1920 — April 19, Tornadoes, Yell, Logan, Johnson, Pope counties, AR — 19
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 6-2-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–19 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 240 and 769.
— 8 00:15 Johnson County F3
— 1 00:15 Logan County F3 (first tornado)
–10 00:15 Logan County F3 (second tornado)
Narrative Information
April 19: United Press. “Tornado in South Arkansas.” Daily Times, Harrison, AR, p. 1:
“(By the United Press.) Little Rock, April 19 – Deaths from the tornado which swept Harkey Valley and Hicktown are still estimated between five and twenty, according to meagre advices. Scores are reported injured. Thousands of dollars damages are reported.”
April 20, UP: “By United Press.
“Fort Smith, April 20 – The list of known dead in Arkansas tornados Monday morning was at first reported at 25 and later reduced to 11 when communication was restored to most parts of the storm district today.
“Red Cross aid was rushed, nurses finding seven dead between Blaine and Hobart, Logan county, and four dead in Johnson county. Three are reported dead at Belleville, Johnson County, but this report has not been confirmed.
“The court House at Paris, Logan county, has been turned into a hospital to house fifteen seriously wounded from Blaine and Hobart where many are expected to die.
…..
“Fort Smith, Arek., April 20. – Fifteen are known to be dead and between 75 and 120 injured in the steadily growing casualty list of the storm which visited western and northwestern Arkansas shortly after midnight Monday morning.
“As communication with the stricken counties is opened up today, reports of a larger toll are expected. The storm district includes Yell, Franklin, Logan, Johnson and Boone counties.
“Most of the known deaths occurred in Yell county, four in Johnson, and from three to fifteen are reported in and around Blaine, Logan county, but are as yet unconfirmed.
“Communication with all parts of the wind-raked districts will not be opened up for a day or two.
The Dead
(We place names {15} in separate lines.)
Charles Howe
Mrs. Charles Howe
Children (two) of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howe
Ben Howe (father of Charles Howe), aged 75 years
Rev. Jim Howe (brother of Ben Howe), aged 70 years, all at Blaine, Logan county.
Six members of the Howell family near Hobart, Logan county
Mrs. Charles Zachery and two children at Hickey Town, Johnson county.
Mrs. Maude Bell, wife of Jim Bell at Hobart, Logan county.
One member of a family named Murphy at Belleville, Yell county.
Injured
Lynn League family of seven people of Hobart, all badly hurt.
John Bell, son of Mrs. Maude Bell, may die.
Joe Brown, at Hobart, on the Bell place, may die.
Freal Williams, wife and two children at Hobart, all badly hurt.
(All these families lost their homes, barns and much livestock.)
John Howe, brother of Charles Howe, at Hobart, may die.
Reeder Griffith, wife and two children, at Belleville, badly hurt.
Jasper Sheldon, wife and two children, near Blaine, badly injured.
George Ralston, wife and two children…seriously hurt.
- E. Williams, wife and two children, between Blaine and Belleville, seriously hurt.
Elmer Wilson and Mrs. Ben Mans, of St. Joe, Search county, are expected to die.”
(United Press. “Death List in Arkansas Storm Steadily Growing; Red Cross Aid is Rushed.” Fayetteville Democrat, AR. 4-20-1920, p. 1.
Sources
Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.
United Press. “Death List in Arkansas Storm Steadily Growing; Red Cross Aid is Rushed.” Fayetteville Democrat, AR. 4-20-1920, p. 1. Accessed 6-2-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-democrat-apr-20-1920-p-1/
United Press. “Tornado in South Arkansas.” Daily Times, Harrison, AR, 4-19-1920, p. 1. Accessed 6-2-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrison-daily-times-apr-19-1920-p-1/