, 1891-08-29
Rains Every Time.

MIDLAND, Tex, Aug. 2S.-IodaY was
the grand finale of the operations at this
point of Uncle Jerry Rusk's sky storm
ers and victory was achieved by the
scientists IN their efforts to shake water
from the burning winds of the Llano Es-
tacado, one of the dry grounds of fair
America. Gen. D~yrenforth and his
party have met with a number of OBJ
stacles in their work in this region which
appeared well nigh insurmountable, but
with patient, u%ntlring energy they have
overcome every difficulty. 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 is
very great and in several cases has torn
the captive balloons from their fastenInes
and rent the strong mes6es OF the netting
as if they we're cobweb fabric. Shelters
had to be constructed both for the balloons
and the oxygen furnace. The oxygen APP
paratus used is probably the largest ever
constructed, and manufactures the gas on
a scale never before attempted. The
wind and the seclusion of the ranch from
supplies has also made this work exceed
ingly difficult. No such difficulties were
encountered in che explosions on thu
ground, however, and these were carried
with entire success, over half a ton of
''rackarock" powder and dynamite hav-
ing been fired in the last few days. Ex-
plosives were also fired from kites The
explosions were made over a space OF
several square miles for three weeks, and
intermittent series of experiments nave
been carried on, and not in a single in
stance has RAIN failed to fall within ten or
twelve hours after the explosions.
Your correspondent has been on the
ground constantly, and, therefore, is
cognizant of all the facts. The series were
brought to a climax yesterday when seven
balloons. containing several thousand feet
of ~oxihydrogen gas. were sent up and ex
ploded at heights varying from 1000 to
10000 feet. At shutdown the batteries
on the grounds began their work, and at
iO:30 D. m. a constant canonading was
carried on under a sky of perfect clear
ness, lit bv countless stars OF brilliance
seldom seen in the North. The barometer
promised fair, and the hvdrometer stood
between dry and very dry. The cowboys
and rauchmen. who are expert weather
plOBht'os bdiu IL "Oulu bc uNbtilN hotltSS
to hope for RAIN under such conditions as
existed. All things seemed combined to
withstand the terrific onslaught.
At IL p. IN. Gen. Dvrenforth withdrew
his forces aud all retired for the night.
Sleen, however was soon interrupted, for
at 3 a. m. the first return fire flashed
from the heavens, when the rain makers
were aroused by a peal of thunder and
the rain was soon beating on the roof.
At sunrise a magnificent double rainbow
arched the heavens and the downfall OF
rain did not cease till s o'clock a. m. A
number of heavy charges OF dynamite
were then made and after every one the
drops again poured down till at last the
clouds we're entirely expended and there
was nothing left from which to shake
water.
Cattlemen are jubilant over the success
OF the experiments and invitations are
daily pouring in from various localities
asking for further operations in the vicin-
Ity. Gen. Dvrenforth leaves for Wash
ington today for two DAYS absence, leav-
ing the expedition in charge of John T.
Ellis.
The next operation will lie made at FL
Paso and thence the party goes to West.
ern Kansas. Your correspondent will ac-
company the expedition.