Knoxville, PA Easter Sunday Tornado, Mar 1902

TORNADO

SWEEPS OVER KNOXVILLE, PA. CHURCH UNROOFED DURING SERMON – DAMAGE GREAT.

PITTSBURG, Pa., March 30. - (Associated Press.) - One of the fiercest wind storms ever known here broke today at noon with tremendous damage and injured many people, some of whom will die. Scores of houses were unroofed, many trees blown down, mill stacks toppled over and telegraph and telephone wires general disabled.
It unroofed the Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Pa. The church was filled with an Easter congregation numbering six hundred persons. While the minister was in the midst of his sermon a particularly strong gust of wind blew over the large chimney and lifted the roof. Bricks from the chimney crashed through the roof and carried a huge piece of hard wood ceiling, 40 by 20 feet, down upon the people. There was a panic and a rush was made for the doors and windows.

The excitement soon subsided and the work of rescue began. At least forty persons were hurt by the wreckage. Five may not recover. The more seriously injured are: Dr. R. J. Phillips, 40 years old, concussion of the brain, may die; Curtis Ray McKnight, 40 years old, internal injuries, both legs crushed, probably fatally hurt, Clarence McNulty, 17, internal injuries and badly crushed, may die, Fletcher Byron, fracture at the base of the brain, condition serious, David Smith, 32, arm broken, head cut and badly battered; condition serious, Joseph Adams, Albert Schmidt, John Meyer, Thomas Mechlin, Evan Jones, Mrs. Rachel Schultz, all badly bruised and cut.

The Morning Herald, Lexington, KY 31 Mar 1902

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Places of Worship Are Demolished While Services Are Conducted.

ONE PASTOR IS BURIED BENEATH PILES OF DEBRIS

Two Other Edifices Suffer in Like Manner - Many Persons Are Injured by the Collapse of Buildings, Some of Them Fatally.

The most serious accident reported up to 9 o'clock tonight was the unroofing of the Knoxville Presbyterian church, in Knoxville. The church was filled with an Easter congregation numbering about six hundred persons. While the minister was in the midst of his sermon a gust of wind blew over the large chimney and lifted a portion of the roof off the building. The bricks from the chimney crashed through the roof and carried a huge piece of the hardwood ceiling, measuring about 40 by 20 feet, down upon the people. A panic ensued and a rush was made for the doors and windows

The excitement soon subsided and the work of rescue began. At least 40 persons were caught by the wreckage and more or less hurt. Of this number five may not recover.

The more seriously injured are:
Dr. R. J. Phillips, aged 40 years, concussion of brain; may die.
Curtis Ray McKnight, 4 years, internal injuries, both legs crushed; probably fatal.
Clarence McNulty, 17, internal injuries, badly crushed; may die.
Fletcher Byron, fracture at base of brain; serious.
David Smith, 32, arm broken, heat cut and badly battered, serious.
Joseph Adams.
Albert Schmidt.
John Meyer.
Thomas Mechlin.
Evan Jones.
Mrs Rachael Schultz - all badly bruised and cut

The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, GA 31 Mar 1902

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At least 40 persons were caught by the wreckage and more of less hurt Of this number five may not recover The more seriously injured are Dr. R. J. Phillips, concussion of brain, may die, Curtis Ray McKnight, aged 4 years, internal injuries, both legs crushed, probably fatal; Clarence McNulty, internal injuries, badly crushed, may die; Fletcher Byron, fracture at base of brain, serious; David Smith, arm broken, head cut and badly battered, serious; Albert Schmidt, both arms broken and head cut. None of the others injured are seriously hurt.

The News, Frederick MD 1 Apr 1902
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Transcribed by Jenni Lanham.