Midwesterners aren't smart enough to say
The Weather Bureau and other federal agencies routinely thought people out in the Midwest and plains weren't smart enough to accurately describe the things happening to them. As a result, during many disasters a lot of people on the east coast simply didn't believe some of the things they read in the papers were even possible. In one Senate hearing, an Interior Department representative said, "Many Americans in the area may not have the vocabulary or intelligence to accurately describe the situation."
This sentiment was used to describe and diminish most every major disaster that occured somewhere not the east coast—all the way up to the Dust Bowl in the 30s and 40s.
As crude as it sounds, there may have been some truth to it. Most of my research into the 1925 Tri-State Tornado has shown a remarkable consistency in how people described the tornado. "A rolling fog", "A dark cloud", and "A brownish red sky".
But where hearty Midwesterners fail to use cromulent words, the relationships people made to what they saw and what they've seen is second-to-none. Phrases abound describing the storm like "Black as the inside of a dog", "Burnt like a rolling barrell in the sky", and my personal favorite: "a black wind".
It's the last one that gave me the idea for the title of my book: Black Wind: The Incredible Story Behind the 1925 Tri-State Tornado and the Deadliest Twister in History
Today I took my first step toward publishing by finalizing and sending my first query letter to prospective agents. Cross your fingers for me. Hopefully this Midwesterner is smart enough to say something people want to read.
Speaking of things people might want to read
- Thoughts on "Maximum Marriage" and my time in a small country church.
- "Moms in Middle Age", notes on a WSJ story about lonely moms.
- Speaking of moms, my mom died 20 years ago last month.
- The Boston Molasses flood was 103 years ago last month, too.
- For the genealogists: I'm taking a wild spin with the Social Security Administration to solve a mystery surrounding my grandmother.
If you prefer to listen instead
I started a podcast and have published 15 episodes.
- If you like history: The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan
- If you like personal growth: BE 2.0 by Jim Collins
- If you like business: Amazon Unbound by Brad Stone
- If you like health and wellness: Ikigai by Walter Dixon
See all recent podcast episodes here. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, RSS, or Google Podcasts.
Best,
Justin
Harter Research and Writing
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