Volume 040-3 - July 1986 (8 pages)

days, ready to begin the task of breaking the drought.” Earlier that day Engineer Scharfe of the South Yuba Canal Commpany had sent this message, “Two hundred fifty dollars for breaking the drought or one hundred for each inch up to five inches within one week. We choose location of operations to suit our necessities.” Hatfield’s reply stated that he would leave Los Angeles Thursday night, November 17th bringing his equipment with him and would begin work without delay. It was generally believed that, while Hatfield’s method was not generally understood, he was a believer in the theory of attraction. No force greater than evaporation was used. Using a large tent, he set up his rainmaking apparatus, evidently arranging rows of shelving on which he placed pans containing specially prepared chemicals. These are allowed to evaporate, the evaporation attracting the rain clouds, or vapors which, after ascending to a certain height then descend to the earth in rain drops. Mr. Scharfe explained that the South Yuba Canal Company would choose the spot, placing the rainmaker in the high Sierras where rain, once started, would become general throughout the lower part of the county, while at the same time aiding in filling the great reservoirs of the company. The exact spot was to be Lake Spaulding. On the 15th of November we learn that Hatfield is coming. “The man whom part of Los Angeles claims is responsible for the rains last winter and whom the other part claims had nothing to do with them, will make his appearance in this city, within the next few days, ready to begin his task of breaking the drought.” On the 16th the Union said, “With the weather prophets still issuing bulletins for clear, cold nights, there is every likelihood that Hatfield will have ample opportunity to show his skill on his arrival here. Hatfield claims that clear weather is just what he revels in as it enables him to prove that rain didn’t just happen like Topsy”. The announcement of Hatfield’s acceptance of the terms of the South Yuba Canal Company was almost the sole topic of conversation on the streets. Knowing what rain meant to the county nearly everyone felt that every assistance should be given him in hauling his equipment to Lake Spauldding and in setting it up. Once done, it was likely Hatfield would retire to his tent and perform in secret while the populace riveted its gaze on the heavens and waited with bated breath for the coming of the clouds portentious of a deluge. 22 The county was ready for Hatfield as this was the 188th day with no measurable rain, the last sprinkle of any significance having fallen on May 3rd. On the 18th, Union readers learned that the weather bureau had reported cooler weather AND that Hatfield was still on his way from Los Angeles. On the same day the Union reported “Hatfield Begins His Work Today”. He had surprised everyone the day before by appearing at Colfax at an early hour with all his apparatus. George Scharfe had met him at 6:00 a.m. Hatfield left Colfax in the afternoon and reached Emigrant Gap sometime after 6:00 in the evening. He was entirely on his own resources and had to procure conveyance for himself and outfit to the banks of the lake, besides obtaining a boarding place. On the following day the people were waiting for the wizard. While still a little early everyone, seemingly, was anxiously gazing toward the northeast in the direction of Hatfield and Lake Spaulding expecting storms to gather momentarily. The 19th had been somewhat cloudy but the sky had cleared completely by evening. Expectations were great as Hatfield claimed that he often meets with success, sometimes within two or thre2 days, but never longer than a week passed without some rainfall. This, his thirtieth attempt was “certain to succeed”. Meanwhile the weather bureau on November 16th had reported that “rain was probable”. Lake Spaulding, one of the most important reservoirs of the South Yuba Canal Company, seemed ideal for Hatfield’s rainmaking project. It was a mile and a half long by a mile wide and unti! 1905 had contained an abundance of water despite the drains made upon it. Five inches of rain would not fill it by any means, but would cause such a large inflow of water that would last until the heavy rains set in later in the season to save the situation. Oddly enough, oa the 18th, rain had fallen in the San Joaquin Valley and in Shasta County, with Redding reporting a heavy rain and Eureka had rain daring the past two days. However, none had fallen in Nevada County. But it did rain at last on Sunday, November 20th--a scant half inch “‘which laid the dust and sank into the gasping brown hills like water into a dry sponge”. The Union headed acolumn with: “Did Hatfield Cause Sunday’s Rain or Not?“ followed by a skeptical column regarding Hatzield’s possible credit and commenting that “‘he has all the rest of the week in which to come through with the promised five inches of water”. The following day, November 2ist, we werg™, told “The Drought Broken”. Mr. Hatfield wa: given full credit for starting things and on the 22nd the Union stated that there were two inches of rain in the mountains. “Whether _ Hatfield caused it or not, rain fell in torrents far up the mountains last Sunday. In this city only light showers were felt but Hatfield may have found himself in the middle of a smallsized flood at Spaulding. A dispatch received in Marysville states that the amount of water in the ditches of the Bay Counties Power Company in Nevada and Yuba counties raised four inches on account of Sunday’s rain. Manager Scharfe yesterday verified the storm stories but had nothing to say regardding Hatfield except that he has until Sunday to complete his labors.” While the weather was clear in Grass Valley and surrounding area, there were continuing reports of storms in the area where Hatfield was operating. A man who had come down from that way on the 23rd said that it snowed at the Summit and on the Sierra Buttes Monday and Tuesday and that rain fell in the lower area. He was quoted in the Union as stating ‘‘Hatfield is working at the Lake and it looks as though he is responsible for. the storms, inasmuch as they are confined nae the section in which he is operating”. On the 26th the Union’s headlines read: “Hatfield’s week has ended in great doubt”. The only rain which fell came the day after he began operations at Spaulding and the following day rain fell heavily there while showers came down intermittently here. Whether the storm, which brought two inches of rain to the high Sierras and raised the Bay ditches four inches was attributable to Hatfield will never be determined and will always be open to questions. No matter what his part, he will draw down 250 dollars. He has been operating continuously ever since the storm with no results unless the snow storm along the summit can be placed to his credit. Meanwhile the drought continues”. “Hatfield Hies Southward.” This was the headline on November 28th, the article following telling us that: “Mr. Hatfield has gone. He left yesterday afternoon after a sojourn of over a week in the vicinity of Lake Spaulding. He came here to break the drought, and was paid for so doing. Whether or not Mr. Hatfield did this is open to question. Prior to his advent, the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce war wired regarding the feeling in Southern

days, ready to begin the task of breaking the drought.” Earlier that day Engineer Scharfe of the South Yuba Canal Commpany had sent this message, “Two hundred fifty dollars for breaking the drought or one hundred for each inch up to five inches within one week. We choose location of operations to suit our necessities.” Hatfield’s reply stated that he would leave Los Angeles Thursday night, November 17th bringing his equipment with him and would begin work without delay. It was generally believed that, while Hatfield’s method was not generally understood, he was a believer in the theory of attraction. No force greater than evaporation was used. Using a large tent, he set up his rainmaking apparatus, evidently arranging rows of shelving on which he placed pans containing specially prepared chemicals. These are allowed to evaporate, the evaporation attracting the rain clouds, or vapors which, after ascending to a certain height then descend to the earth in rain drops. Mr. Scharfe explained that the South Yuba Canal Company would choose the spot, placing the rainmaker in the high Sierras where rain, once started, would become general throughout the lower part of the county, while at the same time aiding in filling the great reservoirs of the company. The exact spot was to be Lake Spaulding. On the 15th of November we learn that Hatfield is coming. “The man whom part of Los Angeles claims is responsible for the rains last winter and whom the other part claims had nothing to do with them, will make his appearance in this city, within the next few days, ready to begin his task of breaking the drought.” On the 16th the Union said, “With the weather prophets still issuing bulletins for clear, cold nights, there is every likelihood that Hatfield will have ample opportunity to show his skill on his arrival here. Hatfield claims that clear weather is just what he revels in as it enables him to prove that rain didn’t just happen like Topsy”. The announcement of Hatfield’s acceptance of the terms of the South Yuba Canal Company was almost the sole topic of conversation on the streets. Knowing what rain meant to the county nearly everyone felt that every assistance should be given him in hauling his equipment to Lake Spauldding and in setting it up. Once done, it was likely Hatfield would retire to his tent and perform in secret while the populace riveted its gaze on the heavens and waited with bated breath for the coming of the clouds portentious of a deluge. 22 The county was ready for Hatfield as this was the 188th day with no measurable rain, the last sprinkle of any significance having fallen on May 3rd. On the 18th, Union readers learned that the weather bureau had reported cooler weather AND that Hatfield was still on his way from Los Angeles. On the same day the Union reported “Hatfield Begins His Work Today”. He had surprised everyone the day before by appearing at Colfax at an early hour with all his apparatus. George Scharfe had met him at 6:00 a.m. Hatfield left Colfax in the afternoon and reached Emigrant Gap sometime after 6:00 in the evening. He was entirely on his own resources and had to procure conveyance for himself and outfit to the banks of the lake, besides obtaining a boarding place. On the following day the people were waiting for the wizard. While still a little early everyone, seemingly, was anxiously gazing toward the northeast in the direction of Hatfield and Lake Spaulding expecting storms to gather momentarily. The 19th had been somewhat cloudy but the sky had cleared completely by evening. Expectations were great as Hatfield claimed

that he often meets with success, sometimes within two or thre2 days, but never longer than a week passed without some rainfall. This, his thirtieth attempt was “certain to succeed”. Meanwhile the weather bureau on November 16th had reported that “rain was probable”. Lake Spaulding, one of the most important reservoirs of the South Yuba Canal Company, seemed ideal for Hatfield’s rainmaking project. It was a mile and a half long by a mile wide and unti! 1905 had contained an abundance of water despite the drains made upon it. Five inches of rain would not fill it by any means, but would cause such a large inflow of water that would last until the heavy rains set in later in the season to save the situation. Oddly enough, oa the 18th, rain had fallen in the San Joaquin Valley and in Shasta County, with Redding reporting a heavy rain and Eureka had rain daring the past two days. However, none had fallen in Nevada County. But it did rain at last on Sunday, November 20th--a scant half inch “‘which laid the dust and sank into the gasping brown hills like water into a dry sponge”. The Union headed acolumn with: “Did Hatfield Cause Sunday’s Rain or Not?“ followed by a skeptical column regarding Hatzield’s possible credit and commenting that “‘he has all the rest of the week in which to come through with the promised five inches of water”. The following day, November 2ist, we werg™, told “The Drought Broken”. Mr. Hatfield wa: given full credit for starting things and on the 22nd the Union stated that there were two inches of rain in the mountains. “Whether _ Hatfield caused it or not, rain fell in torrents far up the mountains last Sunday. In this city only light showers were felt but Hatfield may have found himself in the middle of a smallsized flood at Spaulding. A dispatch received in Marysville states that the amount of water in the ditches of the Bay Counties Power Company in Nevada and Yuba counties raised four inches on account of Sunday’s rain. Manager Scharfe yesterday verified the storm stories but had nothing to say regardding Hatfield except that he has until Sunday to complete his labors.” While the weather was clear in Grass Valley and surrounding area, there were continuing reports of storms in the area where Hatfield was operating. A man who had come down from that way on the 23rd said that it snowed at the Summit and on the Sierra Buttes Monday and Tuesday and that rain fell in the lower area. He was quoted in the Union as stating ‘‘Hatfield is working at the Lake and it looks as though he is responsible for. the storms, inasmuch as they are confined nae the section in which he is operating”. On the 26th the Union’s headlines read: “Hatfield’s week has ended in great doubt”. The only rain which fell came the day after he began operations at Spaulding and the following day rain fell heavily there while showers came down intermittently here. Whether the storm, which brought two inches of rain to the high Sierras and raised the Bay ditches four inches was attributable to Hatfield will never be determined and will always be open to questions. No matter what his part, he will draw down 250 dollars. He has been operating continuously ever since the storm with no results unless the snow storm along the summit can be placed to his credit. Meanwhile the drought continues”. “Hatfield Hies Southward.” This was the headline on November 28th, the article following telling us that: “Mr. Hatfield has gone. He left yesterday afternoon after a sojourn of over a week in the vicinity of Lake Spaulding. He came here to break the drought, and was paid for so doing. Whether or not Mr. Hatfield did this is open to question. Prior to his advent, the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce war wired regarding the feeling in Southern