Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-05-31
A DESTRUCTIVE CYCLONE
The c. G.. Cochran Ranch on the
Saline Destroyed-S1O,000
Damages

Damages
On last Sunday afternoon about
$3.50 o'clock one of the most destruc-
tive cyclones that ever visited this
county struck the G. G. Cochran
ranch This ranch is located seven
teen miles north of Hays, in the
great Saline valley. 1t has been con-
sidered one of the best appointed
farms in western Kansas. Two
dwelling houses, two large barns,
two cattle sheds, a fine grove and
well constructed corral were des-
troyed. The loss has been estimated
at about $4,000. Two families have
been left homeless. The furniture
of these homes was ruined. 1t is a
depressing sight to witness.
From reports it seems there were
two cyclones formed-one starting
two miles northwest of the farm, the
other about two miles southeast of
the farm, then moved toward each
other meeting in deadly combat in
the Saline valley. 1t was a mighty
conflict and the clash took place on
the ranch. These furious storm
giants meet, clashed, clinched, whirl-
ed round and round south of the
buildings, struck the sides of the
canyon, richocheted, and passed over
around and through the buildings.
While the conflict lasted not more
than ten minutes some of the
strangest and almost unbelievable
things happened. An eight foot GAL
vanized watering tank was picked
up, crushed, a side board of a wag-
on was split in two, and then one of
the pieces was thrust through the
hattened tank, tank and board were
carried one-haf mile and one end
of the board was forced into the
trunk of a tree and the tank was
left dangling on the board. The kit
chen was lifted into the air and not
one trace of it has ever been found
but large tea kettle that was near
the barn placed in the center of the
ground where the kitchen had stood
On one of the chiFarobes had set a
small aquarium full of water witn
a gold fish In it. The Aquarium was
gentle placed on the floor of the
room then the stone wall of the
capricious giants took the cook
stove. 1t has never been found. The
furniture was rolled up, twisted and
crushed into the yard. In the stock
corral were twenty-five head of null
es and horses, the fence was blown |
away, the stock ran out-nothing
hurt-but a large windmill tower
was picked up, whirled into the air |
mashed, thrown into the cor
raj, and farm wagon was pitched |
in to keep the tower company. A |
new hundred foot stock shed was
wrecked, but an old shed was only
stripped of its ridge boards: while
the great stone barn standing near
oy was demolished leaving it pile
IF jagged stones.
The forest that was located lust |
west of the barn seemed to have an
gered the storm, for some of the
.rees had been wrenched from the
ground, others twisted and broken
while some had been stripped of
heir branches. All of this forest
vreckage had been left in the little
,reek running nearby. In order to
show contempt for things hundreds
If feet of barbed wire were torn
from nearby fences, rolled into a
arge ball and left at the south end
If the ruined stone barn.
There were five boys in the cellar
# the house, not one hurt, and the
Incubator that was in the basement
vas not disturbed 1t would be
.asy to mention many other things
his storm did to the ranch, but in
rider to appreciate it make a visit
o the scene Of disaster, and then
Fou viii be able to learn what or
sanized wind on . wild spree can do.
Hays Free Press.