The Tupelo journal., 1918-01-25
RECALL STORM OF
JANUARY 1883
Il Resulted in Death of 200 People
and Thousands of Animals.

the worst storm in the history OF the
United States weather bureau and the
states of northwest territory, ragged
over the central west, taking a toll OF
more than 200 lives and killing thous-
ands of farm animals.
"Old timers" asserted that there
had been a storm of equal, II not
worse proportion in October, 1885,
but there are no definite records on
the first storm, and it is known to
have been more locally confined than
the great storm of 49,"
Originated in Nebraska.
The storm seems to have originated
in Nebraska, and extended to central
Iowa and Wisconsin, eastward and
TO the Montana line on the west. The
temperature was above freezing when
the storm colud approached this city,
but by the next morning it had dropp-
ed to "a degrees below zero. Grand
Forks. N. D., reported a temperature
of 81 degrees below while Blsmark
claimed to be suffering to the extent
of only 80 below. At Sioux City, la.'
it was % below.
100 Dakotans Died.
The loss Of life was the heaviest IN
what was then known as the Dakota
territory. the two Dakotas having be-
come states later in the same year.
After reports had been published IN
some parts of the country that 1000
lives were lost, the Mitchell Republl-
can. then the only daily newspaper IN
the territory, made an exhaustive
study of the storms toll, and finally
published a list of 100 known Dako-
ia deaths, due Immediately to the
storm. Deaths in Minnesota, Iowa,
Nebraska, and Montana doubled this
total.
Worst at Mitchell.
The storm seemed to be at its worst
here. Monday morning broke clear
and warm. While there is no record
of the temperature, witnesses say that
women hung their washings out to dry
that day without fear of the clothing
freeZ.ng.
Came With 60 Mile Wind.
About noon a cloud was seen in the
southwest. A few minutes later a 60
mile wind swept the town, and soon
the wind driven sleet made it impos-
sible to see the length of a city
block.
Drop 60 Degrees in Hour.
The drop in the temperature in the
first hour is reported as having been
from 40 to 60 degrees. Persons who
were only a short distance from their
homes in some cases eve reached
saftey. Several men were lost be-
tween their barns and their homes,
and were later found frozen within
a few feet of their doorways.
School Children Kept In.
People here who ventured out of
doors that afternoon were voted eth
err heroes or fools, depending on their
missions. Three men, J.. E. Wells,
(now mayor of Mitchell), j. D. Wood
and Tom Ball, all of whom were
caught down town, each visited one
of the schools in the city and told the
teachers to keep the youngsters in
until aid came to them, promising to
send food. This latter promise, how
ever, could not be kept. Desks were
used for fuel, but in every case the
teachers kept their charges in doors.
In the country school there was
considerable loss. In n instance a
teacher dismissed his pupils when he
saw the storm growing. Of the ele-
ven children who started out, i
never reached home.
Overtaken in Storm; Die.
A thirteen year old boy was fro
zen to death in his fathers arms near
here. Frank Allen and his son were
lldOliiiS nay WIlSl iS ctOAiA ONStooA
them within five rods of the residence
The team refused to face the storm,
and the Aliens dug a hole in the fast
piling drifts, only to be crowded
out by the cold crazed horses. After
several hours battle to keep alive,
the father braved the storm, carry
ing the weakened youth in his arms.
The boy had been able to stand
when the start was made, but was
dead when the house was reached. The
horses were frozen.
The storm accounts are not without
occasional rays of humor. The old
Alexander Mitchell hotel was evident
Iy the "hang out" at that time and a
fight started there over the relative
merits of the storm Of that day and
the one Of October, 1880. Which