1923 — March 15, two tornadoes, esp. Savage (9-10) & Bateman (5), also Lambert, MS– 18
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-10-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–18 Blanchard. It appears to us from the sources below that there were at least 18 deaths. We do
not know if the death reported on March 18 of an injured person from Savage was number
18 or perhaps number 19. Perhaps Grazulis, who reports 17 deaths, was unaware of the later
death from injuries sustained in the Savage tornado. As for the report of 24 deaths, we are
skeptical, and suspect double counting.
–24 AP. “Tornado Death Tolls on Increase in Last Report.” Ada Evening News, OK. 3-18-1923, 1
–1 Savage (a death from injuries to be added to previous unstated death toll).
–5 Batesville [Panola Co.] area. Just received report of five deaths in a farm settlement.
–18 AP. “18 Dead, 100 Hurt in Storm.” Logansport Morning Press, IN. 3-17-1923, p. 1.
–18 Connersville News-Examiner, IN. “Wreckage in Wake of Tornado that Killed 18.” 3-23-1923, 2.
–18 The Appeal, St. Paul, MN. “Storm Takes Toll of Colored Dead in Mississippi.” 3-24-1923, 1.
–9 Savage [Tate County]
–6 Lambert vicinity [Quitman County]
–2 Walnut Lake [Benton County]
–18 Time Magazine. “National Affairs: The States.” 3-24-1923.
–17 Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 494 and 782.
–9 Savage. 17:45 30inj 500y 25m F4. Tunica, Tate, DeSoto counties.
–8 tenant homes 18:30 15inj 200y 25m F3. Quitman, Panola counties, MS.
Narrative Information
March 16: “(Crusader Service)
“Memphis, Tenn., Mar. 16. Eighteen dead, approximately 100 injured and property damage estimated at $300,000 to $400,000 made up the known toll tonight of a tornado which swept seven Delta counties in Northern Mississippi last night, demolished one village, Savage, and left a trail of property damage and dead and maimed in a dozen or more towns and farming settlements. Several hundred were homeless.
“Of the known dead, nine lost their lives when the storm battered the remnants of the town of Savage – badly damaged two months ago by a tornado – into bits, and carried half a dozen dwellings into Coldwater River. Five colored people were killed here. Several whites also lost their lives.[1]
“Six others lost their lives when their cabins were wrecked near Lambers, and one colored child and woman were killed at Walnut Lake.
“Of the injured, about fifteen were reported seriously hurt. Ten colored people are among the seriously injured.
“The storm, a whirling wind which swept in from the Southwest, in its rush Northeastward tore paths through the towns of Olive Branch, Holly Springs, Sardis, Hernando and Phillip, after levelling the village of Savage and wrecking a dozen or more farming settlements and hamlets.
“Savage was tonight a mass of splintered wreckage.
“At Sardis a dozen buildings were wrecked and the front of a hotel was smashed.
“At Holly Springs the McDermott Hotel and Frisco railroad station was damaged.
“Half a dozen buildings were wrecked at Hernando and at Walnut Lake the storm took its heaviest toll on the plantation of L. C. Cannon, where nearly a score of cabins were swept from their foundations and the plantation dwelling was damaged.
“Wire communication with the affected area was still crippled tonight and only meagre reports had been received from inland villages in the path of the tornado.
“Moving in a path less than a mile wide, the storm swept farming settlements about Lambert and struck next with its full force at Savage, on Coldwater River, literally obliterating the village. The only buildings standing there were a portion of the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad station and a section house.
“Last night’s storm was the second within a week in the Central Mississippi Valley, a tornado on Sunday wrecking the villages of Pinson and Leanburg, Tenn., 85 miles east of Memphis, and taking a toll of 17 lives.” (The Appeal, St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN. “Storm Takes Toll of Colored Dead in Mississippi.” 3-24-1923, p. 1.)
March 17, AP: “(By the Associated Press)
“Memphis, March 17. – The death toll in the tornado which swept northwestern Mississippi Thursday increased to 24 tonight with the death in a Memphis hospital of Mrs. M. H. Reh [unclear, could be Rich], injured when her house at Savage was demolished, and receipt of belated advices from Batesville, reporting five negroes killed in a farm settlement near that town.” (Assoc. Press. “Tornado Death Tolls on Increase in Last Report.” Ada Evening News, OK. 3-18-1923, p.1.)
March 24, Time: “MISSISSIPPI: A tornado hit the town of Savage for the second time in two months, completely demolishing it. Eighteen dead, 100 injured, damages of $300,000.” (Time Magazine. “National Affairs: The States.” 3-24-1923.
Sources
Associated Press. “Tornado Death Tolls on Increase in Last Report.” Ada Evening News, OK. 3-18-1923, p.1. Accessed 4-10-2025: https://newspaperarchive.com/ada-evening-news-mar-18-1923-p-17/
Associated Press. “18 Dead, 100 Hurt in Storm.” Logansport Morning Press, IN. 3-17-1923, p. 1. Accessed 4-10-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-morning-press-mar-17-1923-p-1/
Connersville News-Examiner, IN. “Wreckage in Wake of Tornado that Killed 18.” 3-23-1923, p. 2. Accessed 4-10-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/connersville-news-examiner-mar-23-1923-p-1/
Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.
The Appeal, St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN. “Storm Takes Toll of Colored Dead in Mississippi.” 3-24-1923, p. 1. Accessed 4-10-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-appeal-mar-24-1923-p-1/
Time Magazine. “National Affairs: The States.” 3-24-1923. Accessed 4-10-2025 at: https://time.com/archive/6657223/national-affairs-the-states-2/
[1] The AP notes: “Mrs. C. W. Mabry, A. G. Mabry, his wife, and John C. Kerr, a merchant are among the killed at Savage. Five negroes also were killed there.” (Associated Press. “18 Dead, 100 Hurt in Storm.” Logansport Morning Press, IN. 3-17-1923, p. 1.)