The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong Tice and The Tornado
Oct 7, 2025
Dive into the extraordinary tale of the 1880 Marshfield tornado and its aftermath. Discover heartwarming survivor stories, including the rescue of an infant from a tree. Explore the quirky theories of John H. Tice, the so-called 'Weather Prophet,' who argued that tornadoes were electrical phenomena. Learn about his ambitious predictions linking solar activity to weather patterns and how his almanacs gained him both fame and criticism. This forgotten chapter of meteorology uncovers the colorful intersections of science, folklore, and human resilience.
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A Child's Memory Of The Storm
- The cherry blossoms were in bloom on April 18, 1880, when a storm began over Marshfield, Missouri.
- Young William Chitty left his shoes at home, watched the black smoke-like cloud, and never saw those shoes again.
Town's Chaotic Flight To Shelter
- As the tornado approached, townspeople fled to basements, cellars, and groves while some lay on train tracks to hold themselves down.
- Survivors described the approaching storm as sounding like a freight train and appearing like a house on fire.
A Widespread Deadly Cyclone Outbreak
- The April 18–20, 1880 storm system spawned at least 27 tornadoes across much of the Midwest and South.
- The Finley Creek tornado traveled 93 miles, killed at least 31, and devastated dozens of communities.
