1922 — May 4, Tornado, greater Austin area, Travis County, TX — 13
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 4-18-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–13 AP. “Austin Tornado Death List Placed At 13.” Abilene Daily Reporter, TX. 5-5-1922, p.1.
–13 San Antonio Express, TX. “Austin Storm Toll 13 Dead; Fifty Injured. 5-6-1922, p. 1.
–12 15:55 F4, 50inj. 200y, 15m. Grazulis. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 436, 780.
–1 Austin, student in dormitory at St. Edward’s University.
–3 Penn Field area.
–6 Davis Hill.
Newspapers
May 4: “By Associated Press.
“Austin, Tex., May 4. – Nine dead, 38 injured, two probably fatally, and property damage estimated at $400,000 was the toll of death and destruction in the wake of a tornado which late today swept through the west side of Austin and on out of the city to Oak Hill, eight miles southwest, according to a check of the situation late tonight.
“With the exception of the Padgett baby [see fatality listing below], all the deaths occurred at Oak Hill. The white victims were members of one family, who, with the cook, Maria Kincheon, were in the Bargsley house when the tornado struck it. All of them were killed almost instantly except Mrs. Thompson Jr., who died at a local hospital.
“The Padgett baby died from injuries received when it was picked up by the tornado, carried across a road and then dropped. This happened on the Post road south of Austin. The parents of the child were also carried a short distance by the twisting wind, but were not injured seriously.
“One of those in a serious condition is J. S. Mussett Jr., who was reported to have been killed by a flying plank. Another is Mrs. W. F. Woodman. A small stick was driven through her fact from jaw to jaw.
“Other persons were injured in the Oak Hill community, but information from there tonight was meager and the exact number could not be learned. It is not expected to exceed six.
….
“The greatest damage was done at the Woodward Manufacturing Company, a woodwork establishment located at Penn Field, just south of the city. The plant, consisting of three buildings, was completely demolished. Approximately fifteen employees of the concern are reported injured, none seriously….
Dead
Mrs. Johns Bargsley Sr.
Miss Ada Bargsley.
Mrs. J. S. Thompson Sr.
Mrs. J. S. Thompson Jr.
Maria Kincheon, negro.
- S. Scales, 55, 55, negro, at Manchaca, eight miles south.
Laura Russell, 22, negro, Manchaca.
Eighteen months’ old baby of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Padgett.” [Doris Gail Padgett.][1]
(San Antonio Express, TX. “Tornadoes Hit Austin…9 Killed…” 5-5-1922, p. 1.)
May 4, AP: “(Associated Press)
“Austin, Texas, May 4. – Ten dead, 38 injured, two probably fatally; and property damage estimated at $400,000 was the toll of death and destruction in the wake of a tornado which late today swept through the west side of Austin and on out of the city to Oak Hill, eight miles southwest, according to a check on the situation late tonight. The dead are:
Mr. John Bargsley, Sr.
Miss Ada Bargsley
Mrs. J. S. Thompson, Sr.
Mrs. J. S. Thompson, Jr.
John S. Thompson, Jr.
Maria Kincheon, negro.
- S. Cales, 55, negro, Mancharca, eight miles south.
Laura Russell, 4, negro, Manchaca.
Eighteen-months-old baby of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Padgett.
Ben Roberts, negro, Pennfield….”
(Associated Press. “Ten Killed and Many Hurt in a Storm at Austin.” Paris Morning News, TX. 5-5-1922, p. 1.)
May 5: “(By the Associated Press)
“Austin, May 5 – The death list of the tornado which swept through Travis county yesterday afternoon now totals thirteen persons. Three names were added to the list today. They are:
Andrew McCrory of Port Arthur, a student at St. Edward’s College.
_____ Harper, eight year old negro girl, St. Elmo.
Dan Roberts, negro, died from injuries received at Penn Field.”
(AP. “Austin Tornado Death List Placed At 13.” Abilene Daily Reporter, TX. 5-5-1922, p.1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Austin Tornado Death List Placed At 13.” Abilene Daily Reporter, TX. 5-5-1922, p.1. Accessed 4-18-2025: https://newspaperarchive.com/abilene-daily-reporter-may-05-1922-p-1/
Associated Press. “Ten Killed and Many Hurt in a Storm at Austin.” Paris Morning News, TX. 5-5-1922, p. 1. Accessed 4-18-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/paris-morning-news-may-05-1922-p-1/
Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.
San Antonio Express, TX. “Austin Storm Toll 13 Dead; Fifty Injured. 5-6-1922, p. 1. Accessed 4-18-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-express-may-06-1922-p-1/
San Antonio Express, TX. “Tornadoes Hit Austin…9 Killed…” 5-5-1922, p. 1. Accessed 4-18-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-express-may-05-1922-p-1/
[1] Associated Press. “Austin Tornado Death List Placed At 13.” Abilene Daily Reporter, TX. 5-5-1922, p.1.