Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-21-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

— >148 Blanchard estimate. Based on the listing of deaths we have compiled (bottom below) we show at least, if not more than (>), 148 deaths, perhaps many more. There were hundreds of others at one time or another reported as missing. Some, including Cohen, take these into account and report larger losses of life, in Cohens case totaling 693 “likely victims” in that “it can be reasonably concluded that those names remaining on the missing list likely perished.”

While we are of the opinion that there is indeed a case to speculate that more than 148 people died, speculation is not fact. We are not comfortable in just making up a number because we are not satisfied with what may appear to be an undercounting due to lack of data. Neither are we are comfortable in relying on the number someone else makes up (no doubt as an educated guess).

There are reasons that people who were reported by someone as missing may well not have drowned. Hundreds of dwellings were destroyed (516)[1] and many hundreds were homeless. Many no doubt moved on or moved in with others. Many “probably” had no idea that their names were on one or more of the missing lists reported by the Pueblo Chieftain, or even if they did that they had an obligation to inform the paper that they or a loved one had not died. Other priorities?

Note, while entertaining estimates of hundreds of deaths, that the Pueblo Chieftain of June 19 reported 104 deaths, 63 in Pueblo and 41 in county districts. Two US government agencies report more, but not more –the National Climatic Center and the Office of Technology Assessment (120), while the USGS notes 78.

–<100-1,500 Colorado State University Libraries. Colorado Water History. “1921 Flood…”

–<100-1,500 Cohen. A Social and Cultural History of the Great Pueblo Flood… Master’s thesis. Abstract.[2]

— ~1,500 Rogers. “Overview of the 1921 Pueblo Flood…” 2017 AEG Annual Mtng. Slide 11.[3]

— 935 Cohen (p. 37): “…the high -end estimate [of loss-of-life] for the event…”

— 600-900 Cohen. A Social and Cultural History of the Great Pueblo Flood… Master’s thesis. P. 57.[4]

— 693 Cohen, p. 37: “…the total number of likely victims of the flood…”

— 600 “A conservative estimate as to the final death lists…something over 600.”[5]

— ~500 Pueblo Chieftain. “Red Cross Starts Immediate Survey.” 6-8-1921, p. 1.[6]

— ~300 Pueblo deaths. Rogers. “Overview of the 1921 Pueblo Flood…” 2017 Slide 9. No sourcing.

— 150-250 Pueblo Star-Journal. “Miracle of 1921 Flood Was Relatively Few Deaths.” 6-4-1961.

— 150-250 Rees, J.H. and S. Armijo. “1921 Pueblo Flood.” Colorado Encyclopedia.

— 150-250 Roberts. “Anniversary of the Great Pueblo Flood of 1921.” Denver Public Library.

— 148 Blanchard compilation of deaths from Pueblo Chieftain. (See list at end of doc.)[7]

–104 Identified

— 44 Unidentified

— 120 History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, June 2, 1921. Flash Floods Ravage CO

— 120 Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, p. 81.

— 120 National Climatic Center. “Losses in Individual Severe Floods…[US] Since…1902,” 122.

— 120 US OTA. Issues and Options in Flood Hazards Management. Table 4. Feb 1980, p. 20.

— 115 Cohen listing of deceased, including 32 unidentified. (Noted on p. 36.)

— 104 Pueblo Chieftain. “No Bodies Yesterday.” 6-19-1921, p. 4.

–63 Pueblo

–41 Bodies accounted for in the county districts.

— <100 Washington Times. “Pueblo Still Cut Off From Supplies…” 6-5-1921, p1.[8]

— 83 Cohen final list after subtracting unidentified. (Noted on p. 36.)

— 78 Official list. Follansbee & Jones (USGS). The Arkansas River Flood of June 3-5, 1921. 7.[9]

Narrative Information

Climatological Data, National Summary. Losses in Individual Severe Floods in the [US]…:

“June 1921…Arkansas River in State of Colorado…120 [lives lost]…$25,000,000.”

(National Climatic Center. “Late Reports. Losses in Individual Severe Floods in the United States Since July 1902,” page 122 in Climatological Data National Summary, Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1976.)

Cohen. A Social and Cultural History of the Great Pueblo Flood of 1921… Master’s thesis:

“Abstract: In June of 1921, a devastating flood hit the city of Pueblo, Colorado. Though the flood’s physical devastation and story have been well documented, historians have never been able to accurately count the number of people who perished during the event, with low-end estimates of just under a hundred individuals while the highest estimates claim up to 1,500 deaths. This paper, while originally intending to indicate a more precise range of casualties, has concluded three important new findings regarding this event. First, archives of those who were reported missing in the local newspaper have been consolidated into a spreadsheet to form a list of over 600 individuals who were likely victims of the flood. To the author’s knowledge, no such list has previously been compiled. Second, many of those listed as missing had their physical addresses included, and these have been cross-referenced with Google Maps™ mapping service to paint a larger path of devastation than has been previously reported. Third, two of the communities that were reported to have widespread devastation from the flood make up very few of those reported as missing, leading to an assertion that the numbers of victims are very likely under-reported. While the reasons for this remain unclear, it does indicate a high likelihood that the Great Flood of 1921 in Pueblo was the most deadly in Colorado’s history, and perhaps one of the most deadly in United States’ history.”

“Upon completing the research for this paper, this author feels confident with a range of 600-900 deaths. On the low end of that estimate, this would make it the 16th-deadliest natural disaster in United States’ history and the 10th-deadliest flood, including hurricanes.”[10] (p. 57) We must take issue with the statement of 16^th deadliest natural disaster in the US, even if one took this range to be a fact, which we do not. If one consults our “Mortality” document on our website, there are at least 35 “natural disaster” events with at least 600 deaths, including earthquakes, flooding, heat waves, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires. At Cohen’s high-end (900) we show 27 natural US disasters with more than 900 lives lost. Excluded in these numbers are epidemics, structural fires, maritime and massacre events.

Colorado State Univ. Libraries. Colorado Water History. “1921 Flood: Topic Breakdown.”

“On the afternoon of June 3, 1921, a sudden cloudburst formed over the city of Pueblo, Colorado, bringing heavy rains. Almost simultaneously, torrential rain fell to the north of the city over Fountain Creek, which joins the Arkansas River in Pueblo. Within a few hours, the two streams swelled, and floodwaters inundated the downtown area, destroying large parts of the city. Although no official rainfall reporting stations existed in the city at the time, it is estimated that 6 inches or more fell between June 3rd and 5th.

“The flood carried away homes, railroad cars, buildings, and businesses and caused tens of millions of dollars in damages at the time. Accounting for the number of individuals who died in the floods remains a challenge, but estimates range from less than 100 to upwards of 1,500 people. Today, the event is a reminder of how quickly floods in Colorado can form, how devastating their impacts can be, including downstream, and the importance of floodplain management and disaster planning.”

Follansbee and Jones (USGS). The Arkansas River Flood of June 3.5, 1921. p.7:

“Between/June 2 and June 5, 1921, heavy rains of an intensity to justify the term “cloud-bursts” in the foothill region of the Arkansas Valley in Colorado caused the severest flood in the valley since its settlement. Flood conditions prevailed during the entire period, but there were three distinct floods in the upper valley. The first flood was caused by heavy rain on Dry Creek just above Pueblo on the night of June 2; the second was the main flood, which occurred during the night of June 3; and the third was that due to the breaking of the Schaeffer reservoir, on Beaver Creek, on the morning of June 5…

“The flood was remarkable for the very small area covered by the rainfall that was its chief cause, and for the swift rise of the river to an unprecedented stage and its almost equally rapid fall. The

swift rise and fall indicated very great flood discharges of the tributary streams, which drain a mountainous country of steep slopes. The total discharge of the main flood was less than 90,000 acre-feet…. [p. 5.]

“Summary of Flood Losses

“The entire Arkansas Valley from Florence, 30 miles west of Pueblo, to the State line, was severely affected, and the loss of life and property was heavy. The greatest damage was done in Pueblo, the chief city in the valley. Below Pueblo the loss was chiefly agricultural, more than 57,000 acres being inundated, of which 4,700 acres was destroyed for agriculture. The headworks of practically every irrigation system in the valley were damaged or destroyed. The valleys of the upper tributaries, notably St. Charles River and Fountain, Chico, and Beaver creeks, were also flooded. By the time the flood reached the Kansas line its crest height had so flattened out that its progress

through Kansas caused no damage comparable with that in Colorado.

“The exact extent of losses to life and property will never be known. The most complete estimate of property losses was one prepared for the board of United States Reclamation Service engineers who made an examination of the river and proposed plans for prevention against future floods. [We omit the table, which can be accessed via the Follensbee and Jones URL below.]

“A report to the Pueblo city council stated that 510 dwellings were washed away, 98 buildings wrecked, and 61 buildings washed from their foundations.

“The loss of life in Pueblo was heavy, owing to the swift rise of the river and the unwillingness of many people to heed the flood warnings. The official list places the number of bodies recovered at 78, but many bodies that were washed downstream were not recovered.

“All communication with the outside world was cut off, as all telegraph and telephone wires were down. The day after the flood relief measures were started by the city, assisted by local members

of the National Guard and the American Legion. Near-by cities sent relief to the flood sufferers as soon as possible, but owing to the impassable condition of the railroads and highways progress was slow. Motor trucks loaded with food, clothing, and medical supplies headed by Army and State highway officers started from Denver and Colorado Springs on the 4th and reached Pueblo on the afternoon of the 5^th.

“The heaviest loss was incurred by the railroad companies, as the flooded area included nearly all the extensive terminals of the roads that enter Pueblo… So great was the damage to railroad property not only in Pueblo but in the surrounding territory that not a relief train could enter Pueblo for two days. Of the six railroad bridges over Arkansas Eiver and three over Fountain Creek, only one, the Santa Fe bridge to the Union Depot, escaped. All the others lost one or more spans or large portions of approaches. The Missouri Pacific yard and engine terminal was cut off by a new

channel and was left on an island without rail connection. A Denver & Rio Grande train and a Missouri Pacific train were caught in the flood while trying to reach higher ground, cars were overturned, and several lives were lost… The 2,000 cars in the yards during the flood suffered enormous damage; many were floated away and overturned or crushed by the impact or pressure of debris. Some cars were floated great distances and were never recovered.” [pp. 6-8]

The Flood at Pueblo

“Pueblo, the second city in size in the State, is on Arkansas River a few miles east of the foothill region and just above the mouth of Fountain Creek. The 1920 census gave its population as 42,908. It is an important railroad center, being on the lines of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Missouri Pacific, and Colorado & Southern railways. It is also an important manufacturing center, the steel mills, smelters, railroad car shops, foundries, and other manufacturing plants employing about 18,000 men. The city lies mainly on the flood plain of the river but extends onto the bluffs on either side. Originally the river pursued a winding course through the city, but its channel was straightened and levees were built to furnish protection against a flood of 40,000 second-feet, slightly greater than the maximum discharge of the flood of 1894.

“The heavy rains on June 2 and 3 in the region west of Pueblo caused several successive rises in the river. The highest rise and the one that caused the great damage was the second, which occurred

on the night of June 3. Dry Creek, which drains an area of 86 square miles just west of Pueblo on the north side of the Arkansas, was subject to its severest flood the night of June 2. This flood caused the river at Pueblo to rise by 2 a. m. June 3 to a stage of 13.7 feet on the State gage just below the Main Street bridge. This rise subsided in a few hours, and as the river channel could safely carry a flood of that stage, little damage was done. The intense rains that began on the afternoon of the 3d caused the river to rise rapidly at 5 p. m., and by 8.45 p. m. the levees were overtopped at a stage of 18.1 feet. The river continued to rise until at midnight the maximum stage of 24.66 feet was reached. This stage was maintained for only a few minutes, and then the river fell almost as quickly as it rose, until about 4 a. m. June 4 it had receded to the top of the levee (18.1 feet). By 2.30 p. m. the river had fallen to a stage of 9.5 feet and by midnight to 9.1 feet. About the time the levees were overtopped they broke at several places near the west end of the city, and large quantities of water flowed directly through the heart of the business section. A third rise reached a stage of 11.1 feet at 4 a. m. June 5, but the river quickly subsided again and remained at a stage of 9.1 feet until 2.15 p. m., when a fourth flood, caused by the breaking of the Schaeffer dam on Beaver Creek, reached the city. The river reached a stage of 13 feet from 3 to 4 p. m. and then fell to 9.1 feet at 7 p. m. By this time the flood run-off from the area of heavy rains had passed, and the river continued to recede gradually, except for a temporary rise to 8 feet at 5.30 p. m. June 6.

“When the levees were overtopped an immense volume of water flowed across the old flood plain and through the heart of the business section, which lies on both sides of the river. The area inundated covered 3 square miles and extended from Sixth and Main streets north of the river to the bluffs south of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad yards on the south side of the river…” [pp. 23-24]

“The first warning of the approaching flood reached the city about 6 p. m. on the 3d, stating that a wall of water was rushing down the river. Messengers were sent out at once to warn the people living in the lowlands called Peppersauce Flats. Hundreds of people rushed to the levees to witness the approach of the great wall of water, not thinking that the city could be inundated, as the levees were believed high enough to protect it. The sudden breaking of the levees cut off the people from the higher land, and in endeavoring to escape many were drowned, as were many others in the houses in the lowlands who had refused to heed the flood warning. Fires broke out almost simultaneously in different parts of the city, terribly illuminating the darkness caused by the failure of the lighting system. Burning piles of timber from a blazing lumber yard drifted through the streets of the city, lodging momentarily against frame buildings and setting them on fire. It was almost impossible to fight the fires, as the buildings were surrounded by water, which prevented the fire department from reaching them. Even if the buildings could have been reached, however, the breaking of the city water system would have made it impossible to put out the flames. The fires finally burned themselves out.” [p. 25]

History.com: “Torrential rains slam Pueblo County in Colorado, causing a flash flood that leaves more than 100 people dead and millions of dollars in property damaged. This was the worst flood in state history to that time.

“The Arkansas River runs through the plains of southeastern Colorado. The people of the area built many levees along the river to prevent floods. However, these earth levees proved no match for the extremely heavy rains that pounded the region in June 1921. A series of collapses sent a deluge of water through the streets. It was reported that the water rose to the second story of buildings.

“People were caught completely unaware and 120 people lost their lives in the raging waters. Further, a massive mudflow caused by the floods knocked over homes and caused $25 million in damages, more than $230 million in today’s money. The flood waters took nearly a week to recede.” (History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, June 2, 1921. Flash Floods Ravage CO.”)

U.S. Office of Technology Assessment. Issues and Options in Flood Hazards Management:

“June 1921 Arkansas River in State of Colorado 120 [lives lost] 25,000,000”

(U.S. Office of Technology Assessment. Issues and Options in Flood Hazards Management. Chapter III. “Floods: A National Policy Concern,” Table 4. – Losses in Individual Severe Floods in the United States Since July 1902. February 1980.)

Newspapers

June 3, Pueblo Chieftain: “Cloudburst Rushes Flood Water To City.” 6-3-1921, p. 1:

“Pueblo police were warned to watch for high water in the Arkansas and Fountain rivers this morning at 1 o’clock. Telephone operators north of Pueblo announced that bridges along the Denver and Rio Grande railroads were in danger of being washed out. A detail of officers went to the northern limits of this city early this morning to make an inspection of bridges along the Pueblo-Colorado Springs automobile highway.

“Water was reported to be disabling dynamos at the Arkansas Valley Railway Light and Power company’s plant at 1:20 o’clock. Light and power lines in the business districts of the town were out of conditions at periods of one-half hour. Employees of the Pueblo power plant declared that water was coming in on the company’s property, located on the banks of the Arkansas river. A power line between Canon City and Pueblo was reported washed out.

“Drift wood and logs floating in the Arkansas river are said to be jamming against beams on the Union avenue and Victoria avenue bridges. Despite reports of cloud bursts within 12 miles north of this city, the Fountain river has raised only a few feet. Dry Creek, one mile west of Pueblo, along the Colorado-Kansas railroad, which has endangered Pueblo lowlands several times during high water is said to be running bank full.

“Five hundred acres of land west of Irving Place was reported under water this morning at 2:15 o’clock owing to the over flow of Dry creek, west of and parallel to, the city limits. In 6truck farming land adjoining the State Insane hospital twenty acres of land is said to be under water. The overflowing water from the Arkansas river is surrounding homes, the lights can be seen shining, it is said, with the water receding.

“A section of sloughs and lowlands between the Colorado-Kansas and Santa Fe railroads is reported to be covered with water from Dry creek and the Arkansas river. Railroad intersection of the Colorado-Kansas and Santa Fe railroads are covered with water.

“At the lowest point of the Arkansas river levees, on the southern boundary of the State Hospital gardens the water has been flowing over and into state property for some time. A number of hogs at the state hospital stables are reported to have been drowned.

“At 2:20 o’clock this morning reports from the Pueblo police stated that the Arkansas river had receded 2 inches and that there was no further danger from that source unless more rain fall was experienced.

“A cloudburst north of Pueblo is swelling the Fountain river at this time, 2:25 o’clock. Night Police Captain Jack Sinclair inspected the banks and levees of the Fountain and stated he did not consider the situation serious. ‘This is the most water I have seen in the Arkansas river for fifteen years,’ declared Sinclair last night.

“Telephone reports from the Grove district, below slag levies of the Arkansas river, were to the effect that residents in that section were preparing to leave their homes because of high water. Water is said to be flowing over the banks of the Arkansas at the Santa Fe avenue bridge. No serious damage could be learned of at 2:30 o’clock.

“Sections of Santa Fe railroad track were reported washed out at Mayline, Cimmaron and Coolidge, Kansas last night by railroad officials in Pueblo, It was announced that the detour of several transcontinental trains over the Missouri Pacific railroad between Nepesta, Colorado and Scott City, Kansas was necessary.

….

“Heavy rains to the north of Pueblo have swollen the Arkansas and Fountain rivers to within one foot of safety levels. At 1:15 o’clock this morning a cloudburst was reported at Bragdon, nine miles north of Pueblo on the Santa Fe railroad, by officials.

“Repeated warning of high water were received from residents in the Grove district this morning at 2:30 o’clock.

“Representatives of the Pueblo Chieftain, in an effort to determine the seriousness of reported high water in Irving Place at 2:30 o’clock this morning found that many of the residents had not even been aware of anything unusual.

“Policemen stationed at the Union avenue bridge over the Arkansas river reported the water at its height at 2:10 o’clock when it is said to have reached three feet of steel beams under the structure.

“At 2:40 o’clock this morning a detail of Pueblo police were dispatched to the Grove district to determine the seriousness of flood water that had flowed over the Santa Fe avenue bridge over the Arkansas river.

“Santa Fe railroad officials stated this morning at 2:45 o’clock that water from the Arkansas river had inundated yard limit tracks at Canon Junction, a block station adjoining the State Hospital.

….

“Live stock was reported floating down the Arkansas river this morning at 3 o’clock. Telephone inquiries to ranches to the west of Pueblo along the Arkansas river were unavailing in determining whether a large loss of livestock had been suffered.”

June 4, Pueblo Chieftain. “Flood Extra.” 6-4-1921, pp. 1-2:

“The largest flood visiting Pueblo since Decoration day 1894 gutted the business and wholesale business districts of the city last night and early this morning. More than a score of lives were reported lost when both the Missouri Pacific and the Denver and Rio Grande passenger trains were swept into the river near Nuckolls Packing company last night. Many others were reported dead.

“Scores of persons were caught as the rushing torrent in the lead of the flood swept around Fourth street and down Main. Most of them escaped by climbing to the second stories of the buildings.

“A two-story cottage was swept down Main street shortly after the start of the flood into the business and lodged against a building at Third and Main.

“One of the first deaths reported was that of Dr. Cary, who after rescuing his young son, Robert, was attempting to make his way out of the swift current on Main street in a row boat.

“Shortly before 10 o’clock fire broke out in a rooming house and furniture store at First and Santa Fe. Firemen had to detour over Tenderfoot hill to get to the rear of the building. The building owned by Gessic Goivieno was completely destroyed by fire.

“About 10 o’clock water reached lime in the King Investment company yards on West Sixth street, fire completely gutting the office buildings and the plant….

“Boy scouts after obtaining a row boat from Lake Clara desperately fought the swift current as they rowed across the stream to the raging fire at the King plant. They rescued Geo. King, owner, and his son, Frances, on their first trip. They made a return trip to the plant and brought back three employees marooned in the burning office building.

“Police, under the direction of Night Captain Jack Sinclair, rescued 18 families from the flood swept sections on West Seventeenth street at 8:15 o’clock.

“The flood waters started flowing over the Union avenue bridge of the Arkansas river last night at 8:25 o’clock. At two points on the levee, near the State Insane Asylum, water was reported to have started over the top at 8:15 o’clock.

“With the Arkansas river already within a foot of the top of its banks in the downtown district and overflowing its banks in west end of Pueblo, the police department received warning, at 6 o’clock last night from a point near Wetmore south of Florence, over the telephone announcing the approach of high water. The flood, according to word received by the police, originated principally near Siloam. The police immediately had the fire whistle blown warning people of the approaching flood. The whistle was every fifteen minutes during the evening.

“The water started rising rapidly at 7:30 o’clock and had poured the west banks of the river reaching almost to a level with the Denver and Rio Grande ice house. On the east side of the bands, the water swept over into the West Pepper [unclear word] bottom covering the floors of many of the river homes.

“West Eleventh street in the 1900 block where Ebna Gray, 11, and Marjorie Gray, 3, were drowned Thursday night, was entirely shot off from traffic, being badly washed out with water still flooding across the road. A transmission power line of the Arkansas Valley Railway, Light & Power company, washed out for a distance of a quarter of a mile west of the city on the way to Canon City, went out early Thursday.”

June 4, Pueblo Chieftain. “Flood Extra….Death List.” 6-4-1921, pp. 1-2:

“….

Mary Byrd [also noted as “Bird” on 2^nd page], Denver, Colo.

Mrs. Sarao Byrd, Denver.

Unidentified woman, 25, auburn hair, upper teeth gold, white woman,

unidentified white woman, 55.

two white men, 30,and 55, unidentified.

A. Schaubel, shoe dealer, 210 South Union.
E. Clark, 810 East B street;

Pullman conductor, Missouri Pacific railway;

Pullman porter, Missouri Pacific railway;

Minnie De Shadio, colored, aged 55;

cook for Y. W. C. A., body at Fourth street garage;

two elderly women, unidentified;

one young woman, unidentified;

F. Williams, of crew of D. & R. G. train, was drowned;
W. Waight, a switchman, is missing, according to reports.

Mrs. A. J. Jackson, colored, 523 W. Third street…

Woodie Wall and his mother were drowned, according to reports

Mother-in-law of Sport McAllister, colored, missing

Mrs. A. J. Jackson, colored, drowned.

Mrs. May Murphy, 301 E. C street reports daughter, Ethel, 14, and son, Jimmy, 5, missing.

June 6: Salt Lake Telegram, UT. “First List of Known Dead At Pueblo.” 6-6-1921, p. 1:

“Pueblo, Colo., June 6. – Thirty-one bodies of flood victims were counted today in a tour of three morgues here by the United Press staff correspondent. Parties are out today searching the bottoms along the Arkansas river for other bodies. Undertakers expect to reap a harvest of dead. Embalmers from other cities have reached Pueblo. The list of dead follows: [We alphabetize}

Allen, Pueblo.

May Bird, 2, colored, 2527 Tremont street, Denver. (or Mary Byrd)

Sarah Bird, 45, colored, Pueblo.

Dr. E. R. Carey, Pueblo.

Clark, Pueblo.

Lillian Clark, colored, Pueblo.

Helen Collins, 27

Dan Creedy, Bingham Canyon, Utah.

Mrs. S. A. Currie, Pueblo.

Jessie Davis, 25.

Doris Deber, Pueblo, 328½ North Union street.

_____Evans, Pullman conductor.

John Farreius, Pueblo.

Edna Gray, 11.

Marjorie Gray, 3.

C. Haines, 30, identified by Pullman receipt to Glenwood Springs, Colo.
Hall, colored Pullman porter, Denver & Rio Grande train.

Woodie Hall and mother.

Dutch Heine

Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard.

Frank Irwin, Hotel Deremer.

Mrs. A. J. Jackson

E. Littlejohn.

Sport McAllister’s mother-in-law, negro

Dorothy Metz, Pueblo, 217½ South Main street.

Henry Miller, Pueblo.

Dorothy D. Saladio, Pueblo.

Al Schaubel, Pueblo, shoe dealer.

Minnie De Shadio, negro.

Mrs. Shattio, (identification doubtful.)

Mrs. Westcott, (uncertain identity).

F. Williams, D. & R. G. trainman.

Duffy Wilson, switch foreman.

Unidentified woman, 35.

Three unidentified men.

Two unidentified men, (Probably Mexicans), at McCarthy & Brown mortuary.

One unidentified Mexican woman with legs previously amputated

“Missing

Francisco Cordova.

Archie Lambert.

Francis and Marie Lopez.

Mrs. May Murphy’s children, Ethel, 14; Jimmie, 5

Ernst Prewitt, Pueblo.

Father J. N. Prewitt, Pueblo.

W. Waight, switchman.”

June 6: Salt Lake Telegram. “Alarms of Renewed Disaster Rout People From Homes in Night,” p1:

“Pueblo, Colo., June 6. – Colonel Patrick Hamrock of the Colorado militia this afternoon issued an order that ‘within twenty-four hours every ablebodied man in Pueblo must go to work or go to jail or get out of town.’

“Pueblo, Colo., June 6. – A citizens’ committee this afternoon wired Governor O. H. Shoup at Denver asking his influence be exerted to obtain $5,000,000 from the federal government to aid Pueblo flood relief and toward rebuilding the Arkansas river levee here.

“Colorado Springs, Colo., June 6. – Governor Shoup of Colorado today issued a proclamation in which he placed all relief measures in the hands of the Red Cross.

….

“Pueblo, Colo., June 6 (By Associated Press). – For the first time since the flood waters overflowed into the city Friday night the business district of Pueblo, lying on both sides of the river channel, today is practically free of water. The overflow has drained back into the river, which is several feet below banks this morning.

“Pueblo, Colo., June 6 (By Sam I. Freed, United Press Staff Correspondent) – The specter of a new epidemic of disease hung over Pueblo today, with all modern sanitation facilities suspended by the flood’s damage to the city’s water system. Women, children and men could not even wash their hands or faces. ‘Boil the water’ hatband signs appeared, inspired by the health board….

“The only water available came in milk cans from Colorado Springs or from surface and artesian wells.

“The danger of an epidemic was increased by a scarcity of lime and other powerful disinfectants.

“The Red Cross is on guard against an outbreak of typhoid among the hundreds of refugees at each of the public institutions harboring the homeless.

….

“Pueblo, Colo., June 6. – With a breach of half a mile in the levee along the Arkansas, Pueblo is at the mercy of every little freshet along the course of the rampaging river….”

June 7: Salt Lake Tribune. “52 Bodies Taken From Debris of Pueblo Flood.” 6-7-1921, p 1-2.

“Pueblo, Colo., June 6. – (By the Associated Press.) – After a day’s search through the debris in the flooded districts of Pueblo, fifty-two bodies had been recovered tonight. These include forty-two at the morgues and ten recovered late this afternoon on the St. Charles mesa. These last ten have not been identified.

….

“Late this afternoon a report came to the offices of the Nuckolis Packing company that fifty bodies had been recovered at Boone, on the river about twenty miles east. This report is unconfirmed. ‘Whatever figure the death list finally reaches, not half the bodies of the victims of the flood will be recovered,’ R. G. Breckenridge, president of the Pueblo Rotary club, said today. He based this statement on peculiarities of the river channel and the drifting of mud over the flooded areas.

….

“Ten more bodies were identified today at the north side morgues. The list announced was as follows: [We alphabetize.]

A. Allen, 109 North Santa Fe avenue, carpenter.

Mae Byrd and her daughter, Sara Byrd, of Denver, negroes.

Lillian Clark, Pueblo, believed to have been a clerk at the Crews-Beggs store.

Mrs. Maturo Gabbin, Mexican.

Neil Kendall, 10 years old, son of E. P. Kendall of Devine.

William Korber, believed to be a brother of Jake Korber, wealthy Albuquerque merchant

C. Morri, further identification unknown.

Sylvia Shattio, 83 West Third street, Pueblo, negro.

The body of an unidentified Mexican woman was also recovered today.

“All of the recovered bodies are being held in the morgues. It will be impossible, undertakers say, to bury the bodies for several days, roads to the cemeteries being impassable…

“It was expected this morning that many bodies would be recovered today in Grove, the low district lying south of the river, and where the greatest loss of life is reported. These predictions were not borne out, however. The water has not left all parts of this district, and it has not been thoroughly searched yet.

….

“W. B. McKim of the McKim undertaking parlors, said today that he had received a report that sixteen bodies had been washed up at a place five miles east, known as the Moroney farm. His men have located three bodies at Salt Creek, south of the city, but cannot recover them, he said. The bodies of a woman and girl have been located near the Colorado & Southern bridge, but cannot be recovered and several in Grove cannot yet be removed, he said….” [p. 1]

“List of Dead May Never Be Known.

“Pueblo, June 6. – No estimate can be made accurately of the number of persons missing….There was no way of getting an estimate of the total number of dead. A check upon the relief depots showed that 7500 refugees were being cared for. F. D. Spicer, a Pueblo man, marooned on an island after escaping from the Denver & Rio Grande wrecked passenger train, said he counted fifty bodies floating down the stream. Many of the bodies probably will never be found, as they were carried down-stream below Pueblo by the terrific force of the flood…” [p. 2]

June 12: “John Engar, of La Junta, had a narrow escape from death Wednesday morning and two other workmen were drowned when they fell in the Arkansas river while working on a pontoon approach bridge to the city. The abridge was wiped out by the flood and a temporary structure was being built. Five bodies have been recovered at La Junta, according to J. W. Meyers, driver for Mayor Sabin, who accompanied State Rangers Wadell and Johnson to Pueblo yesterday noon.”

(Pueblo Chieftain. “Finding Bodies Near La Junta.” 6-12-1921, p. 5.)

June 14: “Reports received in the city yesterday show the number of bodies found down the river to have been 41 to this time. At Avondale, 8 persons in the Autobee family are reported missing, or bodies found. Boon, Nepesta, Fowler, Manzanola, Rocky Ford, Olney Springs, Ordway and La Junta all yielded their toll.

“The report states that at Avondale the bodies of Tom Autobee, Jr., Nathan Autobee, 12, and Irodella Autobee, 11, have been found. The missing at Avondale are listed as Mrs. Tom Autobee, Isabel, Emma, Vennice and Joseph Autobee.

“At Boone, 7 bodies have been recovered on Finnell’s ranch, 3 miles east of the Huerfano river bridge, according to reports from Deputy Sheriff J. T. Alkyre. The body of Albert Finnell, a rancher of Boone, age 55, was recovered at Nepesta, according to the report, and taken to Larson’s Undertaking establishment at Fowler….” (Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.)

June 19: “Pueblo Chieftain. “Dwelling Survey in Flood District Finished Yesterday.” p. 4:

“Number of dwelling houses swept away by the flood 510.

“Number of dwelling houses absolutely wrecked 98.

“Number of dwelling houses off their foundation 61.

“A number of these dwellings housed several families.

“Numberless dwellings were made unfit for habitation by water, debris and mud.

“As yet there has been made no survey of the vast number of business houses and rooming houses over places of business which have been wrecked or ruined

“The report on ruined dwellings was made to the city commissioners by John F. Cregan, appointed for that work, at request of the Red Cross, it is stated, and submitted after a careful personal survey as far as he was able to go on account of the still flooded conditions in many sections, and by reference to the fire insurance maps, which gives the locations formerly occupied by the houses. The report gives the streets and numbers in every case, and tho closely typewritten, it covers ten large pages. Summarized the number of dwellings swept away, wrecked and off their foundation (mostly swept away from the streets named, were as follows: [we omit]

….

“Summary – Dwellings gone…. 516

Dwellings wrecked…. 98

Dwellings off foundation…. 61

Total…. 669”

(Pueblo Chieftain. “Dwelling Survey in Flood District Finished Yesterday.” 6-19-1921, p. 4.)

Pueblo and area fatalities from newspapers noted above, unless otherwise noted:

Allen, H. A., Pueblo. (perhaps W.R. Allen, 109 North Santa Fe avenue, carpenter.)
Alvarez, Candel Ario. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-11-1921, p. 1.)
Autobee, Emma, age not noted, Avondale, CO.[11]
Autobee, Isabella, 19, Avondale, CO.[12]
Autobee, Irodella, 11, Avondale, CO.[13]
Autobee, Joseph, 6, Avondale, CO.[14]
Autobee, Nathan, 12, Avondale, CO.[15]
Autobee, Tomas. Jr., Avondale, CO.[16] (Jose Tomas Autobee Jr., about 41.)[17]
Autobee, Mrs. Tomas, Avondale, CO.[18]
Autobee, Vennice, about 9, Avondale, CO.[19]
Boxwell, C.; Missouri Pacific conductor. Pueblo Chieftain. “Death List.” 6-16-1921, p. 2.
Briedenfeld, Albert, 27. Body found one mile north of Vroman.[20]
Butkobich, John, 114 Spring St. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, 1.)
Byrd, Mary [also noted as “Mae Bird” on 2^nd page], 2527 Tremont St., Denver.
Byrd, Mrs. Sarao (or Sara or Sarah), Denver.
Carey (or Cary), Dr. E. R., Pueblo.
Cassidy, Clara, 115 Victoria. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, 1.)
Castro, C., 30, body recovered south of Olney Springs and buried at Ordway.[21]
Castro, Eirildo, 17, of Olney Springs, downriver from Pueblo.[22]
Clark, A. E., 810 East B street.
Clark, Lillian, black, Pueblo, believed to have been a clerk at the Crews-Beggs store.
Collins, Helen, 27.
Corrigan, Emma. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-13-1921, p. 1.)
Cortese, Sam, South Santa Fe Ave. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, 1.)
Cowan, Chas. H., Pullman conductor, Kansas City, MO. (“Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, 1.)
Creedon, Charles. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Death List.” 6-14-1921, p. 11.)
Creedy, Dan, taxi driver, Bingham Canyon, UT, passenger on train No. 3.[23]
Currie, Mrs. S. A., Pueblo.
Darr, Arthur William, 31, of Rocky Ford, downriver of Pueblo.[24]
Darr, Delbert, son of Arthur of Rocky Ford.[25]
Darr, LeeDew, about 3, child of Arthur Darr. Ibid
Darr, Richard, abut 8, son of Arthur Darr. Ibid.
Davis, Jessie, 25, Pueblo.
Deber (or Deaber or Seaber), Doris (or Dorris), Pueblo, 328½ North Union street.
Evans, T. (or S.C. Evans), Pullman conductor, Missouri Pacific railway.
Farreius (or Farreous), John, Pueblo. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, 1.)
Fenton, Michael J., section foreman at Goodnight. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-11-1921, p. 1.)
Finnell, Albert, 55, rancher in Boone.[26]
Finnell’s ranch, Boone. Body 1 of 6 unidentified recovered.[27]
Finnell’s ranch, Boone. Body 2 of 6 unidentified recovered. Ibid.
Finnell’s ranch, Boone. Body 3 of 6 unidentified recovered. Ibid.
Finnell’s ranch, Boone. Body 4 of 6 unidentified recovered. Ibid.
Finnell’s ranch, Boone. Body 5 of 6 unidentified recovered. Ibid.
Finnell’s ranch, Boone. Body 6 of 6 unidentified recovered. Ibid.
Frary, Miss, Chicago, passenger on D.&R.G. train. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-12-1921, p. 1.)
Fugaros, Susie, Grove. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-11-1921, p. 1.)
Fujaros, John, Pueblo. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-13-1921, p. 1.)
Gabbin, Mrs. Maturo, Mexican. (or Mrs. Martina Galban).
Glover, Dan, 525 West Third St. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Three More Bodies Are Found in City.” 6-14-1921, p.1.)
Gonzalez, Cruz, 67, Olney Springs, downriver from Pueblo.[28]
Gray, Edna, 11.
Gray, Marjorie, 3.
Haines (or Hanes), E. C., 30, identified by Pullman receipt to Glenwood Springs, Colo.
Hall, T., black Pullman porter, Denver & Rio Grande train.
Hall, Woodie.
Hall, mother of Woodie.
Hamis, E. C. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, p. 1.)
Heine, Dutch.
Henry, G. D. D. & R. G. engineer. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-9-1921, p. 5.)
Hubbard, Mr. Julius, black.
Hubbard, Mrs., black.
Irwin, Frank, Hotel Deremer.
Jackson, Mrs. A. J., black, 523 W. Third street.
Jaeger, Charles, 452 West San Rafael, Colorado Springs. (“Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, p.1.)
Julian, Henry, MA; worked at Boone. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-9-1921, p5.)
Kapes, Elizabeth, Lime, CO. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-11-1921, p. 1.)
Kapes, Irene, Lime, CO. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-11-1921, p. 1.)
Kapes, Rose, Lime, CO. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, p. 1.)
Kendall, Neil (or Neal), 10 years old, son of E. P. Kendall of Devine.
Korber, William, believed to be brother of Jake Korber, wealthy Albuquerque merchant
Lemon, Jack, 77, G.A.R.
Littlejohn, J. E.
Martina, Galban. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-9-1921, p. 5.)
Maw, heavyset, Austrian. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, p. 1.)
McAllister, Sport, mother-in-law of Sport McAllister, black, missing
Mechalic, Audry, 827 E. Abriendo. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-11-1921, p.1.)
Metz, Dorothy, 217½ South Main street.
Michoacan, Mrs. Numarau of Olney Springs, downriver from Pueblo.[29]
Miller, Henry, Pueblo; aged man.
Montelongo, Mrs. Hilaria of Nepesta, downriver of Pueblo.[30]
Morris, Clinton (also listed as Morri, C. C.)
Murphy, Ethel, 14.
Murphy, Jimmy, 5.
Newman, Miss, 10, recovered at Boone.
Perez, M., 15, body recovered south of Olney Springs and buried at Oardway.[31]
Perez, Natividad, 14, drowned at Fowler, downriver from Pueblo.[32]
Ransom, William. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Death List.” 6-16-1921, p. 2.)
Ranson, D. M., 172 Block P. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-9-1921, p. 5.)
Saladio, Dorothy D., Pueblo.
Schaubel, E. A. (Al), shoe dealer, 210 South Union.
Screedy, Dan C. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, p. 1.) (Creedy?)
Shadio (or Shaddio or Sladio), Minnie, black, 55. [Sylvia Shattio, 83 West 3^rd street?]
Still, Samuel. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-9-1921, p. 5.)
Taylor, Minnie, black. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, p. 1.)
Thomas, Jim. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-11-1921, p. 1.)
Thomas, Mary, 425 West Fourth street. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, p.1.)
Thorsgard, Mrs. L. N. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Death List.” 6-16-1921, p. 2.)
Waight, J. W., a switchman, is missing, according to reports.

Wall, Woodie [listed above as Woodie Hall]

Wall, mother of Woodie. [listed above as mother of Woodie Hall]

Westcott, Mrs. (noted as uncertain identity).
Wetz (or Wirtz), Dorothy, Pueblo.
Williams, Emma, black. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Death List.” 6-16-1921, p. 2.)
Williams, L. F., of crew of D. & R. G. train, was drowned.
Wilson, Duffy, switch foreman. [D. M. Wilson, 172 Block P.?]
Zellers, Tony, 3. Arkansas River, Canon City, June 10.[33]
Girl, unidentified, 10. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, p. 1.)
Girl, unidentified, 13. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, p. 1.)
unidentified black man, ~35, (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, 1.)
unidentified woman, with legs previously amputated, Pueblo.
Woman, Mexican, found Wiley-Chamberlain add., ~40. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, 1.)
cook for Y. W. C. A., body at Fourth street garage; Pueblo.
unidentified man drowned, downriver of Pueblo in Manzanola.[34]
unidentified woman drowned downriver of Pueblo in Manzanola. (Ibid)
unidentified woman No.2 drowned downriver of Pueblo in Manzanola. (Ibid)
unidentified black woman found on Hobson Street June 14, Pueblo.[35]
unidentified child, about 1 day old. (Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-11-1921, 1.)
unidentified elderly woman, Pueblo.
unidentified elderly woman no. 2, Pueblo.
unidentified young woman, Pueblo.
unidentified woman, 25, auburn hair, upper teeth gold, white, Pueblo.
unidentified woman found 200 block South Santa Fe, June 13, Pueblo.[36]
unidentified woman found 200 block South Santa Fe, June 14, Pueblo[37]
unidentified woman, 35, Pueblo.
unidentified white woman, 55, Pueblo.
unidentified white woman, partly grey hair, body found near Baxter. Added 16^th.[38]
unidentified Mexican woman was also recovered today, Pueblo.
unidentified Mexican man, Pueblo.
unidentified Mexican man No. 2, Pueblo.
unidentified white man, 30, Pueblo.
unidentified white man, 55, Pueblo.
1^st of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, about 64 miles SE of Pueblo.[39]
2^nd of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, about 64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
3^rd of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, about 64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
4^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, about 64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
5^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, about 64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
6^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, about 64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
7^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, about 64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
8^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, about 64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
9^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, about 64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
10^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, ~64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
11^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, ~64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
12^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, ~64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
13^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, ~64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
14^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, ~64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
15^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, ~64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
16^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, ~64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
17^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, ~64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
18^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, ~64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.
19^th of 19 bodies reported as drowned at La Junta, ~64 miles SE of Pueblo. Ibid.

Sources

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Colorado State University Libraries. Colorado Water History. “1921 Flood: Topic Breakdown.” Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://libguides.colostate.edu/water-history/1921flood

FamilySearch.org. “Arthur William Darr, 1890-June 1921.” Accessed 5-20-2025 at: https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LKJM-1SF/arthur-william-darr-1890-1921

Follansbee, Robert and Edward E. Jones (USGS). The Arkansas River Flood of June 3.5, 1921 (Water-Supply Paper 487). United States Geological Survey, Department of the Interior. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1922. Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/0487/report.pdf

History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, June 2, 1921. “Flash Floods Ravage Colorado.” Accessed 12-7-2008 at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&displayDate=06/02&categoryId=disaster

Ludlum, David M. The American Weather Book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1982.

National Climatic Center. “Late Reports. Losses in Individual Severe Floods in the United States Since July 1902,” page 122 in Climatological Data National Summary, Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1976. Asheville, NC: NCC, Environmental Data Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. Google digitized. Accessed 12-3-2014 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=UyMIAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Pueblo Chieftain: “Cloudburst Rushes Flood Water To City.” 6-3-1921, p. 1. Accessed 5-18-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-03-1921-p-1/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Death List.” 6-14-1921, p. 11. Accessed 5-20-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-14-1921-p-11/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Death List.” 6-15-1921, p. 3. Accessed 5-20-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-15-1921-p-3/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Death List.” 6-16-1921, p. 2. Accessed 5-20-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-16-1921-p-2/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1. Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-14-1921-p-1/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Dwelling Survey in Flood District Finished Yesterday.” 6-19-1921, p. 4. Accessed 5-20-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-19-1921-p-4/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Finding Bodies Near La Junta.” 6-12-1921, p. 5. Accessed 5-20-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-12-1921-p-8/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Flood Extra.” 6-4-1921, p. 1. Accessed 5-18-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-04-1921-p-1/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Leaps Into Torrent in Futile Attempt to Rescue Child.” 6-12-1921, p. 1. Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-12-1921-p-1/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-9-1921, p. 5. Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-09-1921-p-5/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-10-1921, p. 1. Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-10-1921-p-1/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-11-1921, p. 1. Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-11-1921-p-1/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-12-1921, p. 10. Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-12-1921-p-14/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-13-1921, p. 1. Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-13-1921-p-1/

Pueblo Chieftain. “No Bodies Yesterday.” 6-19-1921, p. 4. Accessed 5-20-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-19-1921-p-6/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Ranger’s List Missing Persons.” 6-10-1921, p.1. Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-10-1921-p-1/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Red Cross Starts Immediate Survey.” 6-8-1921, p. 1. Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-08-1921-p-1/

Pueblo Chieftain. “Three More Bodies Are Found in City.” 6-14-1921, p.1. Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pueblo-chieftain-jun-14-1921-p-1/

Pueblo Star-Journal. “Miracle of 1921 Flood Was Relatively Few Deaths.” 6-4-1961.

Rees, Jonathn H. and Stephanie Armijo. “1921 Pueblo Flood.” Colorado Encyclopedia. Accessed 5-20-2025 at: https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/1921-pueblo-flood#id-field-author

Roberts, James. “Anniversary of the Great Pueblo Flood of 1921.” Denver Public Library Special Collections and Archives, 6-1-2021. Accessed 5-20-2025 at: https://history.denverlibrary.org/news/anniversary-great-pueblo-flood-1921

Rogers, J. David. “Overview of the 1921 Pueblo Flood; one of the deadliest in American history.” 2017 Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists Annual Meeting, Colorado Springs. Accessed 5-20-2025 at: https://slideplayer.com/slide/14130695/

Salt Lake Telegram. “Alarms of Renewed Disaster Rout People From Homes in Night, 6-6-1921, p. 1. Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-telegram-jun-06-1921-p-1/

Salt Lake Telegram, UT. “First List of Known Dead At Pueblo.” 6-6-1921, p. 1. Accessed 5-18-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salt-lake-telegram-jun-06-1921-p-1/

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WikiTree.com. “Autobee’s Lost by the Flood.” Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Autobee-5#June_1921_FLOOD

WikiTree.com. “Jose Tomas Autobee Jr (1879-abt. 1921.).” Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Autobee-5#June_1921_FLOOD

WikiTree. “Vennice Autobee (1912-1921)…Died 8 June 1921…in Huerfano, Colorado.” Accessed 5-19-2025 at: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Autobee-10

[1] See Pueblo Chieftain article of June 19 below on “Dwelling Survey…” which reports 516 “Dwellings gone,” “a number of these dwellings housed several families,” 98 dwellings wrecked and 61 dwellings off foundation.

[2] “…historians have never been able to accurately “count the number of people who perished firing the event, with low-end estimates of just under a hundred individuals while the highest estimates claim up to 1,500 deaths.”

[3] Slide notes, without sourcing, that “close to 1500 people…[lost] their lives, with “about 300” killed in Pueblo, #9. So definitive a statement, taking the worst case that only in recent years has been put forward, without placement in a speculated range, is, well, breathtaking. No speculations in 1921 exceeded 600, yet “close to 1,500” deaths is now put forward as fact.

[4] “Upon completing the research for this paper, the author feels confident with a range of 600-900 deaths.”

[5] Pueblo Chieftain. “No Bodies Yesterday.” 6-19-1921, p. 4.

[6] “Latest estimates of the dead received thru Red Cross channels place the number around 500, although it will be impossible to determine definitely for some time as bodies may be hidden under the huge piles of refuse and debris in the devastated districts.”

[7] We make no claim that this is “the” death toll. On one hand it includes unidentified deaths, which may include one or more that were identified. On the other it does not include any of the hundreds reported as missing in that it would take guessing to arrive at a number, and because all who were reported as missing may well not have been killed. It will never be known.

[8] Cites Col. Patrick J. Hamrock, commander to Colorado State rangers.

[9] Notes, however: “…but many bodies that were washed downstream were not recovered.”

[10] Cites: “List of Disasters in the United States by Death Toll,” Wikipedia, last modified July 24, 2019,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_disasters_in_the_United_States_by_death_toll.

[11] Listed as missing in: Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1. Noted as killed by flood in: WikiTree.com. “Autobee’s Lost by the Flood.”

[12] Listed as missing in: Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1. Noted as killed by flood in: WikiTree.com. “Autobee’s Lost by the Flood.”

[13] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[14] Listed as missing in: Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1. Noted as killed by flood in: WikiTree.com. “Autobee’s Lost by the Flood.”

[15] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[16] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[17] WikiTree.com. “Jose Tomas Autobee Jr (1879-abt. 1921.).”

[18] Listed as missing in: Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1. Noted as killed by flood in: WikiTree.com. “Autobee’s Lost by the Flood.”

[19] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1. Also: WikiTree. “Vennice Autobee (1912-1921)…Died 8 June 1921…in Huerfano, Colorado.” Born in Avondale, Pueblo.

[20] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[21] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[22] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[23] Pueblo Chieftain. “Morgue List.” 6-13-1921, p. 1.

[24] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1. Age and full name from FamilySearch.org. “Arthur William Darr, 1890-June 1921.”

[25] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1. This article notes that three children of Arthur Darr drowned with him, but notes no names. Does note that one body had been recovered, a 10-month-old baby. FamilySearch.org names three children of Arthur Darr and notes they died in 1921.

[26] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[27] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[28] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[29] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[30] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[31] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[32] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[33] Pueblo Chieftain. “Leaps Into Torrent in Futile Attempt to Rescue Child.” 6-12-1921, p. 1.

[34] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

[35] Pueblo Chieftain. “Three More Bodies Are Found in City.” 6-14-1921, p.1.

[36] Pueblo Chieftain. “Three More Bodies Are Found in City.” 6-14-1921, p.1.

[37] Pueblo Chieftain. “Three More Bodies Are Found in City.” 6-14-1921, p.1.

[38] Pueblo Chieftain. “Death List.” 6-16-1921, p. 2.

[39] Pueblo Chieftain. “Down River Towns Add Names to Lists Dead and Missing.” 6-14-1921, p. 1.

1921 — June 3-5, cloudbursts, Arkansas Riv. flooding, dike break, Pueblo County, CO–>148