In the early afternoon of March 18, 1925, the life of Othella Silvey and the residents of Murphysboro, Illinois, would change forever. From the top floor of Logan School, 11-year-old Othella should have been able to view her house, just blocks away. However, the landscape she had known disappeared, replaced by destruction from a catastrophic tornado.
This disaster claimed 695 lives and left over 2,000 injured, marking it as the deadliest tornado in the history of the United States. The powerful storm began in southeastern Missouri, carving a 219-mile path through southern Illinois into Indiana over the course of nearly four hours, before eventually dissipating. The tornado was later classified as an F5, boasting wind speeds that exceeded 260 mph, leaving a swath of destruction and spawning additional twisters that impacted Kentucky and Alabama.
Perhaps one of the most striking examples of the tornado’s force was recorded on the grounds of Logan School. A wooden board was driven so deeply into a maple tree that it could support a grown man’s weight. This piece of evidence is currently displayed as part of the Jackson County Historical Society’s centennial tribute to the disaster. Mary Riseling, the event coordinator, noted the extraordinary nature of the phenomenon and its power played out through relics like this.
The atmospheric conditions that led to the tornado’s formation were extraordinary. A low-pressure system over the Arkansas-Missouri border fused with a north-moving warm front. Christine Wielgos from the National Weather Service explained that this combination brought together elements of warmth, instability, and moisture, creating the unprecedented storm. The storm caught people by surprise as there was no advanced warning system in place at the time; many only became aware when darkness appeared ominously on the western horizon.
Murphysboro was hit particularly hard, with the tornado destroying 40% of the city and claiming 234 lives, more than any other town in its path. Other locations such as Annapolis, Missouri; Gorham, Illinois; and Griffith, Indiana, were similarly devastated. The destruction was comprehensive, impacting railway facilities and razing schools such as the DeSoto School where 38 children lost their lives.
The aftermath was grim, as depicted in local music of the time, reflecting on lost homes and lives. Medical professionals arrived by rail cars, and the Red Cross provided essentials for those rendered homeless, offering shelter in the form of tents. The Silvey family was mistakenly reported dead, resulting in Othella and her sister being sent to Carbondale as orphans until the family was eventually reunited. Their grandparents, who lived nearby, were among the casualties.
Despite the devastation, Murphysboro displayed resilience in rebuilding. Othella’s family reconstructed their home precisely as before, starting with a chicken coop, which served both as a source of sustenance and temporary housing. Even today, small structures can be found in the backyards of west Murphysboro as a testament to those first re-homes.
Many families chose to remain in Murphysboro, rooted in their community. The centennial commemoration acknowledges the lives lost while celebrating the determination of those who remained. As Jackson County Historical Society’s Laura Cates Duncan remarked, the event is a tribute to both the past and the enduring spirit of the town’s inhabitants.
