I did a presentation last year for the PCHS at the library in Mt. Vernon, and it was well-attended and well-received. There is so much about this tornado that remains unknown, but I tried my hardest to dig in and find the stories that hadn’t been told, and all before the survivors (who were up in age when I originally conducted interviews for the book, in 1999-2000) were gone…so it’s my hope that there will be something new and interesting you can learn about this huge and historic weather event that went right through Posey and Gibson counties and caused so much grief and damage in its wake.

The PCHS has amazing photos of post-tornado damage, many never before seen, that they acquired years ago quite by accident…I’m sure those will be available for viewing, so you have to come see them! As well, the Red Wagon is an awesome place to eat, so that will be a pleasant aspect of the day. Come on out…breakfast starts at 9, presentation at 10….hope to see you there!

Officially, the meeting begins at 10 a.m. but there’s a 9 a.m. breakfast available….I highly recommend it; that restaurant has some amazing food. If you missed my presentation at the PCHS last year, you can catch it this year. I’m proud to be a guest of such a distinguished group as PCHS; they do a LOT of work in their home base of Mt. Vernon for the county as a whole, preserving its history for generations to come.

Hope to see you there!

In this pic I’m visiting with Gloria Boyd at the Norris City Library, where I held a signing last Saturday (April 20); Gloria’s mom was a survivor of the tornado, which went north of Norris City in White County, Illinois.

Barbara, who is originally from western Wayne County, wanted to order a book and had missed the signing…but further, she had an amazing story to tell.

In brief, it goes like this:

Barbara’s grandmother, Ettie Johnson, lived south of Keenes, Illinois, during the March 18, 1925 Tri-State Tornado. After the tornado passed (considerably south of Keenes; with the closest vicinity to that little burg being directly south down in Hamilton County), Ettie found a well-preserved quilt block in her yard.

She took this block and embroidered “TORNADO 1925″ on it:

The original quilt block

Then she was able to gather up materials to match or at least coordinate with those of the original block, and create an entire quilt:

The block in the middle of the quilt

Ultimately, Ettie preserved the quilt (although it was well-worn through the years) and it was passed on to her daughter, Ivy Braddy of north of Keenes, who then passed it on to her daughter, who is Barbara Hawkins. Barbara sent these photos and this amazing story.

The full view of the preserved quilt

I never cease to be in awe of tales like this; it was exactly this kind of thing that prompted my interest in the Tri-State Tornado, when my grandpa, Ross Mason, sat in the heat of an August 1981 summer and told me about finding an immaculate bolt of red calico fabric in the river bottoms near Rattlesnake Bluff, on the Little Wabash between Wayne and Edwards counties. What gets carried on the drafts of the winds of a massive tornado, and survives virtually unscathed, is nothing short of miraculous…and for those who haven’t read the book yet, I’ll not spoil the final chapter for you….

However, here’s the latest and greatest from the minimal schedule for April, and we’ll also highlight what I’ve already got scheduled for May, with the big goal for May being Missouri dates (all are pending, and hopefully will be solidified this week!)

Monday, April 16, 9-10 p.m.—Proof Negative radio show on Freedomizer Radio: This is an internet radio program, where we’ll be talking not only about the book, but about the importance of choosing wisely this election season. While we’ve already had our Primary or caucus in Illinois and Missouri respectively, it’s very important to understand what’s going on with our electoral system….and how this coming election could impact our country as a whole.

Saturday, April 21, 2-3:45 p.m.—Presentation and book signing at C.E. Brehm Memorial Library, Mt. Vernon, Illinois: The beautiful library in Mt. Vernon will play host to the book presentation, wherein I’ll talk about how the book came to be, what I learned about the nation’s most devastating tornado, and what the upcoming plans are for follow-up work. Afterwards, there’ll be the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of the book.

Saturday, April 28, 5-7 p.m.—Griffin Alumni Banquet, Griffin, Indiana: This is by invitation only, for residents of Griffin or alumni of the school there, and looks to be a VERY BIG deal this year! So if you’re part of the Griffin Alumni, please make plans to be there, as I’ll be giving the presentation about the book, AND I’ll talk about the Sandborn Mud Man (a very popular topic in Indiana!) Best of all, my publisher, Michael Kleen, is down from Rockford for the weekend and is making plans to attend. The book will be available for  purchase, and I’ll be signing copies after the presentation.

So far, here’s what’s on tap for May:

Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.—Working Men’s Institute, New Harmony: This is the beautiful and  historical library in New Harmony, Indiana, where I’ll be giving a presentation followed by signing/sales of the book. I love this library and museum! And so many people in NH are so familiar with the tornado, it’ll be an awesome day!

Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.—Posey County Historical Society, Mt. Vernon, Ind.—I love historical/genealogical societies, and Posey County’s is fantastic. The lovely and gracious ladies from PCHI were the ones who showed up at the Griffin 87th Anniversary Event (March 18) with photos that had been buried in an insurance carrier’s file in the Indianapolis area for years, and those photos will be available to view when I give the presentation and do the signing, so come on out!

The dates of May 13-18 are when I’m looking at finalizing a sweep through southeastern Missouri and appearing at locations along the damage path of Ellington, Annapolis, Biehle and Whittenburg/Altenberg/Frohna. With any good fortune, I might be able to secure signings in Perryville and maybe even Cape Girardeau. So be watching….I’ll make the announcements here and at the Facebook page.

And one more thing: Yes, Death Rides the Sky is now being carried at the biggest independent bookstore in southeastern Missouri, Left Bank Books in St. Louis! If you haven’t picked up a copy yet, you can either go to LBB (the Euclid Drive location) or order it from there, which lets LBB know that you’re grateful to have the book on their shelves!

The reasons why were very simple: DeSoto was, literally, where I stopped on my way to Missouri in July 1999 on the first research trip for the book, being about the midway point for me, full of self-doubts and wondering if I were on the right track with trying to find survivors who would talk to me about the storm. I figured if I were on the wrong track, I was two and a half hours away from home instead of five, and it would take less time to get back from DeSoto than it would to get back from Ellington, Missouri….which was my destination that night.

I stopped at the DeSoto Community Center because I saw activity there and figured there might be some people of the community who could give me a sounding of what I might find during my inquiries. I was right: there, I found the beautiful and gracious Lola Jones, employee at Old National Bank in DeSoto and a community organizer. She and other ladies of the community were readying the center for a wedding reception the next day. She assured me that I was indeed on the right track, and that there would be plenty of people in town who would speak to me about the tornado. Reassured, I traveled on to Ellington, and began the 14-month-long journey of interviews that would lead to the book Death Rides the Sky.

As well, one of the reasons I was so nervous about DeSoto is that in the history of presentations of this book, dating all the way back to 1999-2000, I have never been able to tell about the DeSoto chapter (Chapter 7) without tearing up, and without my voice shaking. The tale that Lillian  ”Lala” Bullar Bridges related to me was one of the most devastating in the book….and she told it as if it had occurred to her the day I sat down with her, not 74 years before. I won’t give away more if you’ve not read the book….but for those of you who have, you’ll know to what I’m referring. One of the most-asked questions I get at presentations, upon hearing how deeply it affected me, is, “How were you able to write the DeSoto chapter?” The answer is: s-l-o-w-l-y. It actually took weeks to write it, as I would frequently have to get up from the computer, listen to music, drink coffee, clear my head, then go back to it…little by little until it was all done. It is a sorrowful chapter, because DeSoto in the Tri-State Tornado was a sorrowful place: 69 percent of the town’s deaths were children at the relatively-new (15 year old) schoolhouse, which was destroyed in the twister. The mourning in DeSoto on March 18 of every year continues even today…which was one of the reasons organizers chose the Saturday after the anniversary INSTEAD of the anniversary date to hold the book signing.

The signing itself was overlooked by mainstream media, but instead of quoting Mahatmas Gandhi at this juncture, I’m just going to bring you scenes from one of the most successful events held yet this year…and what REALLY occurred there, which was wonderful, commemorative, heart-tugging and shows the true community spirit of DeSoto, something so many towns in Illinois would do well to emulate.

This was an early line for book purchases/signings; it got hectic quickly!!

The lines continue....That's my daughter Jade sitting there with me; she was one of the "cute little kids" who traveled with me in 1999-2000 to do the research, and was with me when I stopped at the DeSoto community center in July 1999 and talked to Lola Jones.

A shot from the entrance of the gym of the grade school, toward the stage. In the background is a screen that was showing photos from the book in a powerpoint presentation, developed by my son, Jesse, who was also one of the "cute little kids" I had along with me during my research. Lola had brought in photos of the town's disaster, which are on display regularly at ONB in DeSoto; they have been featured in TV documentaries about the Tri-State Tornado, including "The Wrath of God" by the History Channel.

Our Master of Ceremonies, Larry Dietz, is a wonderful guy and DeSoto native now an administrator at University of Illinois, Champaign.

Our beautiful DeSoto tornado survivors, who had a place of honor in the front row. I was fine during my presentation with making eye contact with them, right there in the front, until I started talking about Lala's experience...then I did indeed get weepy, and could not look at their dear faces, as it made it so real for me...and difficult to continue.

That's me along with WSIL weatherman Jim Rasor, waiting to take our places on stage. WSIL actually had a live shot of this!

The crowd was huge...many more than the 100 WSIL reported. In this shot, the audience is having a moment of silence for those who lost their lives in the storm.

Another shot of the crowd from a different angle, showing how big the event was.

This is the action in an absolutely BRILLIANT skit performed in front of the grade school choir singing "You Raise Me Up," the Josh Groban tune that always brings tears to my eyes anyway...but this skit was even more poignant.

The skit was particularly poignant because it portrayed a town that had been blown to pieces by a tornado....and the actors in the skit were picking up the pieces after the storm, finding objects of memorabilia....and more.

...and this is the "more"...a survivor, found in the rubble, whom the others "lifted up," and she was "strong when I am on your shoulder," just like in the song. It was almost too much, and certainly there wasn't a dry eye in the gym, at this point.

The choir continued to sing, and the little survivor had a solo at the end...It was BEAUTIFUL, and the choir was THE BEST!

Jim Rasor gave a fantastic presentation on the meteorological aspects of not only the Tri-State Tornado, but also of the recent Harrisburg tornado; it was very informative!

Jim is a gifted speaker as well as weatherman; the audience loved it.

And then I was up, opening the presentation with a few bars of "Over the Rainbow" as I do.

Off to the side is the long-track map of the tornado, developed by Dr. Stan Changnon in the 60s and considered the standard presentment of where and how the tornado struck.

When I got down from the stage, I was thrilled to learn that one of the dear survivors seated in the front row was none other than "Baby Ruby," the three-month-old baby sister of Lala Bullar Bridges, whom Lala was clutching in her arms when the winds came and pulled them both through the front windows of the neighbor's house where they were when the tornado struck. I had never met Ruby, only had spoken to her big sister. I was ECSTATIC to get to meet her, and very honored!

Then Ruby showed me a photo taken of her shortly after the Bullar family had reunited after the tornado, and was back on their feet.

This is the photo Ruby brought to the event to show me; it's of baby Ruby and her dad, no doubt after Mr. Lasiter attempted to buy baby Ruby from her father, after Ruby's mom died from serious injuries sustained in the storm and the Bullar family was left without a mom. If you look closely, you can see the bandages on Ruby's head, from her own injuries sustained when the winds blew her and Lala above the treetops in the middle of DeSoto.

Ruby also brought a photo of her parents, showing the mother she never knew.

From the stage area I went on back to the signing table, where Jade & I stayed for almost another hour, selling and signing books. This was also the event for which we baked about 400 cookies; they were evidently a hit, as we got home with exactly 20!

We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet again with the people of DeSoto, help them acquire their signed books, and bring full circle what began almost 13 years ago. The book, according to my publisher, is doing very,VERY well. As I told the wonderful people of DeSoto, it’s due in large part to their help. The tornado that attempted to wipe them from the map has now put them back ON the map, and the more books we move, the more that readers from all over the country, and the world, learn about the Tri-State Tornado in DeSoto!

West Frankfort’s southwest side was badly struck by the tornado and resulted in the second highest death toll for the tornadic event, 148, behind Murphysboro (with 234). The tornado  left an indelible mark on the city, however, and its storm survivors…several of whom came to see me at the event!

I spoke with no fewer than FOUR survivors, ranging in age from 91 to 95 (meaning they were ages four to eight when the tornado struck), all of whom described the day to me in great detail. One dear lady told of the mining community of Orient, which was essentially wiped out, almost to be forgotten after the storm (there are a few maps that still claim the name for that feature on it.)

The beautiful lady seated next to me is Reba Bennett; Reba, along with the gorgeous gal in red, are both tornado survivors

The lovely gal in purple is Reba's daughter

Some of the most incredible photos in the book came from West Frankfort, and include shots of Red Cross tents, destroyed homes with vehicles sitting outside them only slightly damaged, animals walking around the tents, and more. In fact, the cover shot of the book comes from West Frankfort. I learned last Wednesday that the man who likely shot that photo was Hanson Purcell, who was employed as the editor of the Daily American paper at the time. Mr. Purcell’s grandson, David, who is an attorney in Mt. Vernon in the office of appellate judge Bruce Stewart, came to see me and purchase books for those in his family, who are all well-versed in the story of the tornado.

Best of all, the society serves a luncheon every Wednesday (complete with homemade dessert!) at a low cost and provides an opportunity for seniors in the area to come and socialize, have a good meal, and raise a little money for the museum and society, located in the old Logan School building. I’d like to take the opportunity to plug the society and museum, and inform everyone that they can  always use a bit of help on Wednesdays preparing and serving the meal….and if you can’t travel to help, donations are accepted; just click the link to see an  address.

Thank you Frankfort Area Museum and Genealogical Society, for hosting the signing!

Me, giving the presentation, with Donna Nash in the background on the right

POSEYVILLE, Ind.—Monday, March 19, was another busy day as Severe Weather Preparedness Week continued in Indiana, and the Death Rides the Sky crew took to the elementary school in Poseyville to tell Mrs. Donna Nash’s class about what happened 87 years ago in their home county.

The class was huge, the venue was the library, and the appreciation was evident as these kids listened for about 45 minutes with the intensity of those much older than their ages of 10 and 11. That the tornado happened 87 years and one day prior made no difference; like many who hear the story of the Tri-State Tornado for the first time, it was as if it were occurring right in front of them. The kids sat riveted through first the tale of Sam Flowers in Ellington, Missouri, all the way to just before Petersburg, Indiana, where the Tri-State Tornado finally gave out and was no more.

Here is where I'm describing how Sam Flowers' relatives found him after the storm....with his head lodged in the "V" of a tree trunk.

I was tickled to learn that weatherman Byron Douglas mentioned Mrs. Nash’s class that morning on his forecast at WFIE-TV in Evansville! I met Byron several years ago, before I got sick with MS, at  a big presentation I gave for the book in Edwards County, where he was also a speaker…so thanks, Byron!!

We did make a video of this presentation, as did a couple other folks...we're trying to get it all edited and to the DRTS YouTube Channel just as soon as possible

This is where I was describing how those in Gorham, Illinois, didn't know that they were seeing a tornado coming at them, only a huge, rolling mass of clouds pushing the Mississippi River water---atomized---ahead of it. In the background is my daughter, Jade, who was with me in 1999-2000 when I did the research.

And now my favorite part: QUESTION & ANSWER!

These kids asked the most AMAZING questions!

It was a great event, and best of all, it looks like we’ll be going back to Poseyville soon, since on April 13, 14 and 15 the  high school is putting on “The Wizard of Oz”…and those who’ve heard my presentations know how I feel about THAT subject!

In the meantime, anyone in Poseyville can get with Donna Nash and let her know you need a book, and she’ll take the money for it and I’ll make sure to get one to her for you! Upcoming events in Southwestern Indiana include Princeton library Monday, March 26, 6 to 8 p.m.; the Griffin Alumni Reunion Saturday, April 28  (a BIG EVENT!) and the library in New Harmony (the Working Men’s Institute) on Saturday, May 12 from 10 to 1!

And there was no more fitting venue for the 87th anniversary of the occurrence of one of America’s greatest disasters, the Tri-State Tornado, than Griffin, the little Posey County, Indiana town that was literally blown to bits when the tornado struck the third state on that terrible day.

In Griffin, there’s an entirely different attitude toward the disaster than in any other location. While it was indeed a tragedy on that day, with 60 percent of the town’s population dead or injured (25 dead; 202 injured) and what was considered 100 percent destruction (every home or building in town was either damaged or destroyed), the people of Griffin made a quick recovery and pulled their town—and themselves—back together and seemed to face the tornado destruction head-on. They rallied and overcame fears, for the most part, and in subsequent years even poked fun at the tornado by adopting it as “their own,”  calling their school ball team the “Griffin Tornados” (whereas before, they had been the Griffin Tigers) and their junior varsity team the “Whirlwinds.” They even had tornado day parades, according to residents present at the anniversary commemoration.

Our event was held at the Griffin Depot Diner, a very busy restaurant with a very tasty menu and the best staff in southwestern Indiana. More than 30 people came to hear the presentation, which outlined the tornado from the moment it dropped to the ground in Reynolds County, Missouri at 1:01 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 1925, until it finally dissipated at about 4:18 in an unplanted cornfield outside Petersburg, Indiana in Pike County. The audience heard how new data, discovered by a team spearheaded by Dr. Robert A. Maddox and which included Dr. Charles Doswell, who was interviewed in the book, may indicate that the tornado actually have touched down 15 miles further southwest than originally believed. The audience even got to discuss the anecdotal tale of the final chapter of the book, regard what was alleged to have happened in Sandborn, Missouri, a few hours after the storm was over.

That's me in the back left; Jade isn't in this photo or the next because she was the photographer for the day!

In fact, we were able to speak with some fine folks who have been in touch with people in Sandborn, attempting to find out just where the location of the Neikirk farm is…and if we are able, we’re going to go there and photograph/film it. It may appear completely different now than it did in 1925, but the historic significance of the place is considerable…and, if we ever are able to learn more about the allegorical story, it may come in handy!

Another shot of the crowd, this time from the opposite direction.

And, if you don’t know what I’m referring to, I won’t spoil the surprise…you just have to get yourself a book and read it. Be prepared for that blow to the solar plexus!!

It’s my understanding that the book is now on the shelves in Barnes & Noble in Evansville; if it’s not, first of all, be sure you tell them that you want to see it!! Otherwise, you can email me at angelajeanmason@gmail.com or, if you’re in Posey County, get in touch with Mrs. Donna Nash at North Posey Elementary, as she’s taking orders for me, and I’m sending regular deliveries to her as the orders come in.

Upcoming events in Indiana include a presentation and signing at the Princeton Public Library TOMORROW, March 26 from 6 to 8 p.m., and on May 12 from 10 to 1 p.m. I’ll be at the Working Men’s Institute, New Harmony’s beautiful library, for a signing and presentation.