davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-14
- oR OMAHA, council Blufg and vicinity,

How many people have read this little legend with the
subjoined promise of Fair tonight and Tuesday" or the
disooncerting warning, probably rain o snow; much
colder" without stopping to think how much governmental
and scientific machinery has been kept ceaselessly in motion in order
that the promise or warning might accurately be given or what man
nr of men the government has selected in order that the human ee-
ment in the making of the forecasts might be the highest order.
Probably no other public official comes so closely and SO frequently
in contact with the great mass of the people as does the weather fore
caster. The farmer scans the paper to see whether to cut his wheat
the next day or not. The city man Consuts him before taking an
automobile ride far out into the country. The fruit merchant
watches closely for cold wave signals, the mariner for coast storm
warnings, the resident of the river valley looks carefully at the stage
of the river in early spring when freshets ire liable to occur. The
grain speculator eagerly devours reports of the weather in the grain
belt and just as feverishly scans the prediction for the future. The
average man reads the daily forecast either as a matter of general
news or for the satisfaction Of having an expert opinion on the de-
STABILITY Of taking an umbrella to the office.
Social events nat. Business deals go forward or stand still, grain
prices go up or down, all on the word OF the weather forecaster. In
asmuch as he Ia such an important part Of the social and industrial
organization, 1t is Of interest for Omaha people to know something
of the personality Of the man who for nearly thirtyseven years has
been keeping his weather eye out for the benefit Of the public and for
eighteen years has been in Omaha on the weather frontier, as It were.
Colonel L. A. Welsh long ago became an integral part Of Omaha, and
his husky physique and vigorous step evidence a vitality that prom
Uses to keep him here many a year longer. Entering the service
when it was but three years old, he has lived to become one Of the
four Or 1--WE oldest men for continuous connection with the work
and is still. in the full vigor of life.
It is not mere chance that the chief Of the weather bureau has
stationed in Omaha one of his oldest veterans. Omaha is something
more than a point on the weather map. 1t is, as has been said, an
important station on the weather frontier Of the United States. 1t
is the gateway eastward for lows" and highs" just as 1t is the
gateway for merchandise and farm machinery.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-14
to wv EORECHSTER WELSH ETKlS DESK

on investigation that the value of the orange bloom, vegetables and
strawberries saved by this means in a single night in a limited dis
trct in Florida was over $1,000
The prediction Of floods on rivers is also an important part of the
work of the department with which the main body of the public is not
as familiar as it is with the weather forecasts.
The department was instrumental in saving SIS 200, 900 worth
of property by foreteling the rise Of the lower Mississippi one year
long enough in advance to enable the residents of the lowIands to re-
move their property.
From three weeks to four days in advance warnings were Issued
before the big floods of 1908 in the Mississippi valley. and 81 accu-
rate were the data secured by the department and the deductions
made from them that the predictions of the department did not vary
more than four-tenths of a foot from the actual conditions recorded.
The average difference was about two-tenths of a foot,
Besides these warnings issued from day to day thousands of peo-
pie make use of the collective data of the department to determine
probable crop conditions. the destabilty of certain parts of the coun-
try for various industries, the probable strains to which big buildings
will be subjected owing to expansion and contraction, heat and cold
and the wind.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-14
C~omplimented by Chief

He has conducted the work of the Office in a very able manner
is the opinion of Colonel Welsh, and it has made great advances
since he took charge OF it. The benefits of the service to the public
have increased a hundredfold since the transfer of the department TO
the Agricultural department and most of the advance has been since
Prof. Moore took charge"
The work Of the weather bureau is diverse and many-sded in its
nature. The daily forecasts, of course, are most often seen by the
public and mean most to the average man. The dissemination Of
warnings as to sudden and severe changes in weather conditions,
such as cold waves, storms, hurricanes. heavy rains and SHOWS and
frOsts, is another feature Of the work which brings it in close touch
with the readers Of the daily newspapers. But few people probably
understand the importance to commerce and industry OF these activi-
ties Of the weather force. It is known that hurricane warnings on
the Atlantic coast have detained in port over $50, OOOO 900 worth OF
trame. Advance announcements OF a single cold wave have been
known to save over SS,5OO.OOO in the protection of property which
otherwise would have been exposed.
Frost warnings have become almost invaluable to the fruit indus
try Of California, Florida, Colorado and the north Pacific coast, where
fruit rsisers have large sums invested in tents, screens and smudge
apparatus for the protection OF their crops. These are put into use
on receipt Of news from the department that a cold wave or a frost
is due and thus entire crops may be saved Il has been determined
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-14
WHERE THE WEATHER NAPS ARE PRINTED


and reported for instruction at Fort Myer, across the river from
Washington.
1t was August 1, 1878, that young WEIGH first became at
tached to the weather service oFthe government. And those
early years were full {, Fps and downs, not only for the service
itself, but also for the y)ung pioneers in the work. At that
time salaries were meager and members of the service were in
clined to go into private enterprises to help exc out a living. To
prevent their becoming too much engrossed in the business af-
fairs of any one community a rule was established that no mem
Der Of the corps should be stationed at one place more than two
years. Consequently life was full of changes both of scene and
environment for the boys. Service in the signal corps furnished
an easy means Of seeing the country, but a decidedly poor chance
of ever becoming permanently established in a community.
Mr.. Welsh's first assignment was to Milwaukee, where he re-
NAMED two years. Then he was ordered back to Washington
for further instruction and preparation in the science Of the
work and in July, 1875, took charge Of the station at Pittsburg.
The next few years he put in at various stations, among them
Springfield, Mass; Escanaba, Mich; Champaign, ILL.,; Keokuk,
Ia; Shreveport, La; st. Louis and Leavenworth. While he was
stationed at Leavenworth, in 1888, he was ordered to Kansas
City to open up a station there. The same year he came to
Omaha. He remained here until 1891, when he went back to
Leavenworth, eventually closing up the ONCE and returning to
Omaha in 1893. For these sixteen years he has been here, find
ing time between forecasts to minge with the active men of the
city until. aided ~ an afnable and approachable manner and a
strong and striking physique. he has become one Of the widest kno
Of Omaha's public citizens.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-14
Yearn for Official Home

1t is a tradition in his family that when he was 5 years old, his
father having decided to move to town. the future weather forecaster
sat down upon an upturned bucket and wept because he was not
going TO live in the court house, that being the largest building In
sight AS soon as he was old enough he sought the public service
and has been in 1t ever since with the exception of a few years imme-
diately following the war.
At the close of the war the young soldier went back to the school
he had deserted to take up arms and for four years gave himself up
70 study. He Joined the great army Of country school teachers for
three winters and finally went into the produce commission business
with his brOtherinlaw. Then he went to Indianapolis. where he ac-
eeasd a position travelling with a commission firm. His business
took him frequently 70 New York City and II was while there he be-
came interested In the signal service. the weather branch Of which
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-14
NEMOFfGF@ TIE WEETtER BURERU IN 0tAN

of the readings are made up there. Down in the carpeted omce or
the bureau a half dozen or more metallic fingers are busy recording
every change in weather conditions, ever to the time a cloud passes
over the face of the u and how long it takes it to pass. These
chimes work ceaseessy and every twenty-four hours the lined and
ruled papers on which they are graphically telling their story are e
moved from the rolls and filed away for future use.
When a z o'clock reading time comes around the first thing that
is done is to read the mercur1al barometer to determine the pressure
II or weight Of the atmosphere. This barometer is as big and in out
ward appearance not altogether unlike a grandfathers clock. The
exact reading of the barometer itself does not satisfy the weather
II sharps. The temperature itself slightly affects the condition of the
mercury and that initial reading is corrected by a reading of the
thermometer. Then, to make assurance doubly sure, this corrected
III reading is compared with a tracing OF, an aneroid or Paragraph
which automatically and continuously leaves on a scroll of paper the
state Of a barometer up on the roof.
III Now, this automatic recorder Of weather conditions is a strange
III and wonderful affair, a scientific description of which would only
lead to mental confusion outside of a weather bureau office. But one
can give an untechnical account of its, appearance and what it does.
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-14
Minutia of Mechanism

In the first place, there is a cylinder of glass enclosing another
cylinder of glass. One end Of this enclosed cylinder is blaokened,
and it has a mercury tube inside of IT. This enclosed cylinder has a
CONSTRUCTED waist into which enter a couple OF tips of wire, as the
wires which make incandescent lights enter the bulb.
Now if the sup shines something in the physical nature of the
light of the sun causes it to affect the mercury In the tube Of the
darkened end Of the instrument in such a way IS to advance the msr-
instrument imparts to the register by means Of the clock the inter.
esting information that the sun shines. II a cloud obscures the sun
the undarkened end Of the instrument has its turn in the weather
gossip and gets into conversation with the clock, which tells the story
to that particular little pen finger daintly resting over the scroll, and
the equally interesting fact that the weather is cloudy is accurately
noted, with the time Of day also indicated.
To go back to the roof Another instrument up there records
the rainfall by weight, and weighs SO dsNcately that the readers arr
thereby informed of each one one-thousandth inch Of precipitation.
Then as to temperature and humidity, there is a psychrometer an
apparatus on which is mounted two thermometers of the familiar
type. They are alike except that the bulb Of one is wrapped about
with muslin.
These twin thermometers are mounted on an apparatus which
permits Of their being rapidly revolved, like the arms of a patent 2
heater. The uses OF the instrument are, by wet and dry reading. a
1t is called, first to determine the degree OF temperature as II affects
us mortals and then how 1t would affect us minus the prevalent HUI
Nudity. After the ordinary reading the musnn-covered bulb is moist
ened. Then you turn a crank and the thermometers wbirl about
The mOistened rag surrounding the bulb is affected az ones persn,r-
ing face is by a fan, and then it is read again. The second reading
tells you how you would feel OF there was no moisture in the air. n
there was no moisture We could play golf or dig bitches in a tempera-
ture Of 100 without danger Of heat pUStration-
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-14
Hin and Dry

Here and there on the map appear the words high" and low"
These designate the points OF high and low air pressure, and it should
further be explained that the lows are to be blamed for the dis
turbances in the weather such as storms. high winds, rains and SHOWS.
After the large map showing all these things is made up a smaller
one is reproduced from il and turned over TO the printer, who makes
up the forms for the familiar map we see on every corner.
The weather recording instruments, as is we'll known, are located
in a covered platform on the roof Of the Federal building. but few
Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-14
Called a Triple Register

1t is called a triple register, or rain, wind and sunshine recorder.
One part of it is a clock connected electrically with wires running
from it to the weather recording instruments on the roof on one side;
on the other with a cylinder scroll. That clock, by the way, is ale
ways kept covered by a dust proof casing. The cylinder scroll Is
crossed from side to side with light lines and the cylinder revolves at
a speed which causes the Lines to progress in the revolution the dis
lance of the space between the lines in exactly five minutes of time.
Daintuy poised over this cylinder are a number Of metal fingers
holding pens In their tips. and the movement Of each pen is deter
mined by the movement of the recording instruments on the roof
the fingers translate, 30 to speak, into pen lines what those instru-
ments on the roof electrically, say to the clock. Now, for instance,
the rain gague on the roof connected with the clock-there are 9TH
ers-is the type known as the tipping bucket
This is a little metal trough divided crosswise by a thin partition
of the trough pointing upward receives any rainfall Then when one
tips down and the other end tips up to receive the next allotment of
rain.
The tipping motion makes or breaks en- electrical connection
which makes it's little remark electrically to the clock, and the clock
faithfully conhdes the state of the rainfall to the little finger over
the scroll devoted to such information. and a mark is made on the
scroll which, to even the layman, says in the FIVE minutes between
8:15 and $3.50 one one-hundredth, o r several one-hundredths, as
many s the case may be, inches OF rain fell.
The whirling half cups at the very tip Of the tower on top Of the
weather bureau building carry on a continuous conversation with that
clock attached to the register. Whirl they fast or whirl they slow,
the rate of whiring is denoted every minute of the twentyfour hours
by the wire running to the clock, and al the minute hand goes round
a little cam goes around with It and upsets something which breaks
or makes an electrical connection, imparting the momentum Of the
half balls to the little finger resting over the scroll trelessly record
Ing the wind velocity.
Now as to the roof source of gossip concerning sunshine and
clouds, take it from the reporter that a comprehensive description OF
1t for the lay mind is outside of the uses of the English language.
Still it is pleasing to know what the whimsical little thing looks like.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-22
.FANETTES GOING
TO SELL TICKETS
Indicates the Spirit That Will Rule
in the Baseball Preliminary
Canvass.

A large number of people have al
ready made inquiries concerning the
ticket selling contest which is 20 be
tried by the local baseball assoc:e ton
and Secretary l.. M. Casteel expects
that there will be a large number who
will apply to him at the Rock Island
house this evening at 1880 tc get Il
supply of tickets to start with.
There promises to be an interesting
contest for the prizes which have been
offered, especially as there are several
young ladies who have intimated a de
sire to sell tickets. One of these, who
is confined to her home as the result
of a slight attack of sickness, is SO in
terested that she has put in most OF
her time since the announcement OF
the contest, telephoning TO her friends
and asking them to refrain from buy
ing tickets until she was able to gel
around
This same spirit is shown by mum
Der of the fans of the city and it is
likely that the sale of the 81 tickets
for either of the two opening games
will be rapid when they are once
given out.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-22

Continued from Page Three.)
Rock Island, left forward; Evans,
Mount Carroll, right forward, and Da-
wilson. Hinsdale, substitute forward:
Ryf. Washington, right guard; Steen-
burg, Rock Island, left guard, and
Fisher, Joliet, substitute guard.
Are Given Trophies.
Silver loving cups were presented
to winners of first and second places
and the members of each of the two
teams were presented with lapel but
tons the Hinsdale men receiving gold
buttons and the Washington team sill
yer buttons.
Financially the tournament was a
success. About 1878 were taken in al
the door.
An interesting feature about the
winning team is that it represented q
small high school near Chicago with
only about 60 students. 1t is also
reported that there are only 10 able.
bodied boys in the school That it is
represented by the best basketball
team in the state is an honor that
many schools of 10 times it's size
would be glad to experience.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-22
INTEREST SHOWN
In BIG AUTO RACE
Transcontinental Run Spectacular
Feature of Alaska-Yukon
Exposition.

Seattle, Wash. March 22-The
Alaska-YukonP Pacific exposition auto
mobile race from New York city TO
fair to result in more good roads acti-
witty than has all the campaigning of
the last half dozen years.
Every county in the state IF Wash
ington through which the course of the
transcontinental racers will run, is
busy building and repairing is prin-
cipal highways. The same is to be said
of the state of Idaho and word comes
from other states on the western emf
of the route that similar work will be
begun at once the exact route is in
dicated.
On invitation from boards of super
,, visors in Idaho. NJ Robert Guggeh-
helm. promoter of the race and donor
of the Guggenheim trophy, has starteI
on an auto tour over the western ent
of the route. With a party of friends
! he took one of his big touring c9~.:
through Snocualmie Pass. out of Seat
! tie, and is now making his way slowly
/ through eastern Washington, care
! fully inspecting all roads and making
suggestions for their repair and for
signboards which will mark the way
for the racers. He will go on across
the state and through Idaho on the
same mission. He plans TO end his
trip in Green River Wyoming
A party of Seattle auto drivers will
go out from this city to meet the scout
cars which will leave New York city
and Chicago on March % for the pur
pose of marking the route and arrang
ing the checking stations along the
$500 miles of raceway.
The offer of $3.50 made by Mr.. Gug
genheim for the best design for 4
ttrophy to cost $4,000 has resulted in
designs and models being sent in from
artists all over the country and Can
ada The committee having this mat
tier in charge has recently sent Out
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-22
FEEBLE old LADY
Has Strength Restored By
Vinol

Mrs. Michael Bloom OF Lewistown.
Pa, who is so years of age, says: For
q long time have been SO feeble that
I have had to be wheeled around in
an invalid's chair. / had no strength
and took cold at the slightest provoca-
ton, which invariably settled on my
lungs. and cough would result My
son learned Of the cod liver prep
aration called Vinol, and procured a
bottle for me. 1t built up my strength
rapidly, and after taking three bottles
I am able to do most of my work, and
I can walk a quarter of mile easily.
Every aged or weak person who re-
quires strength should try Vinol. am
delighted with what it has done for
me-"
AS body builder and strength crea-
tor for old people, delicate children,
weak, rundown persons. and after
sickness, Vinol is unexcelled. II it
fails to give satisfaction We will re-
turn your money.
Harper House Pharmacy, Rock Island.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-22
SUTTON WINS IN
ROLLING OFF TIE
Defeats BruegSeman in Closing Event
of Bowling Congress ut
Pittsburg.

PittsburS, Pa, March 22-The ninth
tournament of the Amer
lean Bowling congress Closed at Du-
Quesne gardens Saturday night with
the roll off of a tie for first place iii
the individual matches between F. ID.
Bruggeman of Sioux City, Iowa, and
Larry Sutton of Rochester, after wha;
is considered the most successful
meeting of the congress.
In the roll off of the tie Sutton made
a score of pa against 179 made by
Bruggeman, both of the men having
rolled a score of G91 in the previous
events.
Three worlds records were broken
during the tournament and more in
terest in the scores was manifested
than ever before.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-22
DOCTOR SAID
Much Sickness Caused by Coffee Drink

Much Sickness Caused by Coffee Drink
ing.
1t is wise to use care in the selec-
ton of your table beverage.
The experience of several Illinois
families proves this and one of them
is a very interesting story.
I'VE were induced to quit coffee
about eight years ago because of its
injurious effects. The doctor advised
use Postum.
while we drank coffee we haG
headache sleeplessnesS, stomach
troubles, palpitation of the heart, etc
We have found no injurious effects
from Postum and are clear of all the
old coffee troubles. 1t has fine
color, a delicious flavor. and we feel
free to drink all we wish of it.
my brothers family has used Pos
tum for eight years and has been
benefited as we have. A Swedish
family, neighbors, used to drink cof-
fee for years but finding it harmful,
have quit and now use Postum
"a number of other families we
know here who were habitual coffee
drinkers, with the usual results, have
now taken up Postum. The doctors
here say much sickness is caused by
drinking coffee.
''Some of them did not like Pos
tum at first, but when we showed
| them how to make it dark and. rich
according to directions on package
| they liked it better than coffee, and
it agrees with them"
Name given by Postum company
Battle, Creek, Mich. Read 1.-THE Road
to MELVILLE" in packages. There's
| a Reason"
Ever read the above letter? A new
| one appears from time to time. They
are genuine, true and full of human
interest.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-22
WILL START GAMES APRIL 3
Second Bowling Tourney Is Planned
at Meeting of PLAYERS,

The second bowling tournament of
the season will open at the Harms al.
leys April 3 and continue until April
"a, according to plans made yesterday
afternoon at a meeting of number
of the bowlers who intend to take part.
The meeting was called by H. w. Aid
rich, president of the tri-city bowling
league. 1t was decided to make the
tournament one for both singles and
doubles and an entrance fee of 81 is 10
be charged TO get into either SET.
Charles Wilson was placed in charge
of the financial end of the tournament
and the entry fees are to be paid 10
him before April /, on which date the
entry list will be. closed. A commit
te consisting of President Aldricn.
Arthur Salzmann and William Hues-
ton was appointed to make arrange
ments for the prizes which are to be
given in the tournament.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-22
infant WAS
MURDER VICTIM
Little Children in Moline Dis
cover Baby's Body Wrapped
in o Blanket.
HAD LIVED AFTER BIRTH
Remains Are Turned Over to Coroner
Who Conducts Inquest-NO
Clue as to Perpetrators.

A gruesome find was made by. the
two children of Cary Fyhr. 2013
Fourteenth street, Moline, late Satur-
day afternoon while they were play
ing in a pasture near their home.
They ran across what appeared to be
something wrapped up in a blanket
and child-like they at once proceeded
to investigate. To their horror, the
package contained the dead body of