The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-29
New York SUM-

which was OeSQu yeSLeioay o'"o
and continued during the night was
entirely successful.
Ala o'clock this morning rain fell IN
torrents in the camp and soaked the
men to the skin. Never before were
mer so glad to get wetting. They
yelled and hurrahed and danced fan
dangoes in the mud.
The people Of San Diego and the sur
sounding country are astonished at the
result. When they went to bed at
midnight the moon was shining IN a
cloudless sky and there was no sign
of rain anywhere.
Four hours later they were awakened
by the pattering and pouring of the
rain on the roofs, and in few minutes
it came down in torrents. The RAIN
continued for nearly an hour. When
it ceased the rain gusge showed that
half an inch had fallen at this place.
Telegrams received this morning
from stations along the line OF the
Mexican National Railroad say rain
extended about forty miles to the north
east. lOs miles to the west, and thirty
miles to the southwest. It did not rain
either to the east or to the south at a
greater distance than ten or htteen
miles. The water this morning IS
standing in pools all over the ranches
and the cattlemen are delighted. They
estimate that the rain is worth to them,
in round figures, at least half million
dollars. 1t is also worth much to the
cotton growers. The entire cost OF the
experiment was about $500, and they
regard it as one of the best investments
they could possibly have made.
The scientific value of the success
cannot be estimated, of course, but 1t
will undoubtedly lead to many more
tests of the conclusion theory. Already
offers are bei::g made to the rain
makers to 60 to Mexico and experiment
there.
The bombardmelt began in earnest
early on Saturday evening, and until
nearly midnight there was contlnu-
Gus roar from the dynamite and rocka-
rock batteries. The full moon was
sailing across a cloudless sky, and the
hundreds of people who had come to
the camp were satisfied that the expert
ment would be a fiat failure. They SAID
that it was a beautiful imitation OF a
battle, but that rain would follow
from such SKY was absurd and lmpos-
sibIe.
Many offered to bet heavily that no
rain would come, and some Of the rain
makers took up the bets as quickly as
they were offered.
The heavy smoke from the batteries
drifted off to the northwest, ana tne
balloon also sailed off in that direction
before they exploded. The instruments
showed 63 per cent. of humidity just
before the firing began, and at IL O'CLOCK
in the morning it showed 95 per cent.
The barometer was high and rising
during the early part of the evening"
but fell rapidly near midnight, when
the continuous firing ceased and tive
minute guns took its place.
Mr.. Ellis, who was in charge, and
Mr.. George CASTER, the areonaut, sent
up, the balloons at intervals OF forty
minutes apart.
The rose to the height Of about half
g mile before exploding. The explosions
were heard at points fifty miles and
more away. Lieuts. Allen and Dyer
was in command of the batteries and
they were worked by the soldiers from
the Twenty-third Infantry.
The men did splendid work and
added to the high esteem which they
have won here by their conduct
Throughout. Just before the rain came
down a balloon was. sent up. The air
at the time was very still. The balloon
went straight up and then drltted to
the northwest, then came directly
south, then went off east, and at the
time it exploded was travelling west at
q rapid rate. Mr.. CASTER, who has been
making ascensions for many years.
said that be had never seen balloon
act in that way, and that the disturb
ance in the upper currents must have
been tremendous.
It was o'clock when the storm hrst
showed above the horizon to the nortn-
west. The clouds came up rapidly
and one could see them gather IN size
AID density as they approached the
zenith and drifted over the moon A
small cloud would appear suddenly IN
a clear part of the sky, and IN hVe
minutes it would spread out enormous
ly.
A few minutes to + O'Clock the SKY
above was full of heavy clouds, but
not a drop of rain had fallen. Then
balloon was sent up and exploded rlght
in the clouds, and the mortar battery
began shooting butts in rapid success
sion.
In two minutes after the balloon eA-
ploded the rain came down, and III
three minutes more it was falling IN
sheets, and little .lvulets were running
through the camp. At sunrise aory
norther came, and in 81 short time the
storm clouds had been blown TO shEeos'
Mr.. Ellis is highly pleased at theresults
Of the experiments, and every one here
agrees that the storm was wholly que
10 the firing.
The experiment really began on Fri
lay. The only apparent result OF the
,ombardment on Friday was very
heavy dew. The oldest inhabitant'
v no ia this case is aMexican, says that
+ WAS the heaviest dew ever known