Various Towns, IL - IN - MO "The Great Tri-State Tornado", Mar 1925

HUNDREDS DIE IN MID-WEST TORNADO.

DEATH TOLL MAY REACH 1,000 AS REPORTS ROLL IN.

SEVERAL TOWNS REPORTED WIPED OFF MAP BY FORCE OF STORM WHICH SWEEPTS INDIANA AND ILLINOIS, WITH REPORTS OF DEAD AND INJURED TRICKLING IN OVER WRECKED AVENUES OF COMMUNICATION.

WEST FRANKFORT, LITTLE MINING VILLAGE, REPORTED HARDEST HIT.

(By The Associated Press)
Chicago, Mar. 18. -- A tornado tore through southern Illinois today after lashing eastern Missouri and then caused considerable damage in Indiana before it died out to the north-east after collecting a reported toll of 3,631 persons dead or injured on the basis of estimates available tonight from the storm-swept regions where communication was largely destroyed.
While darkness and prostrated wires made the collection of data difficult estimates which came in through various sources with ever-increasing tolls, placed the total dead at 957 and the injured at 2,674 before midnight.
The destruction of property was enormous. Several towns being almost entirely wiped out and such populous places as West Frankfort and Murphysboro having lost whole blocks of buildings. In the town of Parrish only three persons were said to have escaped injury or death out of a population of 500.
The wind was so powerful at Parrish that bodies were carried more than a mile. It was reported at Murphysboro, where the dead totaled 100, a school house was blown down over the heads of 245 pupils, while at DeSoto, late estimates placed the dead at 100 and the injured at 300 out of a total population of 703.
A school house at DeSoto also was rezed and only 3 of the 250 occupants escaped unhurt, while 88 bodies already have been taken from the ruins. The latest reports say that 700 persons were killed at Parrish and West Frankfort alone, but other information placed the loss in these towns somewhat lower.

Chicago, March 18. -- More that 1,500 persons are reported killed or injured by a tornado which swept through southern Illinois and Indiana late, today, causing great property damage and virtually wiping out two or three towns in its path from Missouri to othe northeast. Wires were down in every direction under the fury of the winds and it was impossible tonight to check the reported casualties.
West Frankfort, Ills., a mining town on the face of tonight's reports suffered the greatest loss of life, estimates of the dead running as high as 1,000.
Murphysboro, thirty miles south-west of West Frankfort, with a population of 11,000, suffered severely with a casualty list reported as high as 250. Great havoc was wrought to buildings in this city and fire broke out in the debris. On report of this situation an effort was made by Governor Small to send troops to Murphysboro while relief trains and Red Cross workers prepared to depart from Chicago and St. Louis for the storm area.
While railroad dispatchers from previous experiences thought that first estimates of the casulaties might prove excessive it seemed certain from reports originating in many places on the edge of the storm's path that the dead might number in the hundreds. No reports had been received at a late hour of damage in the rural regions.
Other Casualties.
Among the other towns and cities to report damage and loss of life were DeSoto, Illinois, with 150 casualties reported; Parrish, Illinois, with all but three of a population of five hundred reported either killed or injured; Princeton, Indiana, with an estimate of 100 casualties; Griffin, Indiana, with twenty; Gorham, Illinois, with 37; Carmi, Illinois, with 150, and Crossville, Bush and Hurst, Illinois, reporting serious damage and numerous casualties.
Darkness descended over the desolated area shortly after the wind, had twisted its way to the northeast and the streets of the demolished towns were filled with frantic inhabitants climbing over the piles of wreckage, seeking missing friends and relatives. From the recesses of the jumbled timbers came the cries of injured persons, who were pinned beneath the wreckage, while the bodies of the dead could be seen far down in the debris whence it was impossible to extricate them.
Starts In Missouri.
The twisting wind apparently assumed its dangerous proportions in eastern Missouri, shortly after 3 o'clock this afternoon. It wiped out most of Annapolis, Missouri, and then tore its way across the Mississippi river into Illinois, apparently lifting its devastating force and spreading out like a river delta until the various twisters descended some 25 miles east of the Mississippi.
It was around 3 o'clock when the tornado again touched earth with its mighty swish, swinging through Murphysboro and Desota, and laying these places waste in the twinkling of an eye. The wind rushed on close to earth for 15 or 20 miles and then apparently lifted until it came to Carmi, Ills., near the Indiana line. After taking its toll in that region the storm again rose only to descend once more, 20 miles west of the state line at Princeton, Ind.
Rescue Work Starts.
From the region of Princeton the tornado apparently died out as it went toward Indianapolis. All the ruined towns and cities, all the inhabitants who escaped serious injury or death turned out at once to rescue the injured, recover the dead and fight any fires that might result from the wrecking of buildings.
The churches and school houses were turned into hospitals and morgues and despite the difficulties faced by the rescuers, hundreds of persons were gathered into those places before darkness settled over the scene.
Where electric light plants had not been put out of commission, lights were so arranged that the rescue work might continue during the night.
Work By Firelight.
In other towns bonfires were lighted and automobiles and hand search lights were brought into use to aid the workers. Such railroads as could, sperated special trains to convey many of the injured to nearby towns where hospital facilities were available.
By nightfall all the hospitals in Carbondale were filled to overflowing with those who were hurt at Murphysboro.
Many of the rescuers at Murphysboro and Desota, had to be detached as night fell to combat flames that broke out in the ruins. As most of the towns hit by the storm were small, pleas for relief were sent out intermittently whenever a wire could be found to carry a message or an automobile could make its way from the devastated regions to other towns that had escaped the fury of the storm.

(By The Associated Press)
Two Towns Hard Hit.
Centralia, Ills., March 18. -- Between 300 and 400 persons were killed at West Frankfort in today's tornado, according to estimates received here by telephone from authentic sources.
The heaviest loss of life occurred when the Joiner public school was destroyed, 200 persons, the majority children, being killed or injured.
The storm struck without warning, increasing in intensity as it progressed.
Starting at Tamaroa, where slight damage was done, the tornado struck Dubois doing considerable damage. It then skirted Hallidayboro, again dropping on Desota where a two-story brick school house was demolished, killing several children and injuring many.
West Frankfort, in Franklin county, was the next reported to have been struck, being partially demolished with a consequent heavy loss of life and property.
Ruins Mining Town.
Reports next were received from Murphysboro. Dropping with all its fury, the storm virtually devastated this little mining town, demolished buildings and killing and injuring almost all within its path.
Later reports said that the twon of Desota was laid waste by the storm and that the ruins were burning. Several other towns said they were likewise hit. Relief from every quarter has been asked. Hundreds of persons are homeless and suffering is said to be intense.
One House Left.
Meanwhile reports began to be received from Logan, Thompsonville, Parrish and other intermediate towns each detailing damage more wide-spread that the other, culminating in the advices from Parrish which said that only one house was left standing after the storm had passed.
The Orient mine, said to be the second largest coal mine in the world, was completely destroyed, the advices said.
A special train carrying doctors and nurses is being rushed from here by the Illinois Central Railroad to West Frankfort.

Washington, Ind., March 18. -- According to a telephone message received by the Washington Herald from the Clarion News at Princeton, Ind., one hundred, rather than fifty persons were killed in the latter town when a tornado struck Princeton late today.

Louisville, Ky., March 18. -- An undetermined number of persons were hurt when a tornado struck Elizabeth, Ind., 15 miles southwest of New Albany, early tonight, reports received in New Albany said. Due to confusion, definite information was not available.

Cape Girardeau, Mo., March 18. -- One man was killed when his home at Allenburg, Mo., 3 1/2 miles north of here was wrecked in a storm late today and ten children were injured in the collapse of an Allenburg Parochial school, according to advices received here tonight.

Russellville, Ala., March 18. -- WILLIAM GREEN was killed and seven others were badly injured in a tornado which struck Littleville, a small village north of here today. Many houses were blown down and other damage caused. MRS. C. L. HOLDEN, one of the injured is not expected to live.

Carbondale, Ills., March 18. -- A staff correspondent of the Carbondale Free Press who returned at 8 o'clock tonight from the storm swept area around Carbondale, estimated that about 100 persons had been killed at Murphysboro in the tornado, which struck that town late today and that between 30 and 40 were dead in the town of Desota.

Cairo, Ill., Mar. 18. -- Mayor HILL, of Carbondale, Ill., in a telephone call to W. W. WOOD, mayor of Cairo, early tonight appealed for assistance in "every form" for the storm-swept section about Carbondale. He urged especially that relief workers be rushed to the scene.
MR. HILL did not attempt to estimate the number of dead or injured. Company "K" 157th infantry, Illinois National Guard, stationed here was immediately mobilized and held at its armory for orders. Fire, it was reported, had destroyed the entire western portion of the town.
First aid to the tornado-stricken cities of Murphysboro and West Frankfort, was ordered by Governor SMALL and Adjutant General CARLOS BLACK tonight.
The Headquarters company, Third battalion 130th infantry, of Carbondale, was ordered to mobilize and proceed to Murphysboro, with all possible haste.

Indianapolis, Ind., Mar. 18. -- Griffin, Ind., a town of 400 inhabitants, twelve miles northwest of Poseyville, is "burning up" following a tornado, which swept the community this evening, according to a telephonic report from Evansville. All communication with Griffin has been severed.

Charleston Gazette West Virginia 1925-03-19
(Transcriber's Note: This tornado was know as the "Great Tri-State Tornado". It ranks #1 as the greatest loss of life from and series of storms. The number of confirmed dead was 695.)

Partial listings of the dead from the Tri-State Tornado of March 18, 1925.
Taken from "Daily American -- West Frankfort, Ill. 1925-04-04"; "The Benton Evening News -- Benton, Ill. 1925-03-21";
MRS. SARAH AIDLOTT; MARGARET ARNO; BERTHA MAY BARNES; EARL BARNES; MR. and MRS. BAXANIC; RAYMOND BAYS; J. H. BEAN; MRS. VIRGIE BELL; FRED BIGGS; MRS. BIGGS; MARGUERITE BIGGS; JOHN BLACK; GEORGE BOGANIE; DUSHANKA BOZEWICH; BILLIE JEAN BROWN; FRANCES BROWN; JESSE BROWN; JISSUT BROWN; WAYNE BROWN; MRS. FRED BURBANK; CHLOE EMMETT BURNS; OLA BURTON; Infant of OLA BURTON; MRS. JOE BUTLER; CHARLES CAMPBELL; MRS CHARLES CAMPBELL; JEANNETTE CAMPBELL; JOE CAMPBELL; RUTH CAMPBELL; VIRGIL CAMPBELL; L. J. CARLTON; CHURCH child; MRS. E. G. CLARK; ASA CRAMER; JEFF DAVIS; MRS. JEFF DAVIS; CHARLES DENTON; MRS. FLORA DIXON; FRANK DONNOR; MRS. MINNIE DONNOR; G. W. DOWNING; MARY ESTES; MRS. CHARLES FISHER; JOHN FORD; MISS LOREN FORD; MRS. NORA FORD; WALTER GILBERT; MARION GORDON; WESLEY GUNTER, JR.; MRS. MAGGIE HAMMONDS; ANDREW HANCOCK; LOUDEAN HAND; MRS. NELL HAND; C. I. HICKS; MRS. C. I. HICKS; HARRY HILL; JACOB HOLLAND; ELIZABETH HOWARD; GERTRUDE HUNTER; ANNA LOU JOHNSON; LORENE KARNES; daughter of TIM KARNES; ORDEL KARNES; RANDALL KARNES; MRS. TIM KARNES; ANNA KARNES; KENNETH KARNES; VIVIAN KARNES; NAN KELLEY; JUSTINE KECHROIR; ELMER LEWIS; STANLEY LEBACH; MARY LESTER; MRS. STANLEY LOLOVIK; MRS. FRANZISK MANCHURA; J. A. MASON; JAMES McGOWAN; FRANK McLELLAN; MRS. FRANCES McKOTO; CANTREL UDEL MUNDAY; MORGAN MUNDAY; BESIE NEIBEL; HATTIE NEIBEL; WILLIAM NORRIS; ____ NOVOTNEY; MRS. JOHN OAKS; IDA OGDON; WALTER LEROY OGDON; NOLA OLLER; ANNA OSTROSKI; _____ OSTROSKI; ELLA OWSLEY; R. OWSLEY; MRS. AMELIA PONOVICH; WILMA PATTILLO; JOE PLESKOVICH; STEVE PLESKOVICH; HOMER POWELL; MRS. VIOLET POWELL; FRANK PRITCHETT; MARSHALL RAMSEY, JR.; FRANK RASER; infant of C. P. REED; T. C. RITINGS; Infant of T. C. RITINGS; MRS. CORA ROBERTS; JOSIE ROBERTS; LEROY ROBERTS; GERALDINE REMLEY; MRS. MARSHALL F. REMLEY; G. I. RUSSELL; DAVID SPENCER SANDRS; MRS. JANE SANDERS; STELLA SCOTT; ANTHONY SHEMANSKY; MRS. MAGGIE SHOPINSKY; M. E. SILKWOOD; MRS. WALTER SMITH; ANDY SOLCATCH; FRED SOWERBY; ELIJAH STAGNER; FRED STAGNER, JR.; TOMMY STAGNER; CLARENCE SULLIVAN; daughter of J. A. SULLIVAN; BEN SUMMERS; LULA SUMMERS; MRS. FRED TAYLOR; GERALDINE TAYLOR; HAROLD LEIGH THOMAS; Girl at TITSWORTH home; BONNIE WAMPLER; MRS. RALPH WAMPLER; JOE WATSON; PEARL WATSON; NORA EDITH WHITTINGTON; ELBERT WILLIAMS; MRS. JAMES WILLIAMS; BROWN ZUKOSKIA; TEKLA ZISKONSKI; ZUKARKIA BROWN; Infant BUDTKA; Child CONNER; WESLEY JOINER CONTER; ELIZABETH CUDY; JOHN DROBISH; HELEN FOOTNEY; MR. GEORGE FORD; MRS. GEORGE FORD; Child RUTH HICKS; OSCAR KARNES; ROSCOE KARNES; STANLEY LEBACH; MARY LESTER; MALCOLM OGDON; KENNETH ORESLEY; GLADYS RENNLEY; DOLLIE SCOTT.
WILMA BRADEN; MARTHA BRADEN; ROBERT BRADEN; MRS. JOE CAMPBELL; MRS. GERTIE CLEM; BILLIE CUNNINGHAM; MRS. HANNAH C. CUNNINGHAM; ANDY DOWNS; SAM FLANNIGAN; MRS. ARLIE FLANNIGAN; ROYAL EUGENE GALLOWAY; MRS. FRANK GALLOWAY; JOHN GAMMONS; MRS. GRAY; CHARLES GUNTER; MRS. BERT GUNTER; CHRISTINA GUNTER; C. HICKS and daughter in law; MRS. MONROE ING; MRS. ETTIE KERLEY; BERTHA KERLEY; OTTO KERLEY; HOMER KERLEY; MRS. ISABELLE LAUNIUS; MRS. BELLE McFARLAND; MR. and MRS. JOE MELVIN; LAYMAN PRICE; BEULAH PRICE; JACKIE JEAN PRICE; RAYMOND PRICE; Baby PRICE; MRS. DEBORAH RAINEY; WILLIAM RAINEY; MRS. ARTHUR SHEW; HATTIE SMITH; IVAN SMOTHERS; MRS. SILAS SULLIVAN; MERL TAYLOR; KENNETH TAYLOR; IVORY WILLIAMS.
MRS. JANIE CHEEK; MINA TAYLOR; EMERY LLOYD; MRS. EDNA BALLARD; VONNIE MAY BALLARD; LOTTIE JANE BALLARD; MRS. MARTHA ADAMS; MRS. MARY BALLARD; JOHN R. VANWINKLE; ROBERT P. ADAMS; CHARLES LESLIE PRINCE; W. SUMNER HOLLISTER; MRS. ROSETTA HOLLISTER; MRS. MEDIA FORRISTER; LONNIE SMITH; MRS. LILLIE SMITH; ROY SMITH; BELVA SMITH; JOHN B. LOCKWOOD; SAM FLANNIGAN; COLUMBUS HICKS; MARTHA HICKS; WESLEY CLUCK; JOHN LAMPLEY; FRANCIS PITTMAN; CARL HUNT; FRANK OSLESBY; EARL MAYBERRY; MRS. MINERVA RAY; OLLIE FLANNIGAN; MRS. CHARLES WEBB; MRS. WALTER MICK.
MARGARET NEAL; Baby RUTH BROTHER; ALVA HEEVLETT; MRS. S. O. SOUTH; MRS. POLSTON; ___ BROWN; JOE BULLAR; FRANK WOODS; NORA WILL; JOHN BARR; _____ AUSTIN; MRS. MORTON BASH; HELEN WATTS; OLIVER ________; MRS. HENRY BULLARD; MRS. TEMPLE; RICHARD BEASLEY; MRS. HUGHES; GEORGE BULLAR; Son of REV. STECESS; Girl DICKSON; FAY HYDE; RUBY AUSTIN; _____ ESPEY; MRS. SILB; FRANCIS MURRAY; TINA MAY BRYANT; W. N. SHANKLE; MRS. ARCH WILL; MILLARD BAKER; MRS. BARBARA HALL; MR. and MRS. FRANK REED; MRS. WESTWOOD; VIOLA FORD; EULA MORRISON; JOSEPH HARTLEY; ELECTA BEASLEY; R. L. HYDE; GEORGE HUGHES and daughter; JOHN BUTCHER; Girl BAINBRIDGE.
MURRAY ASBURY; R. BEAN; CHARLES BARTON; MARGARET BROWN; BERTHA CASEY; OLLIE CRAIN; GERALD CROSS; WILLIAM FONCREE; CHARLES GORDON; DICK JOHNSON; LAFAYETTE NEEDHAM; LOUISE MOSCHENROSE; ANDREW MOSCHENROSE; NANCY REEDER; FRANCES STAMP; KITTY WHITE; REUBEN CRAIN; Sister of REUBEN CRAIN; JOE DUNN; LAWRENCE GALE; SALLY INCHCLLIFF; Baby NEEDHAM; MRS. MARY MOSCHENROSE; EDWARD MOSCHENROSE; GUS REEDER; OPAL ROSENBERGER; GEORGE THORMURE.
J. W. MIFFLIN; DORIS MILLER; SAM KEREENS; JOHN and BEN HAMERHELH; JOHN SWAFFORD; MRS. J. W. GIBSON; FRANCES HAMMER; JOE MOORE; DAVID ELLIS; ARTHUR DUNCAN; MARY DAVIS; FRANK BORONI; MRS. ARDELL SPANGLER and Child; LUELLA PILTZ; CLARA BAILEY; AUGUST HASSENBROOK; ALWORTH GREGORY; JOHN DeWITT; Child BAKER; Child of JERRY CALLAHAN; ERNIE A. HINCHCLIFF; Child HELEN MAY COOK; J. G. HARRIS; H. S. COONTZ; DR. FORSHEE'S son in law; S. M. HANEY; W. E. NEAL; BEN McALLISTER; Son of JAMES FIELDING; JERRY N. MIFFLIN; JOE BARONI; IVAN LIPE; MRS. L. E. FILE; R. A. ORLAND; OCTAVIA TREMBLY; EDNA HAYS; MR. and MRS. O. S. SILVEY; EARL RUSSELL; DOLPH ISOM; MRS. KELLY; MARY MAINARD; Child of STIVER; ___ CLEMENTS; MRS. LOUIS MILLER; ROBERT PILTZ; TRESSIE SCHMALLERBERGER; DR. L. R. WAYMAN'S son; HELEN BOWERMAN; MRS. GEORGE BAKER; E. J. BJIK; Child of HASSEBROCK; DORRIS STEVENSON; Child of ALBERT CALLAHAN; ROBERT STEVENSON; Child of JOE CORRENTI; Child of C. PEIRSON; CAMPBELL LIPE; D. E. DARBY; MRS. MARY BRANDON; MRS. GEORGE BERGER; MRS. MART HALLIDAY; J. A. JONES; ERNEST HARDWIG; MRS. JAMES FIELDING; CLAUD LIPE; Child ____ WILLIS; ALBERT NAUSLEY son of RAY; MRS. WALLACE BLACKLOCK; BERNARD SHELEY; MINNIE BECK; Son of E. C. HARRIS; EVELYN BOSTON; Child of ROBERT McCORD; ____ GREGORY; JOHN J. BREWER; WILLIAM SPURLOZZIE; MRS. JONES; MAJOR VERBAL and Wife; HERBERT LENNINGTON; MRS. SAM RODMAN; Sister of NECIE COFFER; MRS. ANNA LOY; THOMAS LOY; MRS. SLATER; JOE HENRY; CHARLES LOY; MRS. HALL.

Listings from -- "The Daily Independent Murphysboro Illinois 1925-03-19"
"The Benton Evening News Benton Illinois 1925-03-21"

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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!