I'd hoped to have a full report on the big April 16 snowstorm that swept across Lucas County (and much of the rest of Iowa) back in 1921, but issues of The Chariton Leader for that year are missing, and by the time The Herald-Patriot was published a couple of days later not much remained to be said. The snow had melted, temperatures had warmed and a badly damaged fruit crop was the major reminder.
But reports in other newspapers suggest that this year's Easter Sunday storm was mild by comparison. And of course the big Iowa storm of April 8-10, 1973, broke all previous records and we've seen nothing quite like it since.
I did find this report of the 1921 storm in The Herald Patriot of April 20, 1922, a year later, under the headline "Big Snow a Year Ago" ---
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On Monday, when a light snow and sleet came, which melted as fast as it fell, it began to look as though the big storm of one year might be duplicated. Chariton and practically all of Iowa one year ago Saturday, April 16, 1921, was in the grip of a snow storm which, before it ended, broke all records for snow in Iowa in April. The snow storm started in the evening, continued during the night and all next day.
Practically all Burlington trains were from several minutes to two hours or more late. Considerable trouble was experienced by the snow drifting. Even though it was rather damp it piled up rapidly and it was a common sight to see automobiles stalled in drifts about the city. The country roads were practically impassable.
On account of the drifted condition of the snow it was impossible to obtain accurate measurements as to its depth, but it was estimated at about eight inches. It was during this storm that the fruit was nearly all killed.
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In 1921, the Chariton newspapers had a stable of neighborhood correspondents who reported weekly from every nook and cranny of Lucas County and beyond. Here are some of those reports, the only accounts of the storm that appeared in The Herald Patriot of April 21:
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West Liberty: Mr. Moon, our rural mail carrier, has been unable to make his route the past two days owing to the impossible condition of the roads. It is seldom we see the lanes full of snow the middle of April and a great many people have expressed themselves as preferring the snow in January instead of April.
Newbern-area: Iowa was visited Saturday with a snow blizzard, the worst known for many years. Great damage was done to fruit and gardens, young stock and little chickens.
There were no services at the church Sunday because of the snow storm. Much damage was done to our fruit crop, though no one even got a sleigh ride out of it.
Russell: Mr. Jay Batten and Miss Hazel Wright went to Des Moines Sunday. Although the snow drifts were so deep they were unable to make the trip to Russell with team and buggy, nothing daunted the young people who had started on their wedding trip and the remainder of the trip to this city was made on foot. We appreciate the spirit and pluck of this worthy young couple and join with many friends in wishing that they may always be able to surmount the obstacles that may arise during their married life.
Washington Township: Ira Sims and wife and daughter Pauline spent Friday at the parental Hall home in Russell and had to remain till Sunday morning on account of the heavy rain and snow storm.
And finally from Humeston: During the almost blinding snow storm Saturday morning the incoming passenger train from Centerville collided with the train due west at 6:45, which was proceeding to the east yards to back onto the "Y" and turn around ready for the run west. The pilot on the incoming locomotive was so badly damaged that it was removed, while the other engine was taken to the roundhouse for repairs and a freight engine secured to take the train west on the Shenandoah run. Both trains were late in getting out of town in consequence, but fortunately no one was hurt.
In compliance with the wish of his mother, who felt that she would rest better if her boy was brought home, the remains of Albert Bernard Anderson arrived here Friday morning and were given burial Monday under he auspices of the Alva F. Eaton post of the American Legion. The funeral service had been announced for Sunday afternoon, but the snow storm Saturday left the roads in such condition that it was considered best to postpone the burial one day. (Private Anderson had been killed in action July 21, 1918, on the Belgian front, age 26).
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