New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-20
RAIN-MAKING At CHEYENNE.
A REMARKABLE STORY OF FRANK MELBoURNE's
SUCCESS IN DRAWING DOWN SHOWERS.

A REMARKABLE STORY OF FRANK MELBoURNE's
SUCCESS IN DRAWING DOWN SHOWERS
Chicago. sept 1o.-Lester Kabris, wealthy cattle
nan of Cheyenne, wyo., now in this city. talked 10
reporter Of the recent rain making experiments Oh
Frank Melbo1rpe at that place.
al was present during Melbournes experiments re-
Gently ut Cheyenne" said he, and the results were
certainly startling. Ex-Governor Baxter. OF WyO-
ming; Perry oregon, large ranch owner and Presi-
aent Malchrist OF the Melrose National Bank, were
also present during the performance Of the Ohio man.
They were sceptcal when they came on the ground
In the Cheyenne suburbs from where the ralnpro-
Queer was TO carry his communication WIN inc
clouds. The experiments were made from the loi'
of barn, out an open space 400 yards from iarn
house. There was a hearty laugh from the people
when Melbourne out of the barn attired IN noun
ing but pair of trousers and flannel shlrt' ana
said Ladies and gentlemen We will have shower
at l2 o'clock This was at o'clock, and he added:
you Will not laugh so hard at noon. You VIII Dc
wishing for umbrellas about that time
Melbourne then disappeared inside the barn, ana
opened little trapdoOr he had temporarily arranged
in the roof The crowd looked at the clear Sky ana
pronounced Melbourne a fraud. AT 10Ao there was
not cloud visible and the indications for rain were as
far off as ever The Weather Bureau for the district
had predicted continued fair weather, Slowly, about
IL O'Clock the clouds began TO creep up over the
horizon. They from both the east and the west
and met directly above At L. O'Clock 1t began TO
drizzle, and at 10 80 the rain was coming Gown
steadily The rain general around Cheyenne
At o'clock or fifteen minutes before that hour, the
rain had ceased the clouds had disappeared, and the
sun was shining as brightly as it was Mt O'CLOCK
Melbourne came out. His face was flushed, and the
clothing on him was wringing wet with perspiraton
He said TO Governor Baker: Governor will give
you another shower at o'clock
"Melbourne disappeared and soon after O'Clock the
clouds put in appearance the same as before ana
the rain began>to fall 1t came down quite hard ana
at O'clock when 1t ceased, there were mud and little
pools Of water in every direction. At 4 80 the sky
was again as clear ever and for the second 'ume
Melbourne put In an appearance and said: 'Ihe next
shower will be at O'clock For heavens sake cal
him of or he will drown out. said a man VINO had
witnessed the remarkable performances OF the ONO
man. Governor Baxter did call him Off, lie IN
formed Mr. Melbourne that he and his associates were
thoroughly satisfied with the experiments
Kansas City, Mo-, Sept ia dispatch to The
STAR from Topeka KAN says: Professor Melbourne
has entered into contract TO make rain at Good
land sherman County, this State, on September 90.
lie is to receive $500 for causing rain to fall over
territory within radius Of fifty miles Of Go0dland.
CiOOdland is within fifteen miles Of the Colorado line
That part Of the state is greatly in need of rain 10
has been found impossible 70 irrigate 1t, and the
settlers have raised the money for making te rain
test. delegation from Topeka will be present"