The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-20
ARTIFICIAL RA1NmAKINa.
Expert Telford Credited With Bring
ing Down Rain Upon Great Area.
From the Chicago Tribune.

From the Chicago Tribune.
Salem. H., Aug. l1.-Faith in artificial
rainmaking is strong in this vicinity. The
people have seen the cloudless sky wooed
for moisture by strongly-compounded
chemicals and have beheld the heavens
open and pour down abundant rains,
even as they watched Thus it is that
they assert, with a suggestion of boast
ing that their faith is based on works.
The Moses who has led the people out of
an Egypt Of scorching desOlatiOn is James
d. Telford.
After many weeks of prevailing drought
throughout this marion comfy, extend
ing from the end of last MAY through
June and part Of July, the attention of
some OF Salem's citizens was directed TO
artificial rainmaking and some of them
declared their confidence in it, While
discussing the gravity of the situation a
small number of citizens decided to make
an effort to give the rainmaking process a
trial The evening of July II these citi-
zenS met and formed what they denomi-
mated the Salem Rain Company The
following day Mr.. Telford departed for
Goodland, Kan, to negotiate term with
r. f. Murphy, the noted Kansas rain
maker, who has made the rainmaking
business a study for a period of fourteen
years. Satisfactory terms were made
Mr. Telford purchased the right TO operate
IN this county, and entered into bond not
10 reveal the system, the names or quanti-
ties OF the chemicals required, etc Mr.
Murphy then proceeded to thoroughly in
struct him and revealed the names and
quantities of the chemicals and the
method of using them Telford returned
to st. Louis, after having received his in
structions, and there purchased the neces-
sary chemicals. He arrived here on July
II, and that night commenced operating
IN small house in the eastern part of
this city. The people Of Salem and vicin-
1ty had subscribed the required fund to
be paid if rain fell here whiting five DAYS
to the depth of not less than one-half inch
and to cover territory not less than 300
square miles. Rain began to fall the fol-
lowing afternoon, twenty-five hours after
the beginning of the test, and when the
rain ceased water had fallen TO the depth
of about two inches, and the extent of the
territory was considerably in excess of
300 square miles. This rain was followed
by two others few days later. covering
almost the same territory as that of the
first.
The second test made by Mr.. Telford
was at Alma, in the vicinity of which is
one OF the highest and dryest points in
this section. He began work there July
"A at 1880 O'Clock at night. On the fourth
and fifth days thereafter rain fell through
out this county to the depth of one-half
to three and half inches. In some
places in the county the creeks overlooked
their banks. Many who prior to this test
had no faith in the rain making process
acknowledged their belief in it, and the
company is fully convinced in its ability
to produce rain by the Murphy process.
which is quite similar to that employed
by Mr. Jewel the Rock Island railroad
rainmaker. The Murphy process Is
cheaper than any other known method,
the actual cost of the chemicals for a five
days test not exceeding $40, the weight
of the chemicals being about 800 pounds.
the Salem Rain Com oany-hss perfected
arrangements with Mr.. Murphy whereby
Mr.. Telford has the privilege to make
rainmaking contracts with parties in any
section of this state. He makes no charge
if he fails to produce rain in five days.