1920 — May 2, Tornadoes, Rogers County, especially Peggs (71), Cherokee County, OK–75             

Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 5-31-2025 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–75  Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 770.

            —  4  18:30  Rogers County F3

            –71  20:35  Cherokee County, F4

–71  Brooks and Doswell 2000.                     [This refers to the 20:35 Cherokee County F4.]

–71  NWS WFO, Norman, OK. “Top Ten Deadliest Oklahoma Tornadoes (1882-2009).  “

–64  Ludlum. The American Weather Book.  1982, 90.

Narrative Information

 NWS WFO, Norman, OK. “Top Ten Deadliest Oklahoma Tornadoes (1882-2009):

“No. 3  Peggs  05/02/1920  F4  71 [killed] 100 [injured]

“This violent tornado began 2 miles southwest of Peggs, moved northeast, and cut a 3-mile-long, half-mile-wide swath of devastation that included the entire town of 250 people. Around 8:30 pm CST, a loud roar was heard by residents just before the tornado hit Peggs at 8:35 pm CST. The town was almost completely destroyed with only 7 buildings remaining partially intact. Only a small, wood house, used as the city jail and located next to a smashed concrete store, was still standing. A cement block schoolhouse that was located west of Peggs had only partly standing walls after the tornado hit it. The tornado traveled at least as far as the Illinois River to the east of Peggs where a house was demolished. Wheat fields were scoured and trees were carried away by the storm, and scores of livestock were killed or injured. Eleven members of one family were killed by the tornado, and in one smashed house a total of 20 mud-covered bodies were recovered. A total of 71 persons were killed and another 100 were injured by the storm. Thus, nearly 30% of the town’s population was killed and another 40% were injured.

 

Newspaper

 

May 3: “More Than 50 Killed, Many Hurt, In Storm Wiping Out Town of Peggs.

“43 Bodies Recovered, Injured Given Relief, Only 3 Houses Stand.

“Rain Adds to Suffering of Wounded and Salvaged Bodies Are Plastered With Mud…

 

“More than fifty persons are known to have been killed and approximately one hundred injured in a cyclone which virtually wiped out eggs, a small village in the northwest corner of Cherokee county, about 9 o’clock Sunday night.

 

“Forty-three bodies have been recovered by rescue workers from Muskogee, Tahlequah and Locust Grove. More are believed to be still in the wreckage.

 

“Only three buildings of the sixty in the town remained standing after the storm had passed.

 

“Whole families were wiped out by the storm. Seven members of the family of John Littlefield were killed while nine perished at the home of N. Stevens.

 

“Forty-two coffins are being sent to the scene of the storm from Tahlequah. This is as many as could be found in the city.

 

“Temporary hospitals have been organized amid the wreckage and scores of severely injured are being given first aid. Those who can stand the trip to Tahlequah are being taken there, where they will be placed in hospitals.

 

“Tahlequah doctors were the first to reach the scene of the tragedy. Six physicians left there immediately after the storm was sighted last night from Tahlequah. Later they sent calls for more assistance and at 6 o’clock Monday morning 100 autos with men and women relief workers were on their way to carry succor to the injured.

 

“The only physician in Peggs, Dr. I. Hill, was killed.

 

“The first report of the storm received in Muskogee came from J. P. Thompson, county commissioner of Cherokee county, who phoned Dr. R. L. Fite, Monday morning about 5 o’clock, asking medical aid. Doctor Fite organized a relief expedition from this city, which took the K.L.&G. morning train to Locust Grove. The train was held until 8:30 in order that the party might catch it. Automobiles were waiting at Locust Grove and they were rushed to Peggs.

….

“When the rescuers arrived in Peggs, they found only a heap of twisted, mud-splattered debris. A heavy rain and hail accompanied the storm and when the workers began collecting the bodies from the muck and rubbish, many were so plastered with mud that they had to be washed off before their identity could be established.

 

“The dead were collected in shelters left by the tangled walls and roofs. Twenty were piled in one nook while the searching parties ranged the immediate vicinity. They will be placed in coffins as soon as they can be gotten.

….

“One of the freaks of the storm was that a small frame shack, uninhabited, was left standing in the heart of the city, while brick buildings housing many persons all around it were razed to the ground. The Peggs schoolhouse, a concrete building, was crushed like an egg shell and the walls ground to pieces.

 

“Clothing was found plastered on the trees several miles from the path of the storm by rescuers on the way to the village this morning.

 

“Another freak of the storm was seen when a large gasoline barrel was found flattened out and wrapped tightly about the trunk of a tree. The tree was left standing.

 

“The storm covered an area three miles long and one mile wide, apparently dropping down just in time to hit the village, and rising soon after leaving it.

 

“All wires to Peggs were blown down and communication direct with the storm district was impossible Monday….” (Muskogee Times-Democrat, OK. “More Than 50 Killed, Many Hurt, In Storm Wiping Out Town of Peggs.” 5-3-1920, p. 1.)

 

May 3. Muskogee Times-Democrat, OK. “4 Are Killed Near Chelsea.” 5-3-1920, p. 1:

“Parts of Rogers and Craig Counties Swept by Short, Sharp Storm.

“7 Injured But All Expected To Live

 

“Four persons are dead and seven injured as a result of a cyclone which swept across parts of Rogers and Craig counties Sunday evening about 6 o’clock. The dead were recovered shortly after midnight by a rescue party which set out from Chelsea soon after the storm struck.  They are:

 

Mrs. J. P. Greggs, 60 years old.

Mrs. J. B. Purcell, 30 years old.

Unidentified Boy, 5 years old.

Barney Madden, negro, 26 years, of Hayden.

 

“The injured…have also been brought to Chelsea…All injured are expected to recover….”

 

Peggs Named Fatalities

(Unless otherwise noted names are from Muskogee Times-Democrat, 5-3-1920, p. 1.)

 

  1. Blevins, baby (Possible reference to Helen Blevins, 3, daughter of Willie Blevins)[1]
  2. Blevins, Willie
  3. Blevins, Mrs. Willie (Gency M. Steeley Blevins, 23)[2]
  4. Bond, Jack, 20. Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs…Cyclone.” 5-7-1920.
  5. Ford, James, 1. Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs…Cyclone.” 5-7-1920.
  6. Ford, Mrs. Ola, 35. Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs…Cyclone.” 5-7-1920.
  7. Ford, Yedda [Unsure, could be reference to Ola.]
  8. Franks, Bessie Leora Weatherford, 31-32. . Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  9. Franks, Bessie Loreane, 1-2. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  10. Franks, James Henry, 43. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  11. Franks, James Virgel, 7-8. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  12. Franks, Ledona E. “Donie” Cabe, 48. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  13. Franks, Leo C., 16. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  14. Franks, Maudie Mae, 5-6. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  15. Franks, Monroe, 19. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  16. Hall, Mrs. R., 18. Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs…Cyclone.” 5-7-1920.____
  17. Hill, Dr. I.
  18. Hines, Mrs. M. E, 60. Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs…Cyclone.” 5-7-1920.
  19. Hudson____, son of Henry. Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs…Cyclone.” 5-7-1920.
  20. Kenyon, baby (daughter) Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs…Cyclone.” 5-7-1920.
  21. Kenyon, Paul
  22. Kenyon, Mrs. Paul
  23. Littlefield, baby [Unsure about this.]
  24. Littlefield, Donald Lee, 12. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  25. Littlefield, Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ King, 27. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  26. Littlefield, Jennie E., 17. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  27. Littlefield, John Madison, 71. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  28. Littlefield, Lue Madison ‘Mattie,’ 14.           Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  29. Littlefield, Soggie Daniel, 11. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  30. Littlefield, William Alexander ‘Willie,’ 19. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  31. Stephens, Charley, 18-19, son of Nancy. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  32. Stephens, Ella M., 2-3. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  33. Stephens, Falis, 12-13, son of Nancy. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  34. Stephens, George W., 10-11, son of Nancy. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  35. Stephens, John W., 26-27. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  36. Stephens, Mamie, 17-18, daughter of Nancy. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  37. Stephens, Nancy Hutchinson, 37-38, Married to Rufas M. Stephens.[3]
  38. Stephens, Ola, 22-23, daughter of Walter and Ida Stephens.[4]
  39. Stephens, Rosco, 22-23. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  40. Stephens, Rufus M., 56. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  41. Stephens, Sam, 20-21, son of Nancy. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”         
  42. Stephens, Walsie, 30-31. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  43. Timmons, Vernie, 12.             Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  44. Wadkin, Mrs.
  45. Wadkin (Watkins?), Austin. Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs…Cyclone.” 5-7-1920.
  46. Watkins, brother of Austin. Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs…Cyclone.” 5-7-1920.
  47. Wagner, Mrs. Bell, 33. Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs…Cyclone.” 5-7-1920.
  48. Wagner, Jack
  49. Wagner, Lillian, 14. Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs…Cyclone.” 5-7-1920.
  50. Wagner, Rolla, 9. Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs…Cyclone.” 5-7-1920.
  51. Wilkerson, Andrew Jackson, 19. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  52. Wilkerson, Arlean, 1, daughter of James White Wilkerson.[5]
  53. Wilkerson, James White, 50, died May 8
  54. Wilkerson, Lena M., 5, daughter of James White Wilkerson.[6]
  55. Wilkerson, Lois A., 4, child of James W. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”
  56. Wilkerson, infant, less-than-1, child of James White Wilkerson.[7]
  57. Wilkerson, Wyly Ford, 15, son of James W. Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”

 

Sources

 

Arrow-Democrat, Tahlequah, OK. “Peggs, Oklahoma Destroyed by Cyclone.” 5-7-1920. Transcription accessed 5-31-2025 at: https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~timmons/genealogy/index.html

 

Brooks, Harold E. and Charles A Doswell III (NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory).  “Normalized Damage from Major Tornadoes in the United States: 1890-1999.” Revised manuscript submitted as Note to Weather and Forecasting, Vol. 16, 9 p., Sep 2000.  Accessed 11-25-2017 at: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/users/brooks/public_html/damage/tdam1.html

 

Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.” Accessed 5-31-2025 at: https://www.findagrave.com/virtual-cemetery/89715?page=1#sr-8656364

 

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993, 1,326 pages.

 

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

 

Muskogee Times-Democrat, OK. “4 Are Killed Near Chelsea.” 5-3-1920, p. 1. Accessed 5-31-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/muskogee-times-democrat-may-03-1920-p-1/

 

Muskogee Times-Democrat, OK. “More Than 50 Killed, Many Hurt, In Storm Wiping Out Town of Peggs.” 5-3-1920, p. 1. Accessed 5-31-2025 at:

https://newspaperarchive.com/muskogee-times-democrat-may-03-1920-p-1/

 

Muskogee Times-Democrat, OK. “Peggs Victims.” 5-3-1920, p. 1. Accessed 5-31-2025 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/muskogee-times-democrat-may-03-1920-p-1/

 

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Norman, OK. “Top Ten Deadliest Oklahoma Tornadoes (1882-2009).  NWS, NOAA, 12-22-2008 modification. Accessed at:  http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/tornadodata/ok/deadliest.php

 

 

 

[1] Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”

[2] Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”

[3] Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”

[4] Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”

[5] Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”

[6] Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”

[7] Find a Grave. “1920 Peggs Tornado Victims.”