The Chronicle, Volume 57, Number 20, May 25, 1944
Heralded by queer white clouds, racing low under a threatening, dark sky, a destructive tornado bolt Thursday afternoon, May 18, hit the vicinity southwest of Odebolt between 4:30 and 5:30 o'clock.
Occasional showers of rain fell earlier in the afternoon, but about 4 o'clock, Odebolt had a heavy downpour, when more than two inches fell in a half hour. Hail accompanied the rain. Many of the hailstones were the size of golfballs, and one brought into the Chronicle office, was the size of a baseball.
Property damage in the town of Odebolt was slight but a number of basements of homes on Willow street were flooded.
The storm apparently started about five miles southeast of Kiron near the Schurkee farm. Farm buildings were demolished, livestock killed and communications crippled. Thirty-five farms suffered the effects of the twister which covered a section 10 miles long and about one mile wide.
Electric and telephone service was out in the storm area for several hours. Practically every home in the path of the storm reported many windows broken, trees down, loss of poultry and smaller livestock. Destructive winds caused a loss which is estimated at hundreds of thousands of dollars.
After having viewed the disastrous effects of the storm, it is miraculus [sic] that no one was killed or even injured.
The C. A. Dublinske farm, located on the west side of No. 4, was as far north as the ravages of the twister went. Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Dublinske, Emmett, Carl and Enid were all at home at the time of the tornado, about 4:30 p.m. They had just reached the basement, they said, when they heard a terrible roar. "The house lifted a bit, then settled again and all seemed quiet."
The barns, garage and other smaller buildings were destroyed completely. The car which was in the garage, was carried 100 feet and dumped in the grove on the Dublinske farm. A dog in the garage, was carried 500 feet but was dropped uninjured. The house was lifted off its foundation once, but settled again. All the windows and screens were blown out and the interior of the house and furniture was damaged beyond salvage.
Some sheep and hogs were lost or killed. The Dublinske family stayed with the Ted Stiles Thursday night.
The tornado left the M. E. Lindskoog farm a scene of wreck and ruin. The house was almost completely crushed and what was left of the interior was matted with straw and other debris that had blown in. The barn on this farm was taken completely. It was 48x32x32 and parts of it were found more than a mile north from the Lindskoog place. The corn crib was the only building left standing. A tile toolhouse and tile chicken house were both wrecked completely. The garage was blown down, but the car that was in it was only moved back about 10 feet and not damaged.
About 250 pullets, and some hogs and sheep were lost. The dog was injured and had to be shot.
The evergreens, that were a source of pride to the Lindskoog family for many years, were uprooted and ruined, in addition to numerous other trees.
Mrs. Curtis Carlson and Mrs. Earl Tubbs, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Lindskoog, had spent Thursday in Des Moines where they had taken their brother, Dudley, who had been visiting here from Canada. They arrived home about 10 p.m. and knowing nothing about the storm, were surprised and alarmed to find the mass of wreckage that awaited them. They were grateful though to find their parents safe, as Mr. and Mrs. Lindskoog had taken refuge in the basement. Mr. Lindskoog especially laments the fact that their bedroom and all its furniture was completely crushed, as they had a special-sized bed, six inches longer than average.
Despite the disastrous effects of the tornado, Mr. Lindskoog was hopeful of restoring his farm. He said "It always has been Cozy Corner, and we will make it Cozy again."
South of the Lindskoog farm, on the east side of the road, the Raymond Johnson farm was also hit. The farm buildings on this farm were not wrecked extensively, although they were damaged. The chimney on the house was blown in and fell on the baby's crib. Only a few minutes before Mr. Johnson had gone upstairs to get the child who was sleeping there. Trees were uprooted and blown over here, too.
The Ed Lundblad place, south of the Johnson farm, was in the direct path of the twister and was left flat except for the house, although it was damaged, too. Most of the windows were blown out and shingles were taken off the roof. Mrs. Lundblad stated that the wind sweeping through the house blew the bottom out of the canary cage and the bird apparently was hurled along outside. The whereabouts of the canary is still unknown.
Just before the storm struck, Mr. Lundblad was out in the field planting corn. When he saw the ominous clouds, he ran the team all the way home, tied them in the barn and then ran for the house. The barn was completely blown away, but the team and planter still stood among the ruins when the wind had ceased.
Walter Lundblad, son of the Lundblads, who is unable to use his legs, was on the porch when the storm was approaching. Somehow he managed to get from his wheelchair and get down the stairs to the basement.
Maurice Johnson of Odebolt had just arrived at the Lundblad place to get some chickens when the storm came. He hurried into the house where he and Mr. Lundblad held the kitchen door shut against the terrible force of the wind. Mr. Johnson's truck, which he had parked next to the garage, was wrecked when the building crashed on it.
The large barn on the Sigurd Carlson place was wrecked and other buildings damaged.
Further south, the Martin Crook farm was also hit but it must have been just outside of the path taken by the tornado, as the loss there was not so great. Trees were blown down though, and fences were pulled out for great distances.
The house across the road, belonging to Mrs. Albert Peterson was blown down.
The farm, owned by Anna and Elmer Anderson and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Perry Hard, was also hit badly. The house was extensively damaged and the barn, cattle shed, hog house, corn crib, granary and summer kitchen were completely demolished. There was a considerable loss in machinery and livestock on the farm.
Another evidence of the high wind was the finding of a hog on this farm with a 2x4 forced through the length of the body for more than 18 inches. It entered back of the ear and came out on the back. A cat was also found in the field with a stick run clear through its body. Many old evergreens and other trees were uprooted.
The Edwin A. Johnson farm was perhaps the worst of any as it is situated on a hill, and it experienced the full force of the twister. The complete top floor of the fine home was taken off and the walls of the lower floor were forced out. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and Floyd were at home at the time, Mr. Johnson and Floyd having come in from the field when the storm clouds gathered. The three of them went to the basement and were just at the foot of the stairs when the full blast came.
One side of the strongly reinforced concrete corn crib was wrecked but the overhead left intact. The barn, garage, brooder and chicken houses and two small sheds were completely demolished. Among the livestock lost were two sows, 46 pigs and 100 chickens.
As on all other farms that were hard hit, clothing, bedding and curtains were whipped around trees and bushes, and parts of buildings and machinery were scattered throughout the countryside.
A case and a bucket full of eggs standing at the back door came through the storm without a single broken egg; and a fragile china cup was found at some distance from the house with nary a chip.
The loss the Johnson sustained was great, as the buildings were all comparatively new. Most of them were erected in 1928 and 1929. Like most of the farmers, Johnson had insurance, but doubted that it was sufficient. He estimated his damage at $15,000.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have their household goods moved to the schoolhouse near their place and are living there for the present.
At Harold Lundells, all buildings except the house were wrecked and most of them blown away. Mrs. Lundell was on the porch when the storm struck and was unable to open the door to get into the house again.
Charles Rosenquist lost a barn and cattle shed with some damage to the dwelling.
At Walter Salmonsons the damage was slight but included cattle shed and crib.
Elmer Maak reported loss of a garage and cob house.
Oscar Peterson lost a large barn and machine shed with some damage to other buildings.
At Carl Gustafsons the barn was blown away, machine shed and part of hog house wrecked.
On the Paul Hedstrom place there was minor damage including the summer kitchen off foundation, brooder house and part of the chicken house blown down.
A barn and hog house at Floyd Danielsons was badly wrecked.
Enoch Miller was a heavy loser as all buildings were completely wrecked except the house where many windows were broken.
Victor Youngquist met a similar fate, with all buildings gone except the hen house. Mr. Youngquist said the garage seemed to explode, with the roof going up into the air and sides falling out. The cars moved slightly but the fenders were dented.
A hog house and sheds were blown down on the Nels Larson farm where Chris Cook lives.
Livestock lost
At Art Meffords, a large hog house, machine shed, garage and the roofs from two
cribs went with the storm. Windows were broken and several rods of a fence were
completely blown out. Mr. Mefford also lost 75 pigs and three sows had broken
backs.
At Albert Igous, windows were broken, a chicken house and hog house upset.
A cattle shed was wrecked at Art Jacobsons and at Mrs. Swan Johnsons a hay barn and chicken house blew away.
The George Johnsons suffered heavily in the storm. The roof and upper part of a large barn, also one side of the barn was scattered over the premises. Six horses in the barn at the time were not injured.
The large metal cupola from the barn, with wire cable attached, was carried about 500 feet onto the front lawn where it cut down a large evergreen as it landed.
The machine shed, garage, brooder house, roof of chicken house, roof of crib and other small buildings were completely demolished. Two cars in the garage were slightly dented but other machinery was badly damaged. About 40 window panes were broken in the house. Part of a door from the machine shed was driven through the walls of an upstairs bedroom where it struck a brass bed with such force that the metal tubing was folded back like a jack knife. Woodwork and plaster were torn out. A brick chimney was knocked down and much other damage including loss of 200 chickens.
Ray Linquist also met with heavy losses on his farm where Arvid Widen is the tenant. A large cattle barn, a 60-foot machine shed, corn crib, granary and chicken house were all blown away. A garage was also damaged, all seed corn lost and a cow was killed. The windmill was destroyed, many windows broken and numerous trees were blown down.
At Russell Linmans, 22 large trees were blown down, also a cattle shed and the windmill. A large new granary was moved onto the highway.
Albin Malmquist reported his garage blown over. His good car was saved as the garage roof fell on the old car which was high enough to protect the other one. The house, barn and hog house were damaged and two stacks of hay vanished. There also, a large barndoor struck the side of the house tearing out window casing and lathes.
On the G. A. Norelius farm where Enoch Ecklund lived, all buildings were also destroyed except the house and one granary. Three sows were killed.
Charles Baker reported 11 buildings, including a large cattle barn, were totally wrecked and windmill torn down. The house, one corn crib and one hog house escaped with less damage, but many windows were broken and trees littered the farm. The loss here was very extensive.
Henry Gronau and son, Albert, lost the roof from the house. A couch which had been on the porch, disappeared.
Louis Gronau was also a heavy loser, all buildings being taken except the house. A five-gallon can full of kerosene was moved about 10 rods without spilling the contents.
Joe Gierman lost a large barn, garage, corn crib and chicken house.
At Fred Neumanns the damage was small but John Neumann lost a granary and corn crib.
Carl Blunk also lost all buildings except the residence.
David Skarin escaped with minor damage.
William Clauson had a barn wrecked. The machine shed, garage, windmill, summer kitchen and house were also badly damaged.
On Ernest Gustafson's two farms, all buildings except the houses were taken. All windows were broken out of one side of the house and window shades and curtains hung in shreds.
William Finneran [Fineran] also lost practically all buildings except the house. The barn was wrecked, machine shed, garage and windmill were down. Bedding was blown out through the windows and there was other lesser damage.
Jules Linden lost a corn crib and several doors from the barn.
Albert Hanson had some machinery that was damaged and broken.
Roy Anderson had the roof blown from one building and other small losses.
At Walter Schurkes everything but the house was leveled.
Mr. Schurkes picked up one of his little girls and started for the cellar, expecting his wife with the baby and two other children to follow. Buildings and animals were flying through the air. When the family did not appear, he turned back to assist them and was caught up by the wind and blown against a fence. He went back to the cellar and brought up the child, but she was snatched away, landing on a pile of debris. Mr. Schurke crawled to her rescue and reached the house again where the rest were safe. Three head of cattle were lost and a post was driven through one horse on this farm.
Clarence Waldemar was planting corn when the storm struck. They started to the house but returned to get the seed corn and found the barn on the A. J. Clauson place blown to the other side of the road. Mr. Clauson and Lowell were picked up and carried through the air. Mr. Clauson's other farm buildings were demolished except the house, but Mr. Waldemar escaped the storm.
On the W. J. Vogel, George Werkmeister and Robert Boom farms southeast of Odebolt, the funnel-shaped clouds again came down and did considerable damage. Some buildings were taken and many trees were blown down. Four cattle belonging to Frank Schroeder got out of a pasture where falling trees had knocked down the fence, and were electrocuted by broken electric wires Thursday night.
Friday night, other sections of the state were hit, including a 10-mile belt between Barnum and Ft. Dodge. 18-year-old Joseph C. Collingsworth was killed there, when the car in which he was riding was carried 100 yards in the air by the wind. Four other occupants of the car were injured. Great property damage was also sustained in the city of Ft. Dodge.
Four more persons were killed and several injured in tornadoes in Story and Jasper counties. In many of these places, especially at Maxwell, rainfall was so heavy that danger of floods followed the tornadic winds.
Several thousand acres of cropland were washed out in the area of heavy rains. Behind in their work already, because of the late spring, farmers are now farther behind with plowing and planting.
In most storm sections, power lines were out and a water supply problem was also created as miles of light wires and many windmills were battered to the ground.
(Transcribed by Bonnie Ekse)