1936-p-6/
Moorhead Daily News, MN. “Mercury’s Effort to Break Frigid Cold Fails Again.” 2-20-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-24-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moorhead-daily-news-feb-20-1936-p-1/
Moorhead Daily News, MN. “Moorhead-Fargo area ‘Digs Out’ Following Storm.” 2-10-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moorhead-daily-news-feb-10-1936-p-1/
Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “High Winds Cause Highway Drifting.” 2-12-1936, p. 10. Accessed 1-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hagerstown-morning-herald-feb-12-1936-p-10/
Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “New Frigid Wave Arrives Suddenly.” 2-19-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hagerstown-morning-herald-feb-19-1936-p-1/
New Castle News, PA. “Most of Nation Held in Grip of Worst Cold Wave.” 2-10-1936, p. 2. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-castle-news-feb-10-1936-p-2/
Newark Advocate, OH. “Coaster Dies From Injury.” 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/newark-advocate-feb-07-1936-p-1/
News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI. “Bangor Invalid Burns to Death in Home.” 2-5-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/benton-harbor-news-palladium-feb-05-1936-p-1/
News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI. “Worst Storm Kills Eight in Michigan.” 2-5-1936, p. 3. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/benton-harbor-news-palladium-feb-05-1936-p-3/
Pinedale Roundup, WY. “Winter Claims First Victim at Rawlings, Wyo.” 2-13-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-7-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pinedale-roundup-feb-13-1936-p-1/
Portsmouth Times, OH. “Cold Cause of Death of Man.” 2-6-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-times-feb-06-1936-p-2/
Racine Journal-Times, WI. “Thaw Creates Flood Peril in Dozen States.” 2-24-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/racine-journal-times-feb-24-1936-p-1/
Raleigh Register, Beckley, WV. “Aged Cranberry Woman Succumbs to Cold Spell.” 2-12-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-3-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beckley-raleigh-register-feb-12-1936-p-1/
Salamanca Republican-Press. “William Taylor Killed by Fumes of Gas Stove in Room at Gowanda.” 2-21-1936, p. 16. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salamanca-republican-press-feb-21-1936-p-16/
Twin Falls Daily News, ID. “New Snows Following High Wind Complicate Idaho Traffic Problem.” 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-7-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/twin-falls-daily-news-feb-07-1936-p-1/
United Press. “5 States Face Coal Famine as More Cold is Forecast.” Syracuse Herald, NY, 2-2-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-28-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-feb-02-1936-p-41/
United Press. “35 to 40 Below Predicted Tonight.” Moorhead Daily News, MN, 2-6-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moorhead-daily-news-feb-06-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Bitter Cold Still Gripping Midwest; Storm Sweeps East.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL. 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/murphysboro-daily-independent-feb-07-1936-p-2/
United Press. “Blizzard Hits at Spirit Lake.” Oelwein Daily Register, IA, 2-3-1935, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oelwein-daily-register-feb-03-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Cold Abates but Spectre of Fuel Shortage Rises.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI, 2-11-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/south-haven-daily-tribune-feb-11-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Cold Wave Fatalities Increased.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN, 2-6-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-feb-06-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Cold Wave in Middlewest Appears Definitely Broken,” Logansport Pharos Tribune, 2-13-1936, 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-feb-13-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Continued Cold; 25 to 30 Below Again Tonight.” Moorhead Daily News, MN, 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moorhead-daily-news-feb-07-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Crawls 8 Miles Over Ice to Safety; Two Freeze to Death.” Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. 2-11-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/valparaiso-vidette-messenger-feb-11-1936-p-1/
United Press. “End of Extreme Cold Predicted in Middlewest.” Circleville Herald, OH, 2-19-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/circleville-herald-feb-19-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Fear of Hunger and Exposure Grips Midwest.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL, 2-11-1936, 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/murphysboro-daily-independent-feb-11-1936-p-2/
United Press. “Find Body of Former Teacher.” Moorhead Daily News, MN, 2-11-1936, p. 6. Accessed 1-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moorhead-daily-news-feb-11-1936-p-6/
United Press. “Find Clitherall Farmer Frozen to Death Today.” Moorhead Daily News, MN, 2-15-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/moorhead-daily-news-feb-15-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Fish, Game Dying as Cold Holds Grip NW; Coal Situation Eases.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, 2-7-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-23-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-feb-07-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Gas Filtering Into Homes Is Due To Freeze.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL, 2-18-1936, 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/murphysboro-daily-independent-feb-18-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Gas Leak Kills Family of Four at Sycamore, Ill.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL. 2-18-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/murphysboro-daily-independent-feb-18-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Ice-Choked Streams Cause Grave Alarm in Several States,” Racine Journal-Tribune, WI, 2-25-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/racine-journal-times-feb-25-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Icy Roads in Indiana Claim Five.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-4-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-feb-04-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Iowa Fighting Fuel Famine.” Evening Democrat, Fort Madison, IA, 2-6-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-10-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-madison-evening-democrat-feb-06-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Kirksville Coldest Spot.” Brookfield Argus, MO, 2-5-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-25-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brookfield-argus-feb-05-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Long Prairie Doctor Killed in Auto Crash.” Moorhead Daily News, MN, 2-8-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-23-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/moorhead-daily-news-feb-08-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Mercury To Reach 20 Above.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-20-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-feb-20-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Northwest is Gripped Anew by Frigid Cold.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL, 2-18-1936, 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/murphysboro-daily-independent-feb-18-1936-p-1/
United Press. “One Killed, 12 Hurt as Truck Skids.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-13-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-feb-13-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Relief Workers Killed.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL. 2-11-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/murphysboro-daily-independent-feb-11-1936-p-2/
United Press. “Resident of Home is Found Dead in River.” Piqua Daily Call, 2-25-1936, p. 2. Accessed 1-30-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/piqua-daily-call-feb-25-1936-p-2/
United Press. “Snow Avalanche Kills Three in Famous Colorado Mine.” Hammond Times, IN, 2-24-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hammond-times-feb-24-1936-p-130/
United Press. “Snow Storm Reaches Blizzard Proportions.” Hammond Times, IN, 2-27-1936, p. 3. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hammond-times-feb-27-1936-p-6/
United Press. “South Dakota Communities Snow Bound.” Hammond Times, IN, 2-14-1936, p. 2. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hammond-times-feb-14-1936-p-135/
United Press. “Southeast Section of State in Grasp of Blinding Storm.” Evening Democrat, Fort Madison, IA, 2-8-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-madison-evening-democrat-feb-08-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Subzero, Snow Iowa Lot for Over Sabbath [Feb 9].” Boone News-Republican, IA, 2-7-1936, p. 2. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/boone-news-republican-feb-07-1936-p-2/
United Press. “Temperature Touches 16 Below.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-18-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-feb-18-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Temperature Will Skid Again.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN, 2-4-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-feb-04-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Terrific Cost of Cold Wave.” Hammond Times, IN. 2-8-1936, p. 2. Accessed 1-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hammond-times-feb-08-1936-p-91/
United Press. “Three Freights, One Passenger Train Derailed.” Evening Democrat, Fort Madison, IA, 2-17-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-madison-evening-democrat-feb-17-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Two Die from Gas Fumes in House in Clio.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. 2-21-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-22-2019t: https://newspaperarchive.com/marshall-evening-chronicle-feb-21-1936-p-1/
United Press. “Warren,” Sandusky Star-Journal, OH. 2-7-1936, p. 15. Accessed 1-29-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-star-journal-feb-07-1936-p-15/
United Press. “Winter’s Attack Will Continue.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, 2-10-1936, p. 1. Accessed 1-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-feb-10-1936-p-1/
United Press. “WPA Worker, Hunted for Week, Found Dead.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, 2-16-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-feb-16-1936-p-1/
Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “Some Relief Tonight, Is Latest Word,” 2-18-1936, p. 2. Accessed 1-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/valparaiso-vidette-messenger-feb-18-1936-p-2/
Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “March Lion’s Roar Sends Mercury Hurrying to Cover.” 2-26-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-feb-26-1936-p-1/
Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Record Cold Wave Smashed, Mercury Stays in Twenties.” 2-23-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-6-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-feb-23-1936-p-1/
Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Roaring Snowstorm Blocks Roads, Drops Temperature 21 Degrees in Single Hour.” 2-9-1936, p. 1. Accessed 2-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-feb-09-1936-p-1/
Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Woman, Dies After Day’s Pneumonia Illness, Snowbound.” 2-9-1936, p. 3. Accessed 2-5-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-feb-09-1936-p-3/
[1] We have separate document for January winter weather: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/1936-jan-18-28-extreme-coldsnowsleetwind-midwest-to-atlantic-esp-oh-pa-211-263/
[2] Durango Herald, CO. “White Death of 1936. 2-14-2010.
[3] United Press. “Snow Avalanche Kills Three in Famous Colorado Mine.” Hammond Times, IN, 2-24-1936, p. 1. All three were in a bunkhouse. Victims identifies as Mrs. Rose Israel, 50, mine cook; Chappie Woods, mine foreman, and Ralph Clinger, blacksmith.
[4] Associated Press. “2 Dead from Frost Bites near Pueblo.” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO, 2-10-1936, pp. 1 and 8.
[5] Associated Press. “2 Dead from Frost Bites near Pueblo.” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO, 2-10-1936, pp. 1 and 8.
[6] New Castle News, PA. “Most of Nation Held in Grip of Worst Cold Wave.” 2-10-1936, p. 2.
[7] Victim Id’d as Lawrence Harrien. AP. “New Subzero Blast Moves Across West.” Syracuse Herald, 2-14-1936, p1.
[8] United Press. “Gas Filtering Into Homes Is Due To Freeze.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL, 2-18-1936, p. 1.
[9] INS. “Arctic Wave to Keep Grip Several Days…Midwest …” Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN, 2-10-1936, p. 1.
[10] Associated Press. “Cold and Snow Grips Country.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-10-2936, p. 1.
[11] Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA, “Leaking Gas is Taking Heavy Toll in Frozen Midwest.” 2-18-1936, p. 1.
[12] United Press. “Gas Leak Kills Family of Four at Sycamore, Ill.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL. 2-18-1936, p. 1. Victims identified as Albert Jackson, 36; Gladys K. Jackson, 34, Albert Lavern, 9, and Marilyn Ann, 1½.
[13] Arthur Hillborn, 32, wife Helen, 32, her sister, Miss Esther Heidenreich, 28. (Associated Press. “Crossing Crash Fatal to Five.” Titusville Herald, PA, 2-17-1936, p. 1.) Other victims from 2nd collision; snow not noted as factor.
[14] United Press. “Cold Wave Fatalities Increased.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN, 2-6-1936, p. 1.
[15] United Press. “Icy Roads in Indiana Claim Five.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-4-1936, p. 1.
[16] United Press. “Winter’s Attack Will Continue.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, 2-10-1936, p. 1.
[17] Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “Some Relief Tonight, Is Latest Word,” 2-18-1936, p. 2.
[18] Independent News Service. “2 New Hoosier Cold Victims.” Hammond Times, IN, 2-7-1936, p. 1.
[19] United Press. “Winter’s Attack Will Continue.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, 2-10-1936, p. 1.
[20] United Press. “Icy Roads in Indiana Claim Five.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-4-1936, p. 1.
[21] Hammond Times, IN. “Exposure Victim is Identified.” 2-24-1936, p..6.
[22] Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “Some Relief Tonight, Is Latest Word,” 2-18-1936, p. 2.
[23] Question mark indicates that we are not positive of locale. The article is posted out of Indianapolis. (United Press. “Icy Roads in Indiana Claim Five.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-4-1936, p. 1.)
[24] UP. “One Killed…as Truck Skids.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-13-1936, 1. Victim was Frank Bratton, 54.
[25] United Press. “Mercury To Reach 20 Above.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-20-1936, p. 1.
[26] United Press. “Cold Wave Fatalities Increased.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN, 2-6-1936, p. 1.
[27] Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Will Kerns Victim of Cold Wave.” 2-8-1936, p. 1, 68-years-old.
[28] United Press. “Winter’s Attack Will Continue.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, 2-10-1936, p. 1.
[29] Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. “Some Relief Tonight, Is Latest Word,” 2-18-1936, p. 2.
[30] Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Flood Claims One Life.” 2-25-1936, p. 1.
[31] “The men…reported for work on a WPA project but were sent home by the foreman because of the extreme cold weather.” (United Press. “Relief Workers Killed.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL. 2-11-1936, p. 1.)
[32] United Press. “Mercury To Reach 20 Above.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-20-1936, p. 1.
[33] United Press. “Icy Roads in Indiana Claim Five.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-4-1936, p. 1.
[34] United Press. “Mercury To Reach 20 Above.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 2-20-1936, p. 1.
[35] United Press. “Winter’s Attack Will Continue.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, 2-10-1936, p. 1.
[36] Victim was Helen Moore, 12. (UP. “Cold…Fatalities Increased.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN, 2-6-1936, 1.)
[37] Associated Press. “Snow–Sleet Slow Up Transportation.” Logansport Press, IN, 2-14-1936, p. 1.
[38] United Press. “Northwest is Gripped Anew by Frigid Cold.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL, 2-18-1936, p. 1. Victim identified as Mrs. Otis Cordell.
[39] Associated Press. “Woman Frozen.” Lincoln State Journal, NE. 2-10-1936, p. 2.
[40] Victim was John W. Thompson, 63. (AP. “Iowan Falls Dead.” Ottumwa Daily Courier, IA, 2-4-1936, p. 1.)
[41] UP. “Three Freights, One Passenger Train Derailed.” Evening Democrat, Fort Madison, IA, 2-17-1936, p. 1.
[42] Associated Press. “Lives of Two More Added to Toll in State.” Boone News-Republican, IA, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[43] Victim had driven four miles with a team and wagon for coal “Because of the snow-drifting roads, he had to do considerable shoveling on the way to his home.” (Boone News-Republican, IA, “Gets Home With Coal, Drops Dead at Gate of Farm.” 2-18-1936, p. 1.)
[44] Associated Press. “Lives of Two More Added to Toll in State.” Boone News-Republican, IA, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[45] Victim identified as Mrs. Agnes Bucker, 28, who had been out drinking with friends. (Associated Press. “Give Verdict in Spencer Death.” Telegraph-Herald, Dubuque, IA, 2-2-1936. p. 1.)
[46] Lincoln State Journal, NE. “No Relief From Tieup of Roads Seems in Sight.” 2-15-1936, p. 9.
[47] Associated Press. “New Cold Wave is Predicted for Maryland.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD, 2-4-1936, p. 1.
[48] Associated Press. “Four Die In Storm.” Cumberland Sunday Times, MD, 2-9-1936, p. 1.
[49] Afro-American, Baltimore, MD. “One Dead, Six Seriously Hurt, 113 Injured in Cold Snap.” 2-15-1936, p. 24.
[50] Associated Press. “New Snow and Cold Wave Hit Maryland.” Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. 2-18-1936, p. 1.
[51] “A desperate attempt by a group of Maryland state police and local residents to negotiate ice-locked Chesapeake Bay with food and supplies for marooned settlers on Smith and Tangier Islands had resulted today in death for one man and…suffering for five others. The dead man was: Sergeant William V. Hunter of the state police. Hunter’s body was aboard the coast guard vessel Travis, three miles off shore…The group crashed through the ice of the bay one mile from shore as they attempted to push sleds towards the two islands and then made their way, through the worst blizzard of the year, to the Travis. (INS. “Death…Attempt At Rescue.” Hammond Times, IN, 2-8-1936, p. 1.)
[52] Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “High Winds Cause Highway Drifting.” 2-12-1936, p. 10.
[53] Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD. “High Winds Cause Highway Drifting.” 2-12-1936, p. 10.
[54] Associated Press. “Death Comes in Storm,” Berkshire Evening Eagle, MA, 2-15-1936, p. 1.
[55] Associated Press. “Death Comes in Storm,” Berkshire Evening Eagle, MA, 2-15-1936, p. 1.
[56] Associated Press. “Dog Finds Body of Boy Crushed by Ice.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 2-24-1936, p. 4.
[57] Associated Press. “No Relief in Sight as Yet.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-5-1936, p. 10.
[58] “Near Albion, Mich., Vernon Waite, of Albion, walking along a highway after his automobile had stalled in a drift, was killed by the motor of Dr. R. K. Curry, of Homer, who was convoying two ambulances through a blinding storm to a hospital.” (Associated Press. “Snow Drifts.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 2-5-1936, p. 1.)
[59] News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI. “Worst Storm Kills Eight in Michigan.” 2-5-1936, p. 3.
[60] Daily Tribune, South Haven, MI. “Deaths Mounting as Cold Wave Continues.” 2-10-1936, p. 6.
[61] Associated Press. “Snow Drifts.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[62] News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI. “Bangor Invalid Burns to Death in Home.” 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[63] Daily Tribune, South Haven, MI. “Mercury Rises.” 2-7-1936, p. 1. Victim was William P. Thompson, 79.
[64] United Press. “Cold Abates but Spectre of Fuel Shortage Rises.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI, 2-11-1936, p. 1.
[65] Daily Tribune, South Haven, MI. “Deaths Mounting as Cold Wave Continues.” 2-10-1936, p. 6.
[66] Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. “Ten Deaths in Mich. Due to the Storm,” 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[67] United Press. “Two Die from Gas Fumes in House in Clio.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. 2-21-1936, p. 1. Killed were Herbert J. Herman, 44 and wife Marion Herman, 38. Five others in house were overcome, “the youngest was not expected to live.”
[68] Associated Press. “Snow Drifts.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 2-5-1936, p. 2.
[69] Daily Tribune, South Haven, MI. “Deaths Mounting as Cold Wave Continues.” 2-10-1936, p. 6.
[70] Associated Press. “Out State.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 2-21-1936, p. 3.
[71] Associated Press. “Plains States Threatened by Mercury Drop.” Lima News, OH, 2-21-1936, p. 10.
[72] Associated Press. “Severe Cold Likely Today for Michigan.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 2-22-1936, p. 1.
[73] International News Service. “Ninth Fatality Result of Gas in Detroit, Mich.” New Castle News, PA, 2-22-1936, 2.
[74] “The body of Fred Merriam, 78…who had been missing from the Delta county infirmary for about three weeks, was found partly buried in the snow near the institution at 3 o’clock yesterday [Feb 24]…He had apparently frozen to death during the sub-zero weather prevailing about the time of his disappearance.” (Escanaba Daily Press, MI. “Fred Merriam’s Body Found in Snowdrift at County Infirmary.” 2-25-1936, p. 1.)
[75] Daily Tribune, South Haven, MI. “Mercury Rises.” 2-7-1936, p. 1.
[76] Daily Tribune, South Haven, MI. “Deaths Mounting as Cold Wave Continues.” 2-10-1936, p. 6.
[77] Associated Press. “Death Toll in Cold Mounts; Lake Frozen.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 2-20-1936, p. 1. Writes: “Coroner G. Dewey Kimball, of Oakland county, said death was due to exposure.”
[78] Associated Press. “Cold Weather Curbs Floods.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 2-27-1936, p. 9.
[79] Associated Press. “Severe Cold Likely Today for Michigan.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 2-22-1936, p. 1.
[80] Associated Press. “Plows Fight Snow Drifts After Storm.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 2-11-1936, p. 1.
[81] Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. “Ten Deaths in Mich. Due to the Storm,” 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[82] Five men were in original party, when the ice broke. Coast guardsmen took boat out but could take only three into their craft. Coast guardsmen Cunningham (who later died) volunteered to take the skiff back for the other two, but a storm came up after he reached them, and they could not find the shore. Clayton Brown, 22, “crawled on his hands and knees over eight miles of ice” after Earl Cunningham and fellow fisherman Claude Beardsley (father-in-law of Brown), died of exposure. (United Press. “Crawls 8 Miles Over Ice to Safety; Two Freeze to Death.” Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, IN. 2-11-1936, p. 1.)
[83] Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. “Ten Deaths in Mich. Due to the Storm,” 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[84] Associated Press. “Out State.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 2-21-1936, p. 3.
[85] Associated Press. “Snow Drifts.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 2-5-1936, p. 2.
[86] Daily Tribune, South Haven, MI. “Deaths Mounting as Cold Wave Continues.” 2-10-1936, p. 6.
[87] :After a gallant fight for life, death came Monday night for John Roberts, 34 year old Mt. Pleasant garage mechanic, who crawled two miles through the snow from his stalled car on the night of February 5. He died at Harper Hospital, Detroit.” (Clare Sentinel, MI. “Snow Slants.” 2-21-1936, p. 4.)
[88] Associated Press. “Snow Drifts.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 2-5-1936, p. 2.
[89] Circleville Herald, OH. “Heroism is Told in Storm Wake.” 2-17-1936, p. 1. Victims identified as Fred Corns, 32 and his wife, Etha, 32 in one home; and William Beeching, 53, and his mother, 80, in another. The homes were next door to each other. (Associated Press. “Explosion Kills Four in Detroit. Believed to Have Been Caused by Gas Escaping from Frozen Mains.” Titusville Herald, PA, 2-17-1936, p. 1.)
[90] Daily Tribune, South Haven, MI. “Deaths Mounting as Cold Wave Continues.” 2-10-1936, p. 6.
[91] Hammond Times, IN. “Seventeen of the Last 20 Days are Sub-Zero.” 2-10-1936, p. 8.
[92] Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. “Ten Deaths in Mich. Due to the Storm,” 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[93] Associated Press. “Death Toll in Cold Mounts; Lake Frozen.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 2-20-1936, p. 1.
[94] Daily Tribune, South Haven, MI. “Deaths Mounting as Cold Wave Continues.” 2-10-1936, p. 6.
[95] Associated Press, Detroit. “Nine Dead in Michigan.” Lincoln State Journal, NE, 2-11-1936, p. 2.
[96] United Press. “Long Prairie Doctor Killed in Auto Crash.” Moorhead Daily News, MN, 2-8-1936, p. 1.
[97] United Press. “Find Clitherall Farmer Frozen to Death Today.” Moorhead Daily News, MN, 2-15-1936, p. 1.
[98] United Press. “Northwest is Gripped Anew by Frigid Cold.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL, 2-18-1936, p1.
[99] United Press. “Fish, Game Dying as Cold Holds Grip NW…” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, 2-7-1936, p. 1.
[100] UP. “Find Body of Former Teacher.” Moorhead Daily News, MN, 2-11-1936, p. 6. “Tracks in the snow indicated that Miss Cogswell had walked in a circle and had fallen twice before she dropped where the body was found.”
[101] AP. “Cold Blasts Will Continue for Another Week…” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 2-15-1936, p. 1.
[102] AP. “Cold Blasts Will Continue for Another Week…” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 2-15-1936, p. 1.
[103] Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Auto Strikes Train; 1 Killed, 4 Injured.” 2-3-1936, p. 1. Edward Mohr, 28.
[104] Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Rescue Crews Battle Way to Storm-Isolated Communities.” 2-17-1936, p. 2.
[105] Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Miss Roach’s Death Due to Exposure.” 2-6-1936, p. 7.
[106] AP. “Cold Blasts Will Continue for Another Week…” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 2-15-1936, p. 1.
[107] Macon Chronicle-Herald, MO. “Old Man Dies From the Cold.” 2-22-1936, p. 3.
[108] Associated Press. “Snow and Cold Back of Sleet.” Moberly Monitor-Index, MO, 2-3-1936, p. 1.
[109] Daily Capital, Jefferson City, MO. “Some Relief Promised by Weather Man.” 2-6-1936, p. 1.
[110] AP. “Winter Siege Loosens Grip Over Midwest.” Daily Capital News, Jefferson City, MO, 2-20-1936, p. 4.
[111] “In Montana 20 persons have died as arctic blasts swept the state. Fifteen of the deaths occurred since Feb. 1.
[112] “Floods were a new peril in parts of Montana last night as the state looked back on f four-week, paralyzing cold wave–the worst in its history–and counted 15 dead…” [Blanchard note: we have a separate document for Jan 1936 winter weather but show no Montana deaths in January. Does not mean there were none, just none we saw note of.]
[113] “Albert D. Ingebretson, 53, rancher nine miles south of Big Sandy, was found frozen to death Monday about half a mile east of his home. Death is believed to have occurred Friday night [Feb 15] when Ingebretson was attempting to walk home after his Chevrolet sedan had overturned about half way between Big Sandy and Verona. He had walked about four miles. The rancher left home Friday morning to get some coal at the mine near Big Sandy, and some groceries. His wife and daughter were alone at the ranch. The man had been in the habit, when going for coal, of staying overnight at the mine, so his wife did not become alarmed when he failed to return home Friday night. Mrs. Ingebretson was without transportation and unable to get to town until Monday when she went in on the school bus. The body was found about 11:30 a.m…Mr. Ingebretson had left Big Sandy on the return journey about 5 p.m. Friday. The story, as read in the tracks near the body, showed that the man had evidently lost his way, and had traveled back and forth in an endeavor to locate landmarks. It was -52 degrees that night and a thick frosty fog. His heavier coat was found in the car, but he was warmly dressed. He had evidently left the heavy garment so as not to be handicapped in walking. The car, loaded with coal and groceries, was…overturned in the ditch. One window… had been taken out, the man had evidently crawled out through it after the accident. He was apparently uninjured by the mishap.” (Havre Daily News, MT. “Big Sandy Rancher is Found Frozen to Death Near Home.” 2-18-1936, p. 1.)
[114] Associated Press. “Montana is Gripped by Bitter Cold.” Daily Inter Lake, Kalispell, MT, 2-7-1936, p. 1.
[115] Montana Standard, Butte. “Slides, Floods Take Death Toll.” 2-23-1936, p. 2.
[116] Montana Standard, Butte. “Slides, Floods Take Death Toll.” 2-23-1936, p. 2. Victims identified as Clyde Jr., 12, Fred, 5; Betty, 8, and Irene, 7. They died in a Fort Benton hospital.
[117] Havre Daily News, MT. “Lodge Pole Man Freeze to Death Near Ft. Belknap.” 2-19-1936, p. 1.
[118] Montana Standard, Butte. “Slides, Floods Take Death Toll.” 2-23-1936, p. 2.
[119] Montana Standard, Butte. “Slides, Floods Take Death Toll.” 2-23-1936, p. 2.
[120] Montana Standard, Butte. “Slides, Floods Take Death Toll.” 2-23-1936, p. 2. Notes victim was Henry Welch.
[121] Associated Press. “Child is Killed by Avalanche of Snow at Poplar.” Havre Daily News, MT, 2-28-1936, p. 1.
[122] Montana Standard, Butte. “Slides, Floods Take Death Toll.” 2-23-1936, p. 2. Victims identified as Mike Kilwine, 59, and wife, Regine, 58, farm family.
[123] Associated Press. “Quake, Snow, and Dust in the Rockies,” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. 2-14-1936, p. 1.
[124] Helena Daily Independent, MT. “Weather Moderates in Helena Although Some Parts Suffer.” 2-21-1936, p. 6.
[125] Associated Press. “Body is Found in Snow Bank.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE. 2-19-1936, p. 1. Notes: “…Seth McAlexander, 40, railroad man here [Carroll]…was found dead in a snow bank five miles west of Carroll last night. McAlexander had suffered deep gashes on his scalp, his leg was broken and his feet and hands were frozen. He had gone, apparently, to clean off a railroad crossing after a snow plow cleared the track. After he failed to return home a searching party found his body about 9 p.m.” Several days later a Feb 23 paper noted it was believed he was hit by a snow plow. (Lincoln Sunday Journal and Star, NE. “In The State.” 2-23-1936, p. 12.)
[126] “Columbus, Neb. (AP). The body of Freed Clausen, 87, a retired farmer who lived alone, was found frozen on the floor of his home here Monday [Feb 10]. Authorities said they believed he suffered an apoplectic stroke several days ago. This, they said, may have caused his death or he may have frozen to death. Clausen was last seen shoveling snow off his sidewalks last Thursday….” (Associated Press, Columbus. “Man Found Frozen on Floor of Home.” Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, 2-11-1936, p. 1.)
[127] “Death, doctors said, was caused by an infection resulting from a bruise on Meyer’s arm [August Meyers, 66], suffered when he was shoveling snow. Meyers had been ill at his farm home for several days and it was impossible for a doctor to reach him.” Associated Press. “Bruise Suffered in Shoveling Snow is Fatal to A. Meyers.” Lincoln Star, NE, 2-25-1936, p. 14.
[128] UP. “Northwest is Gripped Anew by Frigid Cold.” Daily Independent, Murphysboro, IL, 2-18-1936, p1.
[129] Associated Press. “Auto Stalls in Drift on Road.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE, 2-6-1936, p. 1.
[130] Associated Press. “New Cold Wave Spreads Over Northwestern Area.” Frederick Post, MD, 2-18-1936, p. 1.
[131] New Castle News, PA. “Most of Nation Held in Grip of Worst Cold Wave.” 2-10-1936, p. 2.
[132] Associated Press. “Arctic Blast Hits Upstate.” Cornell Daily Sun, NY, 2-20-1936, p. 1.
[133] Associated Press. “Arctic Blast Hits Upstate.” Cornell Daily Sun, NY, 2-20-1936, p. 1.
[134] Associated Press. “Refuses Relief, Dies.” Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY, 2-22-1936, p. 1.
[135] “The stove had been turned up and apparently he had failed to open a window to permit air to circulate through the room and counteract the poisonous fumes from the stove.” (Salamanca Republican-Press. “William Taylor Killed by Fumes of Gas Stove in Room at Gowanda.” 2-21-1936, p.. 16.)
[136] Associated Press. “Arctic Blast Hits Upstate.” Cornell Daily Sun, NY, 2-20-1936, p. 1. (Edward Kanaley.)
[137] New Castle News, PA. “Most of Nation Held in Grip of Worst Cold Wave.” 2-10-1936, p. 2.
[138] Associated Press. “Arctic Blast Hits Upstate.” Cornell Daily Sun, NY, 2-20-1936, p. 1.
[139] Associated Press. “Arctic Blast Hits Upstate.” Cornell Daily Sun, NY, 2-20-1936, p. 1.
[140] Associated Press. “Syracuse Doctor Dies.” Titusville Herald, PA, 2-17-1936, p. 1.
[141] Associated Press. “Arctic Blast Hits Upstate.” Cornell Daily Sun, NY, 2-20-1936, p. 1.
[142] Associated Press. “Mother and Son Drown as Home is Washed Away.” Wilson Times, NC, 2-7-1936, p. 5.
[143] Moorhead Daily News, MN. “Mercury’s Effort to Break Frigid Cold Fails Again.” 2-20-1936, p. 1.
[144] Associated Press. “New Cold Wave Spreads Over Northwestern Area.” Frederick Post, MD, 2-18-1936, p. 1.
[145] Edward Boeckler, 16. Moorhead Daily News, MN. “Mercury’s Effort to Break Frigid Cold…” 2-20-1936, p. 1.
[146] Associated Press. “New Cold Wave Roars Across Ohio,” Washington Court House, OH, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[147] Associated Press. “Exposure Costs Life of Cleveland Man, 50.” Lima News, OH, 2-1-1936, p. 1.
[148] Associated Press. “Exposure Costs Life of Cleveland Man, 50.” Lima News, OH, 2-1-1936, p. 1.
[149] Associated Press. “New Cold Wave Roars Across Ohio,” Washington Court House, OH, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[150] Associated Press. “New Cold Wave Roars Across Ohio,” Washington Court House, OH, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[151] Associated Press. “Fuel Supply is Threatened if Cold Remains.” Newark Advocate, OH, 2-7-1936, p. 1.
[152] United Press. “Resident of Home is Found Dead in River.” Piqua Daily Call, 2-25-1936, p. 2. Victim was found dead by the Blanchard River on Feb 25.
[153] Associated Press. “New Cold Wave Roars Across Ohio,” Washington Court House, OH, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[154] Associated Press. “Five Killed on Ohio Highways.” Newark Advocate, OH, 2-3-1936, p. 1.
[155] Newark Advocate, OH. “Coaster Dies From Injury.” 2-7-1936, p. 1.
[156] New Castle News, PA. “Most of Nation Held in Grip of Worst Cold Wave.” 2-10-1936, p. 2.
[157] Associated Press. “Five Killed on Ohio Highways.” Newark Advocate, OH, 2-3-1936, p. 1.
[158] Portsmouth Times, OH. “Cold Cause of Death of Man.” 2-6-1936, p. 1.
[159] UP. “Warren,” Sandusky Star-Journal, OH. 2-7-1936, p. 15. Victim identified as Bernard McDowell, 44.
[160] United Press. “Warren,” Sandusky Star-Journal, OH. 2-7-1936, p. 15.
[161] Associated Press. “Cold Marathon Makes Record; Relief Sighted.” Sandusky Register, OH, 2-20-1936, p. 1.
[162] Associated Press. “New Storm From West Hits State….Dozen Die in State.” Bradford Era, PA, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[163] Associated Press. “New Storm From West Hits State….Dozen Die in State.” Bradford Era, PA, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[164] AP. “Week-End Mishaps Fatal to 14; River Patrols Vigilant.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA, 2-24-1936, p. 1.
[165] AP. “Week-End Mishaps Fatal to 14; River Patrols Vigilant.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA, 2-24-1936, p. 1.
[166] Victim: Frank Miller, 45. Associated Press. “Floods Rage, Four Dead in West Pennsy.” Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD, 2-28-1936, p. 1.
[167] Associated Press. “19 Accidental Deaths in State in Week-End.” Lock Haven Express, PA, 2-3-1936, p. 8.
[168] Associated Press. “19 Accidental Deaths in State in Week-End.” Lock Haven Express, PA, 2-3-1936, p. 8.
[169] Lebanon Daily News, PA. “Cold Wave Takes First Victim in Lebanon Co.” 2-1-1936, p. 1.
[170] Exposure noted as cause of death by deputy coroner. (Chester Times, PA. “Find Corpse of Frozen Negro.” 2-17-1936, p. 11.) Lima is Middletown Township, Delaware County, PA.
[171] Assoc. Press. “Floods Rage, Four Dead in West Pennsy.” Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD, 2-28-1936, p. 1.
[172] AP. “Week-End Mishaps Fatal to 14; River Patrols Vigilant.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA, 2-24-1936, p. 1.
[173] Police broke into their cabin after it had been reported the men had not been seen since Feb 20. Found frozen to death on the floor. (Afro American, Baltimore. “Aged Brothers Freeze to Death.” 2-29-1936, p. 1.)
[174] Henry Boyde and Frank Connor, both 10. (Associated Press. “16 Die in Weekend Tragedies.” Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA, 2-17-1936, p. 2.)
[175] Assoc. Press. “Floods Rage, Four Dead in West Pennsy.” Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD, 2-28-1936, p. 1. Another source notes the flooding was caused by an ice gorge. (Associated Press. “Breaking Ice Gorges Threaten New Flood as Allegheny Rises.” Bradford Era, PA, 2-28-1936, p. 1.) Location was Rynd farm and victim identified as Naomi Mellring. (AP. “Rising Waters Rout Scores in Towns of State.” Bradford Era, PA, 2-28-1936, p. 1.)
[176] Associated Press. “New Storm From West Hits State….Dozen Die in State.” Bradford Era, PA, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[177] Associated Press. “New Storm From West Hits State….Dozen Die in State.” Bradford Era, PA, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[178] Associated Press. “New Storm From West Hits State….Dozen Die in State.” Bradford Era, PA, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[179] Bristol Courier, PA. “One Dead From Gas.” 2-8-1936, p. 1. Writes: “The main break was the fifth in this city during the cold spell.”
[180] Associated Press. “16 Die in Weekend Tragedies.” Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA, 2-17-1936, p. 2.
[181] AP. “Week-End Mishaps Fatal to 14; River Patrols Vigilant.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA, 2-24-1936, p. 1.
[182] AP. “Week-End Mishaps Fatal to 14; River Patrols Vigilant.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA, 2-24-1936, p. 1.
[183] Assoc. Press. “Floods Rage, Four Dead in West Pennsy.” Morning Herald, Hagerstown, MD, 2-28-1936, p. 1
[184] Dubois Morning Courier, PA. “Well Known Physician of County Dies.” 2-8-1936, p. 8.
[185] Associated Press. “New Storm From West Hits State….Dozen Die in State.” Bradford Era, PA, 2-5-1936, p. 1.
[186] Associated Press. “19 Accidental Deaths in State in Week-End.” Lock Haven Express, PA, 2-3-1936, p. 8.
[187] Associated Press. “19 Accidental Deaths in State in Week-End.” Lock Haven Express, PA, 2-3-1936, p. 8.
[188] AP. “Week-End Mishaps Fatal to 14; River Patrols Vigilant.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA, 2-24-1936, p. 1.
[189] Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Overnight Briefs,” 2-24-1936, p. 3.
[190] We suspect this reflects deaths in January as well, where we show, in separate document, two deaths.
[191] Associated Press. “Heart Attack.” Evening Huronite, Huron, SD, 2-14-1936, p. 2.
[192] “Snowblocked roads were blamed for the death of Mrs. Charles Paulson, who died at her ranch home 30 miles from Isabel. Her death was the ninth in the state attributed to the prolonged cold. A physician made four unsuccessful attempts to reach the ranch.” (Associated Press, Sturgis, SD. “Another Storm is Approaching,” Lincoln Evening Journal, NE, 2-12-1936, p. 6.)
[193] Assoc. Press. “S.D. Surveys Heavy Toll As Severe Blizzard Eases Grip.” Evening Huronite, SD, 2-10-1936, p. 1.
[194] Associated Press. “Frozen Foot Causes Death of Pioneer.” Evening Huronite, Huron, SD, 2-29-1936, p. 1.
[195] Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Monoxide Kills S.D. Girl; Policeman Ill.” 2-3-1936, p. 1.
[196] AP. “Hale Keith, Second Sioux Falls Monoxide Gas Victim, Succumbs.” Evening Huronite, SD, 2-4-1936, p. 1.
[197] Assoc. Press. “S.D. Surveys Heavy Toll As Severe Blizzard Eases Grip.” Evening Huronite, SD, 2-10-1936, p. 1.
[198] AP. “Blizzard Rages Over State; Indian Boy Is Storm Victim.” Evening Huronite, Huron, SD, 2-8-1936, p. 1.
[199] Assoc. Press. “Two Autoists Killed, Others Trapped in Snow.” Alton Evening Telegraph, IL. 2-22-1936, p. 5.
[200] Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Injuries Received in Fall are Fatal to George S. Couch, Jr.” 2-14-1936, p. 1.
[201] Raleigh Register, Beckley, WV. “Aged Cranberry Woman Succumbs to Cold Spell.” 2-12-1936, p. 1.
[202] Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Ohio Waters Rise to Peak. Rivers Overflow Banks in Tri-State Area; Three Deaths Reported.” 2-27-1936, p. 1.
[203] Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Around the State and Nation,” 2-23-1936, p. 2. Notes that “Officers said he had been frozen to death.”
[204] Associated Press, Milwaukee. “Backbone of Long Cold Spell Broken.” La Crosse Tribune, WI, 2-21-1936. p. 1.
[205] “Darlington — Snowbound in her farm home nine miles west of here and five miles from the nearest main highway, Mrs. Leo Leahy, 45, mother of 10 grown children and a son only three-weeks old, died Friday after a one-day illness with pneumonia. Mountainous drifts shutting the farm off from the outside world prevented doctors from reaching the sick woman….” (Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Woman, Dies After Day’s Pneumonia Illness, Snowbound.” 2-9-1936, p. 3.)
[206] Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. “Man Freezes…Walking to Son’s Farm Northeast of Monroe.” 1-21-1936, p. 4.
[207] Associated Press, Milwaukee. “Backbone of Long Cold Spell Broken.” La Crosse Tribune, WI, 2-21-1936. p. 1.
[208] Associated Press. “Shovels Snow; Dies.” Janesville Daily Gazette, WI, 2-14-1936, p. 6.
[209] Associated Press, Janesville. “Both Feet Frozen, Janesville Man Dies.” La Crosse Tribune, WI, 2-6-1936, p. 1.
[210] Associated Press. “Kenosha Recluse Dies of Cold and Hunger.” Racine Journal-Times, WI, 2-25-1936, p. 1.
[211] Associated Press. “Girl is Frozen to Death.” Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, 2-7-1936, p. 1. [Blanchard note: two young women died; one had a Nebraska relative.]
[212] Associated Press. “Cold and Snow Grips Country.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-10-2936, p. 1.
[213] Associated Press. “Find Blind Invalid Dead of Starvation, Exposure.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 2-7-1936, p. 1.
[214] “Neillsville, Wis., Feb 18–(AP) — The body of Andrew Shaer, 80-year-old farmer recluse, was found on the floor of his home near here today. Authorities expressed the belief that he died of exposure after a heart attack. Ole Aspen, rural mail carrier, discovered the body after he noticed that Shaer had not picked up his mail for several days.” (Assoc. Press. “Mailman Discovers Farm Recluse Dead.” Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, 2-18-1936, p. 1.)
[215] Associated Press. “No Relief in Sight Yet.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-5-1936, p. 10.
[216] Associated Press. “Cold and Snow Grips Country.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-10-2936, p. 1.
[217] United Press. “WPA Worker, Hunted for Week, Found Dead.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, 2-16-1936, 1.
[218] United Press. “Temperature Will Skid Again.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN, 2-4-1936, p. 1.
[219] Associated Press. “Crash is Fatal to Casper Man.” Billings Gazette, 2-12-1936, p. 10.
[220] Greeley Daily Tribune, CO. “Snowstorm,” 2-8-1936, p. 2.
[221] Associated Press. “2 Dead from Severe Cold in Wyoming.” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO, 2-11-1936, p. 1. “Mr. Fertig was found frozen to death about five miles from Rawlins yesterday noon. He had been in Rawlins Saturday and left here alone in his truck for his home about 11 o’clock Saturday night. It is believed that he was about eight miles out of Rawlins when his car skidded on the icy road and got out of control. The car was found turned over on its side and facing Rawlins. It is believed that Mr. Fertig, realizing that he could not get the car on the road again without assistance, started to walk to Rawlins for aid. When found he was lying on his side about 100 feet from the highway. In all probability he became tired while walking in the cold and sat down to rest. He walked about three miles toward the city. Examination showed no injuries from the car accident, death being the result of exposure.” (Pinedale Roundup, WY. “Winter Claims First Victim at Rawlings, Wyo.” 2-13-1936, p. 1.)
[222] McIntosh was part of a group trying to get supplies to an ailing man near Rock Springs. (Associated Press. “2 Dead from Severe Cold in Wyoming.” Greeley Daily Tribune, CO, 2-11-1936, p. 1.)
[223] This, we believe, includes deaths in January, for which we have a separate document.
[224] We have a separate document for the Jan 18-28 timeframe which shows 211-263 deaths for that 11-day period.
[225] We cover January winter weather deaths in separate document: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/1936-jan-18-28-extreme-coldsnowsleetwind-midwest-to-atlantic-esp-oh-pa-211-263/
[226] Eight days later the sole survivor, daughter, 19, also succumbed to effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.