On May 20, 1917 a F3 tornado (Fujita scale, winds from 158-206 mph) that is reported to have developed multiple vortexes passed west of Codell on a Sunday evening.^[9] The tornado originated in the Saline Valley southwest of Plainville late in the afternoon, then traveled northeast to Woodston. A stretch of about 25 miles.

The Cochran herd of Hereford cattle was the third largest in the world. C. G. Cochran was also the owner and President of banks in Plainville, Damar, Zurich, Walker, Victoria, Ellis, Hays, Ellsworth, and a stakeholder in a Kansas City bank. Cochran Street in Plainville is named for him.^[8]

The tornado traveled east up the Saline Valley, then turned north passing to the west of Codell at about 6:30 in the evening.

The Ora Dougherty family took shelter in their cave while the tornado removed their home and buildings. They were left with nothing but a ham and their marriage certificate.

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Huber and family of five children took refuge in a cellar while the tornado devastated their place. The house, barn, farm machinery and outbuildings with the exception of a granary were destroyed. The walls of the cellar in which the family was taking refuge collapsed on them injuring one of the children.

Lawrence Bunni Smith and family took refuge in a draw as their outbuildings were destroyed. Only their home survived. As they lay in the draw, the storm drove sticks of lumber into the ground around them.

In Woodston, train cars were demolished and train track pulled from the ground. Mrs. Mattie Foss' home was blown from the foundation and badly damaged. Mrs. Foss and children were inside as the house was moved and had to escape through one of the broken windows. The Foss barn was destroyed, but a cow that was inside was unharmed.

The Borgan, LaRue, John Haynes and Jas Reeves homes were badly damaged, but no injuries were reported. A horse belonging to Reeves was picked up by the storm and set down a half mile away with only a broken tail.^[7]

The tornado dissipated north of Woodston, approximately 25 miles from its origination point.

Some interesting tidbits from local newspapers:^[4,5,6]

• The tornado picked up a 1x12 and drove it endways through a steer.

• Hail fell as large as goose eggs.

• 4 inches of rain and 2 inches of hail fell.

• Hail piled up 18 inches high against fences.

• An out-of-service train car was picked up from the switch tracks and placed on the main line track.

Map

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Bibliography

[1] (1905). STANDARD ATLAS OF ELLIS COUNTY, KANSAS. Chicago, IL: Geo. A. Ogle & Co.

[2] (1905). STANDARD ATLAS OF ROOKS COUNTY, KANSAS. Chicago, IL: Geo. A. Ogle & Co.

[3] (1922). STANDARD ATLAS OF ELLIS COUNTY, KANSAS. Chicago, IL: Geo. A. Ogle & Co.

[4] "DESTRUCTIVE TORNADO." Plainville Times 24 May 1917: 1,5

[5] "Tornado Hit Woodston." THE ALTON EMPIRE 24 May 1917: 1

[6] "A DESTRUCTIVE CYCLONE." The Hays Free Press 26 May 1917: 1

[7] "ECHOES OF TORNADO." Plainville Times 31 May 1917: 2

[8] "C. G. COCHRAN DIES AT HAYS OF APOPLEXY." Plainville Times 03 June 1926: 1

[9] Heidorn, Keith C. "THREE STRIKES ON CODELL." The Weather Doctor, 2006. Web. 2 August 2015.