The Lamar register., 1891-09-05
WORK OF THE RAlNMAKERs-
After Successful Series of Experi-
ments the Party Win Move On.

After Successful Series of Experi-
ments the Party VIII Move On.
A dispatch from Texas says: Gen
eral Dyrenforth and his party have met
with number of obstacles in their work
in this region which appeared well-nigh-
insurmountable, but with paNent, untir-
ing energy they have overcome every diff
fculty. The most powerful and relentless
enemy which the experimenters have had
TO encounter has been the fierce wind
which constantly sweeps over the plains
Of western Texas.
The force Of the gale on the balloons L.
very great and in several cases has torn
the captive balloons from their fastenings-
and rent the strong meshes of the netting
rs If they were cobweb fabric. Shelters
had to be constructed both for the bal
looms and tho oxygen furnace. The oxy
gen apparatus used is probably the largest
ever constructed, and manufactures the
gas on a scale never before attempted.
Tho wind and the seclusion of the ranch
from supplies has also made this work
exceedingly difficult. No such difficulties
were encountered in the explosions on tho
ground however, and these were carried
with entire success, over half ton Of
"rackarock" powder and dynamite having
been fred in the last few days. Explosives
were also fired from kites. The explosions
were made over a space of several square
miles for three weeks, and Intermittent
series of experiments have been carried
on, and not in single instance has rain
failed to fall within ten or twelve hours
after the explosions.
The series We're brought to Climax on
the 26th, when seven balloons, containing
several thousand feet of oxihydrogen gas,
were sent up and exploded at heights
varying from 1000 to TO- 900 feet. At sun
down the batteries on the ground began
their work, and at 9:SO p. II. constant
canonading was carried on under sky
of perfect clearness, lit by countless stars
Of .brilliance seldom seen in the north.
The barometer promised fair, and the
hydrometer stood between dry and very
dry. The cowboys and ranchmen, who
are expert weather prophets, said it would
be utterly useless to hope for rain under
such conditions as existed. AL things
seem combined to withstand the terrific
onslaught.
At II p. m. General Dyrenforth with
drew his forces and all retired for the
night. Sleep, however, was soon inter
rupted, for al a. IN. the first return ire
flashed from the heavens, when the rain
makers were aroused by peal Of thunder
and the rain was soon beating on the roof.
At sunrise magnificent double rainbow
arched the heavens and the downfall of
rain did not cease until a. IN. A number
of heavy charges of dynamite were then
made and after every one the drops again
poured down until at last the clouds were
entirely expended and there was nothing
left from which to shake water.
Cattlemen are iubilant over the success
of the experiments and invitations are
daily pouring in from various localities
asking for further operations IN the vicin-
ity. General Dyrenforth leaves for
Washington to-day for two days absence,
leaving the expedition in charge of John
L. Ellis
The next operation will be made at El
Paso, and thence the party goes to west
ern Kansas.