Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1879-05-03
STORM AND FLOOD SIGNALS
ny TUE TELEGRAPH AND CANNON.

by TIL AMI cANNoN4
The following system Of storm and
flood sigals Is now established at:
When q storm has actually formed
and has commenced to travel in any
certain direction, the first telegraph
station over which it passes Is to send
kilograms of its coming in the direc-
ton which IL Is travelling, to cities and
town having signals established, scores
or even hundreds of miles in advance,
according to the kind Of storm and
probable distances which it may tray
81, stating the kind of srorm which is
coming the succeeding telegraph sta
tions always keeping kilograms Of its
progress well in advance. In rain
storms il may be well to telegraph to
stations on either side, and even back
to ascertain their extent. Also at tel
egraph stations at towns on rapid riv-
ers kilograms of the coming ofsud-
den floods are TO be sent to all towns
below having signals established.
AT each city, county scat and prin-
cipal towns, a good size common is to be
kept ready by the officials al the court
house, by Il. fire company or Il military
or naval station, which is to be fired
three times us a storm or flood signal;
at intervals Of one minute if tornado
or destructive gale is coming; at inter-
Aals Of three minutes if u rain storm is
approaching rapidly; at intervals OF
SIX minutes ifa rain storm is approach
ing slowly; and 1T intervals OF tcn min
utcs if u destructive river flood is
coming. The very rapid or slow trav-
cling storms to be indicated by very
rapid or slow firing Of the storm gun.
The kilograms, and also the signals,
to be repeated at suitable intervals
until the storm or flood has arrived or
the danger has passed. AT large cit
les or seaports, where there sre several
military or naval stations, signals OF
the approach of destructive tornadoes
or gales should be repeated from each
in regularly arranged order from the
sound Of the first. And at any city or
town bells may be rung or steam whis-
ties be blown to increase the warning
of destructive storms. The continued
direct rapid approach of such destrnc-
tive storms may often be Known by
the breaking down OF the telegraph
lines.
Aa a good size cannon can general
ly be heard from ten TO fifteen miles
on.all sides from the place of firing,
or over a space Of from 400 to 800 sqr.
miles, when the signals shall have been
established at each city, county seat
and principal town, farmers over the
x,hn1n ..nrx.fry .1ttpin,r burpagt NHill rn.
eeiye certain, instant and general warm
ing to stop cutting and to get their
hay or grain under cover, or into
cocks or shocks, TO shut out the COM
ing rain, thereby saving not only
that which has been cut and cured,
but also that which would have been
cut during several hours or n whole
day without such warning. And the
Inhabitants in the bottms, on,both sides
ofrapid rivers, n and especially be-
tween the towns, will receive Certain,
instant and general warming, night Ms
well as day, OF sudden coming floods,
by which nearly all stock, mnch NOV
able property M many lives viii be
saved; while at large cities, seaports
and towns, the certain, instant and
general warning of the approach OF
destructive tornadocs and gales will
save much property. many vessels and
many lives. OF course, at seaports
and all cities and towns not ON rapid
rivers, the flood signals is inapplica-
Bile.
When a town has not n suitable can
non for a storm or flood gun, applica-
ton should be made to the State or
national ~arsenals, now filed with these
useless engines of destruction, but
which if used in this plan, when il
shall have been generally established,
will doubtless save more than 100000
900 annually in damaged hay, grain
and other crops, with many millions
ofothcr property, together with thou
sands OLIVES; and all at Il tr;Ging cost.
The Wes,ern Union Telegraph Co
with its 100000 miles Of telegraph lines
and 5000 statioAagents, has three times
generously offered free kilograms to
test this system at all cities and towns
which may establish the signals; and
all such will be supplied.
Every newspaper where The signals
are established should publish this no
tice, calling attention 10 il editorially,
and it should b. cut out and posted up
permanently, for reference, in every
telegraph office, in the house or place
from which the signals are fired, in all
vessels, in military or naval stations,
and in every house in city, town and
village, and for miles in the country
in hearing of the signals.
AUGUSTUS WATSON, Inventor.
Washington, ID. c., 1879.
70 Mayors of cities and towns, and es-
pecially those ON rapid rivers, Presi-
dents of Agricultural Societies and
Telegraph sta ion Agents:
S r-lf you have n cannon in your
town, or can procure one, YOU have on-
ly to make arrangements to fire sig
nails as directed; then insert the name
of yourtown in the blank space in the
above notice, cut this off, and send
the notice to each of your papers for
publication, and you will be furnished
with free tclcgrams of storms and
floods by the telegraph company, and
the system will gointo op ration inn
mcdiaicly.
The press generally will please copy.
a.. WATSON.
nnOTII'S NEMESIS