Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-09-04
THE RAIN WIZARD.
now rRANt MELBOURNE CALLED 4
SHOWER OUT 90 a CLEAR Sky.

SHOWER OF 81 A CLEAR hhh.
A Cheyenne correspondent u the
ROciy MOuatuin Nora gives the follow.
ing account Of frank McloOurno's iitst
experiment:
rhe first experiment made 10y Frank
Melbourne, the fain.mnker, Ia This
vicinity has proven successful. Mel
bourne came here week ago nj the
invitation OF number u Cheyenne
citizens, who subscribed funds tO de.
fry the expenses " series u rain.
producing experiments In the arid
regions OF Wyoming. lie agreed 10
produce rain within three days ola
time set by citizens here mr. forfeit amy
claim 10 compensation. Saturday even
Ing last Melbourne commenced work.
lie established himself In the loft VI
a barn In the suburbs Of the city
aud has been thcrc ever slncc, except
when leaving " for his meals. The
only apparatus or chemicals he took
into his retreat wtr, contained la four
ordinary grlpsacks. The windows Of
the barn were carefully shaded with
blankets, and the crcvicc- IN the iloof
OF the barn loft covered 10 prevent any
eye penetrating the mystery Of the
rain.makipg laboratory. All day sun
day aud Monday the barn was watched
hy the curious, tut no one venturvd TO
intrlde upon the privacy OF the rain
king, As Il wa. said he had big 70.
volver IN discourage intudcr-.
Monday curious phenomenon was
witnessed In the evolution VI the
clouds. The morning opened clear aud
bright, but towards noon clouds rolled
In from all portions of the horizon,
When near the rain'makef's barn they
seemed to become stationary aud
changed from cumulOus 10 cumuloCirrO
sltatua or rain clouds. Thousands Oi
people watched them with interest
expecting a rainfall, but brisk winds
sprung up aud separated them into
fragments Of soui aud the day closed
~ clear and bright M when II began.
This morning signal Service officer
Raycnscrait said that an approaching
rninztorni from the northern part OF
Montana had been diverted 10 an east.
erly and northorly direction and that
the indications were for dry weather.
or II rains today" he said, SIT VIII
he MelbOurue's rain and not the
Lord'a."
This morning opened clear, but 10y
/ Moon the clouds commenced 10 roll TO-
ward tho city. Melbourne Mad until
this evening 10 bring the rain aud
/ there WINS much excitement over the
| outcome. Bets were made Ot two IN
one that he would fail, and consider
able money was put up. MolbOurne's
brother, who Il with him, had money
10 meet every offer. FROM noon there
seemed 10 be an unending struggle IN
the clouds. Masses ~ them. crowded
In ifom the horizon apparently attract
cd toward the rain DOCTORS polut Of
vantage overlooking the city.
business was almost suspended aud
Thousands NJ people were on the street,
watching the clouds. At 2:iO O'Clock
there was heavy peal OF thunder aud
n vivid flash OF lightning, and In a few
moments the rain came down Ia Tor
rents. IL continued twenty minu,e'
and then the clouds broke and tbs SUI
came out bright AMI warm. Mel
bourne sent out word that In an hOul
there would be- more rain.
Half M hour later rain commenced
falling again, nud fell increasingly FOL
nearly an hour. The entire precipita
tion 10 ! o'clock this evening wa,
As 100 Of an inch. The signal oilicel
reported the humidity OF the atmos
rh,re ut 39 ten minutes before the rain
and So when the rain commenced Il
fall, n most singular pnenomenon. The
committee IN charge OF tho experiment.
have not had a formal meeting this ever
ing, hut Individually they expires
themselves as satisfied with the result
aud are In favor of paying Mrlbourn'
the money consideration agreed upon
Ex-Governor Baxter Of the committee
favor- retaining Melbourne for futthe
experiments, at different seasons Of th'
year, the tests to be made under th'
supervision Of scientists aud eNpefts
Melbourne Is said working In his der
tonight. aud says no viii give plent,
OF rain tomorrow.
A meeting OF the committee havlnI
the rain.mnldng experiment la charge
was held at late hour tonight, an'
the money Melbourne wan 10 recei "
for causing a rainfall was awarded
him.