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On May 20, 1916, a Saturday evening, an estimated F2[5] tornado (Fujita scale, winds from 113-157 mph) hit the Codell area. The tornado was first spotted three miles south of Codell traveling to the northeast. At about 7:00 PM the tornado passed three-quarters of a mile to the east of Codell. The tornado eventually dissipated east of Laton about 15 miles from where it began.
Barn and buildings at John Hoskin's place
John Hoskin's car
A few people suffered minor injuries. One home was lost. Damage was primarily to barns, stables, orchards and small livestock.
The tornado was first spotted south of Codell at the Henry Overholser place. At the Werner Overholser place the most damage was incurred. The house, barn, shed, chicken house and some livestock were destroyed. As the tornado passed over Willis Johnson's place it pinned Johnson to the ground as his stone barn was destroyed.
North of Codell, John Hoskins lost his orchard of apple and plum trees. The outbuildings on his place were twisted and moved from the foundations. Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins suffered minor injuries fleeing the tornado.
The Dametz farm east of Shiloh Cemetery lost the barn, shed and two windmills. The fields of the Dametz farm were littered with debris deposited by the tornado. Some objects were driven so far into the ground that they couldn't be pulled out by a man. Frank Jones, the Dametz's son-in-law, was the occupant of the Dametz farm at the time. The Dametz farm and the Frank Jones family living on another farm would both be hit again in 1918.
The last reported damage was to the Tom Barnett place 1-1/2 miles east of Laton. The tornado dissipated at that point.
Some interesting tidbits from local newspapers:[2,3,4]
A heavy rain had just preceded the cyclone and the air was simply full of mud.
A board was found with a nail in it and a chicken's heart sticking on the nail.
A calf tied to a tree was carried about a half mile and dropped unhurt.
Map
Map
Map is interactive. Click the square on the upper right to enlarge.
Bibliography
Bibliography
[1] (1905). STANDARD ATLAS OF ROOKS COUNTY, KANSAS. Chicago, IL: Geo. A. Ogle & Co.
[2] "CYCLONE SAT EVENING." Plainville Times 25 May 1916: 1,5
[3] "Codell Notes." Plainville Times 1 June 1916: 5
[4] "Paradise Items." Plainville Times 01 March 1917: 5
[5] Heidorn, Keith C. "THREE STRIKES ON CODELL." The Weather Doctor, 2006. Web. 2 August 2015.
Copyright Paul R. Albert 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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