The devastating tornado/cyclone of March 27, 1890 has a history well documented on the internet. From what little information I can gather, it must have followed the Ohio River in Illinois, crossed over to Crittenden around Carrsville, continued it’s path through mostly northern Crittenden county. I have only sketches of information, as there are no Crittenden Presses available for 1890 until September of that year. This is one reason why local newspapers are so important for our past history. Most of the history of this event are lost forever.
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The Beginning
The tornado outbreak of March 27,1890, was one of the most prolific, deadly, and damaging to ever strike the middle Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys.
In a triangle roughly bounded by Saint Louis, Louisville, and Huntsville, no fewer than two dozen tornadoes of at least F2 strength raked across the countryside. Many more weaker tornadoes, records of which have been lost to time, may have struck as well
Early on the morning of the 27th, a deep low pressure system was spinning over central Kansas. A warm front reached to the east, splitting Kentucky in half length-wise. A cold front hung to the south into Texas.
The counter-clockwise turning of the Kansas low brought plenty of moisture northward from the Gulf of Mexico. As the moisture interacted with the low and its fronts, showers and storms broke out
The low over Kansas deepened and headed northeast into central Illinois by evening. As it did so, its cold front advanced into the Mississippi River valley. As the front encountered a very moist and unstable atmosphere that afternoon, numerous super-cell thunderstorms exploded from southeastern Missouri into Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
The first tornadoes developed south of St. Louis around 3pm. As the outbreak spread to the east, additional tornadoes struck. The final twisters occurred east of Nashville around 10pm. Louisville was near the eastern edge of the outbreak, with its tornado disaster taking place about 9pm.
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From an Illinois newspaper - Coming over the hills at Carrsville, it took up Deer Creek, and therefore allowed Hardin county to escape, although the wind blew and hail fell as large as quail eggs.
It passed on through Kentucky felling timber and demolishing houses and etc. Dutch Sullenger, living near Tolu was killed and his house blown to fragments.
John Robinson’s daughter was killed also, and many injured. (I was unable to find any more information about who Dutch Sullenger was, or about the daughter of John Robinson.)
From local information - The tornado made a path through the around Mt. Zion church and cemetery, it destroyed the church. (From History of Mt. Zion Church)
It not only destroyed the church and the neighborhood, it picked up Dr. Moreland's wife, Susan and their daughter, Gladis, whom she had clutched tightly in her arms and carried them to a neighboring community called Tradewater in Union County about seven miles from Mt. Zion. When they were found, Susan was still holding her little girl. They are buried together in the old part of the cemetery. Their monument reads, "God would not let thee cross the dark abyss alone, but on they mother's breast did waft three home."
Their tombstone with the inscription, Susan M. Moreland (Sept. 29, 1865-March 27, 1890 and Gladis Gazelle Moreland, Infant (Oct. 14, 1899-March 27,1890) "Killed in Cyclone"
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We will probably never know the total amount of deaths, for without the local paper, I can find no more records.
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This entry was in Crittenden County Order Book 1889-1900, dated March 29, 1890. Ordered by the court, that fifty dollars be appropriated for the tornado suffers of the county.
A flyer was also issued: A CRY FOR HELP! To the People of Crittenden County:
At a meeting of the citizens of Crittenden County, at Marion, on March 29th, the following resolutions were adopted:
Whereas a destructive tornado swept across the county on the 27th, killing a number of our fellow citizens, wounding and disabling others, destroying the homes of many, leaving men, women and children, without food or raiment and in a suffering needy condition, therefore
Resolved that those of the county who escaped this great calamity, be appealed to for relief for the distressed and suffering in this their great time of need, by making immediate contributions of money, food, clothing, bedding or other articles of household necessity and comfort,
Resolved that the people be requested to hold public meetings in their respective neighborhoods for the purpose of facilitating this great work of charity, as the cry for help is urgent and relief must be speedily given.
Resolved that J. A. Moore and Geo. C. Gray be and are appointed a committee to receive, at Marion, the donations of those who may live a distance from the field of want, and to forward the same to the sufferers.
The people of every neighborhood are earnestly requested to give this important matter their immediate attention, the immediate wants of our friends and neighbors are pressing. Let us heed their cry for help with open hearts.
J. A. Moore, Chairman,
T. J. Nunn, Secretary
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