1922 — March 13, Tornadoes (2), Gowan (11 deaths) and Sulphur Springs (3), OK — 14
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-21-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–14 Daily Ardmoreite, OK. 3-15-1922, p. 1.
–11 Gowen
— 3 Sulphur Springs
–13 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 410 and 777.
15:55 3k [killed] 40inj 150y 4m F3 Murray [county]
18:15 10k 50inj 300y 2m F2 Latimer [county]
–11 Gowen. Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “Loss at Gowen…Eleven Killed.” 3-15-1922, p. 1.[1]
–11 Gowen. Muskogee Times-Democrat, OK. “Tornado Kills Ten at Gowan…” 3-14-1922, p.1.[2]
— 3 Sulphur Springs. Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “Sulphur Death List…Three…” 3-15-1922, p. 1.
Newspaper
March 14, Times-Democrat Special: “Hartshorne, Okla., March 14. – Eleven persons are known to be dead, three others are believed to be fatally injured, more than a score sustained less serious hurts and from 60 to 70 houses were destroyed or badly damaged by a tornado that struck Gown, a coal camp, six miles southwest of here, at 6:43 o’clock last night. The dead [11 noted] are:
George Glembo;
Rena Glembo, 15 years old; [daughter of George]
Annie Glembo, 13 years old; “
Mrs. Lucile Leamy;
Mrs. Clifford Wilkerson and baby;
Pete Armandoff;
Mrs. Pete Armandoff;
Matilde Armandoff;
An unidentified Mexican woman and
A Mexican man.
….
“The property damage is estimated at from $75,000 to $100,000.
“The storm cut a path a mile and a quarter long and a hundred yards wide.
“The Baptist church and the Pentecostal churches were demolished. The Catholic church was moved from its foundation and was badly damaged….” (Muskogee Times-Democrat, OK. “Tornado Kills Ten at Gowan, Okla.; Mining Village Laid Waste by Cyclonic Storm.” 3-14-1922, p. 1.)
March 14, Muskogee Times-Democrat, OK: “With two dead and nineteen persons injured, relief workers here believed they have sought out and given aid to all victims of the tornado which struck here at 3:45 o’clock Monday afternoon and blazed a path two blocks wide for seven or eight blocks through the west section of the city. List of Casualties. The dead: [We note in separate lines.]
Thomas Watkins, 60, carpenter;
Virgil Hampton, 70, formerly of Ardmore.
….
“Volunteer workers began clearing away the debris at daybreak. Approximately 150 persons are homeless. They are being cared for in other residences on the east side, which escaped the path of the tornado….
“The tornado swooped down from the southeast, passing over the eastern portion of the city and dropped into the west side, levelling a path two blocks in width and more than half a mile long. Most of the structures in the twister’s path were dwellings. The courthouse and the Presbyterian church were demolished and the roof of the Methodist church was carried away.
“The Sulphur national guard company patrolled the courthouse grounds to protect public records exposed by the wrecking of the building. Continuing a northward course, the tornado lifted as it passed out of the city. It descended again and demolished Carr’s chapel school house, two miles north of here. Three children in the building were slightly injured.” (Muskogee Times-Democrat, OK. “Twister Takes Path Through Sulphur Homes.” 3-14-1922, p. 1.)
March 15, Daily Ardmoreite, OK: “(Special to The Ardmoreite)
“Sulphur, Okla. – The death list resulting from the twister which struck this city late Monday has been brought to three with the death of Mrs. C. H. Lequire late Tuesday. Sixteen persons were injured, with more than a score bearing bruises, scratches and cuts…” (Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “Sulphur Death List Grows to Three Tuesday.” 3-15-1922, p. 1.)
March 15, Daily Ardmoreite, OK: “M’Alester, Okla. – Death of an unknown Mexican child late Tuesday night brought the death list of the Gowen tornado to eleven, according to Dr. Frank Miller of Hartshorne, member of the Rock Island Coal company’s staff of physicians. Ralph Wilkerson, whose wife and child were killed in the tornado, and who was badly injured, is still at Gowen. His condition will not permit removal to a hospital at Hartshorne.
“The remnant of the George Glembo family from the storm are in the hospital at Hartshorne. Mrs. Glembo is in a serious condition. The father and two daughters were killed in the storm. Mrs. Glembo and four younger children were in the hospital…” (Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “Loss at Gowen About $75,000; Eleven Killed.” 3-15-1922, p. 1.)
Sources
Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “Loss at Gowen About $75,000; Eleven Killed.” 3-15-1922, p. 1. Accessed 4-21-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ardmore-daily-ardmoreite-mar-15-1922-p-1/
Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “Sulphur Death List Grows to Three Tuesday.” 3-15-1922, p. 1. Accessed 4-21-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ardmore-daily-ardmoreite-mar-15-1922-p-1/
Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.
Muskogee Times-Democrat, OK. “Tornado Kills Ten at Gowan, Okla.; Mining Village Laid Waste by Cyclonic Storm.” 3-14-1922, p. 1. Accessed 4-21-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/muskogee-times-democrat-mar-14-1922-p-1/
Muskogee Times-Democrat, OK. “Twister Takes Path Through Sulphur Homes.” 3-14-1922, p. 1. Accessed 4-21-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/muskogee-times-democrat-mar-14-1922-p-1/
[1] If the previous day’s report of 11 deaths was accurate, then the death of the Mexican child noted here should bring the death toll to 12. Perhaps the previous list was in error?
[2] Eleven deaths noted in article.