The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-24
WITH KANSAS RAINMAKERs.
Harder to Down Than the Old-time
Lightning Rod Man.

Topeka, April 23.-The farmers Of the
western states are not more credulous
than are the farmers Of the more eastern
states, but they do seem to offer an in
viting crop for the confidence men to
gather in. No sooner do they free them
selves from the clutches of the lightning
rod and sewing machine agents than they
give themselves over to other schemers,
who are continually deyising plans to
fleece them, and nearly always success
fully. This time it is the ''rainmakers"
who are reaping rich harvest.
This is not to be wondered at when
the general government expended thou
sand of dollars to prove or disprove the
theories Of scientists who claim that con-
cussiOns in the air would produce rain.
The experiments in Texas were unsuccess-
full though conducted under faYOrab BILE
circumstances. The balloons sent up laden
with the moisture-producing chemicals
were exploded and burned without ef-
feet, though once there was rain from
natural causes.
Just why the explosives were sent up
into midair instead Of being sent off on
the ground puzzled many people who
watched those experiments Failure
was JH6 result, anu Jut lHOIltS Ol pro-
ducing rain by concussion were abandoned,
though they are still held to by many
who experienced rains after the great
battles Of the war
These theorists apparently forget that
the heavy rains of that time came as Of
ten before a shot was fired as they did
afterward. There are many who win re
member the hard rains in Kentucky, Ten
nesSee, and Missouri that often preceded
battles where much powder was burned.
The rainmaker of the present time does
not depend upon noise. In fact, he wants
quiet and perfect stiffness, alleging that
disturbances in the air and on the surface
of the earth disastrously. affect the action
OF his chemicals. When the time comes
for him to produce rain, which Is inVat1-
ably after contract has been signed by
which he is to receive $40 a day for him
self and each of his assistants, and 81 900
when rain or even moisture descends, for
he is not above accepting the dampness
of a heavy fog he goes into a little shanty
and commences his mysterious work
This workshop is Of itself a curiosity;
it is usually n little board structure of
1Oxl2 feet with no windows The floor
is raised three feet from the ground, in
which is q trap door through which the
operator asccnds TO his place of tempor-
airy confinement.
Hehas placed in heshantya a tub Of water,
his sachel Of chemicals, and provisions
for himself for three or four days, as he
remains there until success or failure at
tends his efforts.
IN the roof Of the shanty a stovepipe
protrudes, through which he is supposed
TO direct the clouds that come al his bid
ding. This, the only avenue of Communi-
cation with the outside world. is supposed
to be for the purpose Of forming the es-
Gaping fumes OF his chemicals into a col
umn which attacks the skies and causes
the clouds to form
When the agent Of one Of these rain
companies visits a community, and a
bargain is made and the papers signed,
the date is fixed in accordance with prev
ious engagements. These are always
determined after careful study Of the
predictions Of those scientists who make
the weather their special study, sort and
out the weather a month ahead for the
benehtOf their subscribers.
The farmers who enter into obligations
to pay the 81 900 for so many inches Of
rain have no voice in determining the
time when the rain shall be produced, or
when the experiments shall be con
Quoted.
For fear that the surrounding coun-
ties might derive some benefits from the
rain that is TO be produced, the agent
then visits them and forms rain district
by which they are to pay lesser sum, in
consideration Of the overlapping rains
They arc permitted 10 escape with an as
sessment Of 500, or even q smaller sum,
if that amount is not subscribed. in this
eyentthe weather representations, should
they prove true arc forced TO Yield rcvc-
nue. 10 the enterprising rainmakcr; for as
rule rain viii visit some portion Of tho
region IN which operatiOnsare conducted.
Mistakes are sometimes made, 40 in the