-1260- trtt

Milwaukee, Jan. 17, 1866.

Co. Sam'l stone,

Dear Sir —

You have doubtless received an invitation to attend a meeting to be held at Madison Wednesday evening, Jan'y

24, on the occasion of the opening of our new zooms in the oapi- tol building assigned to the state Historical cosociety^/m at , . * * * Th

R. Road Co. will pass yon am upon reporting yourself at the rooms of the society suitable quarters will be provided for yon.

It is desirable to establish amicable arrangements be­ tween the two societies (Chicago and Wisconsin) for the excnant;e of duplicates fte. * ^JL^ ^^ f^ uXU, U, ^UT L~ A^W^T

9 Mary will accompany me to Madison.

Tours ti ly,

I. A . La th am. / / IrV

-1261- 1866.

Jan'y 24th,1866.

Ladies and Gentlemen,--

On behalf of the Wisconsin State Historical Society, I thank you for the interest,sympathy,and good will for their af­ fairs, you manifest by your presence here on this occasion.

So far as I know or have been able to ascertain,we are indebted to Eleazur Root,our first Superintendent of Public In­ struction,under the then newly organized State Government,for the first efficient movement for the establishment of a society for the purpose of collecting and preserving the facts and details of our history,past and passing.

It was he "who was most actively interested in calling the meeting that was held in the Senate Chamber of this capital,on the evening of the 30th of Jan'y 1849. He was,with a very proper propriety,called upon to preside over the deliberations of that meeting, General Wm R.Smith,our venerable and true friend acted as

Secretary.

Mr. H.C.Hobart offered a resolution which was unanimously adopted,declaring that it was expedient to found such an institu­ tion in our state. George Reed, John T.Smith and I.A.Lapham were a committee toidraft a constitution,which was soon reported and ale adopted.

Thirty three gentlemen present manifested their earnest­ ness in the work by becoming members, his excellency,Nelson Dewey, then Governor of the State consented to become the first president and the Rev. Charles Lord of Madison vras appointed to the office of Recording Secretary.

Gen.Smith was requested to deliver the first annual ad­ dress,which duty he performed a year afterwards with great credit ?l6t

-1262- • 1866. to himself and benefit to the infant society—giving an epitome of our early history and laying down a chart for the future guidance of the society in the prosecution of their voyage of usefulness, then just commenced. Such was the origin of the society,an important epoch, in whose history, we are assembled here this evening- to celebrate. For five Jong years our society remained in the helpless­ ness of "mewling infancy" fonly a few collections were made, only a . few friends were added to our list and few were the dollars in our treasury. But our childhood days were numbered,when,on the 21st of February 1854, Governor Barstow approved,whi#

an enlightened liberality worthy of the great state they representortA*Jr L-*^ jPjjj-.w appropriating to this society, five hundred dollars per an­

num,until the legislature shall by law otherwise direct?to be ex­

pended in "collecting,embodying arranging and preserving in authen­

tic form a library of books,maps,charts,manuscripts,papers,paint­

ings ,statuary and other materials illustrative of the history of

Wiseon3in?to rescue from oblivion the memory of its early pioneers,

to obtain and preserve narratives of their early exploits,perils

and hardy adventures?to secure facts and statements relative to the

history,genius and progress or decay of our Indian tribesfto exhibt

faithfully the antiquities and the past and present; resources of

Wisconsinfalso to aid in the publication of such of the collections

of the Society,as the Society shall from time to time deem of val­

ue and interes tjand to aid in binding , its books, pamphlets .manu­

scripts and papers.

Here is a formidable array of duties, truly—and all to be

performed for the sum of five hundred dollars a year. fid f

-1263 1866.

How faithfully these duties have been performed and with

what economy this money has been expended,let our well filled

shelves and cases answer!

From the date of ti is lav/-,we leave our state of helpless

infancy and enter upon the second stage of our progress with the

buoyancy and hope of youthfulness.

Rapid as has been our progress we have not labored witheft

disheartening difficulties, among the chief of which has been the

want of suitable accommodations for the precious articles intrust­

ed to our care. It is needless to describe to any here present

the low,damp,poorly-lighted almost subterrean apartments we have

occupied in the basement of a church.

We have been compelled to grovel in these dismal rooms,

and if all desire to accomplish any useful thing, all ambition for

progress,and even if all cheerfulness or spirit were not suppress­

ed, it was certainly not the fault of the apartments in which we

have been compelled to "abide our time'!

But all this is now numbered with the past--we today

open these magnificent rooms in this splendid new State House?

our Infancy__and our Youth are passed,and we shall be "Of Age to­ morrow !" Js A , JioJhA^o^^, _ f^jUM^-Jt -o- U^UJU^Y (J/'/^JLAyUttMj>^/ &Jrj. if- ITU

(i I^UAA^T^XMX, cLijisS^, ifcS i^L^> tiki**. n^4 [>+^y-~

S\JU> r^fir ^uAr L*uL UZ^ tr tu*~Jo±^ f*^- -^^^\

L^A^ <^—

^^/ L^-t^^«3( <3^J K^O---4^ f/Q 3

l<*f-0-LA^ (>Lo~^yiAy Q^cr^^JL^ l^-ti ({LSAXJU-O KZji^-f Q~o^i^ l*-

e/ «- U^w ^fnr^~Y^~ // i) y

-1264- 1866.

Secretary's Office,

Illinois & Michigan Canal,Lockport 111.Mar.14,1866

I.A.Lapham,

My dear Sir,--

I was much gratified to receive by this morning's mail your favor of the 9th inst., enclosing a map of your state,'which you seem to have cmpiled with much care. I thank you heartily for this evidence of your remembrance.

I dent know whether it is the same with others but as I draw nearer the end of my life's journey I think more frequently of the few still living with whom I was associated at its commence­ ment. Having been an intimate friend of your brother's for many years and having met you first some forty year o, I have thought of you and mentioned you to my family very often. I have often regretted that I have no opportunity to cultivate your acquaint­ ance since you wer i a boy and I not much older.

I thank you for your suggestion about laying up a suffi­ cient supply of water (according to the late Mr.Eliot's plan to improve the navigation of the Ohio) to make a permanent naviga­ tion of the Illinois R. Such a navigation is "devoutly to be w ished

It will give me much pleasure to hear from yoti at any time you have leisure to write. I am still a fixture in the old canal office. It is 30 years this spring since I entered the service of the state. Of course I am in the down hill of life,but manage, I believe, to perform my duties pretty -well yet.

Very t r u 1 y yo u r s ,

wm Gooding. /tfi $

-1265- 1866.

April 2 A heavy rain foil upon frozen ground with snow in some places,the consequence was a great flood,breaking the canaldam as well as almost all others, carrying away bridges &c.*&«^

Forests equalize the flow of 'water in springs and riv­ ers. They do not. increase the quantity of rain. When cut away floods in rivers ace increased and their waters are diminished in summer, but the total annual discharge is not supposed to be ma­ terially affected.

Plants are capable of absorbing from the soil a quanti­ ty of water greater than the annual rainfall ! A very large pro­ portion of the water absorbed by the soil is returned to the atmos­ phere through the roots and leaves of plants.

The abrasion of the soil is increased by the floods caus­ ed by removing the forests.

April 18. Went to Chicago with Dr.-3.B.Wolcott,visited the new as­ tronomical Observatory. Saw frof*5afford busy mounting the great telescope,which is not yet ready for use.

Spent the evening at J.Y.Scamnion's where we mot Alvin

Clark and his son,makers of the instrument.

At the Academy of Sciences Dr.Stimpson showed the "Uri­ ah-Ana© Spiralis" found in the hogs there I '.I //#£

-1266- 1866.

April the 11th 1866.

I.A.Lapham, L.L.D.

Dear Sir,-

I have the honor to inform ycu that your map and tables

of rain and temperature have been sent directly to Berlin.

In the letter accompanying your map and tables,as well as

in another,I had an opportunity to write to Paris, I could not re­

frain from speaking of your excellent collections as a good in­

stance of what an arduous task Americans are capable.

I am always ready to serve the interests of i&e righteous

and truthful men and you may therefore,whenever it pleases you,

help me to do something in favor of those pursuits which have found

'in you such an able and constant supporter.

I have the honor to be,Dear Sir,

your obedient servt.

L.Burstall.

Chicago Academy of Science,

April 30,1866.

Dr .Lapham,

Dear Sir,--

Many thanks for your kindness to Mr.Hathaway and for the

fine lot of Unios etc.you sent,many of which we had not in dupli­

cate b ef ore.

Mr .Blatchford and. I start on our trip clown Fox river, on h

the 9th day of May,commencing at Waukesha instead of Burlington.* *

**We shall have occasion to shoot oirds and haul the seine for fish J/0?

-1267- 1866. at many points in your state and we shall probably meet with some opposition by some of your people who will perhaps think we are shooting and fishing for market,out of season. * * * Mr.Blatch- ford coneurs with me in thinking it is of the first importance that we should have a letter from you, to the effect that our operations are carried on purely for scientific purposes. * * * We vail have credentials for Illinois from Prof.Worthen and others.

Very respectfully,

Wm St impson.

Milwaukee May 31st,1866.

Prof.Joseph Henry,

Dear Sir,-

I send observations of a great depression of the barom­ eter at this station, jisst past,for the purpose of enabling you to compare with yours and thus perhaps deduce some useful results.

You ought to find it about 18 or 20 hours later than at this place* but as the high barometer of - ry occurred at the two places at' the same time it ra y be that the low barometer also,does not al­ ways follow Espy's law of moving from west to east.

I wish we had some Institution here to provide and take charge of one of your self-registering barometers--but we have not! Our city is yet too much in its infancy for that.

Yours truly,

I.A.Lapham.

Milwaukee June 16yh,1866.

Col.Sam'1 Stone,

Dear urothor,-- I hongratulate you on the prospect of soon hav- //&r

-1268- 1866.

ing new and better fire proof rooms. Fire appears to have set

itself against science,having devoured the. Lycleum of Natural His­

tory in How York as well as your Academy of Science. * * *

Your s ve ry t r ul y,

I. A.Lapham.

Chestnut 1019 0*4a*#*-Street Phila.June 30,1866.

Hon . I. A. Lap ham.

Milwaukoe,Wos.

TT dear Sir, —

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your c om-

nunication of the 23rd accompanying your acceptable donation to

the Society. I received about a week since a pamphlet contai i ng addresses on the opening of the rooms of the Wisconsin Historic

cal Society,for which I presume we are under obligations to you.

From the drawing you enclose I am able to state that the

coin is one of the first Episcopal pieces of the middle ages,but

further,on account of the imperfections of the drawing I am un­

able to say,doubtless on an examination of the piecet all could

be told.

I am preparing a "Bibliography Lincolniana" and with one

exception have nothing from your state* can you inform me

whether an;r eulogies,sermons,resolutions &c have been published.

The one I have is by Rev. R.S .San born, ft*v^-S»rSflr«*rerF»Ripo n Wis.

Very truly and respectfully yours,

Charles H.Hart.

Cor. Sec'y Numismatic Soc.Philadelphia Pa. //>/

-1269- 1866.

Milwauke e Aug.12,1866.

Col.W.F.Raynolds,

Detroit,Mich.

Dear Sir,—

This morning at 10 o'clock the "Brigham" a sail boa* vessel passed so near the dock on which the tide guage is situated and with a spur projecting in such a manner as to overturn it smash ing things generally! I have secured it as 'well as I could by nailing up the openings in the floor and will tomorrow have the house set up>and (if possible)the machine put in motion again.

It would be well,however,to take this occasion to have the instrument removed to a secure and much better place in the new light house building. It is quite wonderful that the same thing has not happened before.

Yours truly,

I. A. La pham.

Numismatic and Ant.Soc.Phila.Dec.7th,1866.

I.A.La pham,Es q.

My dear Sir,— It is my pleasing duty to communicate to you that at the annual election of the above named society you were elected Honorary Vice.Pres.for the state of Wisconsin. * * *

The committee to which the drawing of the gold coin,for­ warded by you some time since,was referred,reported that it was a coin of Robert of Geneva,Archbishop and count of Chamblme from 1368 to 1378.

Very respectfully your obedient servt.

Chas. H.Hart, Cor.Sec'y. >v*

/r%7 -1270- 1867-

Jan'y 3rd,Left home to attend annual meeting of State Hist.Soc

Madison. First annual meeting in the new building.

NOTE Les Vega in his history of Florida called the Mississippi

R. the Cucagaea,hence Chicago.

Chicago Jan'y 6,1867.

Dr. I. A. Lapham,

Dear Sir,--

I an extremely obliged to you for the table of tempera- ture and shall carefully place it where I can get it when it is needed which will be very often.

It seems to me that 1 am now considerably in your debt and. will be very glad to do anything I can in return.

Yours truly,

T.H.Safford.

Caabridge Jan'y 7th,1867.

dear I lr. La pham, - -

There is a small parcel of Lapland willows collec ted and sent by Anderson himself,for some one who sent him U.S. willows through me. I guess it was you, Shall I send them to you?

Will you send for F.von Mueller of Australia some good

Wisconsin plants ?

With heartiest good wishes for the New Year,

Very truly yours,

Asa bray. -1271- " 1867,

State of Wisconsin Executive Department,

Madison Jan'y 30, 1867. .

I. A . La pham L.L.D. ,-.

Milwaukee,Wis'.

Sir,— Enclosed herewith I hand you a Commission as Commissioner to represent the state of Wisconsin at the Universal Exposition to be held at Paris this year.

I am,sir,very respectfully,

your obedient servt.

Lu c ius Fa i r c h i 1 d,

Governor.

Milwaukee Feb ,6th,1867.

I.A.Lapham Esq.

Dear Sir,-

I have the honor of informing you that your favor con­ taining the decision of the Phila Numismatic and Antiquarian Soc. in regard to the gold coin has been laid before the Wis.Soc.of Nat.

Hist.

The Board of Directors expressed their feelings of grat­ itude1 for the kindness you have had in procuring this information.

The Board wishes to kjmrn^ copies of this decision and therefore respectfully requests you to furnish them with a list of periodicals and societies having for their object the advance­ ment of science knowing you to be connected with most of them.**

Yours vary truly,

Chas.H.Doerflinger,

Sec'y. ///*-

-1272- 1867.

Milwaukee Wise ons in,

February 19,1867.

G en'1 A.A.Humphreys,

Chief. Eng. Washing ton D.C.

Dear Sir,—

Being much interested in all matters relating to the cli­ mate &c.of our Lake Region,I have tried through our members of Con­ gress and otherwise to obtain copies of the Reports of the Survey of the M.and N.W.Lakes,but have failed so for to obtain those of

1862, 1864 1865 and 1866 and therefore take the liberty of apply­ ing to you for the same. Having voluntarily contributed (at the request of Capt.Meade) some valuable information to the survey, perhaps I am entitled to these reports!

I avail myself of the occasion to firward a sample of Dr.

Lewis' self registering barometer and thermometer (with a letter from him) and to suggest that if these very ingenious and reliable instruments could be added to those of the survey at one or more stations, they would soon afford the means of reducing the ord inary tri-daily observations to equivalent hourly ones, thKLc adding very largely to their value.

The Toronto observations will hardly be available at this distance.

I once had the pleasure of being introduced to you by

Prof. Jos eph 1Tenry.

Very truly yours,

I .A. Lap ham. ///

-1274- 1867

Milwaukee March 9th,1867

P ..;';.Chase,Esq .

iladelphia Pa.

Pear Sir,--

I have to return my thanks for several valuable and in­ teresting brochures"^* Do you investigate the annual as well as daily wave of barometrical pressure ? Six years of observations I have made here have been reduced to 32° temperature and the monthly means found by officers of the U.S.Lake survey as follows?

Jan. 29.385 April*fk534 July .356 Oct. .372

Feb3f.368 May „ .300 Aug. .352 Nov. .338

Marchlf.307 June:'. 356 Sept..386 Dec. .403 i Meanvf.355 .

Projecting a curve with these figures and drawing a line through the middle of the slopes,to represent the earth's orbit you will find a tide with 4 max. and 4 min. corresponding with the cardinal points of the ellipse! This can hardly be', ace idental, but I have not the mathematics nor the time to study the cause and so must refer it to you. Perhaps a new mine of truth may be discovered on this lead! * * * (Sketch).

Very tru1y yours,

I .A. La pham.

Philadelphia Mar,16th,1867.

Dr. I.A.Lapham,

Dear Sir,—

I thank you for your letter of the 9th and its suggestive enclosure. I was obliged to be absent from the meeting of the -1275- . 1867.

Philosophical Society last evening but I requested Mr.-Tames to call attention to your observations.* * * If you have not published them elsewhere I would like to have your permission to print them first in our proceedings. Your result corrobates my deduction of the sun's distance from a comparison .of the daily with the annual barometric variation at St.Helena. (Proc. Am.P.S*,yol .9 ) .

- YOur s v e r y 1; r u 1 y,

P.E.Chase

Milwaukee Wise onsin,

March 18th, 1867.

Dr. J.D.Hooker,

Dear Sir,-

I an glad of an opportunity to send you seeds of Zizania aquatica (which I do at the request of our friend Dr.Asa Gray)be- cause I can avaji myself of the occasion to ask the favor of a copy of your annual report of operations at Kew,which I have miss­ ed since the death of your father.

I learn that you have also a Meteorological Observatory at which an attempt has been made to predict storms by aid of the telegraph—I should like to know with What success!

If I can do anything more to aid your investigations please let m eknow i t.

Yours very truly,

1.A.Lapham. 0 -1276- 1867.

hew April 4th,/67.

Dr. I. A. La pham,

My dear Sir,—

I thank you heartily for the seeds of the Zizania aquati-

ca, which are most acceptable for our herbarium. I shall also try

to germinate some,which was the special object of ny writing for

them, that my friend Mr.Darwin may experiment with them. "h '" 1~ *~/ f^^ r^fUi^^l fl^p^'i am astonished that you have not received the new re­

ports . I annually send to the Board of Works at their request a

list of persons abroad, to whom the report should be sent through

the Foreign Office and your name was in that list both years. *

* * * I send both reports herewith.

The so-called "Observatory at Kew,happens to be at Rich­

mond 1 1/2 miles from here and is in no way connected with it *it

was called the New Observatory (astronomical)because it was built

for George III,who lived at Kew and it was on the R$yal property

which extended to Richmond. It was for many years abandoned,\an-

til the British Association obtained trie loan of it for various

purposes .

^TtZ -Tiflfsystem of Meteorological observations for fortelling

storms * *""""*- originated by Admiral Fitzroy and was abandoned after A- his death,though it is possible that the system of registration of

synchronous observations by telegraph all over Great &ritian which

he originated will be continued and the whole thing put under the

charge of the gew Observatory officers. There was much dispute

as to the value of the storm predictions of Fitzroy (now abandoned)

they were more often wrong than right but still it ws setter that

ships erred on the safe side and kept in harbor,rather than run

risks . .7N

&\A^^fo

^CCcuLun^. <^a-

cyv^_^ri-X~. er?^-tX«F^ , U^L^tT-^—q."T^ t&ZeA^j^

-1277- 1867.

The matter was referred to the Royal Soc,when I was on the Council. We reported the predictions had no scientific basis, but that the registration of observations and the publication should be persevered in*and this I believe the Gov't is prepared to do,each Port may then draw its own conclusion and signalize to its shipping if it pleases.

Very many thanks for your kind offer of help, and and all seeds of trees or handsome shrubs and herbs,Rudbeckias,Asters &c. would be most accpetable and you need not fear sending duplicates as these things ripen badly in our wet autwno*and often cold sum- me What can I have the pleasure of doing for you ?

Ever my dear sir,

Most faithfully & truly yours,

Jos.D.Hooker. 1 Have you any Cryptogams of New .Zealand, .and do you collect** Ferns and Cryptogams generally ?

Kilbourn City Mar.4,1867.

Dear Father,—

I have gathered 19 different kinds of wood,which I will forward to you this evening. You will find the name on the end of each piece. There are three kinds of oak,three tamarac,Bass,Soft maple, Red cedar, Hemlock and numerous others.

The Scrub pine I was unable to find. * * * I got these pieces at the Dells with * .o belp of Le Roy Gates,who is quite a noted pilot of rafts through the n«Hs and is called the "Dell

Pilot." The moss was gathered from a soft maple in the

Dells,the tree was all covered with it and looked very quaint. Good bye, your son, Henry Lapham. -1278- 1067. Holland Akron Co. Michigan,

March 25,1867.

Dr. I.A.Lapha. ,

Respected Friend,—

* * * I understand from Mr. J.C.Brayton that you had made out Isotherms of Wisconsin. I should feel much obliged if you. would supply me with a copy in order to prosecute my studies for Michigan. * * *

Ant&her thing I should like to have s ome information on is evaporation and precipitation, how do you conduct your experi­ ments? Having seen in a report to the Legislature of our state that you had made such experiments I concluded to write you abotit it to gain some information. * * *

What was the lowest temperature of Dec. Jan.and Feb,last at Milwaukee ? * * *

Respectfully yours,friend,

L.H.Streng.

NOTE The following figures show how much the waters of Lake

Michigan temper the cold westerly winds of winter while

passing over its surface from Milwaukee to Holland,Mich,

a point nearly opposite.

Milwaukee Holland In December at 7 A.M. 20.64 23.80

2 P.M. 25.55 31.82

9 P.M. 23.39 25.84

Mean of month 23.19 27.01 ///f

-1279- 1B67.

Milwaukee Holland In February at 7 A.M. 13.10 16.87

2 P.M. 21.23 28.16

9 P.M. 18.07 23.03

Mean of month 17.50 21.68

In February 7 A.M. 23.61 28.14

2 P.M. 31364 37.46

9 P.IT. 26.96 29.85

Mean of the three months 22.70 31.82

Average difference batwaan the two sides 4.53

M i1wauke e Apri1 2 nd,18 6 7.

Dear Sir,—

Referring to my former letter on the subject I now re­

spectfully return the Commission that you by authority of the Leg­

islature, did me the honor to send,as a Commissioner to represent

the state of Wisconsin at the Universal Exposition to be held this

year in ParisFFrance,with my sincere thanks for the honor and my

regrets that circumstances prevent me from accepting the same and performing the duties contemplated.

Very respectfully,

To His Excellency I.A.Laph

Lucius Fairchild,

Gov. of Wis. tt 10

-1280- 1867.

Madison April 3rd, 1867.

Hon. I. A, Lapham,

Milwaukee,Wis.

S i r, -

I am directed by Governor Fairchild to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of April 2nd. * * * And £6 express to you his sincere regret that any circumstances should have made such ac­ tion necessary,thereby depriving the State of a Representative in every way well calculated to r inestimable service on such an occas ion.

I am, Sir, very respec tful1:T,

Your obedient s e rv t.

John C.Spooner,

Pr Sec'y.

Milwaukee April 8,1867.

My dear Son,—

The "Mail man"brought us your letter from Sparta Wis. this morning and soon afterwards the express man brought the woods collected at that place.

The Qedar locks like a pine. Is it not a pine with long slender,threadlike leaves? White pine,or shorter leaved scrub pine.

The moss you send was not a moss but a lichen,called

Us ilea, it is quite common throughout the wooded districts of the country. * * *

Yours truly,

Henry Lapham. I.A.Lapham. it a t

-19 Rl « 1867.

July 23 Men at work rebuilding the e ast end of the dam that broke away April 19th. Water so low that it nans up stream

through the break in the dam when trie river is rising. Measured

the flow of water at a point a little above the remains of'the old

saw mill dam of 1836. * * * Milwaukee river is reduced to a small

stream in this dry time. If x**~

-1282- 1857

ON THE SUPPOSED SUBTERRANEAN SOURCES OF THE WATERS

OF THE GREAT LAKES,

By I.A.Lapham L.L.D. of Milwaukee,Wis,

-o-

Many crude notions exist among ignorant and partially informed persons in regard to the nature and extent of underground streams of water, some supposing the earth to be full of them* larg^. large rivers thus flowing into lakes beneath the surface or rising in the bottom of the sea.

That there are underground streams no one can deny, it is quite true that the upper crust of the earth is almost every where permeated with water, yet streams of any considerable mag­ nitude "Falling away into great fissures or chasms" or flowing be­ neath the surface are v€ very rare occurrence.

The vaater encountered by the deepest mines can be man­ aged by a few pumps and if collected from all the mines in the world,and if we add the ral r f all 4-'nC Artesian wells, their united volume would not make a very large river*

Some time ago a writer in one of the Chicago newspapers endeavored to show that Lake Michigan was thus supplied,from sub- terrean sources and made use of arguments and dediictions based upon erroneous information to sustain the theory. While this publication was confined to the newspapers,it was scarcely worth while to attempt to correct these errors and expose the fallacies, but since the article has boon reproduced in a very respectable

Journal of Science it is due to the cause of truth and seems a duty of the Chicago Academy of Sciences,to attempt such correction and expos it ion.

L '

-1283- 1867. and feet. It so happens that Capt.Bayfield of the gritish Navy has made careful soundings of that lake at numerous places,and I copy from his map,a few of the .deepest,with their position as fol­ lows. * * * * - It will be seen that the greatest depth found was only

792 feet,and hence the mean depth can not be more than one fourth or one third of the depth stated.

The mean depth of Lake Michigan is given as nine hundred feet. Whenever soundings shall be made on this lake it is quite probable that its profundity will be equally reduced. The as­ sertion is made,of course without proof,that there is not water eno is charged into the great Lakes to make up for the atmos­ pheric absorption and evaporation,while probabilities are quite the reverse. To sustain this assertion it is said that the en­ tire state of Wisconsin,even from the borders of Lalvo Superior, is drained by rivers which flow into and. are tributaries of the Mis­ sissippi, while the truth is that only three-fifths of that great state is so drained,the waters of the other two-fifths,including many entire counties-being discharged into the Lakes. In another place,however,after stating that Lake Michigan receives its sole apparent supply from a few streams in the state of Michigan,the

Milwaukee river is mentioned as a small stream from Wisconsin!

The Fox river of green Bay,with its abundant flow of water,its manufactories, its steamboats navigation with a length of 225 miles and draining an area of 5,700 square miles is thus with nu­ merous other streams overlooked.

It is also asserted,again without the least evidence, that the straits of Mackinac carry off a large quantity of water from Lake Michigan,which furnishes its due proportion of the great /# a V

-1284- 1867. eurrent passing over the Falls of Niagara. Whether the quantity of water passing out of Lake Michigan during the prevalence of wes­ terly Winds exceeds or fall short of that flowing into it when the winds are from the eastward has not yet bean ascertained. The writer is peculiarly unfortunate in selecting the posittion (Lat.

44° Long 109°) of the great "water producing region of the west" for the "]production " in that region,according to the best rain-

Charts, is only about one-half as great as in the vicinity of the

Lakes .

Large rivers may have their sources im regions not ex- olus ively water -producing* Minnesota is the mother of the Missis- sippi but her climate is dry. There is no evidence of under- ground rivers flowing from the region of the Rocky Mountains under sev(3ra l states and ™erritOries to find their cutlet in the bo 11OKI of Lake Michigan. The "great mass and volume of water" which is ilo w being discharged by the Chicago Artesian Wells ,is relied upon as proof of the existence of such a stream.

That tiiis mass and volume should be mentioned as of the siightest importance in comparison with the great currenta© Niag- ara seems alsaost ludricrous*it is not a drop in the bucket.

These ¥reels are said to be located in no great valley or depress ion,such as the basins of Paris or Londonjbut a little fur­ ther on it is shown that the rock strata have a dip towards the east of one hundred and fifty feet in one mile, a slope that in­ dicates a very decided basin,and from which any one at all famil- iar with such matters will know that the source of supply of wa­ ter at these wells (only 700 feet in depth) must be within a very few miles towards the 'west. We are told by this writer that the II z%>

-1285- 1867. water of these wells is much colder than the mean temperature of the location,being 57° Fahren.

Though no continued series of meteorological observa­ tions have been reported to the Smithsonian Institution from Chi­ cago, it is pretty well known that the mean annual temperature at that place is not far from 47°, thus showing that the water is ten degrees warmer (instead of colder)than that of the location.

These wells,therefore,afford no exception to the rmle that water from the depths of the earth is uniformly warmer than the mean temperature at the surface.

It is quite certain that the whole quantity of rain water into falling upon the Great Lakes and the country drained with them, 11 be found to be two or three times as much as is disch rged at

Niagara* and,hence,the won der is what becomes of the excess ra­ ther than to account for a deficient supply. It is understood that this important matter,of the relation between the supply the evaporation and the discharge of water in the Lake region, has been fully,and no doubt ably investigated by Col. W.F.Raynolds

Superintendent of the Government Survey of the Lakes and the re­ sults stated in one of his reports,now lying among the unpublish­ ed files at Washing tor1.. /1 **4

-1286- • 1867.

Chicago April 11th,1867.

Dear Father,—

I send you the report of the meeting at the Chicago

Academy of Science. * * * The members did not seem to be prepared

to discuss the merits of the question. The article of Mr. S, in

Silliman's Journal was read jxjst before your*s. After yours was

read Dr. Rauch stated that the depth of iake Michigan was about

585 feet? he thought you had the best of the argument and moved

that the thanks of the society be tendered to you and that the

contribution be published.

Dr. Stimpson then said that there v/as something about

the evaporation from the lake connected with the subject which you had not mentioned in your article, but which you had told him some time ago. It v/as about the evaporation being about two

inches and he thought it would have been in your favor if you had mentioned it. * * *

Mr. Chesborough said all his information was from read­ ing and from you and Col. Whittlesey and he did not think he could strengthen your argument. He told me after the meeting adjourned that you had the facts and he did not see how they coulc get around them. * ** *

Yours affectionately,

Dr. I. A. Laphi . Seneca G. Lapham. m)

-1287- - 1867.

Notes. N

Rainfall 2)icharge per second in excess

per sec. of supply from lakes above. Ratio

Superior 188,359 90, 783 0.48

Huron &\

Mich -J - 261,653 142,983 0.54

Erie 97,415 9,168 0.09

Ontario 73,99^- 82,945 1.12

So it appears that 242,894 cubic feet of water runs from

Lake Brie into Lake Ontario to which add 73,994 for the rainfall x on Lake Ontario and its watershed, re have a supply of ./-./../.V../,-/--/--/-V--/./-V-/"/»/--/--/- 316,888 But the quantity running out of L. Ontario is . . . 525,33 9 Being 8,'951 feet more than the supply 11 (nothing allowed for evaporation).

Penn \£an, N. Y. , M : , 1867.

M- •. na pham,

Dear Sir--

Dr. Boo"tb in his illustrations of the genus rjarex straminea, refers to you as having collected Carex straminea, var. cranie, or you sent it to him if not found by you.

Some few of our American botanists are very anxious to obtain it; in order to make full lots of American carices. Bcotir refers to you as having founa it on the Wisconsin prairies.

Have you any specimens of that variety on hand? Do you recollect the precise locality? * * * Can you get for me 15 or 20 specimens? * * * I am, dear sir,

Most cordially yours, He nry P• 3 a r twell. /! l*~

-128 :- 186".

Key, JulLy 27, 1367.

Dr. I. A. Lapham,

My dear Sir--

1 have just returned fx»m a short trip to

Switzerland and found your kind letter of July 3 and the most ac­

ceptable seeds of AC Sr rubrum,. wiiich 1 need, not say were immediate-

ly planted* it is very good of you to respond so quickly*to my

wishes.

I am delighted to hear that you are appointed a Fores't

Commisioner, a post that can not but be agreeable and attractive v

to any lover of the vegetable kingdom. -*—*—*" The loss 0 • old

trees at Kew and the rapid destruction of trees as London di­

lates and advances to us, are drying our atmosphere terribly. V.

now can not grow a Hemlock spruce without water at the roots* and

we have lost all the mosses and hepaticae that once grew on our

tree trunks. We find it the best plan to plant thick and cut

away afterwards and we raise many of your trees in clumps of ever­

green or any brushwood--clear ing away as the trees n;row«

I shall have great pleasure in looking out for seeds

of trees likely to stand your climate and sending them to you .t/uU *-**—*J^"- iM. &A ®lXxl' American collection has much gone down latel . * * The past - \ >>\ *> IT winter has proved most disastrous to us. * * * Many of our tree.' h h 0 v. f T. r X0 Q_ k r 1 o and a vast number of our hardiest shrubs killed to the ground, fj p %. V\ am, my dear sir,

very ' truly yours,

I. A. Lapham Jos. D. Hooker, ft if

-12 89- 1867.

Washington, D. C. , Oct. 11,186'

'.. dear Sir--

M ay thanks for your additional information res­ pecting distribution of tree . it will be very useful for second edition of Cooper s pamphlet. * * *

Yours trily,

1. A. Lapham. 3. F. Baird.

Rutgers' College, Oct., 1867.

runswick, H. J.

I. A. Lapham,

Dear Sir--

I am \ -'•;-' much interested in the subject of a report, made by the commission of which you are the chairman, in regard to the destruction of Forest Trees.* * * If you can either furnish me a cop?/ of the report or point cut to me how i can obtain one I will be very much obliged,

Yo;r s respe c tf ul 1 y,

David Murray.

Kew, Now. 4, 1867.

My dear- Sir--

I beg to thank you very much for the Zizariia seeds, which have not yet germinated, but will, I hop?. They have how­ ever succeeded in raising it in the Cambridge Botanical *arden.

I have the pl,easuri of sending you the photographs.

Any American shrub or tree seeds sent to nr. gray wil T" ch me and be gratefully received by

Yours vey trul y , I. A. Lapham Jos. D. Hooker. n*°

-1290- 1867.

Nov. 14. At this place, Milwaukee (L . °0 ':~)L . °aa'10"W.)

duringnthe half hour succeeding 4h. 10m. this morning I counted 90 meteors from a window looking south- directly south. Their direct-

icp was between the vertical and an inclination of 45° towards the west, except in two instances when the inclination was eastward.

About 1/5 left trains, lasting only for a few moments, yhe space observed was about 1/2 part of the whole sky. No meteors were s seen during the evening of the 12th or the morning and evening of

13 th,

I. A. Lapham.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

November 27, 1367.

D ar S ir--

Should the island of St. Thomas fall into Lands, as I hope it soon may, it would be proper to institute an inves­ tigation of its climate and productions both past and present with a view of recommendingnthe adoption of such measures as will in a few years restore to th i air the amount of moisture necessary for the greatest degree of productitoeness. This can easily be accom­ plished by I cious planting of tree-belts according to a plan that could be devised after a brief exploration. It is now well understood that such tree belts have a very decided beneficial effect upon the climate and productiveness of a country, an I have shown in the accompanying report on the "Disastrous Effects of the Destruction of Forest Trees in Wisconsin."

! tress nay be of a kind yielding useful products,so that their cost will soon be returned to the planter.

Very r espectful 1 y ,

Hon. W. H. S •• at, I. A. Lapham, Secretary of State, Washington. /I St

jltfl 1867.

Department of State,

Washington, December 24, 1867.

I. A. Lapham,

"ilwaukee, Wisc on sin,

Sir--

I have received your communication of the 27th ult», ana will

with pleasurein the contingency to which you refer, call attention

to your suggestions with regard to the adoption, of measures for

promoting the productiveness of the Island of St. Thomas.

Very respectfully., your obedient servant,

Will iam H. Sewar .

Clifton TTOu.se, Chicago, Dec. 31, l:

Dr. Lapham,

pear Sir--

A lady who has a splendid estate in wales

and cultivates every variety of fern and forest tree which wealth

can procure, is desirous of obtaining those varieties of maple and

other trees that assume such gorgeous tints in America during tJ

auVtumn. Sao would like to know if those trees cannot be made to

produce the same colors in the English climate, an< I causes c, a-operate to produce them her .

Not being a ale to respond to her queries intelligently,

I nave taken the liberty of asking you to do her myself t

great kindness of enlightening us.

Mrs. Wilkins, the wife of our British e^ean consul hero,

will return to England in February and is desirous of conveyi.

is information, * * * Tourists tell us that the foliage of

Switzerland and German is equally brilliant. * * * Believe me, sir,

Very res poc tful 1 y your s ,

Elizabeth E. Atwater.

-o-o- ft' fSn0r

/rtr -logo m 1308.

January 30/ In Madison.

Notes.

An artesian well sunk in Richland county by some Germans

is said to have penetrated two veins or beds of coal at depth

of SO feet, thickness of the beds together about 3 feet ? 9 9 • ...

A coal mine in Potsdam sandstoneiil Columbia county, Wis

Water

Total 12:5 ft.

Logs taken at a depth of 53 ft. below the surface of a

well in Walworth Go. * * secured pieces with clay at

Wood of fine grain indicating a slow growth, probably white ce

ana water in many places with small crystals of Iron Pyrites. The

bark has diappeared. ,,l $3

tt a i

-1293- 186 .

The Remarkable series of hills at Rochester and alo

Pishtaka and below that place, may have been the boundary of an ancient lake of great extent.

Artesian well at the Plankinton house 140 feet deep, hard clay all the way, struck gravel from which watea comes to the surface.

The following articles now in my archaeological collec­ tion-- . I. A. L.

These articles wore burned in Science Hall, Madison, in

1884.

ow points, spearheads &c, of flint about 50

2 Chips from an arrow point manufactory 25

3 Stone implements from Europe 2

4 Stone axes from America 17

5 Stone chisels 10

6 Stone hammers from Lake Superior copper mines 1

7 Fragments of ancient-pottery .20

6 Flint disks, from Racine 1

9 Stone circular implements 1

10 Pipes and fragments 7

11 A^row points, cc 2

12 Bodkin, copper 1

13 Knife, copper 1

14 Chisel, copper 1

15 Kettle and various ornaments from Indian grove 5 16 Skull of Menomonee(f) Indian 1 17 Brick (so-called) from Aztalan 5 18 Snow shoes of Chippe?fas 1 pr 19 Bow ava:; arrows (several of thorn set with flint) of the Di i liahs, California 20 Lot of Indian artic1es. Specimen of earth from mounds, wood, bones, charcoal, &c. -o- n 3

-1294- 1868

Froni the ^aily Wisconsin, February 22, 1868. t STUDEHS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY in Milwaukee ,

if there are such, will find at the present crossing of the river at the fort of Chestnut sfcpse* and Division streets, a very clear and beautiful representation modeled in ice of the way mountain chains have been elevated* the reason why they are usually steepest, on the side towards the sea* and how mountain valleys and metallic veins a re formed* all caused by the expansion of ice during the past few days of warm weather. The main sheet of ice represents the crust of the earth resting upon the melted interior mass* the water above the ice, which one must cross upon planks, stands for the ocean* the newly formed ice. above the ol^d gives a good idea

0Lf the nature of secondary and primitive formations. Live teachers should improve this opportunity by visiting the locality and ex­ plaining these facts to their classes.

I. A. L.

Tribune Office, Chicago,Feb. 11,18;

Sir —

I have just noticed in the first volume of the Trans. Acad­ emy of Science of this city a map prepared by yourself showing the effect of the lake in modifying summer and winter temperatures. 1 saw it with great pleasure since it showed with singular clearness certain facts relating to the temperatures of the places on andnear the lake, concerning which certain Eastern friends have of late mudi importuned me.

If you could inform me in what way, if any, I can secure an impression or the map in question separate from the volume of f,3^

-1295- 1868.

Transactions, I.shall be under great obligations to you. With great respect, your obedient servant, Dr. I. A. Lapham, . Fred. H, Hitll,

Melbourne Bet. Garden, 22/5 1868. I was exceedingly gratified, dea-- "r. Lapham, to receive recently your very kind letter and the most interesting and instructive report on the proposed introduction of- timber into the state of Wisconsin. ; In almost all your views I coincide and you and your colleagues dest%ve great praise for the lucid manner in which you have dealt1 with the questions before you. It is qa ite possible that some of the hardiest Australian trees. which are even now, through me, under trial in the Shetland islands, may s t and your winters. But I should bo better able to judge if you could give me the results of the temperature tables of your state. I will be happy to send seeds if trials could be affected. I am very much in want of pine seeds and walnuts from any part of America for forest culture here. All these fresh and well- dried before being packed would travel quite well during the 3- months voyage to Australia. Can we not institute a regular inter­ change in which dry plants could be included? I am very much pleased with the pretty specimen of Sulvantia sent by you. * * * My museum contains 340,000 specimens of plants already from all parts of the globe. With my regardful salutation, Dr. I. A. Lapham, Feed Von Mueller. // 3 7

-1296- 1868. June 23. Kilbourn City, 5.20 A. M,, saw 3 rafts go over the dam*

3 more soon after, ^ojg.

Dells are less dangerous than before the damv^Three pilo^CT

-U4^s formerly employed at the Dells. Rafts now injured, by dam net

l/lO of those formerly injured by Dells.

June 24. Having been informed many yea* s ago that limestone ex­

isted in Towns 13 and 14, Range 7 East, where it is usually suppes-

ed that only trie Potsdam sandstone could be found, I this day visi-#

ted the locality, and found limestone indeed, but only in the form

of boulders connected with the "Drift." These are carefully select-

ted and calcined for the manufce/tura of quicklime in several

places along the drift ridge lying east of Dell Prairie. This

ridge is the western boundary of the region in which boulders of

primitive rocks are found. These limestone boulders look much like

the lower magnesian limestona and may be traced northward through

several towns to Eagle mound in Waj(^aie*»' vXou— "fc+A A#vk~ c* $jC-'l\

found in place and from whence doubtless the glaciers have removed

the boiilders nou found so abundantly in rift.

Madison, 27 June, 186$.

Hon. I. A, Lapham,

Milwaukee, Wis.,

Sir —

The Governor directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your

letter of 25th of June/ and to say in reply that he will cause the

record to be kept as you suggest of the character of layersopTearth

and rock penetrated in sinking the artesian well in the Capitol

Park.

Respectfully ,

Chas. FairchiId, Pr secy. ft sr

-1297- 1868.

July 14. Left Milwaukee at 2 1/2 P. M. Staid over at uartford to

find aboi.it Oil well which was sunk only 40 feet and does not devel­

op anything about the rock, shale, or thickness of the ore bed. No

new facts obtained.

July lr:> Went two miles down the Rubicon, found no rocks I Borrowed

of Mrs. Judge Cox the meteorological table kept by her late hus-

ban. . In the afternoon went to Waupun with daughter Julia, son

Charles and Miss C.

The Galena limestone at \*faupun has bluish layers that

must, not be nfonnded with the proper "Blue Limestone" below.

July 16. At 6 P. M. went by P. R. from Wuapun to Berlin. Sand­

stone appeals to be under the soil nearly to that eity.

July 17. Fie m high lands near Berlin we can see the prominent

peaks of the primitve rocks N. W.the largest is said to be Mt.

Morris 3n miles away (T. 19 R. 11.)

July 18. Went (5 A. M. ) per steamboat "Weston" from Berlin down

the Fox river, stopping at Omro, to Oshkosh.. Visited the new High

school, fine view from the top, 126 steps to the top. On the

trip down the Fpx we went up the Wolf river to Winneconne on the

Lake of the same name. Passed through the "Big Butte des Morts

Lake."

July 17. To Green -oar'. J. Disturnell, author of "Influence of

Climate in North Am. lea," was a fellow passenger.

July 20. Drove from Green "ay to DePara and a- miles €.a^t to Mono-

sese over a corduroy road, where there is a bed o: iron ore an—»

'UitM-ijc- -- uaUs-a-

My son Charles left me last night for Chicago.

July 21, At 5 A. M. my daughter and Miss G. left on the ste ;:ssWaAT iud? for Negaunee, Marquette*&£», o T ke Superior. I am alone at t 7c Wi^L

Aty^^cfp*^^ %CL . /Tens-. /% I f~6F

^ ww c^U^^^ UJL- ^UZJL 3 A^J) P&^c- ^—-

^^ ^f^^ •

„ *•/C^^. ^j Pu^^ J* ' -^fa j»3?

-1298- 1868.

Beaumonf House, A rainy d,

Oct. 1 Tin; red sandstone of Lake Superior has been djjemed suit- stone* able for building tsra-fe^i-^raly—«-* and the new courthouse at Milwau­ kee is to be built of it. As yet no experiments have been made jro ascertain the strength or pr obabljudarab ility of material. —_

n the house is built it may be found, too soft and weak an

porous.

Milwaukee, Dec. 16, 1868.

Mr. I, A. Lapham,

Dea Sir--

In consideration of the many \ ble serve

ices you have rendered to,Wisconsin Natural History society t

Board of Directors at their regular meeting on Monday, Dae. 7,

adopted a resolution to donate to you a piece of the motoric iron

recently found in Washington Co., which piece shall not exceed two

pounds in weight and shqji, if possible ,p*6ut off in this city. The

undersigned was informed that arrangements have already been made by the president of the society, Mr, C)v>>*. Preusser, with the recei* ver of the Bay State Tr on Works to execute the latter part of the resoli.it ion.

Ver y rj3s pec tfull y ,

C, H. Doerflinger,

Sec y.

Milwaukee, Dec. 22, 1868.

Dv*. J. Lawrence Smj Louisville, Ky, Dear Sir — I have now the pleasure to inform you that my friends fl ^D

-129fi- 18.: . of the Wis, Nat. Hist. Soc. have decided to donate to me two pounds of the meteorite recently discovered in the town of Trenton,

Washington county, Ws>6. , about 30 miles N. W. from wilwauke .

Wishing to have this meteorite properly examined, com­ pared with others, analyzed and reported upon, I send the frag­ ments thus allowed me to you by express, together, with the chips for that purpose. Please cut the specimen in- two equal parts and return one of them to me, retaining the other for yourself* and 1 would like further to have a portion of the cutvsurface so pre­ pared as to show the Widmanastaten figures.

Up to this time fragments have been found indicating that a large a*teor M^L exploded at no great elevation and bro­ ken into fragments of various sizes. * * * All have the same exter­ nal appearance, indicating a common origin. The fragment from which the specimen sent you. was cut, has-j&64*6a rude pyramidal form, the base about 5 by 7 inches, the obtuse apex nearest to one end* height 3 inches, weight 16 i\?$. i ' we are to adopt Prof, 3 ep- ard's suggestion that these fragments resemble the head of some animal, we may select the alligator for this.

It presents the usual pittLed and irregular surface* some of the pits appear to have contained the remains of a mineral of some kind, now nearly decayed and gone. It has probably re­ mained a long time buried or partly buried in the earth, the surfae being consideab1y oxydated.

The WidmannstattetfL figures are irregular and conspicuous presenting angles more nearly approaching the right angle than is usual in meteoric iron, thus indicating some difference in com­ position. // v/

-1300- 186 .

From some examinations made here it is probable that tnis may be owing tc reater purity of themetal.

My thanks are due for specimens of meteoric iron fro

Poland.

I hope to be able at some future time to secure by pur-

chase the 60 pounds* and should I be able to do so, will deal lib-

e r 11 y w i t h . y ou. Yoixrs truly,

l.A.Li-

-0-0-0- -1301- 1869

To ascertain whether the hourly oscillations of the Ba­ rometer , indicating a tidal wave in the atmosphere,could be deter­ mined,as suggested by Col. R.S.Williamson,by a single day's obser­ vations, I made such observations commencing at 7 A.M. Oct.19th

1863. The moon reached the meridian 3 hours after the sun,had

18° south declination--the san's declination 10° south. The ab­ normal oscillation was manifested by a pretty uniform rise of the

Barometer during the whole day. The temperature did not vary much during the twenty four hours,being ay. 7 A.M. 41°, at 2 P.M.45°, and at its maximum 49°, at 9 P.M. 43°,and at its. minimum depression during the night 41°. But little of the tide can therefore be attributed to change of temperature,between day and night. The sky continued to be uniformly cloudy,wind moder ate,the air contained from 61 to 77 pr.ct.of the amount of aqueous vapor it was capable of holding, the pressure of vapor being equivalent to from 0.181 to 0.198 inches of mercury. So the wave could not have been much affected by changes in the hygrometrical condition of the atmos­ phere .

Hence these observations were favorable for showing the effect of astronomical causes upon the atmosphere. (Sketchy' )

The table and resulting curves show that the morning max­ imum becomes gradually less in passing from Toronto to Thunder Bay and to Milwaukee,wh ale the evening maximum is increased in passing over the same space.

The morning maximum w hich occurs at 9 o'clock is short and abrupt, the evening maximum occurs at about 10 P.M. ,is more prolonged and irregular.

At 1 P.M. and again at 3 1/2 P.M. the barometer stands at the same height at the three stations. llH 3

-1302- 1869.

The similarity of the cairve for Milwaukee from one days observations to those £©*> of Thunder Bay and Toronto continued for two and for six years,shows that the hourly oscillations can be as­ certained under favorable circumstances in this short time and should encourage observers to enter upon this interesting and im­ portant investigation. (Sketch. Jf**"

The proceeding observations for November were taken under circumstances equally favorable with those of October for avoid­ ing the effect of great changes of temperature and moisture.

They show the morning maximum much more prominent,which may be owing to the nearness of the sun and moon.

The evening maximum is scarcely discernable.

The same nodes are observed upon comparison with Thunder

Bay and Toronto, but at a different time,being aAout noon and mid­ night.

The great depression between two and ten. P.M.must be owing to s ome uneliminated abnormal fluctuation. (Sketch JH'o10) .

Atmospheric tides are caused or modified by several causes among them*

1st, The attraction of the moon,varied by its declination and its position with respect to the sun.

2nd The attraction of the sun.

3rd The earth's orbital motion.

4th The earth's daily rotation.

5th Changes of temperature.

6th Changes of the amount of moisture.

(Sketch ). lit

-1303- 1869. Milwaukee Jan.4th, 1869.

Dr. J.Lawrence Smith,

Dear Sir,-- —

I have &t last the opportunity of examining the largest

of the meteorites spoken of in my late letter. It is in its ex­

treme dimensions 14 inches long,8 inches wide, 4 inches thick and weighs 62 pounds. Its outline is an irregular oval,covering an

inches

area of 93 square rsil©& as it lies upon the table. The whole up­

per surface is occupied with about twenty large irregular concave

pits,several of them quite deep. The under side is flattened and has a wavy surface as if the mass had fallen when in a soft state upon a hard rock whose surface was fluted with "ripple" marks.

There are but few pits on the under side. It is strongly magnetic The several meteorites were all found within a space of ten or

twelve yards square, very near the north line of the forty acre lot

(S.W.l/4 of the N.H.l/4 of Sec.33 Town 11,Range 20) of Louis Korb and not far from the middle of that line, in Latitude 43° 22' N,

and Longitude 88° 8' W.from Greenwich,about thi^rty miles N.W.from

Milwaukee. As they were all found so near togetiier and so near

the surface as to be turned out with the plough,we may suppose that

the meteor of which they are fragments exploded at no great ele­ vation above the ground* otherwise they would doubtless have been buried one or two feet below the surface and possibly never have been found.

It would be well to call this simply the "Wisconsin Me­

teorite" ,there are so many "Washingtons" that that name loses its distinctive importance unless always coupled with the name of the state. * * * ft vv

-1304- 1869.

When you have sufficiently studied the matter please make a "report" for Silliman's Journal.

As you express a desire to know something of me I will say that my only profession is that of a civil Engineer, and in this capacity was employed on the Louisville and Portland canal as long ago as 1827 and 1828. My first scientific (?) essay was a description of that canal and the geology of the vicinity publish­ ed in Silliman's Journal,vol.14, P.65

To give you some idea of what I am doing, I aend a. roll of miscellaneous printed matter,some items of Which may possibly interest you. On the geological map you will find certain red lines representing the probable depth of tiie primary base of our rocks in a manner not before attempted in this country. * * *

You speak of sending me seme rare meteorites, I beg you will rather send me those that are common and that you can spare most conveniently,though I do not claim any as my due for anything

I have oeen able to do for you.

Yours truly,

I.A.Lapham.

Milwaukee Jany. 8, 1869.

Dr. I.A.Lapham,

Dear Sir,-

We have sent this circular to our architects,civil engin­ eers and practical mechanics hoping that we might receive some def­ inite information in regard to the Superior Sandstone.

But we hope to obtain from you something more valuable than we shall be able to oirtain from any other source. We shall place great confidence in what you may say about the matter.

Please let us hear from you, Chas. K.Wells. ,-1305- 1869.

Milwaukee Jan'y 9th,1869.

C.K.Wells,

Chairman Special Conmittee,

Dear Sir,--

I have had the honor to receive the printed circular of

the special committee of the County Board of Supervisors,appoint­

ed to enquire into the suitableness of the Lake Superior sandstone

quarried on Bass Island,one of the Apostle Group,for facing the

walls of the building about to be erected by the Board for a Court

House* and you do me the further honor to say that something val­

uable will be expected from me,and that great confidence will be

placed in what I may say about the matter. I feel therefore the

responsibility of the task and the necessity of the greatest cau­

tion in whatever I may say or do in the premises.

The value of a building stone depends much upon its

strength ot ability to sustain great weights without being crushed,

and in this respect the Bass Island sandstone,so far as I can

judge from mere inspect ion,must be placed low down in the scale.

But as it is to be used only as a facing to the wall and not there­

fore required to sustain much weight, it ss doubtless sufficiently

strong to answer the purpose for which it is to be used in the con­

struction of the Court House.

Perhaps the greatest defect in building stone next to

that of a want of strength,is porosity, or openness of grain,onab-

1 ing it to absorb lajge quantities of water,which by alternate freez­

ing and thawing causes the surface to scale off and gradually de­

stroy yhe structure. This process is materially aided when

minute seams of cracks are found into which the water penetrates.

While in this respect the stone in question is not free from serioaA4 -1306- 1869. obj ection,being porous and capable of holding a large amount of wa­ ter,yet,as it is comparatively uniform in texture and free from small cracks and seams, it may be found capable of resisting this cause of decay,especially as it will, in a considerable degree be protected from rain by the projecting roof and porticos.

The presence of alumina (Clay) in the composition of sand­ stone renders it more retentive of moisture,and therefore more' liable to decay. There is reason to believe that there is some alumina, in this stone.

The expansion of stone by an increase of temperature is very considerable and is more in sandstone than in limes tone,being least in granite, but the walls to be faced are so much broken by pilasters,windows and doors that no serious trouble need be ap­ prehended on this account.

The fineness of grain,the freedom from cracks and seams and the absence of iron pyrites,that so much disfigures and other­ wise injures some of the sandstones of Ohio,are qualities of this stone that go to recommend it to public favor.

Though no very intelligible and certain opinion can be given as to the value and durability of this stone,until accurate experiments shall be made to show its strength,its chemical compo­ sition, its power of absorbing &c., yet, upon consideration of the facts above stated we may conclude that the Bass Island sandstone may,without much danger be used as • contemplated.

I avail myself of the opportunity to suggest that we have no easily accessible stone in Wiscons in, suitable for the steps leading up into the new Court House,as the nuisance at the west end of the United States Court House and Post Office will attest, and recommend that a few stones be obtained for this use from the . ttV

-1307- 1869.

Quincy granite quarries near Boston,which is so hard and durable

as to withstand through all time.the constant wear of such a po­

sition.

Very respectfully,

I.A.Lapham.

Milwaukee Jan'y 13, 1869.

Prof. Joseph Henry,

Dear Sir,-- •%> (A I wish you would do me the favor o^ let me know whether

the Smithsonian Institution,or any competent Engineer in Washington

is prepared to test the value of building stone,by ascertaining the

weight necessary to crush it, the absorbing power (of water) &c .,

and if so,what -would be the expense of trying four or more kinds

including sandstone from Lake Superior,limestone and Milwaukee

brick!

I write for our County, a Court House being about to be

erected at a cost of over half a million of dollars and it is im­

portant that we make no mistakes.

Please send me a copy of "Hints on Public Architecture"

and such other reports as you may have bearing upon the subject.

Does the sandstone of which your building is made, show any

signs of decay or other unsuitableness for building purposes?

I sent some day ago two photographs of a mass of meteor­

ic iron,recently found here,under frank to the Department of Agri- c ulture which I intended for your Institution. If they claim them

let me know and I will send again.

Yours very truly,

I. A. La pham. H Y?

-1308- 1869.

Smithsonian Institution,Washington,

Jan'y 20/69

Dear Sir,— If you will send on four (4) specimens of the stone you desire tested, in the form of cubes very ac curately cut as to the parallel sides,we will let you know their power to resist crushing as well as their porosity. * * * ,

The sandstone of which this Institution is constituted appears to stand the effects of the weather very well. A large com pany has been formed of late for quarrying and supplying this ar­ ticle to the public. * * *

Yours very truly,

I,A Lapham, Joseph Henry.

Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Wis.Jan.13,1869.

Dr. T.Sterry Hunt,

Montreal,

Dear Sir,—

Please let me know whether you will,and at what cost,ap­ ply the proper tests to ascertain the value of sane building stones offered for our new Court House. * * *

We are offered a red sandstone from Lake Superior, sev­ eral limestones and our own Milwaukee Brick. * * * 0 I send you a new geological map of Wis cons in, which I hope may prove interesting.

Y°urs truly, I.A.La pham. »i &"~<

-1309- 1869. Montreal Jan.29,1869.

Prof. I.A.Lapham,

My dear Sir,--

Your letter of the 13th arrived during my absence or it would hatae been sooner answered. I regret that the great pres­ sure of work will render it impossible for me to undertake the in­ vestigation which you desire on ouilding stones,but the process as

I have described it in my report of 1866 is so simple that any one with time and patience can get at the results. * * *

I have to thank you for your new map of Wisconsin and should like to know more about the great area marked 2 x x x.

Judging from the topography I suppos^ that the northern part of the state is yet too imperfectly known to permit the tracing out of the lines of subdivision.

I saw a copy of your map in the hands of Mr.Hitchcock who is doing an excellent work in getting together for his Atlas the scattered maps of the various states,many of them hitherto in- access ible to the student. * * *

Y°urs faithfully,

T.Starry Hunt.

Milwaukee Jan.16,1869.

Dr.J.Lawrence Smith,

Dear Sir,-

1 have y£ur letters and the specimen, for which,many thanks.

The beautiful sections you have made of the Wisconsin meteorite has enabled me to detect some new markings which will be found interest ing, but which are not noticed in any of the^iumerous accounts I have *»••«.of theme remarkable bodies. (SketchJr») )• -1310- • 1869.

The Widmann staten figures are of two kinds, one,(a) bright metal- ic with convex ends and sides and the other (b and c) darker,us­ ually smaller and. with ends and sides concave. The material of which the darker figures are composed seems to have enveloped the lighter colored particles and to make the dark lines that render the figures so conspicous, a good magnifier or microscope of mod­ erate power will show that the darker figures are striated with lines at right angles to the bounding surfaces. When the figure isar&early square the lines extend from each of the four sides,much elongated (c) they are parallel to the longer sides.

Often the lines do not reach the middle of trie figure, where only a confused crystalization can be detected. In the in- of teriorAthe elongated figures the lines are quite irregular,often running together and showing a striking resemblance to wood fiber.

The nature of these very curious markings is easily understood.

They indicate the axes of minute columnar crystals,which by a law recently developed (from the study of ice,basaltic columns &c.)

Aend to assume a position at right angles to the surface of coal­ ing.

In any account you may publish,it should be stated that

Mr. C .Doerf linger first called my attention to the discovery of meteorites in Wisconsin. I send you the reports of the Natural

History Soc. * * *

I have given them one of the polished pieces you sent me and have divided with them the beautiful Crystals of Rosa'toline

Salts. They have all the pieces found except the one purchased b y me. * * * *

Yours truly,

I. A. La pham. / i"2-

-1311- 1869.

Ann Arbor Mich.19 Jan.1869.

Dr. I, A, Lapham,

My clear Sir,-- I am in receipt of your new geological map of Wisconsin

for which I thank you. The Legislature ought to empower you to

complete the geological survey and to draw up a final report.

No man has served Wisconsin more industriously, more ably or with

a greater variety of abilities than yourself,* * *

I have not yet had opportunity or time to pass a critical

judgment upon your map,but I sea it brings out the details,it

embraces some new facts (for instance corniferous near Milwaukee)

and presents a fine appearance. It is a credit to American science

May you be rewarded.

In haste but vary truly yours,

A.Winchell.

Iowa City January 20 1869.

Dr. I.A.Lapham,

My dear Sir,—

I have just received by mail a copy of your new geolog- i cal map of Wisconsin for which I beg to return my sincere thanks.

You have dene your state and the causa of science an im­

portant service in this laborious work. * * *

I at) not only greatly pleased with it but I shall make

much use of it for reference in the preparation of my final report

on the Geology of Iowa upon which I am now engaged.

Very sincer ly yours,

C.A.White.M.D. (( s'3

1312- 186s?.

M .Iwaukee Feb 24,1869.

Pro f e s sor - J o s e ph He nr y,

Dear Sir,-

I sedd this with a photograph showing very beautifully the Widmannstaten figures of the Wisconsin meteorite which have some peculiarities, as the rectangular form,(the usual angle being about 60 and 120 degrees) and the fibrous nature of the darker figures.

We are thankful for the very great favor you have done oar community in the trial of the stren gth of our building mater­ ials &c, and I am sorry you did not include the artificial stone which is about being introduced hare. * * *

The sa'fety of property and even human life is becoming every day imperiled if this stone is too weak to sustain the pres­ sure of ordinary buildings.

My object in requesting its examination was to be able to let our people know its character before it is too late. So far as I can learn the gentleman interested in the manufacture of this stone are honorable and conscientious and would discontinue the work if they could be convinced that they are producing an article that would endanger life and property.

Yours very truly,

I .A.Lupham, tirt

-1313- 1869.

NOTES FROM NOTE BOOK.

"Mr. H, Broich and Wm Bogk inform me that the dome of the great Cathedral of Cologne,now 600 years old was made of a soft yellow sandstone quarried at Detnold or Munster in Westphalia* or near Maastricht in Holland. * * * That it is so soft that it can be crumbled with the fingers when quarried. Railroad bridges across the Vishtula near Dantzig are built of it, the stone being shipped a long way around Denmark for that purpose.

A natural whitewash is found on the St Croix river,Wis­ consin side,opposite Areola Mill at foot of a lake, 3 miles from the river. It is used without addition.

Milwaukee Feb, 1869.

Russal Who e1 or,Esq.

Dear Sir,—

Having carefully examined the specimens of peat furnished me from near Whitewater in this state I am of the opinion that it is of good, quality for the usual purposes of fuel. Under the mi­ croscope it appears to be made up almost entirely of the remains of vegetable matter,with but a very few minute grains of sand.

According to the accompanying analysis of Mr,Gustavo

Bode of this city a competent chemist,two specimens were found to consist of, Nc.l No.2 Combustible matter 87.74 85.07 Ash 12.26 14.92 when entirely freed from water. Taking an average of these analy­ ses and assuming that when prepared for use this peat will still contain twenty per cent.of water they become ;Ce* «»>-*•

• 1314- 1869.

Combustible matter 69 %-•

Water 20/

Ash ll/;'

Hence for every 100 pounds of combustible or heat producing sub­ stance we have 45 pounds of non-heating matter.

This proportion of ash is far less than in any Wisconsin peat heretofore analyzed and may be doomed sufficient inducement to justify further efforts to bring this abundant product of our marshes into practical use.

Yours truly,

I, A. Lap ham.

Hanover N.H.Mar 1,1869.

Dear Sir,—

I have bean remiss in acknowledging the receipt of your colored map,also the copy of Hall's map lent to you,

I hope you will find time to write a sketch of the Geol­ ogy of Wisconsin for my atlas. I meet so many sore heads that I want due credit done every one. There should be mention made of - everything published. If your map of '55 gets the credit of the principal part, it can be no harm to say so. But I suppose in ref­ erence to your last map, you can say what is best of all that you have improved on the boundaries given on the best maps,even those authorized by State authority. * * *

Truly yours,

I.A.Lapham. C.H.Hitchcock.

Louisville March 1,1869. Mr. I.A.Lapham,

I have received the photograph of the Widmannstaten fig- tt ^4

-1315- 1869. ures and am much pleased with them and under the glass show the

"Laphamite Markings" which I have described in my notice in Amer­ ican Journal of Science. * * *

Yours truly,

J.Lawrenc e Smi th.

Milwaukee Mar.4th,1869.

C.K.Wells, '>VwU

Cha irman Commi 11 e e,

Dear Sir,—

The Bass Island (Lake Superior)sands tone having now been fully tested as to its power to resist crushing,its porosity, and as to its chemical composition, I am able to give you a more cor­ rect and reliable opinion as to its suitableness for the facing of the walls of the new Court House than that expressed in my let­ ter to you. of January 9th last.

The strength of the stone is found to be such as to re­ quire a pressure of 5.426 pounds pr square inch to crush it, a strength much, more than is required for the purposes of our Court hoxise.

This test was made under the direction of Prof.Joseph

Henry,Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution at the Navy Yard in

Washington,the details together with those of several other build­ ing ma tor ials ,iised at Milwaukee will be found in the accompanying paper. The machine used was constructed at great expense by the government for the purpose of testing the strength of gun-metal and other materials and consists of a series of levers,with knife edge fulcra acting upon hardened steel surfaces. Its accuracy has been carefully tasted and in every particular the greatest care -has- va

-1316- 1869.

has been taken to secure accuracy and uniformity in the results.

* * * The strength of the Lake Superior brown sandstone being

thus shown to be ample,it remains to enquire whether its porosity

is such as to impair its durability. This was also tested in a

very careful manner,by Mr.G.Bode of this city in the method adopt­

ed by the Commissioners appointed to examine the stone to be used

in the Parliament House,London in 1839. This method and its re­

sults,are explained in the accompanying paper,from which it ap­

pears that the Lake Superior stone has only about the same degree

of absorption power and in other respects compares favorably with

the Ohio sandstone which is quite extensively used in many of the

larger cities in the Northern states and in Canada.

The sandstone of Lake Superior is very fully described

in Owen's Geological Report and its chemical composition giaen.* *

From this it will be seen that the stone contains but 0 very little if any of the substances likely to injure the olor or

texture by chemical changes. * * *.

In view of all the facts in the case I cannot but rec­

ommend that the contract contemplating the use of Lake Superior

sandstone be carried out,care being taken to select the best of

the stone and to see that they are properly dressed and placed in

the walls.

Very respectfully,

0 .K,WeIls„, Ghs^rrmaftrrSre-. I.A.Lapham. Miiw.ajaJiee. It s-r

-1317- 1869

From Am,Jour, Science March,18

A NEW METEORIC IRON;--THE WISCONSIN METEORITES.

By J. Lawrence Smith,Louisville Ky.

-o-o-o-o-

These meteorites were first brought to my notice by Mr.

I.A.Lapham of Wisconsin,and his attention was called to them by Mr.

C. Doarflinger,Secretary of the German Nat.Hist.Soc.of Wisconsin.

They were discovered in the town of Trenton,Washington Co..Wis. and I have called them the "Wisconsin Meteorites."

Up to the present time fragments have boon found, indi­ cating that these meteorites were of the same fall and separated at no great elevation. They were found within a space of ten or

twelve square yards,very near the north line of the 40acre lot of

Louis Korb in latitude 43° 22' N and longitude 88° 8' west from

Greenwich and about 30 miles north west from Milwaukee,

They were so near the sairface as to be turned up with

the plough, they weigh 60, 16, 10 and 8 pounds respectively,and present the usual pitted and irregular surfaces.

The largest of the meteorites in its extreme dimensions

is 14 inches long 8 inches wide and 4 inches thick,weighing 62 pounds. Its specific gravity is 7.82 and composition * ,

Iron 91.03

Nickel 7,20

Cobalt 0.53

Phos pho rus 0.14

Copper minute quantity.

Insoluble residue 0.45.

A polished surface when etched gives well marked Widmannstatian figures. There is serne thing,however,peculiar about the markings tiff

-1318- 1869. on this iron,which is doubtless common to other irons,but which has heretofore escaped my observation,and I cannot discover in a hasty investigation that it has been noticed by others. My atten­ tion was called to this peculiarity by Mr.Lapham on a slice of the meteorite I sent him etched* should these markings be entitled to a separate notice I propose calling them "Laphamite Markings.

The little drawing accompanying this,which is on a somewhat exag­ gerated scale,will show what they are. (Sketch *J%)

The Widmanns tat e-tun figures are (a) bright metallic with convex ends and sides, b. c. f. darker color,are the other mark­ ings usually smaller and with the sides and ends concave. The material of which these dark firgures are composed seems to have enveloped the lighter colored portion which serves to make the dark lines so 'beautifully eonspieious. A good pocket glass will show that the darker figures are striated with lines at right angles to the boundary surfaces. When the figure is nearly square the lines extend from each of the four sides,but when much elongated as at c. they are aprallel with the longer sides. Often these lines do not reach the middle of the figures,where only a confused crystalliza­ tion can be detected. In the interior of the elongated figures the lines are quite irregular,often running together and showing a stri striking resemblance to woody fiber.

The nature of these markings may be easily understood.

They indicate the axes of minute columnar crystals which tend to as sume a position at right angles to the surface of coiling. These markings may have been observed by others,and as soon as the sub­ ject can be examined on other irons, a better conclusion can be formed. -1319- 1869.

March 15 Mrs.Doerflinger says *"In 1853 when living on a hill

(since cut away) 22 feet above the street at N.W.corner of Cherry a and 7th streets Milwaukee Wisconsin (Lat 43° 03'N. Long.87° 56' W.) she with her husband and their son then ten years of age,were out in the garden,the weather being very clear,fine and pleasant, ad­ miring the growth of their plants on one Sunday morning in early summer (perhaps June) just as people were going to church (say ten ot ten and. a half A.M.) the three standing very near togethermwhen the son cried out "who has thrown a stone at me?",and it was im­ mediately found that a stone had fallen so as to cut the hair from

the back of his head,leaving a scar upon which no hair grows,but fortunately not cutting the flesh.

The father ,an intelligent and educated man,seeing no one near,there being no houses within a stone's throw and being at the top of the hill it was impossible that any one could have thrown the stone,immediately concluded that it was the fall of a meteoric stone. The stone was readily found,not much buried in the ground. It had about the form and---size shown by this outline

( Sketchy) as now sketched from memory by Mrs .Doerf linger. It was kept in the family a number of years but has now unfortunately been lest. It was rhomboidal in form about 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches* and 3/4 of an inch in thickness being flat. The edges were not sharply angular. The surface was not smooth but irregular. The color reddish brown,though not exactly like iron rust. It was heavier than ordinary pebble stones but not so heavy as iron.

It did not appear to contain metallic particles. Mrs.D. thinks the outer surface was darker than the body of the stone but not coated with within black crust like the stones thay. fell in

Guernsey Co. Ohio,a specimen of which was shown her. It more ex­ actly resembled in color,appearance of surface and weight a frag- ,tit

-1320- 1869. merit of the great Australian meteorite weighing several tons,now

in the British Museum,which was also shown to her, but it did not like that,show crystals of iron pyrites. The stone was not broken by the fall but appeared to be entire. No explosion or noise heard,or at least none recollected. She does not rem- whether

the stone was watm when first picked up or whether it had any pe­

culiar odor. Does not think any other persons saw or knew of the meteorite,

April. About the 10th or 12th of August 1865 a meteor fell into

Lake Michigan,about 80 yeards from shore,about opposite

the north line of Oneida street. Explosion like the report of a big cannon immediately proceeding the fall, a whizaing noise heard direction, from N.*about the size of a large cannon hallfdark color appeared to spearate in two. As it struck the water was thrown violently to the S and E causing a great foam and commotion. About

11 o'clock on the morning weather clear and bright. Seen by Henry

W.Dunlap standing on the edge of the bluff bank of the lake. Two parts distinctly seen as it st ••uckjahgle of descent 45° Added

three more to my list of meteorites. One in Kentucky, one in Ala­ bama and one in Mexico.

Washington April 10, 1869.

Dr.Lapham,

Dear Sir,-

Your esteemed favor has just r eached me here. I send you a few annotations for your list of meteorites and will trans­ mit more when Ireach Antherst. You have undertaken a very useful labor and I hope you will cr> mmunicate the result to the American

Journal when it is finished. * * * *In Trans.Am.A.A.S.about 1850 ni C**

-1321- 1869

Utovi will find a paper on the distribution of meteorites in which I

find them to occupy a zone or band about 10° wide.

I talked with Humboldt in 1855 on the subject and he

suggested that another zone existed in India. * * *

I should like to retain your list if you can spare it to

me.

Very truly yours,

C.U.Shepard.

Smithsonian Institution Washington May 15thml869.

Dear Sir, --

Enclosed you will find an account of the specimens of

meteorites in the Smithsonian Institution which I hope may contrib­

ute to your interesting investigation.

The reaih.lt you mention is vary interesting though I do

not at present see why a particular spot on the surface of a re- vvolving globe should be a target foj- celestial projectiles.

Very truly yours,

I.A.Lapham. Joseph Henry.

Cleveland June 24, 1869.

I.A.Lapham,

Dear Sir,-

• I learn from Prof.Mitchell of Ann Arbor that you have

recently published a report on the building stone used at Milwau­

kee. I would take it as a special favor if you would sand me any

such report.

Yours very truly,

J.S,Newberry, Cleveland Ohio. / C 3

-1322- 1869.

Chicago July 9th,1869.

M y d ear wr, L ap h am, —

I was reminded by Mr.Burroughs that I had failed to ac­

knowledge the receipt of those outline drawings of mound builders'

implements kindly furnished me by you, * *

Your specimens are all lithographed or cut in wood and

are duly awaiting the slow progress of printing the Academy pro-

CJ dings,to sea the light.

I certainly feel under deep obligations to you for fur­

nishing me so many implements of the mound builders and also for a

copy of the Geological map of Wisconsin. * * *

If you go to the Meeting of the American Association

at Salem we would be happy to have you join us hare and make the

trip in company.

Very truly,

J.W.Foster,

Milwaukee July 1869.

Dear Sir,--

I take the liberty of writing to you as chairman of the

committee (of ftltfkVol sV'f on the August matter that may lead to some important results. Major Williamson

has suggested a very simple method of reducing hourly barometric

observations,by which under favorable circumstances the abnormal

changes are eliminated and we have the hourly oscillation or at­ mospheric tide distinctly seen. By this method the observations

of only a few days and often of a single day will yield results

that it has heretofore been supposed were --He-attainable,only af­

ter years of patient labor. As this atmospheric tide must vary with the latitude and. with some other perhaps unknown causes, it is

important to have hourly observations at as many stations as pos- n 6i

-1323- 1869. sible. It is al s 0 very important to know the effects of the great solar eclipse upon the condition of the atmosphere not only under

the central line of the eclipse but also for some distance on each side. Perhaps advantage can be taken of the very general inter­ est that will be felt in the eclopse to induce every meteorological observer in the United States ;;o make hourly observations for 24 hours commencing on the 7th day of August next at 7 o'clock.

If you upon consideration of the matter,deem it of suf­ ficient importance Prof.Henry can doubtless be induced to issue a circular to the observers giving such directions as may be need­ ed. Such observations made simultaneously by the 400 observers scattered over the whole country will lead to some new and im­ portant truths even though we may not accomplish all we desire.

Yours truly,

Chairman of Committee N. s£ A.MS~* I.A.La pham. on August Eclipse 1869. I

SOLAR ECLIPSE AUG. 7th 1869,

Observed by I.A.La pham at Milwaukee,Wis cons in near the corner of Poplar and 4th streets (50 feet south of Pop­ lar and 50 feet east of 4th) Latitude 43°3'N.Long 87°56' 10" W.

a m s First contact 4 7 45 P.M. At large solar spot 4 29 20 Across the same 4 30 5 At last of a group of 3 spots 4 53 10 The large spot re-appeared 5 30 30 First of group of 3 re-appeared - 5 46 15 Last of group of 3 re-appeared--- 5 48 24 5 30< Last contact -6

Time by a good (Waltham)watch,which wasmprobably a min­ ute or more too fast. (Sket-ch. No stars could be seen. (By observation at noon with Mr.Matson's Transit watch 17 seconds too fasti U ih& ***-

1324- 1869. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS

At Milwaukee Aug.7th,Day Of Eclipse By I, A, Lapham, -o-~o- -1325- 1869.

Aug. 14. Left Milwaukee: with daughter Julia for Salem, Mass. Loft

Chicago the 15th with party. Messrs. J, T. Scammon, Doggott,

Heinrichs, Fister, *ratson, Baasnett and Dr, Towns and fr<*

Clinton, Iowa? Professor Zava and daughter from „aris» Mrs. Dog-

gett and the Misses poster, Burroughs and 3as3nett.

Aug. 17. Arrived in ^alem. We are to be the guests of my old

friend, Rev, J, L, Russell. Mr. Thomas Meehan of Germantown, ar.

Eassnett and daughter of Ottawa, 111,, also guests of Mr, a,

Aug. 18. It tend ad the dedication of Peabody Academy of Science,

Amy. 19. Wont to Boston, Cambridge, Quinay, went to Horticultural

Hal 1.

* Bushnall near Pa* ker house, Boston, can tell who

carved the figures on the outside of >»ing,3 chapel.

Aug* 21 A» A* A* 3* excursion by steamboat to Iflnot 8 Led.^e

Light house, Fort Waarren, tlahant, d;c, .he. A reception at vr»

Endico11*s in the evening. * Aug. 23 papers on the eclipse. Trip to Marblehead. * * *

Aug, 25, On the way home, N. Y,, Central park &o«

0 inc inna ti Obser vat ory.

August 25, 1869.

Hon. I. A. Lapham,

Dear Sir--

I have been requested by the Chamber

of Commerce of this city to prepare for* the use of that body a

ily weather bulletin to be compiled from telegraphic despatches,

to bo sent to this observatory daily between the hours of 10 and 11

A, M, or earlier. * '"*• " 3 <*•" -132.)- 186*,

This tinder tak ing is in some degree an experimunt, and

I have volunteered my own services without rename rat ion for three months beginning Sept. 1, *™ * **

The Telegraph companies offer* us the use of the wires have for three months, ana other parties.made equally /''liberal offers.

I would bog to inquire on what terms you would be willing to fur* nish u Lth regular reports {Sunday's report to be sent on llonday) for the Barometer, V/et and Dry bulb thermometer, wind, rain, &o*

Va ey res aect ful1y yours,

(J 1 e v e 1 and A b b 9,

director Ointi Obs.

^•lessen, (he r man y, Sept. 13, 18 G 9.

1 * A. La pham, LL. 1).,

Dear Sir-*

Will you kindly allow ma to write to you my friend Robert von Sehlagintmeit just returned from America, told me ;;o u were in possession of a large muteo)' •ic iron and ho was kind one to u mo the pho i.ograph of the fidaannitatten figures .

Since many years I have boon occupied in collecting all estent if:L c notices about metoorites. Some years v.,;c 1 j) bli:ihed a

, ti * * * work *Mel ;eoritei 1 » in the oernan 1? uaguage. l your Wisconsin me too; •Ites wa 3 quite unknown to me.

1 tli my best thanks I si tould quost 1'ro m you soma no- tices about the iron? has an analysis boan made'. # * * I am, Sir, with my best regards, yours, Dr , Otto Buchnor.

-0- 3 fl

-1327r 1869.

Wash ing ton, D. C, Oct. 6, 1869,

I. A. La] ham, asq .,

Mi" , Wis.,

Dear Sir--

1 am in receipt of your note of the first instant, with

the package of wild rice, which you were kind enough to procure

and forward to the Dept, and for which I beg to thank you.

The sample of wild rice was intended for the Raissian

Government for experiments in some of their swamp lands, which

spjioGml in that country and are comparatively valueless.

I am r e s pe c t f u 11 y,

Horace Caramon,

Commissioner of Acr,

Salem, Mass., Dec. 2, 1869.

I. A. Lapham, LL.D.,

My dear Sir--

Your package of choice speci­

mens of Car ices and Filices came safely to hand, for which many

thanks.

The photograph was match admired and will hang wi thing

my "Den of dens" and perhaps it will be left to the New .England

Genealogical Society^s collections in Boston, so that you will

enjoy a niche in the "Hub of the Universe."

I have enjoyed the study of your fungi very much. * * *

No branch of botany is at present so obscure as our N. A. fungi.

* * *

We speak often of Julia a® you and send you both our un­

feigned regard and love. With respect and esteam, :;.nL. Russell. It if I ' 0

CJ^

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\ \ -1338- 1./70.

Feb* 1.3. Wont to nadison and on 16th assisted in organ iz. Ar t s the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, and Letters.

Amherst * 5 Mareh» 1870.

Dear Sir —

The plant which Jon enclose is the character is tica-1

J£vernia vulpria of California! so magnifioently develops an: in such luxuriance of fruit that the Europeans when ;ot it tried to make it a new species. * * *

1 thank you very much for the fine picture of yourself.

It is so many years since We met, that I was unprep I GO find that time had sat so lightly upon you. * * *

Wishing you the pleasure of the Journey and much success in the herborizing,

I am truly yours,

1. A. Lapham, a,sq. .. Tuckermann.

Milwaukee, ,,arch 18, 1...-70.

Hon. I, A. Lapham,

--

the meeting of the "Old Settlers' Club", on motion of the Hon. A. G, Hill or wore appointed to preapre reports upon the following subjects--Is t, "Judicial and legal condition of the Territory &c." 2d, 'Resources of sr- ritory, "&c. 3d, a and locality of the In-a. • ioes ai; the times of their removal from the' territory*" Your^self, Levi

Blossom and -a'. D* Dousman were appointed the committee upon third srbjeet. * * * Judge 'liller desired mo to write to you BJ 2f 3 -1S29- 1870. ascertain if you would prepare the report upon the Indian Tribes.

The Judge requested mo to say that ho had in his library copies treat ies of trie different Indian %-*i-¥e» which were at your disposal. * * *

\ • e r y • - o s p 0 0 tfu 11 y,

P. C. Pomeroy,

S a c'y 0Ld 8e11lers' C1ub»

Worcester, ^ay 11, 1870

Increase A. Lapham, LL.D,

Uy "ear- Sir--

I BJH making a collection of ca photographs of those, who bavc rendered most important ah; to t

American Antiquarian Society as offacers or autaors, to illustrate volxtmes of the proceedings, and I desire very much to have your portrait in this form, to be placed in connection with your valu­ able survey of Wisconsin. * * * I transfer the photograph to a

/arise page on which I place a suitable inscription.

Be 1 i e v a me , mo a t r: J B pa a tf ul 1 y y 01 tr s ,

Stephen Salisbury*

April 11.Left Milwaukee Wis# with G. P. Pose at 101/2 a. 8. for

San ";,rancisco, California.

.ropol itan Hotel,

Omahaj Nebraska, April 14-, 1870*

daughter]** Hare I am just oat of bed, and waiting fo. one daybin Chicago ****** fast and Mr, hose, who was detained I found the grass upon the lawns an parks in Chicago wa; ulrea 3fV -1550- 1370. groan and f^rosu, 35 miles .south havinguada a considerable climatic difference. At 10.45 A, It* left on the Northwestern railway for Omaha. * * * Crossing the prairies we found numerous fires creeping over the surface, consuming the Old! bleached grass, now quite dry, no rain having fallen for ten days or more. High south west wind prevailed. These fires presented a fine apnea -ance in the night* Th egress is so white that when reflecting the dim light of the moon snow» it made the ground look as if covered with moss. We found the Misissippi very high, within 8 f"eat of the track on the brid where wo crossed from Fulton, 111., to Clinton, Lowa. Charlie will >er how high the Rock Island bridge was above the low water, and can imagine what the river must be if n lmost up to the floor of that bridge . The northern floxture of the isothermal lines upon the plains is shown by the fact that while I am travel ing directly west, 1 find, spring store and store advanced? three miles west is equal to one mile south J Here young leaves are on tho trees? Red maples are in flower? and the crocus is i,: full bloom in the front yards of Omaha. The Missouri is also very high, though it has fallen a littleyesterda; and today. It is excess ively muddy * the fttud yellowish clay, the same that hero constitutes a large share of the" bluff a." i clay rests upon "Drift" with boulders /Bluff / hi-. much 1 Uca . 9 see mof ajH» ** -13S1- 1G70. this again upon limestone the surface of which is smoothed and

grooved much what Julie saw st Waupun, The glaciers, therefore,

once extended extended as far south as Offish*]

Pound no acquainta.nct) on the train, * * • Saw several

returned Cal if ornians readily known by their self satisfi ..;r,

lir large gold chains, and tae number of r inga upon the ladies'

fingers I

Col. Hammond showed me the museum of mineral and other

prooucts found along his Union Pacific R« R* collected by i)r.

Latham Of Laramie. Sorry I could not see the >->r.

Though this city is but 15 years of age it has its

ruins, in the shape of dilapidated, tumbling down, abandoned state

house, perfhed upon the top of ths u highest bluff.

I have already drawn upon the basket you • arsd and

am not sorry you did soli

The passengers were notified before reaching Omaha the

"this train does not stop fbr neali,'-' and yet it aia stop half an

hour April Is, 1370,

Shall le er : this morning whether *rr. Rose cornea or

not, can wait for him on the mountains in una Desert or in some of

the mines, * * *

You rs of fee t ion* t a 1 y,

Miss -airy J* Lapham, I. A. Lapham, -1332- 1870.

Sherman Station, U*. P. R, R.

hvarts Pass, B2A feet high,

April 15, 1870* On board Pullman si •«

ur Daughter**

To the above heading I should perhaps have added that the same Pullman car is detained sith its four locomo­ tives and cen other cars, by a freight train off the track, six

ioz aheadl Prospect of remaining hero from 2 P. a", today, all night. This will make but little difference sit basket, for

I am just invited to a supper of spseklsd Rocky Mountain treat.

1 left Omaha yesterday at the regular time but looked in vain for Mr, Rose. He is doubtless upon the excursion train (N,W, road) from Chicago which is detained. Possibly he may get here in time for the hotel train which will wait for him, and by running fast oatchmsfe.before I got to Ogdoi .

Driving down to the depot in Omaha I con! I not help ob­ serving what an excellent road-bed the ancient mud Of Missou­ ri makes when dry? neither our hares' feet nor >els made the least impress ion? no asphalt pavement in Paris can be er, harder or smoother. But when wet this same ma I about the consistency of putty,7 or thick paste? and adheres to the feet, ce­ menting them to the sidewalk, whloty is now covered sJ coating saving much wear and tea;' of the a rick.

It rrquirod two locomotives to pull us up the v of the Platte, which se followed with full railroad speadall the sfter noon and all night? a magnificent river, you say--ho Id on, not so fast? it may be magnificent in length and just now is breadth also, but its average depth is only six inches I -133.5- 1 ,70.

The aold northwest wind that began to blow in the morn*

ing at Omaha increased to a violent gale before night? at Fremont we heard that it was snowing"awfully" and drifting terribly at

Cheyenne. At Grand Island the train was divided, each engine tak­

ing 'tly on account ox the heavy wind which was again

Uii ,

This morning had coffee at the company's eating house at picketted Sidney? Where soldiers are pesfeei* and a cannon posted on a sort

natural rocky fort, to prevent surprise by Indians. Depreda­

tions sere eonnitted by them near here not many days ago, as you will see by the paper sent to --ar/. Last night at tan o'clcock a freight train was smashed in consequence of a rail taken up. Sup­ posed, of course, to be by the red man. It was cleared away by the time We got there this morning. So, you sea, a iaa som-j points oof resemblance to Minnesota! (You cannot, have forgotten

your experience with the Minnesota Indians)

a strom continued all last night and all day today, blowing the snow a) out •fearfully* but so found the track clear up

to this summit station. What we shall find tomorrow of course I do not ye t km-a .

The ingeniously constructed and wisely located snow

ices are doing food SSrviee hard now J large drifts along side of them, but none on the track. * to not have very much snow hQref but What doea fall la drifted into ravines and on the StSep aides of the valleys? th iral Surface is nearly bare . - rhola surface of the snow appears to bo alive and moving? and large clouds are- blown through the air looking white like a locomotive. iftr -1334- 1370,

Though this summit is so high (higher than *'t. Washing tod

it is covered with a rich carpet of grass, with wild plants,

shrubs and even large trees, while that mountain bears only, upon

otherwise naked rocks, a f*s lichens,

At Cheyenne a gentleman same on board who said h

only going to Laramie? so i prepared a card, put it into an en­

velope, direetsd to Dr. Latham and handed it to the

with the request tfet he Would give it to the Dr*f thinK of my Sur­

prise when he said, "I am Dr. Latham!" he said he would o and

so, and I said 1 would send him Posterts Miss. Valley. 3o pleas ;

ask Seneca to send it to him by express, paying charges* First

taku cut all memoranda, &c* Add res a him officially, "dr. II. La­

tham, Surgeon U. P. :'. a., Lars mie any Hospital," Ac

I sent home a dosen photographs from Omaha, hope you will get them in due season.

It is now 7 P. M. and the gala continues hard as eve :•..

Dr. Latham says we nay sxpset it to cent in ill another- day.

For amusement we watch the hats bounding over the paair~e> at

least half a dozen have bean thus lost slready? one with the c i- duetoris check? tine conductor happened ta see Lt an. the man another! Many of the losers are provided with extra. Soma gentle­ men just returned from an attempt to walk agains i windf fouxid

it a! 'most impossible to do so.

If Mr. Rose does not show himself 1 shall go forward to

Virginia City and await him there. All well.

You r s a f f e c ti ona t a 1 y,

Miss Julia A. Lapham. I. A. Lapham. Iff -1335- 1370.

Monitor, Alpine county, California, April 21,1870

My Dear- 8on--

I arrived hard last evening toe tired ana sleepy to write home before the stage 'left this morning at G, 80 I snail have plenty of time to write before the neit stags, whie leaves only every alternate morning. I think my last was dated upon the summit of the Rocky "fountains. I am no*' not far from the top of

the Higher Sierra Novadas. Since then. 1 have bean hurried along so rapidly and so continuously th " have had scarcely time to make notes oi the numerous- things of interest, much less to write letters about than;. I had a ride on the locomotitte with Dr. -ha­ th- rn from Sherman to the place where there were four of the

"Iron Horses" off the track. 1 jumped off in a snow drift expect­

ing to sink half my depth? but much to my surpriss the snow was so hard that my weight was not Suffioient to sink nuch eelos the erust, I was thus able to believe what I had been told that snow was so hard that the locomotives some times run -upon it, th getting above the rails and off the track. Walking around all the trouble, we found another locomotive about to go to Laramie where the Dr, pea idee and has his hospital. Dined with him and waited all the afternoon for the train to come pp.

Then we had no more railroad trouble. Qot to Reno on time fen,;- day lost) for stages 2 1/2 A. M, April Id for Virginia

Oi'ty whero we arrived at 6 A. h., i good morning's ride. Went to the la c le & Noroross' nine, Coras took lode, 1,200 feet be­ low tii; surface, collected orett, mine' , I associated rocks? ascended ' t« Davidson to th i eroppinga and went down the gulch to the pi see th e»e th lava and trap rocks are found . After c went by atsge to person dity, making upon the whole a pretty gi day's work I £/ &o

-133r>- 18

Yesterday came by stage from Carson Gity to Oenoa, along the left band (west bank) of ,•- n river and a foot of the

Sierra Nevadas to this place • isre 2 im to examine aa many of the s lver mine 1 can in the shea*' timi I can atay, come by rail from i ity to Carson Olty aa we intended w< aid have had ?. smash-up and possibly I should havebe are I could not well write any mor .:• letters home!You will see an account ( this accident in the paper 1 sent from Carson,

I I lis fact ion to find that I a and the hard travelling as well as Br* hose I Sxpect to be hero ten days. '

Your s effectlonetely,

r y L ap hsm, 1. A. La ph am,

Monitor, Alpine Co., Oal*, April 25 1070,

My de . •---

Wo have no railroads h^re to tell you about exce] such aa run directly to the hill-, in aoaroh of silver ores oj o. grade ascending one in four hundred* The cars ana pushed by a

n behind, freight in front, of a locomotive I no passengers on baggsge curs. The slope of the mountain over these railroads is

nd ia covered with, small chips of the slaty rook sliding down from the summits, mufh as glaciers slide from the higher Alps.If yon s to; upon these aurfaee chips, slide from under you and you come down jus: aa they do from at. Vesuvius* riW: flow of chips 6»US« rains &e«, is mueh like mat of a river, th of course very slow, being dammed up or turned aside by any obstruc­ tions. On the mountain 7,000 feat above the ssa, we found pine 4* 6/ qtiVl ^7 r -1337- 1870*

trees, shrubs, grass fee* still growing*

1 have rambled with Mr. Rose along the base of this mountain? along the croppings on the face of this mountain? and

along the crest of it? I have been wi th him, with candle in o$a had hand, itinera! hammer in the other into the tunnels? I have secured

specimens of the ores, selvages, country-rocks, and of the acoomptu^

ying minerals enough to fill a box. I have assisted in the assay

of the ores to find the value of the gola and silver they contains

ad per torn? and have done many other things since 1 came here.

About next Thursday I think I shall be able to close my

investigations here and go to s.. a FraneiseO, stopping one .day

Carson City to sea trie governor about "storm predictions," and an­ other at Sacramento, Everything is going on well with me, and I hope to be able to reach home in safsiy Son time*" * * *

Yours very affectionately,

Charles raphsn, 1. A. Lapham,

Carson Ci:;v, Nevada, April 39, 1870,

My dear ryutghtei

having eample 1 he investigation . mountain and mines I proposed -to see soma of the adjaeent local­

ities? so I went down the Monito canon on the &7th to the larson

river (distanse £ miles, descent SOC- feet) and up the river exam*

in ing the rocks, min->rals, lichens, mosses, Digger Indians, tun­ nels, mountains, valleys &o,« sauntering slowly ana. alone, expect­

ing to be overtaken by ' r. Rosa in a wagon on thoway to Silver

Mountain city? but aa no Mr, Ro3a came I accepted the invitation of the judge of the court, who was driving the editor of I roh-

icle, the County Supervisor etna other dignitaries home from a bal/ iT —' CJIP. 3 7 *~ -1538- 1 570,

So 1 had an opportunity of seeing the mines, rooks, canons, ores dc of that famous city under ve«*y favorable eir sums tarns as* Mr. Thomas

Ogden, formerly on gast ^atsr street, hilwaukoa, was r .ef eon* duo tor* He was one of the five Norwegians who first explored and located these mines in 1862, At night, the Ja' me again he mouth of monitor, and i found .... .as* sion had been entertained on account of my absence.

Yes tenia " wa earns i'lOre in t .age and . foliage ana th.) flowers hews come forward at a wonderful rate since we went up s SS0K ago. Tod . are to visit the hint, the Peni­ tentiary, t) f *m Springs and other places of interest hare?

6 tonight wo go on to Reno and ^aeramento.

All vatlf got two letters at Monitor,

Your a affectionately,

Mary J, Lapham, 1, A. Lapham,

Reno, Nevada, 1,1 "0,

. tor —

We arrived here yesterday on from mitor and will go on at 2 1/1 A.. :•-. to Sacramento, ffe span: at

C a r a on City, t he s t at e capital. * * • B t. do v. 31 i r, y i a

Oarriage to i us t< his her ire we had a nice luhc in

the adjacent quarries found bones of some of the eld monsters, but too wash broken to determine which.

i- rid; from „arson down the valley of tho ae river, by the aide of th* washoe lake, through the Washoe canon, m *th of the nofi d most-deserted Washoe city, aid over the alkaline . It of die at sambo at springs to this place was very delightful and full 3rt> A? $ j -1339- 1831.

Of ^e most intense interest. The clouts coming over the moun­ tains, dropp ng down to their proper level far bolos the peaks, ao- cumitlating volume, before they pass off over the plains of

Great nae in to be dissolved. As they linger about the suami'ts, they present the most grand and beautiful landscape,

. got specimens of the deposit made by the boiling hot water of the Steamboat Springs and gathered several floe hat api err to be peculiar to the spot, A long nsrr©* crack far down which we can hear the roar and gurgling Of the boiling water and can hearand foot the hot steam arising from it, is a modern ex­ ample of the way ancient mineral veins have been formed and filled.

Since an eruption i year ago th* -hags have not been as active? have not thrown the hot. water and steam to as great an elevation as formerly,

I shall send home three boxes of specimens and things from A here, 'anv, as they : o by freight trains perhaps i may precede them home. I shall be able to accomplish all my undertakings and get horn . &n the time assigned, say, by the las i or' tbia mont .

1 h his will find you all wsll--for all is well me.

Yours affectionately,

Jul ia/4. Lapham* I* A. Lapham.

S ta t e o t (jal 1E (i m i a,

Legislative a . mont, 18th Session,

Senate Chamber, Sacramento, ha- 3,'7G

dee ,on--

You may know by the a cove that 1 am in Sacramento,

Cal., a:t that 1 have been at die capitol or State house, but do Lf $ £J

-1340- 1-70. not i a thai T am alri a member < i ate J 1 was awak­ ened at %mno at 1 A. ! a: terd rf at 2 wa left th.3 place and at 1

. , ai ived here, passing ovor the Sier *a Hevada *red with snow? under tl ' I ous eno« shedBf down the western slopes among the "Placer" gold mines . After leaving the snow at* every mile seemed to show same new feature amd soma change in the progress of vegetation. The change from mid-winter to su mer ia here aeen in a fee hours' railroad ride.

•eo loeomotives * squired to pull our Ere in I two parts) up grades. I nave seen a number of people here, and one fin;? mineral cabinet, the value of which i said to exceed ...10,000. I. has beat accumulating during all the his to of mining in California,

noon today I shall go on to »&ti Praneiseo and coma to the eoi of my long journey before nigh:.. I stop a' th 5 Sol den

Sagle, havs a nie j room and good California fare.

Ye r- y i tiona t© 1 y you «e,

Seneca 0, i-aphan. I. A. Lapham,

P. 8* Your letter and Mary,a roe*d| coffe pot Worked Well? lunch

•tly consumed? partly thrown array I h;i,i mo.a; than was wanted

&c. &c.

an Francisco, California, .,'70

dear Son—

The railroad cam; last evening ran me a mile or so

into th? bay from Oakland ana fro1! thsnee a very 1 ferry boat brought' me to this city. The horse ears are very muc h. like ours, and sell t ickets at the same price? which is the Only -1341- 1870,

reasonable price I have found this side of the Rocky Mountains,

I write this from Room 107 Occidental Hotel, up nearly

half a doian flights of stairs. She clerk when he found I was

acquainted with Col. Crocker and yr. 11. Latham, who la here ;tend­

ing a nodical convention, promised to give ma a bettor room, bat he has not done so yet. Dr. L, says he has received the 'Mississ­

ippi Valley." * * * through his influence I em invited to join

excursion on the grand and beautiful bay in a U. 3. Revenue cutter

commanded by a bpothar of J. Y. 3cannon of Chicago.

This evening I am to dine with Mr, Blano&ard "r*l tomor­

row evening 1 have promised to vsit Mr, and Mrs. Sweesy,

Mr, J. D. Whitney, Mr. Ransom and others were glad to sea me . * * * I gathered some plants along the eastern base of

Sierra Nevadaa that appear to be quits interesting to the botanists here.

Soma parts of the town are filled with Chinamen, with

;ns in their language, and stores filled with such goods as they use? queer enough, with their long tails hanging almost to the

groun i

I left Mr, Rose at Sacramento bu1 . will be here torn!

and tomorrow wa are to sir ir specimens to Prof. Whitnoy and

others. I have now received your letters from noma? alsc am

. ". Hoyt,

Take as good care of yours*lf as you can until I ua.

You. rs s ffs c t i one te 1 y,

Cha r 1 es T . "-• ph am» I * A, La pi ia m.

I

interior of Iowa on the tra • »

May 17, lh70.

Dear M*ry*«

I shall be at home Thursday or ?ri ay. "eve got so far £?6 -1548- 1870. home all right. Lost my si so ping berth and so shall stop over at

Clinton on the Mississippi river, also at Chicago. Having a grand

time riding through thes beautiful slate, seemingly more bs autiful on account of the contrast sith the wild sage brush of the continft

tal interior.

You- a affectionately,

Mary •*. Latham, 1. A. Lapham,

Juno 24, Took soundings in Lake Michigan f aeine, With Dr<

;; . 31 imp a on, Dr« &* Andrews, Dr» H, V, Blatchford and others,

Villa Road, Lsworth, Staffordshire nd

June 27, 1870,

Dea - Sir —

Your nana having been given me by a friend as gentle­ man from whom 1 might obtain [in exchange for a tiak) a collection of A Land and 7royhwatsr a , .1 take liberty oi writing you on this at bjeet, * * * If fou would like to exchange would you kindly drop me a linoV * * * If you snould send to me, could you kindly enclose soma living Helix? They would borne vet paokbd in damp moss, * * » I am, dear Sir,

You- B v Sf y fa i th fu 11 y,

Or. I. A. Lapham, 6* Sheriff Tya,

Mislwauha , fie.

June 30/ Ro 'rom iron ton by way of Rsedaburgh to jfilbotiri

City. Along the west la tboo river eedsour.ya the land La good, on the east die sandy. The white sand rock a

4$y -13-13- 1370. yields this poor soil is covert-; in many places by a reddish send* stone, thioh yfilda a much be oil, whenervwr the- surface rise above , unction, the a oil is good*

Indications of an ancient lake ale: . aaraboo valley above Reodsburgh, B*bb*a Prairie doubtless the bottom of it.

"Haystack" fskstsh,) and other bluffs H, .":. of Del ton, ah owing a cap rock. Passed over the summit in a gap south of the "Haystack8 an d t oo fe o b s e r va t i on a f o r a 11 i tuds a c .

Jul • . me, by Mby of Portage.

Dear Mr, laaphara,

I am personally vary much

Obliged for i sp and pamphlet you have sent* Both are exceed­

ingly interesting and useful. If every oorroepondlng and resi­ dent honorary member wo aid have thia society' >- interest sfl much at heart* ta yon., there Woukd soon be a magnificent collection between our walls. * * * There is no place in the city of Now York where a ire.n could look at any State or village maps, except t

Geographical Society endure Sre still deficient although in the possession of many hundred maps Which await indexing and cata­ loguing. With kindset regards,.

Years very t r ulj ,

S, F.. Straznicky,

r York, July 7, 1870, )« Sec. Am/ Oeog, St Statist* 3.. .

July 11. Left Milwaukee at 2. 55 P. M, via Horeoon, Portage Oity fc:: boo* Ju-'ly lh. At- Bamb» . •.-• t wm, H, Canfield an; Jospah M, went with me about 4 miles 3, W, from Baraboc to see iron ore, -13td- 1370,

Found only fragments plowed up? which may indicate an extensive bed now covered with the soil, it Is of the- same kind and quality* apparently, SB that of iron ton,

The limestone on Sec. 2h X1, 12 R« 7 on«5 mil.. east of the tar 'ows ia smoothed and yrnxveu by the glacier^ Lft period? th) striae having the direction of the grea t •- ' ly

S. 54* W, It contains fossils WHieh seas indicate it be Ion belongs higher than the low - *gnesian**perhaps the "Buff" of the

Lea, . tan. The "Pine Bluff- a little faction oast is higher than the limes tone and is © mposed of snadstone. This limes tuna

•xes goad lime, though it is d ubtlssa magna Slant

Limestone is also found en the banks of the oreeJt N»W*l/4

Soo.IO- T 11 R.6 It contains no fossils.

The sandstone on See. 16 T 11 R 0,where we found indiea-

ns of iron belongs to the upper part of thePotsdam,b>-ing much perforated with soolithus and afx'ords soma traces of trllobitss

Dikelocepnaivts minnssotonsis ?

The sandstone on Sec.10 seme town and range ia in Jihin layers, constituting a "falls" which in a short distance smo'uhtS to 25 ft. The gorge look like the Dells at Kilbourn G upon a much smaller scale. These thin layers give rise to much bold rocky scenery by the different rate of decay of tho different layers . -1345- 1270

AGJ3 OP XHI ftUARTtlTB 0? BARABOO,

Bier a soars to be some difference of opinion among the professors as to the relative age of ths Quartsits which is seen so conspioously on the borders of the beautiful ano now much visited lake near Baraboo, Prof.Uall refers it to ths Huronian System so-called, while Dr.pereival deems it a hardened portion of t lower sandstone, (Sketch 5. 1- A reoent nasty examination enables me to show that the

Quartsito though-tsAsed-without a doubt a motamorphic sandstone was deposited,and metamorphosed into n hard durable rook before the dew ooition of the later portions of the Potsdam sandstone. (Sketch) 7? As you ascend the rocky cliff just at the north east an­ gle of the Devil's Lake near Baraboo in Sauk county and pass over to tiie cliff breaking off towards the east you find a section an above. i separation between the Quarts!to and the co*r*S con­ glomerate is distinctly seen dipping considerably towards the horth and last. At the bottom large angular a- roar locks make up much of the conglomerate. Tho blocks and pebbles consist entirely of quartsits or sandstone, there being no admixture of granite or other roeks, Above, tire conglomerate consists of smaller pebbles grad­ uating into sandstone,,(Sketch) Orevisss or veins in the quarts!to are filled with conglomerate indicating a difference of age &c. (Sketch) This section is found on the oast side of the ridge at 7f the north aast angle of the lake nsar Baraboo,facing a Small brook that rises east of the lake and runs northward,

.It shows aoms important facts relating to the relative age of the Quartsits,the donglomerate and tho Potsdam Sandstone. -12 1270

1st,,There is a sandstone older than the Potsdam possibly

the same t by being hardened becomes Quartz!tS,

this may be regarded as the older portion of tho Potsdam,

2nd The Quartsito with crevices filled a eonglom-

'ate,showing its greater aye &c.

3rd, Ooarso conglomerate resting both ttpon the QaMli^heJtlf3

••"-* ths Old Sandstone, It consists only of frag­ ments of Quartsits and Sandstone.

4th Finer conglomerate gradually assuming the character

of sandstone above,and constituting the base of the

Potsdam sandstone proper.

b Ordinary Potsdam sandstone.

This eonglo doubtless formed on t iorea of the

then newly created ocean. The boulders and profiles arre of various sizes and shapes, Some rounded by wave action and semo angular.

.-.how marks of their original bedding,of ten standing nerpendicu la rly.

These boulders sre therefore of very great age,having been formed at a time when animal life had scarcely an existence.

Their ,o bottldors formed at the comparatively vary re- cont Glaeial period and to others formed at tho present day,is a striking proof of stability and uniformity of the great laws of nature, which have bean the same through all geological time.

There are many evidancos to show the former existence ofa

Very Considerable river,which flowed through the channel now occu­ pied by aittiful and picturesque lake near Baraboo, cutting out

the sharp valley through the Quartsite ridge,which forms' so con- spicous a feature in the landscape of that interesting region.

Tho glaciers as they gradually reeedddfrom year to year -1347- 1870' have left traces of their former existence in the shape of ridges

of clay, sand,gravel Si ilders corresponding with are called

"terminal moraines" in Switzerland. One of these moraines was left

crossing the ancient river bed a mile east of the laky, and anoth*

or (now partially removed) at the north end of trie lake. It v

the choking of the channel by those ridgSS during the glacial pe­

riod which caused the reiver to seek its present course through a,

lower gap,which by subsequent erosion has become what is now' knovm

as the "farrows>*

Tiie bed of the ancient river may have been as loa as tho pro ora of the lake, (Sketch.

DHYX&'S LVKfi,— QUARTZ ITJS 40.

1848 Quartsits discovered at Portland Dodge Go.Wis.by Judge

N,y,Hyer and announced by me in a public lecture Feb.

1848 on Milwaukee,

The locality was visited by me in July, noticed lime-

Stone unaltered vory near. Letter to the Governor i n

Deeember,

Shumard (D . . '.) explored Devil's Lake £e« (Owen's

Report 1653 p.520) No opinion as to origin or ago.

184-9 In Oclobar 1849 I visited and explored Devil's j^aks

.Decided the "'uartsitc to be altered sandstone

105 Peroival's Report p. 101 Metamorphie sandstone,

1862 Kali's report p.13 Quartsite ranked with Iluronian.Oon-

g 1 en ia rs I th P o t s d am.

1362 Hobart--Hewspapet*--slevations, evaporation &s. 1864 Winehill— Am. Jour.(V )v,37 p.226. Quarts ite, Conglomerate and Sandstone all one age. 1870 Baraboo channel diverted by drift which also eausod t iS lake. 1871 isiaton Wis.Acad.Sci, Metamorphie,Potsdam Sandstone** iSpoch of ohango unknown. *1548-

On The Discovery Of Fish Remains In Glacial Blue

Clay Of The Hew Chicago Tunnel Under

Lake Michigan,

By I, A. Lapham.

(Sketch) ST/ The above is a sketch of the outline of the blackened im­

pression of a fish found recently while excavating the new tunnel

of the Chicago Watar-works under Lake Miehigan, Its position was

seventy six feet below ths surface of the lake and about eight hundred feet out from ths working shaft nea »re, Trio im­

pression could be very distinctly traced on account of its differ­

ence in color from the hard tough blue clay so well described by

Dr, E,Andrews in the Am.Jonr.of Science vol 48 p.174,1809. It

Was not measured,nor were its outlines traced bu figure is made from recollection of the contractor,superintendent and city

inspector,who give ths dimensions as follows? length about five feet width of body one foot, width at the narrowest placegnear the tail

four inches. It was distinctly obswrved to jaw shor

She ' o nave a forked tail. The position wa

nearly iorizontal,the back upward. Search "as made i a're­ mains of benos,scales and teeth ,but none were found, nor could the

aaion of scales be seen* One parson thinks he s&w indications

of fins,b*th abovi ane bwlow as shown in the sketch, others do not

remember or did not see the fins.

The no-? tunnel a- area of Id one will doubtless yield many other nan facts in the history of the glacial

Lod and should be attentively studies from time to timo as the work progresses by competent observers. The boulders taken out so far are mostly of limestone and other formoation existing in the neighborhood, no granite or other northern boulders having yet 473 -1349- 1370. been found. Several of those strange pockets of gravel and send supposed to have been frozen masses dropped from icebergs and bu­ ried in the rapidly accumulating deposit of caay,havs already boon encountered and hydro-carbon gas is fouhd in such quantity as to uiro constant ventilation, Similar masses have been observed elsewhere in the drift clay. So far as is at present known this is the first indlo'&tia tion of the actual existence of animal life of this part of the rid during the deposition of the glacial age.

iSveninfl Wisconsin, Milwaukee July lejrh,1870 Or,Lapham, any data of the rise and fall of water in . ;an t * * • The laky is very high now mid if it is to rise aucli mora we shall be obliged to change tho floor in our press room, * * * Yours truly,

A. J. Aikons.

Ana, Highest water noted by me was in July 1898**4 feet above

the zero adopted for grades in the city. Tho lowest, March 8,

1848 when it was 1,65 ft. .below the same zero,showing a toil change

of 5 ,65 ft. I.-- .L.

Aug, 18 Left at 0 p*m, for dau Olaire on the Chippeway,

Aug, 1? At ft ' ,20 a.m. Sandstone ledges on left of track

* * * * Hon: La about August*, Beyond . ird an occasion­

al bouldor of , ok. Sandetone only at tin.} mouth 'of .dau

Olaire, At Wolf's north quarry in high bluff Lin.gu.las &c found.

Six miles above Eau Claire a level made up of sand and .gravel. H4H -1350- 1870

Aug. 18 Rode in stags to Chippewa walls, Only one rock founds a gray granite. In the adjacent hills Potsdam sandstone is four .

>anks of a '-aval? tho gravel increases as are go up

the river. Probably of Laenstrine,not drift origin.

Along the Chippewa sbove the yells are two terraces

Snd .a plateaux of sand and gravel,covered by a yellowish loam

(fcoess?] 3 to 5 feat dee:..

So the St,froix,Chippewa,Black,Wolf,3"Ax Wisconsin and

-.:r rivers shoe evidenes of former lakes above thdeS "hells"

or rapids since the glacial drfft period.

At ilan Ba&i* fte bottom land,along t iargin o

river has a aucceasion of two or three low sand rid ailel with the aatar. 'drey ' 3d being below t: - ..' rat

•ace. (Skotoh,

Aug. 19th went au Claire to Wolf's Quarry i mile north ,

thence by the hell1- (Mt«3imon) ana R»Rl»bridge (BO ft high)across

owa, At 3 p.m. went home,

Mi]

Dr, P.P.hoy, sine wis.

ir, —

At the meeting c Academy it was made tho of the secretary to present an outline ox' the scientific invei itions air fie to indicate what new inv ations are most desirable,ai him f< • to ask the of .embers of the Academy. I be ..'ore that yoga will favor me with sueh information and suggestions as you may find convenient

A communication was received from Mr.Charles Doerf1inger relative to h:3s collection of oirds which was referred to the Com- -1851- 1870 mitten on t sieum and Wh ich 1 herewith forward to y r- ma n e f th ate arm i 11 e e,

1 also send you certificate of membership*

Yours truly,

I. A, La ph. am.

Oct, 13 Left Milwaukee for tirand Haven and Holland aich.at 9 p.m.

Rough passage South wind blew us from onr course. Got to grand

Haven 7 1/2 a.m.tho 14th too late for the cars to Holland.

Sand accumulates on the east side of the lake. Sand hills,orand

Ravenj Low marshy ground and a lake,Spring Lake back of the sand hills. (Sketch.)

The rand is thro -am th* water and when dry is blown by th* Westerly and northerly winds into large "sand dunes" often many feet high.

If an obstruction occurs the sand accumulates oh tho S.fi,

Side :i eating M.W.wind at the time when the sand was dry and mov­ able.

caaionally the accumulation is suspended for some cause when a growth of vegetation and a formation of black soil occurs.

This in comes covered by changes of local features as shown in Pig 1. frees become thua partially buried while yet alive? a

ifirmation of the supposed case at Manitowoc, Irregular strata occur like those in Potsdam sandstone at Kilbourn. city, and many other placas. Those *re formed by the wind under our own eyes? those long before man was created! C*pt?Moore says that a heavy blow ebntiro a day or two makes perceptible changes in the** sand hills.

Left .grand haven for Holland at 3,45 p.m. Bog ore at,

Kalamazoo exhausted 10 or 11 years ago. -1352- 1070.

Oct, 14 Rain with thunder and lightning at Boll and--5 oc tons ore

from Holland sent by T'i. '.."antral to nix with

Lake Superior Ore, "1 all Sandstone* lea used to

fill piers at mouth of river. Some 1 . buildings.

Shows spots of carbonaceous mattorjVegetablegjfossilsshells &c. and

in certain layers very numerous.

Univa i,

Columbia Boone Co.ho.

Oct.24,1070.

Dr. I,A,Lapham,

dear Sir,-

jreat misfortune has happened tome, I had your report

on forests on my table a few days since, it has now disappeared mysteriously. I appeal to you to sand me anot • / I tod it

much as I am preparing an article on the forests of * and

I wanl 0 use all of yours I can or rather some parts which I found

inter • • (1 slwsys g we you credit) A cony will * tly oblige

at this time,

Yours truly,

0,0,3wallow*

-o- ^Agw^ a<.^-'"hd3

-1353- 1850.

Jan. 14 Left Milwaukee at 4 a.m. for lladison--rode to Janesville by dtage with J.J.Bushnell of Beloit College and Alva Kimble.

15 Heard only the conclusion of Cen'l Smith's Historic!

Address.

16 Annual meeting of Historical Society? University cele­ bration.

17 My memorial for Meteorological observations introduced? refer1'ed to our co mi t tee.

19 Favorable report of committee on meteorological observa­ tions made by Dr.Chase.

TO THE HONORABLE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY OF THE

STATE OH WISCONSIN,

The Board of Trade of the -ity of Milwaukee respectfully represents to your honorable body that great benefits will result to the commerce and navigation of the "Croat Lakes" from the scientific investigations, now being made of the laws which regu­ late and govern storms.

There is annually a very considerable loss of life and property on these lakes,much of which it is believed might be avoided were the facts regarding this important suoject more gen­ erally known. It has now been ascertained,that vessels at sea can avoid the mora- severe tempests by timely observations of the meteoroligical indications, thus enabling the commander to vary his course so as to steer clear of the storm, and there seems to be no good reason why vessels on i lakes should not avail them­ selves of this know] as well as on the ocean.

But in order to ascertain what these laws are, in any particular part of the world, it is necessary to establish a regular system of meteorological observations,at numerous points and to -1354- 1850

have them continued for a series of years so as to cover all pos-

s ibl a c ant trigone ics .

An effort ^s now being made to establish such a system

embracing all North America. It is understood and believed by your

petitioner that such a system of sufficient extent in this state

can bejout in operation by an appropriation of about one thousand

dollars from the state treasury/ and considering the importance of

the object this is but a small sum. If the life of a single indi- v idual engaged in the commerce of the lakes,or if one steamboat or

sail vessel can be saved by this means the state might be consid­

ered amply renumerated for the expense.

We therefore respectfully pray your honorable body to

make an appropriation for this purpose to be expended under the

direction of the Regents of the University as is done in the state

of Hew fork or in such other manner as your wisdom may determine.

(The accompanying remarks by Professor E.Loomis show some

of the benefits that may be expected to arise from the stately of

meteorology). /1

-1355- 1850

To The Honorable,The Senate and Assembly

Of The State f Wisconsin,— r. The undersigned have, ing been appointed a committee for the purpose by" .the State Agricultural Society, respectfully peti­ tion your honorable body to make a small appropriation for the purpose of establishing a system of Meteorological Observations throughout the state.

To ascertain the nature and peculiarities of the cli­ mate of a country is aH important as a knowledge of the nature of the soil, gor however fertile the latter may be if the former is not propitious,the ugriculturist can do nothing. This can only be done by a daily record of the barometer,thermometer,winds,sky,tain

&C.,at a number of suitable places — say one in each county,—con• tinued for a series of years, Thoreis no subject in which the K farmer has a greater and more direct interest than in the weather.

To say that we may soon be able to predict the general character of the coming seasons with certainty may be presumptious, and yet it would be far less wonderful than many similar discoveries recently made. If the farmer could know with certainty what is to be the general character of the next season all may see how much advan­ tage it would be to him in deciding upon his course--upon what crops to put in, what to avoid &e*

Almost every kind of business would be more or less benefitted by such knowledge.

Much attention Has been given to the science of meteor­ ology within the last few years and a systematic effort is now being made to collect observations from all parts of the world so as to deduce if possible the general laws by which meteoric phe­ nomena are governed. Already the nature of storms on the ocean has been so well ascertained that no mariner need hereafter be • -1356- ' " 1850 caught within their influence. By applying the knowledge already obtained he can soaaieer his course as to avoid the storms of the ocean.

The observations which it is now proposed to make and for which ah appropriation is asked will be the means of determin&a ing m like manner the character of the storms and sudden gales of wind,so destructive to life and property on ottr own "Great Lakes".

Should they be the means of preventing in even a slight degree these apalling disasters,the appropriation should be made without hesitation and at once. There is now lying before me a list of disasters and losses on the lakes during the season of

1848 prepared by Capt.Rounds with great care and accuracy. Prom this it appears that 55 lives were lost, 72 vessels were driven ashore, 19 were totally wrecked, 5 were capsized, 6 sunk, 8 dismast ed, 1 foundered and 23 others were mora or less damages during that year in all 134 disasters. The loss to vessels and cargo is esti­ mated at various sums from $100 to $35,000 and presents the aggre­ gate amount of $420,512. The greatest number of disasters were in April,September,October and November.

In 1849 34 lives, 23 steamboats,4 propellors,17 brigs,

57 schooners, 3 scows,made up the list of disasters, with a loss of $368,171.

It is needless to enter into any argument #o show that quite a considerable proportion of this loss falls upon the peo­ ple of this state, and that any abatement of it would be a direct gain to them.

The climate of Wisconsin will be found tb possess some peculiar features arising from her geographical features. Occupy­ ing porti ons of tho two great valleys of the continent,— of the -13: - 1850.

Great Lakes and of the Mississippi—she must be influenced in this respect in s ome degree by both. The direction of the valley of the Mississippi,opening towards the warm regions of the south has a tendency to keep up the temperature of that portion of the state, and the effect of the lakes upon the climate of the state must be very considerable. All facts of this kind would be clear­ ly ascertained and made known by means of these observations.

While other states are doing so much to make known to the world their peculiar advantages and resources,Wisconsin should surely not remain inactive? nor is it right to leave so important a matter to the enterprise and patriotism of a few public spirited induviduaIs.

The surgeons of the several military posts, the academies in the state of Kew York, the counties in the state of Pennsylva­ nia, and a numerous host of volunteer observers are now collecting, the data from which the general principles will be adduced.

While enjoying the benefits of the labors of others is it not right that we should contribute our share to the general stock of knowledge?

To ascertain the nature of the climate of Wisconsin by these observations it is believed that the method adopted by the state of Pennsylvania would be most successful. That state has fu*» nished a suit of instruments for each county and placed them in the hands of such persons as would volunteer to make and record the ob­ servations. A sufficient number of such persons will undoubtedly be found in this state. These observers should he required to re­ port, say to the Regents of the University,asis done in New York who should have tho general supervision and regulation of the mat­ ter, -l&f^ 1850.

The ins-truments should be of the best kind and it is highly important that they should be precisely alike in their in - dications, for if they differ from the true standard, or if they differ from each other,it is obvious that they will lead to er­ roneous r e s ul t s .

The state of New York has recently revised and enlarged her system of observations and supplied the observers with new and more refined instruments.

Several gentlemen are now engaged in making observations of this kind in Wis cons in, but their instruments not having been compared and their hours of observation not being uniformtheir la­ bors are of less utility than they otherwise would be.

So f r we known to me they are , Mr.Orren Dinsmore, Enteral

Grove--Profess or S,P,Lathrop,Beloit Col1 ege--Mr.E,W.Spencer,Summit,

Dr. V.G.Satterlee,Green Bay,astaRev,John Gridlet Southport and I.A.

Lapham,Milwaukee.

A complete set of instruments of the most approved kind-- such as are now used in New York, will be about as follows,--

Barome t er $30.00

Standard Thermometer 5,-00

Wet-bulb thermoneter 2.50

Rain guage 2.50 making for each set -- $40.00 and for each of the twenty nine counties $1160,oo.

YOUR PETITIONERS,therefore,respectfully pray your Honor­ able Body to appropriate this sum of $1160.oo to be expended un­ der the direction of the Regents of the University of this state for the purchase of meteorological instruments and the establish­ ment of observations as indicated un this ot.tr petition.

Bill 114 S 1850 Senate and Assembly Journal. '

-1359- ' 1850.

(Should this be deemed too much to be appropriated at

once, a less number of points of observation may be adopted and

much good would result,but considering the importance of the sub­

ject the amount asked for is but small).

Milwaukee Feb.lat,1850.

Professor Joseph Henry,

Dear Sir,--

I send you my observations for January as usual.

While at Madison a few days since I endeavored to impress

upon the Legislature the subject of meteorology and prepared two

memorials one 83r the Board of Trade he -a the other for the State

Medical Soc iety,which were adopted and presented to the Legislature

The committee to whom the subject was referred reported in favor

of the measure and introduced a bill to appropriate a sum for the

purchase of instruments,one set for each county. I have some

doubts whether they will make the appropriation but if they d o I

suppose your Institution will fumish blanks &c. There are twenty

nine counties in this state.

I notice that the Legislature of Michigan has the same

s ub j e c t be for a them .

Wishing to publish this year a new edition of my work on

Wisconsin I take the liberty of asking a tabular statement of the

results of the obs erva tions heretofore made, in acordance with tho

blank herewith sent. You have mayomit Milwaukee of course. You has h a copy of my book and will find a similar table on page 79.

I fear you will find me a troublesome observeroobut if I ask anything that is unreasonable you will of course not take the trouble to comply with my wis lies. I have just received the "Occuktations for 1850 and am much obliged---but you did not give me the result of the calculation for longitude. I am anxious to know how far "out west" we are! * *

* * Yours truly, I.A.Lapham. / 2

-1360- 1850.

TE0R0L0GY,

By I, A. Lapham.

Hon NorthwesSsrn Journal of Science and Education.

This science — the science of the weather—has recently

attracted much attention and the interest in it is daily increas­

ing as new and important results are brought out,results which

have in many cases great practical utility tending to the greater

security of life and property and the greater comfort and happiness

of man.

A numerous host of observers are scattered over our en- t ire country patiently regarding every change indicayed by those

invaluable philosophical instruments the thermometer and the ba-

rometar.

The general government of the United States has taken up

the subject and requires of the surgeons at each military post a

regular monthly report of "meteorological Observations."

The state of Now York requires each of her colleges and

academies to furnish the Board of Regents of the University with

similar reports as a condition precedent to their right to the ben­

efits of her "literary fund." Pennsylvania has furnished each of

her twenty five counties with a series of instruments to be used

by voluntary observers and recently several ether states have lent

their sanction to this general movement on the subject of meteoro­

logy.

The Smithsonian Insitution at Washington had adopted this

as one of the modes of increasing and diffusing knowledge among

men" and is by general consent the center and grand receptacle in­

to which flows this great flood of light upon the fickle subject / 2 &?

-1361- w/f fit. 18 50,

of the weather. * * * " // / />— At a late session of the Legislature of Wisconsin^ a prop- if*~ Tfcb tyC&fc*u*>v$ JjZlfityn^ ^/W^- aW Ffiu M-uA, 4f*+^^u^S^£ osition was introduced * %* * providing for the extension of this

general system of observations into this state. The subject was

referred to an appropriate committee and the bill reported by Dr.

E.Chase in accordance with the petition, but ow infl to the pressure

of matters of more immediate interest and the very general desire

among the members to make the session as brief as possible,this

bill was,like many others of great importance,not acted upon,

propose,in this article to suggest a few reasons why

it would have been wisdom and good policy in the Legislature to

have adopted the measure proposed, and we cannot do better than to

• commence by making the following quotation from a report of Prof.

Elias Loomis of the University of the city of New York,showing some

of the'advantages that may be expected to arise from the study of

meteorology,--

"Very little argument is needed to prove that our ccmfort

and convenience and not infrequently our lives and property are

dependent upon meteorological phenomenaT&T * * * J^

"But How can the study of meteorology benefit the sailor'?J 1 Will it enable him to calm the tempest or subdue the raging sea? q

"This we do not expect, yet if he can anticipate the ap- v

proach of a storm even by a few hours,he may generally place him- i

self beyond the reach of its fury." " Is it in the power of science to enable the navigator to anticipate the coming tempos t? ,m

If so, then it would be difficult to name a subject of more vital - 3 4J^

importance to our commerce."

"The sailor is not the only person who has an interest in.

the study of meteorology" * * * * The farmer is directly dependent • W 3K*. ^A crtJZUJ^ir/^JZ t^Z06&*

/ % o *-

-1362- 1850 upon the weather for the consumation of his plans almost equally with the Bailor." *r* * "Here it may be asked,do you expect

ly not, but if we

on,the farmer may

crops,so as to

.y at least di-

ogical observa-

I Ao o^ ^ ^^®**^ 11 ientific physician- >logical phenomena a

of precise meteor­

ological observations cade in every variety of exposure and con- 6

tinued for a long period of time." * * *

"If the law of storms can be discovered this knowledge must be of the highest import ace to mankind particularly to those who are employed in nav igating the ocean." * * *

"If the influence of climate upon disease could be de­

tected, it might add years to the duration of human life."

There can be no doubt benefits equally important would

result to the commerce of our great lakes by the study of the laws of storms and there seems to be no good reason why vessels on the lakes could not avail themselves of this knowledge as well as on

the ocean. It is a common remark that "a gale on the lakes is more to be dreaded than a storm on the ocean." and this owing in a great degree to the want of "sea room" and the dufficient number of suitable and safe harbors located at convenient points. Such

is the suddenness and violence of these gales and so little ap- -1362- 1850 upon the weather for the consumation of his plans almost equally

with the sailor." *f*~ * "Here it may be asked,do you expect

to produce rain or sunshine at pleasureV Probably not, but if we

can anticipate the general character of the season,the farmer may

'regulate his time of planting, or the nature of his crops, so as to

'be least injuriously affected by unpropitious weather, so that,if

lie can not strip the lightning of its power he nay at least di­ ryyVV rect it harmlessly to the earth." "Again, an extensive series of meteorological observa­

tions may prove of immense importance to the scientific physician.

* * * * To trace the connection between meteorological phenomena a

and prevalent diseases requires ab accumulation of precise meteor­

ological observations made in every variety of exposure and con- o tinued for a long period of time." * * *

"If the law of storms can be discovered this knowledge

must be of the highest import- ace to rankind particularly to those

who are employed in nav igating the ocean." * * *

"If the influence of climate upon disease could be de­

tected, it might add years to the duration of hitman life."

There can be no doubt benefits equally important would

result to the commerce of our great lakes by the study of the laws

of storms and there seems to be no good reason why vessels on the

lakes could not avail themselves of this knowledge as well as on

the ocean. It is a common remark that "a gale on the lakes is

more to be dreaded than a storm on the ocean." and this owing in a

great degree to the want of "sea room" and the dufficient number

of suitable and safe harbors located at convenient points. Such

is the suddenness and violence of these gales and so little ap- / > o *3

-1363- 1850 parent warning do they give of their approach that vessels are often capsized before the necessary preparations can be made,and when it is attempted to "ride out the storm" a lee shore is at hand with no harbor in which safety can be found. No alternative remains but to "beach" and run thr risk of total destruction to ves­ sel,cargo and all on board.

Prom pitblished lists of disasters and losses on the

lakes during the season of l8§8 prepared by Capt.Rounds with much apparent care and accuracy it appears that fifty five lives were

lost,seventy two vessels were driven ashore,nineteen were total­ ly wrecked,five capsized,six were sunk,eight dismantled, one foundered and twenty three others were more of less damaged dur­

ing that year—in all one hundr ed and thirty four disasters!

The loss to vessels and cargo is estimated at sums va­ rying from gllOO to $35,000 and presents the aggregate amount of

$120,512. A similar statement has recently been published enu­ merating one hundred disasters that occurred on the lakes in the year 1849. The number of lives lost was thirty four, twenty three steamboats, four propellors,seventeen brigs,five schooners,three scows lost, either totally wrecked, capsized or sunk and the others more or less damaged. The loss this year amounted to $368,171.

The greater number of disasters occurred in April.September.Oc­ tober and November or during the season of the greatest and most frequent storms.

The proposed observations in Wisconsin would be the means in connection with others,of determining with more ceetainty the character of these storms and sudden gales of wind so destruc­ tive to life and property on the lakes. Should they be the means of preventing even in a slight degree these appalling disasters, ;2 D^

•1364- 1850. they should be commenced at once and if the life of a single in­ dividual engaged in the commerce of the lakes or of ono steam­ boat or sail vesssl,with iys valuable cargo can be saved from de­ struction by the adoption of such a system of observations in our state,we should deem ourselves amply compensated for the trifling expense it may b e to us. Our readers will need no arguments to convince them that a very considerable proportion of the loss falls upon the people of Wisconsin,and that any abatement of it would be a direct gain to them. Have we not then,as a community a pecuniary interest in this subject? If these disasters could be avoided in any consid­ erable degree,would not the people of Wisconsin be directly bene- f itted every year to the amount of thousands of dollars? The loss has to be sustained and must be borne by them,whether it falls up­ on the imports of merchandise,or upon the exports of agricultural mineral,and other productions. And if these disasters are so great now when the commerce of the lakes is yet only in its infancy,only just begun to be developed,what may we expect at a future time when our state shall be much more densely populated with an en­ terprising and industrious people? In the same manner it would be easy to show that Wiscon­ sin could participate in numerous direct and incidental benefits to the farmer and all classes of citizens as set forth in Prof. Loon-is1 report. While so much attnetion is given to the science of me­ teorology—while a systematic effort is being made to collect ob­ servations from all parts of the world,so as to deduce if possible the general laws by which meteoric phenomena are governed.it is highly important that similar observations be simultaneously made / T o y

-1365- 1850 in Wisconsin. By this means the nature of our climate will be­ come known and may be compared with that of other countries. A knowledge of the peculiarities of the d imate of a country is as important as of the nature of the soil, for however fertile the latter nay be if the former is not propitious,the agriculturalist can do but little or nothing.

The climate of Wisconsin will be found to possess some peculiar features -rising from her geographical position and to­ pographical features. Occupying portions of the two great valleys of the continent, of the great lakes and of the Mississip­ pi, she must be influenced in this respect in sane degree by both.

The direction of the valley of the Missisippi opening towards the warm region of the south,has a tendency to keep up the tem­ perature of that portion of the state, and the effect of the lakes upon the climate of the state is known to be very consid­ erable. All facts of this kind would be clearly ascertained and made known to the world by means of these observations.

And while other states are doing so much to make known their peculiar advantages and resources,(some of them having agents in our eastern cities for the purpose) surely Wisconsin should not remain entirely inactive in this respect. Nor is it right to leave so important a matter to the enterprise and;patriot­ ism of a few public-spirited individuals. It is clearly the duty of the state.

To ascertain the hature of the climate of Wisconsin by these observations it is believed that the method adopted in

Pennsylvania would be most successful. That state has furnished a suit of instruments for each county and placed them in the hands od such persons as would volunteer to make and record the observa- j%°

-1366- 1850.

tions.

A sufficient number of such persons will be found in this

state. These observers should be required to report-~say to the

Regents of -the University, as is done in New York and they should have the general supervision of the whole subject. (The ordinance

of the Regents of the University of Wisconsin organizing the col­

lege department requires one of the professors "to make and pub­

lish meteorological observations.)

The instruments should be of "the best kind, and it is highly important that they should be precisely alike in their

indications, for if they differ from the true standard or if they

differ from each other it is obvious that they will lead to erro­

neous results .

The state of New York has recently revised and enlarged h

her system of observation and supplied the observers with, new and more refindd instruments.

Several gentlemen are now engaged in making observations

of this kind in Wisconsin but their instruments not having been

compared and hours of observation not being uniform,their labors V are of less utility than ih therwise would be. • **K* It is to be hoped that this subject will not be lost sight of until something efficient be done. The Regents of the University ,the Trustees of the several colleges and academies in the state,the superintendent of schools and.all the true friends of the best interest of the state,those who wish to see her take a high s-tafeien stand in the ranks of her sister states, should unite in urging forward this and other kindred measures. In this way on­ ly can she make that true progress which will lead on to future greatness and to the security and happiness of the whole people. Milwaukee April, 1850,

/?, 0 7

•-1367- 1858.

C. J. Brydges,Esq.

Pros. Detroit & Milwaukee Ry. Co.

Dear Sir,—

The navigation of Lake Michigan,during the winter months

between Milwaukee and Grand Haven :is now being attempted by your

Company,and in its success is involved large interests? the interns

ests not only of the Company over which you preside,but also the

interests of the people of the City of Milwaukee,of the. State of

Wisconsin and of the Northwest generally.

The eyes of thousands are upon this experiment,and should

any disaster attend it,the consequences may be such as to require

many years to overcome. Hence every effort sjoitld be made to se­

cure su ess. Having as long ago as 1844 predicted in a public

manner that the time would certainly arrive when winter navigation

would be opedned (Lapham's Wisconsin 1844,p.168),I feel a direct

and special interest in seeing the prediction verified. 1 One of the greatest difficulties and dangers against

which you will have to contend arises from the sudden storm winds

which so often and so unexpectedly put the sailor upon his hard­

est service, to keep his vessel from s hipwreck. During most of

the time the winds on the lakes are light and not unfavorable to

navigation? but after a number of days of fair weather a sudden

and often unexpected changes occur?the wind hauls around toward the

westward and blows for several hours a strong gale. On the ocean

such gales are not so much dreaded,for there is "sea room" enough

to enable the vessel to "ride out" the storm?but upon the lakes it

is often only by the most extraordinary efforts that the vessel can

be kept "oof shore."

It is quite apparent that if several hours'warning could 1%

-1568- 1858. be had of the approach of these storms, sttch preparations may be mad as will enable the prudent and skillful Captain to avoid the danger

Recourse is had for this purpose to the barometer,but the "blow" follows too soon after the indication,to render this instrument of much practical importance,other and more certain measure should be adopted,if any can be devised,to secure this warning,and it is the object of this communication to call attention to what may with very little trouble and expense be done in this direction.

A large corps of meteorological observers are, and have been for several years,making daily record of the condition of the weather as indicated by the barometer,thermometer wind vane &c. at very numerous points over the United States and Territories. These observations have already led to some very important results,and many more might be-espseto^ deduced if competent persons could find time to examine,compare,and properly discuss them. One of these is the discovery of the fact that the storms of which I have been speaking originate in the far West,(probably along the east­ ern base of the Rocky Mountains) amd move towards the east. Ac­ cording to Prof .Espy the rate of motion is about thirty six miles an hour. They are preceded by a rising,and accompanied by a much depressed barometer. If this be true,then it is only necessary to arrange with the Telegraph Companies t

A storm may be at its hight in Nebraska,of which we may have immediate information,several hours afterwards it enters Iowa, next we hear of it crossing the Missieippi,and soon begin to notice its effects upon the barometer at Milwaukee. In this way you can have perhaps ten hour's notice of an approaching storm,and as it -1369- 1858. passes the different stations you may learn its rate of progress and its other character istics,so as to be prepared for its attacks up on your s hipp ing.

For an experiment and with a view to ascertain more certainly the nature and importance of this matter,perhaps it will be sufficient to extend the system for the preent only to the Mis­ sissippi River. Should the results be such as to justify it, the system could be extended to such points as a careful study of the matter and the experience gained should point out as most likely to furnish the desired information. By this simple means, intel­ ligently and judiciously directed,you may know the character of all approaching storms perhaps half a day before there is any immediate' danger, and in extreme cases vessels may be detained m port until the danger is past.

The cost of these observations cannot be very heavy? and

if they should be the means of saving one vessel and her cargo from loss,this cost will be returned "an hundred fold."

Inasmuch as the expense will be light and the results to be obtained very important,I have no hesitation in recommending the subject to your seriour consideration.

My deep conviction of the importance of this matter must be my apology for addressing you.

very truly yours,

ilwaukee Dec.31st,1858. I.A.Lapham. -1370. 1859. ilwaukee Wis.?eb'y 3rd,1859.

Professor Joseph Henry,

Dear ir,—

The winter navigation across Lake "ichigan from this port to "rand Haven directly opposite,has now by the completion of railroad lines become an object of much importance. Thus far it has been kept up this winter,though the boats expressly adapted for the purpose have not yet been completed. With the exception of an occasional day when one of the "storms" that have been so much investigated of late is passing us,we shall be able to keep up this

"Transit Line" during the whole winter.

If the deductions of; meteorologists are correct these storms in this latitude (and longitude)come almost uniformly from the west,and move at an average rate of a> out thirty six miles

(Espy)pr hour. Bt placing an observer west of us t hen with a barometer,he may be so le to give us warning of their approach and of their character several hours before they can reach us,and in this way, perhaps prevent the loss of many lives and of much val­ uable property annually.

The Telegraph Company here control two lines,one touch­ ing the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien (Site of Fort Crawford) the other at La "rosse,and offer to make the necessary observations free of expense at both points,an d telegraph to ilwaukee daily

(oftoner when a storm approaches) provided the necessary instru­ ments are proper instructions bo furnished.

These daily observations would be published in the eve­ ning paper so that all who feel an interest in the matter can have the benefit of them. ,

It has corrued to me that as this would increase and / 3- tt

-1371- 1959

diffuse knowledge an ong men and at the same time accomplish a very

useful,beneficial and humane purpose,the Smithsonian Institution

would find it consistent with its means and objectd to funnish

the instruments—say a barometer,thermometer and wind vane for

each station.

I presume the observers would willingly make monthly re­

ports to the Institution,and thus add two more to your meteorolog­

ical stations.

The barometer has not ba-©«. here-to£fore been found as

useful on the lakes as on the ocean, probably because the storm

follows s onnor after the barometrical depression. Hence the im

portance of availing ourselveiss of the Telegraph of observations maaV A at distant points.

If you. look favorably upon this project the instruments may be sent to me and I will se; that they are properly put up at

T«crosse and Prairie du Chien.

Should the result be as useful as I hope and believe it

will, the "Transit company"would undoubtedly be willing to refund

the cost of the instruments at some future time,

very truly yours,

I, A, Lap ham

Smithsonian Institution Washington March 1st,1859

I, .Lapham,Esq.

Dear °ir,-

As soon as we get a supply,we shall send you two ther­ mometers to place at the stations you mention. Instead of a wind vane I would recommend a simple piece of ribbon fastened to a pole elevated above the surrounding buildings. The direction of .•:-- (

-1372- 1859. the wind for the purposes desires will be sufficiently indicated by this simple arrangement. It will be impossible for us to send at present, barometers , first because our appropriatio n for this purpose is exhausted and secondly,because they can not be trans- ported by hand 'without breakage. I do not consider the barometer as indispensable for your object, it will be sufficient for you to receive the information of the actual iDccurrenc e of a storm at any place west of your locality.

Wo should be pleased to receive copies of the papers containing the telegraphic reports or any other items relative to the meteorology of your region.

We have now a person engaged in mapping the origin, course and development of storms and we.are ther ifore anxious to obtain information as to trie aspect of the sky, at a.s many and as widely separated places as possible.

Very respec tfully,

Your obdt.Sorvt.

Joseph Henry Sec'y.

"mithsonian Institutia

Milwauke e Oe t .2,186«*.

Dr . ~ ir,-

The telegraph boy is so irregular in his calls that I pre­ sume you have not found my observations of much value, andit seems A hardly worth while to continue to do what cannot be dene well. He has failed altogether for two days now.

Perhaps the foilowingresult of 1tourl y observations made one day in each month for a year and reduced as suggested by Maj. ;^/S

-1373- 1869

-R.S .Will i mason may interest you. It shows a very regular curve of atmospheric tide !

i(iiirt£Tii"ewaiiifli fUng"" '"*' mnfinA )

Your s w ith regrets,

l.A.Lap ham.

Prof. G .Abbe,

Cincinnati,0.

Two enclosures viz., The weather telegrams from Milwaukee for 7 a.m. Oct. 1st and 2nd.

Milwaukee Dec.1st, 1869.

Dr.«ir, -

I sand you a rough projection of the barometrical curve at Milwaukee,during the great double storm of Hov.lGth-19th and a newspaper extract showing its disastrous effects upon the Croat

Lakes. If you could add to your present enterprise hourly tele­ graphic observ ations from each station,from the beginning to the ending' of each storm, I think it would enable you to predict many of them several hours in advance and by sending to the different

Lake ports be the means of saving at least some portion of this great loss of life and property. A very small percentage of the loss would meet all the necessary expense. A fiiend has promised to call the atte" ntion of the National Roard of Tradeanow in ses­ sion at Richmond,Va. to the importance of the matter,and I hope for something useful as the result of his effort.

Please do me the favor to let me know whether anything"UN useful would be likely to result from such a project, and what an o urn -1374- 1369. of money it -would require.

Yours truly,

Prof.CGAbbe. I.A.Lapham.

P.S, A storm in March,1861 was 8 hours passing from Dubuque

to Milwaukee as I found by comparison with observations

made by Dr.Horr.

One enclosure,--Extract from the Milwaukee Sentinel.

Milwaukee Wis.Dec.8th,1869.

Hon. H.K.Paine,

Dear Sir,- -

I take the liberty of calling your attention to the ac­ companying list of disasters to commerce on our great lakes during the past year and to ask whether its apalling magnitude does not make it the ditty of the government to aee whether anything can be done to prevent at least some portion of this sad loss in future.

Yours truly,

I. A. Lap ham.

Richmond Dec .3rd,1869. On the third day of the second annual meeting of the National Board of Trade, Mr. . D. Hoi ton of Mil­ waukee, said--

"I ask leave to introduce a resolution and request its e reference to the Executive countil. I hold in my hand a communica­ tion from Increase Allen Lapham of my city, a man eminent in sci­ ence, which 1 will not read, but I will say briefly that it re­ lates to scientific investigations touching the lata storm on the lakes, which destroyed in twenty-four hours from a million to two millions of property and many lives. This learned gentleman claims / a- > *

-1375- - 1869.

that it is within the scope of science to communicate to ship-mas­

ters and navigators a knowledge of the approach of storms,hours

before they reach a certain point. H is communication embraces a

resolution which I will read,--

RESOLVED, That it is expedient to inaugarate in the Unit­

ed States a system of Meteorological observations by communicating

telegraphic information of the occurrence of destructive storms

and aindw,thus preventing much of the present loss of life and prop

erty upon the ocean and lakes."

"I move a refernce of the resolution and the papers con­

nected w ith it to the Executive Council for their consideration."

CARRIED. (Proc.Hat't B.of T. Richmond 1869,page 146).

Dec. 6 Mr.Hazard submitted the following resolution as a report

of a sub-committee of the Executive Council,to whom had

"been referred Dr.Lapham's communication on storm signals, (p 323)

WHEREAS, The subject of meteorology with reference to it

its influence upon the interests of commerce is attract­

ing attention in some parts of the country,and even with limited e*

experience it has been shown tlaat observations on the changes of ta

weather foretelling the approach of storms have been attended with

good results,and may,with proper encouragement,be made of increas­

ed benefit, therefore,

RESOLVED, That it is expedient to initiate in the

United States a system of meteorological observations

to be communicated by telegraph with a view of predicting the oc­

currence of destructive storm winds,and thus prevent much of the

present loss of life at a property upon the ocean and the lakes." , £*?.*£ .MO*.* Jw

it- ^

-1376- 1869.

RESOLVED, That the Executive Council be empowered to rec­ ommend to Congress to afford such aid to the different observa­ tories of the ® untry as will enable the astronomers in charge of them to give necessary time to the subject."

ADOPTED.

• •

)At the annual meeting of the Hotio al Board of Hire

Underwriters held in New York in April 1875, a resolution to ap­ point a special committee "to correspond with the United States

Signal Service Department" in relation to wind* as an element in fire risks was under consideration when the Hon.E. D.llolton said,--

"There is a little man who lives in my town,about so high(hold- ing his hand a little lower than his shoulder) who lives in an ob scure part of the town,and is known to comparatively few people in the town. You go to his house and you find it filled with all the evidences of science,specimens from the vegetable world and the minet-al world. Going to London a few years ago I was given by this little man a letter of introduction to Sir William Hooker, custodian of the Kew Gardens,which secured for me eminent enter­ tainment and influence. Hive years ago as I was about to leave my house to go to Richmond Va. to attend a meeting of the National

Board of Trade,he came to my house and had a resolution drawn,to be submitted to the National Board of Trade,declaring that the Na­ tional Government should organize a service to look after the wjLnds of the continent of America.

When I came to Richmond I presented that resolution.

It received a most eloquent second from the late Gen.Walbridge,an eminent citizen of New York. The Nat'l Board of Trade immediate­ ly passed that resolution. As soon as it was passed I sent it to 7: if

-1377- 1869. my friend Gen'l Paine,then member of Congress from my district in

Wisconsin,and in an incredibly short space of time for that august body--which is supposed to have at least as much red tape as the

Nat'l Insurance Co. it was passed, in the course I think of three weeks. The Signal Service was thus incorporated. I did not expect that the wind question would meet me at this angle of the

Insurance trade,out it seems it has.

That gentleman I will name, I rise to make these remarks and I wish to speak his name in this c onnect ion, because out of his labors so persistent,in his humble house,so unknown to his country men—for he is better known in foreign circles of science than in his own country,—and through his labors and instrumentality, this

thing has been brought into its present shape. His name is Dr.

Increase Allen Lapham of Milwaukee,Wis,"

(insurance Monitor vol.23,p.330)

Smithsonian Institution Washington Feb.3rd,1876.

Dr. P. R, Hoy,

Racine,Wis.

Dear Sir,—

Your letter was received during a great pressure of busi­ ness and I now embrace the first opportunity to give it a reply.

The action of Congress in regard to the Signal Service wa o was due to the immediate exertions of Mr,Lapham,mhwugh the member o of Congress from his district,General Paine in setting forth the advantages of the system to the commercial interests of the great lakes .

Yours very truly, Joseph Henry, Sec'y. • /z/ r \

-1378- 1869.

41st Congress, 2nd Session.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES, Wis. Doc. NO. 10.

DISASTERS ON THE LAKES,

(To accompany House Bill No. 602). Ordered to be printed December 14th, 1869.

MEMORIAL OF PROFESSOR I. A. LAPHAM OP MILWAUKEE,WIS.

Not only does the interest of commrce and navigation,but also tha t of humanity its elf,demand that something should be done,

if possib le,to prevent the fearful loss of life and property on our great lakes, such as has recently filled so many news ;paper columns with their appalling details. It we could have ven a few hours the great notice of the approach of storms that bring these calamities upon us,much o f their mischief might be avoided. The endeavor to pro- diet the occurrence of storms has been attempted in England by the late Capt .Fitz-Roy, and in Trance by Le Verrier,the astronomer, with what success will appear from the following ext ;rac ts, —

"On the 2nd of December 1863,during the day time I received two dispatches stating that a severe storm was about to traverse Prance," writes the president of the Toulon Chamber of

Commerce ot M Le Verrier, "they were published and posted up im- mediately and the merchant vessels in the roadstead had t imo to provide, and did provide against all risks. The maritime prefec-

ture.on its behalf,directed all officers who were on shore to has­

ten on bo ard their vessels. The storm burst forth with all its fur fury about half past three o'clock in the afternoon. The first telegram sent on the 2nd confirming that of the day before and therefore gained four hours time ahead of the storm and e ve ry th i ng was ready to meet the emergency. Tha nits to the precautions thus /2

-1379- . 1869. taken there was no damage,no disaster to deplore." The Genoese Journal of December 3rd says that "the prediction telegraphed by the Paris Observatory to^urin and im­ mediately communicated to the ports on the Western coast of Italy on the 1st inst.was fully realized. The first signs of the storm were felt yesterday about 7.30 p.m. During the night it raged fu­ riously, but there appears never-the-less to have been no disas­ trous occurrence in our neighborhood. The commandant of the port had hastened to take all proper measures and we may be thank­ ful for them." Prof. J.P. Espy in his secdnd report on meteorology, makes among many others the following "generalizations" from the observations made and collected up to the year 1850,the date of that report.

"Storms in the United States travel from the west twwards the east, They are accompanied with a depression of the barometer near the central line of the storm? They are generally of great length from north to south and move side foremost toward the east? Their velocity is such that they travel from the Missis­ sippi to the Connecticut river in about twenty four hours,and from thence to St.John newfoundland in nearly the sar:e time,or thirty six miles an hour,and,

The forse of the wind is in proportion to the suddenness and greatness of the depression of the barometer." Subsequent observations have fully confirmed the truth­ fulness of these important deductiond,which may therefore be set / 2- *-

-1380- 18B9 down as established facts or principles in meteorological science.

The storm of March 22nd 1861, (Sketch) is known to have occtt- pied eight hours in passing from DTyauque,on the Missisippi to " il- waukee on Take Michigan.

Now it is quite clear that if we could have the services of a competent Meteorologist at some suitable point on the lakes, with the aid of a sufficient corps of observers with compared in­ struments at stations located every two or three hundred miles to­ wards the west,and the co-operation of the telegraph companies,the origin and progress of thse great storms could be fully traced, their velocity and direction of motion ascertained,their destruc­

tive force and other characteristics noted—all in time to give warning of their probable effects upon the lakes.

Doubtless there would be failures and mistakes made,and many experiments and repated observations WJ uld be necessary be­ fore the system could be made to work with perfection.

But is not the object sought of sufficient importance to justify such a sacrifice? If it should prove successful in even one case,it might be the means of saving property worth many times the cost of the experiment.

But how shall all this be accomplished and who will assu© the burden of its cosyV Perhaps the establishment of a meteorolog­ ical department of the Chicago Academy of Sciences with a proper organization and a sufficient endowment,would be the most likely to secure the desired results. The money should come from those most likely to be benefitted. I.A.L,

)(The memorial with the additon of the last 6 lines was pub­ lished in The Bureau Dec.1869.) f •u't't

1870 -1381- -isaa— 41st Congress,end Session.

HOUSE OP.REPRESENTATIVES,Ex.Doc.No.10 p.2,

DISASTERS ON THE LAKES,

) J To accompany H.R.No. 602 ).

Yale College January I0,'70

Dear Sir,- 1 have carefully read the memorial of ProfessorII,A,

Lapham,recommending the establishment of a system of observations to give warning of the approach of violent storms,and heartily approve of the object of that memorial. * * *

I am,with much respect,yours truly,

Elias Loomis.

Hon.Hal bort E.Paine.

Contribution to the Bureau January 1870

METE0R0L0GICAL OBSERVATIONS.

Storm of March 14th to 17th 1859.

)Map)

-o-o-

To the Editor of the Bureau,—Prom a series of tables furnish­ ed by the Smithsonian Institution and published as a report of the

Commissioner of Patents in 1864 giving the observations collected from all parts of the country relating to the storm of March 13th to 17th, 1859 I have been able to lay down approxinately the posi­ tion of that storm upon an outline map at each of the adopted hours of observation, thus showing its origin and progress OV^B the coun­ try. These tables occupy ninety quarto pages of figures and notes,showing the indications, of the barometer and thermometer,to cloudiness,force of the wind,amount of rain &c . in great detail , u 2 *"~ .

-1382- 1870

but without any attempt to show what generalizations or infer-

ences may be made from them.

The base map employed is one p repared,apparen tly with

reat care and accuracy and published by the Boston Society of

Natural History,expressly for such purpc ses. Oh it are traced

the Isothermal lines (or lines of equal temperature)fur nished by

Prof. A.Guyot, and I have added as a matter of special interest

in this region,arows showing the mean of general result ant direc-

tion of the wind, taken from Plate VII in Prof.J.H.Coffi n'e elab- o rate memoir on. the Winds of the Northern Hemisphere. Th.es e ar rov:s

show very clearly the connection of the trade winds of the Atlan-

tie,with those of the greeat plains of t he west and of the region

of our lakes. The map brings out very p rominently the fact that

the storm first struck our coast in west. ern Texas about 2 p.m. of

the 13th and from thence it moved to the northward and eastward

traveling touching Lake Michigan twenty four hours and the Atlantic

coast forty eight hours later,thus allow ing amply oppor tunity,with

the aid of the telegraph to prepare for its dangers bot h upon the

lakes and upon $he sea. The storm occup ied one mo-'e da y in reach-

ing Nova Scotia and another before it fm:nall y left the continent

at St.John Newfottndland.

To enable me to take advant of the se mete orological

facts and give them practical usefulness for the safety of naviga-

tion it would be necessary to trace the istor m during it s gradual

approach, thus showing when,whore and with what force it woaild reach

the coast lines.

But all matters of detail must be left for hi m who shall

undertake the workaftheir farther conside:ratio n would be out of plae

here. I. A. L. *5 *^" \*** '

-1383- 1870

Cincinnati Observatory,Jan'y 7,1870.

Dr. I, A. Lapham,

Dear Sir,-

I must write to express the pleasure experienced in no­ ticing the energy with which you are pushing the matter of a tele­ graphic meteorological system of storm warnings.

My own labors in the field have been not perhaps so much for the good of the country and advance of meteorology as for the sake of astronomy. We can I think,make no more progress in our knowledge of terrestial and celestial refractions, until we better understand the laws of the distribution of heat and pressure in the atmosphere and our proposed system of signals coupled with a daily bulletin of chart will much help this study. My additional incen­ tive has been the desire to impress the community in general with the usefulness of the work carried on at observatories.

To this lattar and I have endeavored to expand the field of activity of this observatory so as to inclltde meteorology,magne­ tism, geodesy,geography and all other matters with astronomy.

By pursuing this curse it seems as though we might hope to place upon a sure foundation the establishment of a few good observatories which should combine the usefulness of "reenwich and the science of Poulkova.

I trust that in this view you will conicide or at least that it will not be opposed to the principles that have guided, you. Astronomy especially has suffered in this country from dis­ sensions and the observatories have been weak and poorly appreci­ ated—we must seek to secure the support of the people by demon- s trating ciir us cfulnesa.

I have in the Smithsonian Report for 1867 ahown the coure 1 2- **

-1384- . 1870 pursued by Struve and its results. He may well be accepted as a model in this respect.

I write with more feeling because I have noticed the

introduction of a bill into the U.S.Senate recommending the appro­ priation of money to the army for the purpose of carrying out the

system of storm signal warnings. Now th ese warnings ought to be eased upon observations m ade by the intelligent tel- graph operators or managers of offices or other employees. The meteorological observations of the army have generally proved them­

selves very unreliable and are certainly no better than those that

the telegraph operators could easily make.

It would I think have been wiser if the bill had recom­ mended that Congress appoint a committee of three (Henry,Coffin and a navy or army officer)to report some plan of action.

And I am specially of opinion that the money expended would do more towards effesting good results if it goes through the hands

• • • of army officer^. It would be a pity to s e : the country swindled with an

inefficient meteorological office as it has already enough to do to

carry on the naval observatory with the present objectionable sys­

tem of management .

Every such onus is a hindrance to the progress of science presume in the country?. I-pr-epes-e hhowever that we shall both be able

to unite upon some plan that will prove feasable. I beg to thank you again for a copy of the Bureau"containing your map of the storm of 1859.

The daily weather bulletin that I have been publishing stops temporarily but will soon be resumed. I nave sent a short notice of it to the "Bureau." Very respectfully yours, Cleveland &hhe 1 •r / "2-

Milwaukee Jan.12, 1870. 1870.

'-••—•" r.Sir,—

I am glad to find that you approve of the project of storm predictions,and hope we shall be able to accomplish something

even if we do not succeed in all our efforts,or in the manner we

could wish. The bill introduced in Congress does not appropriate

any money,a defect,which may render it nugatory, though it may do

some good. It will authorize Army officers to rid us. Should the matter fall into the hands of such Army officers as Gen. A.A.Hum­

phreys,Chief of Engineers, Maj,R.3.Williamson, Gen.W.S.Raymond,Sppp

of our Lake Survey, or Col.Whheler in charge of our Hrbors, I shoud have no fears of the result. The bill is now before the Committee

of Commerce and may be modified before its final pas age,perhaps

your views might influence the Committee to give it the right

shape. I read your account of the Russian observatories and of

their use of the Repsold Circle with much interest and with many

hopes that we might have such institutions and such surveys in our

own country at no distant day.

I have been conversant with the history of your Observa­

tory since the days when Prof.Mitchell perambulated the streets with his' subscription book asking only for $25. to aid in its con­ struction. It was characterized as the "Homeopathic" method of doing a thing. I had the pleasure one evening long afte rwards of

seeing him lying upon a sofa "recording with the most wonderful ac­

curacy the passage of a star over trie wires by a tap of his fin­

er! — then a new thing--tho American method. It has always been a natter of rear at with me that so little could be done at this Ob­ servatory—for want of permanent endowment I presume.

Yours truly,

I,A,Lapham, One Enclosure. Extract from the Milwaukee Sentinel on the Bill au- orizin i Secretary of War to provide Storm Signals. / X 7-u

-1386- 1870

Chicago Jan'y 12,1870

Dr. Lapham,--

Yours with enclosures at hand. Herewith I send you a no­ tice in Tribune of Saturday last,upon your article on "The Bureau".

I want you in a short letter or com'n I can publish,to answer it, if you will, it is simply contemptible.

I also enclose,which please return,an article comment­ ing on the same thing in the Bureau,from the New York Times,Dec.8

They took your letter to us out entire and added as much more to it

Editorially in warm commendation. * * *

I can see how a stock company can pay handsome divi­ dends upon an investment such as I spoke of. My main query,where am I to get the men to secure reliable information at the differ­ ent points. Clear up that point for me and I will furnish you with the $100,000 to operate with.

Of co air so there must be some one capable as Director in thr Scientific Department,will you think of that matter? Business men see money in it and that alwaya "Makes the mare go". If you can use more Journals and will send me a list of names I will send out at our expanse 500 of tite January edition.

Yours truly,

C.W.Jenks.

Editorial from 'The Bureau' Feb.1870.

"We tahe the following article from the Chicago Tribune of Jan'y 8,1870,—

"The January number of "The Bureau' is out and as usual is devoted to questions of finance and commerce. A rather cu­ rios feadure of this number is an article in favor of establishing a Meteorological Department in the Academy of Science. This ar­ ticle is acfiomnnniflrl H« o —. .-=.-.; t- ... *-u^ ~ *, -; -^ ,<• -i n o^fl I ^ *•'

-1387- 1870 ticle is accompanied by a map purporting to show the origin and progress of the storm of March 14,-17 1859 and that it might have been known on the lakes a whole day before it reached them. It might be asked of what practical value such a department would prove,if it takes ten years to calculate the progress of a storm."

It could hardly be expected that every person should,at once,comprehend the importance of the measures we have proposed for adortion by the public for the benefit of commerce on our great lakes,arising from a knowledge at the several ports of the approach of storms. ,ret it was hardly to be supposed that a man of so much erudition as the literary critic of the Tribune should not be alb&e to sea,that reference to a fact occurring ten years ago does not necessarily imply ten years of study afterwards,to investigate truths in science growing out of it.

If the/s criticisms were made with a due knowledge of the facts in the case,the spirit of the communication is unworthy its author. If made in ignorance we can inform the Tribune that the data being given Dr.Lapham or any competent observer,the cal­ culations could be completed in a few minute's1?.

The communications in these pages in reference to this subject from Dr.Andrews Pros,of the Chicago Academy of Sciences,

Prof.Cleveland Abbe,the Director of the Astronomical Observatory at Cincinnati,one of Ameriea&a foremost scholars,and from the

"ew York Times would indicate also that the Tribune's estimate of the "Practical value" of our suggestions is equally unfortunate with its other atempts at criticism. ••-'

-1388- 1870

Milwaukee Wis.Jan'y 14,1870

Capt. E.B.Ward,

Detroit Mich.

Dear Sir,-

I take the liberty of calling your attention to the sub­ ject of the enclosed papers with a view of asking your opinion as to whether the proposed prediction of storms istpon the lakes could be made available by the masters of vessels,so as to enable them to save five per ct.or more of the losses of life and prop­ erty now annually sustained.

That the knowledge can be obtained in very many cases twelve hours in advance seams quite certain. Perhaps also you might be willing to aid in the establishment of an Observatory at

Milwaukee when the knowledge could be collected and forwarded to the several lake ports. As the storms from the west first strike lake Michigan we are m Jic basi, posmun fur Su.ch an ubs :•.vatory.

Yo u r s v er y t • • ul y,

I.A.Lapham.

The Chicago Evening Post,-January 23,1870.

"Storm Signals for the Great Lakes."

I.A.Lapham L.L.D.of Milwaukee to whom is due the honor of the inception of the present movement toward the adoption of a bill by the government for the establishment of storm signals

along the chain of lakes and the Atlantic coast sets forth the advantages of the plan as follows in his petition to Congress,

(see page ) #% ***' 1

-1389- 1870 Chicago Jan'y 31st, 1870.

Dr .Lapham,

The ball is mov ing. The hew York papers are coming the movement in gallant style . One of our leading men here

T. Y. Vcf»an,has the whole natter under consideration for a stock company fsot to voce) I have your note with the extract for the newspaper.

I do hope the action of your hoard of Commerce is such that I can use it for a lever.

on. H.Capron has sent me a splendid letter for my March number on. the subject. I shall also have one from Professor henry.

The matter will not rest.* * *

Yours truly,

C.W.Jenks,

Academy of Science Chicago Feb.1st, 1870.

Dr.. I. A. Lap ham,

My dear sir,-

* * * We thank you for ItMfeSWe in the "Bureau' which will benefit us whether the meteorological project succeeds or no t.

We hope such a bureau of the Academy may be established and are doing all we can towards it*if it is,may we hope that you n/f* will co\e to Chicago and take charge of it ? I know of no one else hereabouts capable of undertaking it.

Very sincerely yours,

Wm St impson. ^D

-1390- 1870 ilwaukee sentinel Oct.17,1870.

In answer to a letter from llen'l A. J.Meyer Brevet

Biig.den'l,Ch.Sig.Off.of the Army,asking the co-operation of the

Chamber of Commerce,the following resolutions were unanimously adopted,—

" WHEREAS, Congress at the last session passed a joint resolution introduced by the representative of $his district at the instigation of Professor I.A.Lapham and recommended by the principal commercial associations of the contry,authorizing the

Secretary of War to provide for taking meteorological observations at the military stations and other points in the interior ofthe continent and for giving notice on thenorthern lakes and seaaoard of trie approach and force of storms for the benefit of commerce,and

WHEREAS Under the authority of the Secretary of War,the

Chief Sig.Off.of the army has taken measures to carry out the in­ structions of Congress on this subject and has requested the co­ operation of all scientific establishments and commercial associ­ ations in the practical discharge of the duties thus imposed upon him,which are of very great importance to our lake commerce,there­ fore be it,

RESOLVED That the President is hereby empowered to ap­ point a standing committee of three,whose duty it shall be to con­ fer from time to time with General Albert J.Meyer Chief Signal

Officer of the army and extend to him such assistance and co-op­ eration as may be in the power of this Chamber in securing the fullest possible benefit to commerce from the proposed observa­ tions . -1391- 1870

Nov, 8 Went to Chicago 6.30 a.m. train at request of Gen'l

A.J.Meyer of the United States Signal Corps. Accepted temporarily

the position of Assistant to the Chief Signal Officer, at a com­

pensation of $167, per month.

Chicago Nov.8th,1870.

Professor I.A.Lapham L.L.D.is hereby announced as Assist­

ant to the Chief Signal Officer of the Army in the Division of

Telegrams and Reports for the benefit of Commerce, he will be

respected accordingly.

All papers,reports and instruments will be subject to his inspection and all facilities will be aforded him for the

discharge of his duties.

o will communicate directly with the Chief Signal

Officer of the Army.

Albert J.Meyer,

B.B.Gen'l Ch'f Sig.Off. Army.

Chicago Nov. 1(5,1870.

Dear Sir,-

I have written to the observers at Cincinnati and Du-

luth as requested in regard to their uniformly low barometers, but is would be well for you to direct that the first weekly re­ ports of all observers be carefully examined,as they come in,with regard to the corrections for temperature and elevation,especially

the latter.

Very respectfully yours,

..en'l Albert J.Meyer, I.A.Lapham/ C .5 .Officer, Ass t .0 .3 .0 . ,-L, B *t-

-1592- 1370.

Memoranda sent to C.S,O.Nov.21, 1870.

It would be well to apply an "alarm" to the clocks of the

several observers to secure promptness>•&«*.

To read the barometers to half hundredths,using three

decimals/the last of which -would always be 0 or 5.

To record in separate columns, requiring one or more

column in form 4.

Observed eight Barometer Barometer height of attached reduced to corrected for Barometer. Thermometer 32o Pah. temperature and sea level

This form should also be ruled for 21 lines instead of 7,there

being 3 observat ions dally.

In reduction to sea level the Buffalo observer now

adds .55 in.more than at firstfthe Cincinnati put his decimal

point one figure too far to the left and added .063 instead of .63

Duluth sent the observed height without any correction. There are

indications of other irregularities.

Some observers use the mean temperature of the month,— others the temperature at the time of making the observations.

Each observer should have a special table of reductions

to the sea-level,adapted to the elevation and the range of tem­

perature and pressure at his station. This would save time , pre­ vent errors and secure uniformity which is all-important. This ft *

•1393- 1870 the table in. Loomis will soon be worn out by constant use. I.A.L.

Chicago Nov.23rd,1870.

Gen'l A.J.Meyer,

Dear Sir,—

As I neglected to show you the Wisconsin weteorites in my collection,I now do the next best thing by sending photographs.*

* * I have been home two different days,doing each time a week's work in a day and though I selected calm weather the storm king came upon its each time. Please therefore hasten the time when the telegrams shall all be sent to Milwaukee,where ,with the ad­ vantage of my library,manuscript &c. I can do at home the same work that I now do here with much more satisfaction to myself and 0 the public.

If the thermometers can be put into a small observatory upon thefcoof o f a house as I believe is now contemplated there will be no necessity for a room with a north exposure and we may have upon moderate terms the best place in Milwaukee,the Life In­ surance Building only one block)on' square )from the Chamber of

Commerce and Telegraph Office.

The rough charts I make out of the weather daily are exceedingly interesting and already indicate some deductions not discovered by Eapy or Loomis.

Yours truly,

I.A.Lapham. -1394- - 1870

Chicago Nov.27,1870.

My dear Daughter,—

* * * Things are going on flourishly here. I get down town every morning in time to make up a skeleton map of the weather over the whole country from Boston to Chefenne.and from

Duluth fo Key West. This morning I telegraphed to Gen'l Meyer at

Washington "a warm current (of air)coming up the Mississippi—cold one coming over the plains"(east of the Rocky Mts.). * * *

Yours truly,

Miss Mary J.Lapham. I.A.Lapham.

N ov. 29 Chicago. Counted 33 sail vessels in the offing. 7 of them riding at anchor, 7 others making for the harbor--N.#.Blow

"Probabilities"for the 28th announced this blow.

162 Washington St.Chicago,

Dec.3rd,1870.

Gen'l A.J.Meyer,

..ear Sir,-

I have the honor to report that during the past weak daily charts have been prepared (though necessarily in a hasty and rough manner) show ing the height of the barometer above or below the mean of 30 inches, state' of the weather,direction and velocity of winds,the temperature &e.,at the stations from which reports have been received, and trie general results sent by tele­ graph to the Chief Signal Officer at Washington.

These maps * * * will enable a skilful meteorologist to detect many of the laws governing atmospheric changes in that portion of the continent cohered by the stations. t "2, ^

-1395- 1870.

Doubtless these will vary with the seasons,a law or rule that would be applicable in the winter not always being so in the sunmor.

A glance at them will shot? the magnificent extent of the disturbance during the pjas t month. The line of mean barome­ ter (30 iclaes) in no case enclosed a space within a region cov­ ered by the stations from Boston to Cheyenne and from Duluth to Hey

".rest but forms only a portion of a large irregular circle. We therefore usually have to deal with only a small portion of a great storm.

An important fact I have just developed this morning, which indicates that the two stations on Lake Michigan (Chicago and Milwaukee )are on or near what we may call a sptorm nod_e or center about which they swing or vibrate. * * *

The barometrical changes at Boston New York and Wash­ ington at the east and at Omaha and Dulth on the west have aver­ aged twice as much as Milwaukee,Chicago and points directly south of them. * * *

Yours truly,

I.A.Lapham.

Chicago Dec.6th,1870.

Gen'l A.H.Meyer,

Ch.Sig.0fficer,

Dear Sir,-

The observers on the lakes were directed on the 3rd inst.to bulletin as foilows,--"Barometer falling rapidly at

Omaha,St.Paul and Duluth. Heavy weather probable on the Lakes."

At Duluth the storm followed almost immediately. When the / 2- 3 &

-1396- 1870 storm reached Lake Michigan on the morning of the 5th the observ­ ers below were directed to bulletin as follows,—

"Very low barometer with rain at Milwaukee and Chicago, progressing eastward." This ,which was sent at 10 A.M. must have reached lakes Erie and Ontario before the storm.

Very respectfully

I. A. La pham.

Assistant to the C.S.O.

Chicago December I0th,1870.

To Gen'l A.J.Meyer,

Chief Signal Officer,

Sir,—

I have the honor to report that during the past week my daily charts continued to show •»«. many features of much inter­ est and value as the ground work of future storm preditjons. * * *

The week closes to day with the barometer very high except at the stations on the Gulf of Mexico. The atmospheric dis­ turbance there has not yet reached-ws a sufficient number of our stations to show the extent and the direction it will probably take,hence no predictions can be made until tomorrow morning.

The members of the Chamber of Commerce manifest their interest in the new meteorological map posted in their room by gathering eagerly about it when first prepared each morning.

Very respectfully yours,

I,A.Lapham.

Ass is tant. ,*>7

•1397- 1870. Milwaukee Deeember 11,1870.

Dear Brother,-- Last i?riday Father sent home $128.03 to be deposited

as the first money of any amount he ever received for any scien- t ific oceupation(regular salary at least) and Thursday af ternoon

I was down town and met B. He said that he had been around among

some of father's friends and collected flOO.to make father a life

member of the Chicago Astronomical Society"--(You know this society

owns the "big telescope"at ^earborn Observatory)* * * * Pretty

good for two days was it not? I was so delighted I hardly knew

what I was about. * * * Can hardly wait to see father.

Good bye, from your affectionate sister,

Henry Lapham . Mary.

Chicago December 17th,1870.

H, N. Butler,Esq.

Dear Sir,--

Your latter of the 12th inst.addressed to Mr. J.E.Hilgard

of the Coast Survey was referred by him to Gen. A. J. Meyer,Chief

Signal Offic ;r in charge of the Meteorological Observations for the

benefit of Commerce and by him referred to me for reply. . . . ( You ask, of what use is the jyreteorological record--wirod

at Chicago be/ one dispatch "c-entlef and by another "Very fierce

gale" at the sara time ? You ask also for an explanation.

The dispatches referred to are, first the Signal service

record for 11 P.M.December 11th,showing that,at that time,the wind

at Chicago was gentle—blowing only at the rate of four miles an

hour* and second a newspaper dispatch from the same place dated

December 11th,which states that a rain storm accompanied by a

-1393- 1370.

fierce' gale commenced last night about 10 o'clock and continued

without abatement up to this hour 9 P.M.

A comparison of these dates will show you that there is

no disagreement between these dispatches. The casual observation

of a newspaper reporter may show a gale of wind blowing at 9 P.M.

and accurate instrumental measurement made two hours afterwards,

may show only a gentle wind without revealing anything very ex­

traordinary in Meteorology.

Respectfully yours,

I. A. La pham.

Asst.to the Ch.Sig.Off.

Dec.19 Snow at Cuincy at 8 A.M. at Chicago at 12 noon.

Dee. 24 Potomac frozen. Ice 4 inches at Stanton,Virginia. Fear

of loss of oranges at Mobile.

Milwaukee necember 24,1870.

To Gen'l Albert J.Meyer,

Chief Signal Officer,

Sir,-- I have the honor to report that during the past week we

have had indications of a new kind of movement of the great atmos­

pheric disturbances which are accompanied by low barometer,high

winds -p-c . , it may be called retrograde. The accompanying dia gram shows the position of the line of mean pressure (30 inches) on

the morning of the 17th, 18th and 19th, at all points north of each line the barometer being below the mean,at all south,above. It

will be seen that this line swings around the "storm node"near

Cleveland,like the spokes of a wheel,the position on the 17th being f %, * /

-1399- . 1870.

east of Duluth, on the 18th south of Chicago and Omaha,and on the

19 th east of Cincinnati and Nashville here assuming its normal

direction from the west to east.

Ths motion of thess atmospheric disturbances from the

east has heretofore oeen supposed to be confined to the West In-

dia Islands and the Gulf of Mexico curving thence southward into

the region of westerly winds,prevailing over the United States*

but if the facts now noticed prove to be general we must suppose

that the disturbances originate north of us curving southward into

the ;sam e region of westerly winds.* * * But the principle meteor-

olog ical fact of tho week is the "cold term" which still continues,

though there are s igns of abatement at Chyenne and Omaha as hinted

in m y telegram to you.

The cold terms seem to have progressive motion from west

to east in common with so many other meteorological phenomena.

The cold this morning extends to nearly e very station

heard from except Lake City and Key West.

Yours very truly,

I.A.Lapham.

Washington D ,G .Dec.26,1870

Prof . I. A. L A PHAM,—

Milwaukee Wis.

Sir, The Chief Signal Officer desires you to compare the sta­

tist les of losses and damage to vessels on the lakes from Nov.1st

1870 to Dec.31st 1870 with those for the same months in 1869 and forward the result to him at this office.

Very respectfully,

H. W. Howgate,

Acting S.C.and Assistant. ^^

-1400- 1870/

Chicago Dec.28,1870.

Gen'l A. J. Meyer, Ch.Eng.Sig.Off.

Sir,— My business and personal relations with Hon.Byron Kilboun

(dating as far back as 1827 )who died at Jacksonville Pla.on the 161b

are such that it becomes necessary for me to go to that place with­

out delay.

The administration of his estate which is quite large

both in Wisconsin and in Florida falls upon me by his will and I

am advised that his affairs at Jacksonville require immediate at­

tention. This will explain my telegram to you this morning request

ing leave of absence for the month of January.

As this is a aeaaon when there is but little navigation ©'

the lakes,my presence here seems to be of minimum importance.* * *

With many thanks for your kindness heretofore I remain,

Very respectfully,

I.A.Laphat^

Chicago December 31st,1870.

Gen'l A.J.Meyer,

Sir, —

On this last day of the year I send my weekly letter to

sat that the meteorological enterprise of the War Department con­

tinues to work with much satisfaction and I hope with benficial results .* * *

On a former occasion I directed attention to the enormous

mag nitude of the atmospheric disturbances with which we had to deal, so extreme that our whole country is not sufficient to con­

tain them. After nearly all the instruments located at twenty four r— 1871 ..-1401- t—^ places between the Atlantic coast and the Pocky Mountains and be­

tween the Gulf of Mexico and the great northern lakes are similar­

ly affected at the same time.* I can not help thinking that

we must look beyond our globe for the cause of such wide spread

movements.* * *

Should it be deemed advisable I cannwhen on my contempla­

ted tour,visit several of the stations at the extreme south,not

only to see whether all is right but to so familiarize myself with

the peculiarities of southern climate as to enable me more intel­

ligently to perform the duties of my present position.

Very respectfully,

I. A. La pham.

1871

Chicago lan'y 7, 1871.

Gen'l A.J.Meyer

0H.Sig.5ff.

Sir,—

* * * No very considerable storm has passed during the week

but such as did come were of norma 1 character,confirming former

deductions. The barometers have again shown a disposition to rise

or fall simultaneously over the whole country, especially on the

morning of the 5th when 24 out of 28 barometers had fallen since

the proceeding report,quantities varying from 0.02 to 0.30 inch. **

Yo ur s respect fu11y,

I .A.La pham.

See "ecord of Dec. 27-28-29- & 30--1870 bar and ther. / TL, V *"

-1402- 1871.

Chicago Jan.16,1871.

To Gen'l Albert J.Meyer,

C^ief Signal Officer,

Sir,—

Having been appointed an assistant to the Chief Signal

Off leer of the Army of the United States,in the department of tel­

egrams and reports for the benefit of commerce,for thepurpose

of considering the tri-daily reports of the condition of the weath­

er,received at Chicago and reporting the results,with such informa­

tion as would be likely to lead to a knowledge of the approach of

storms,especially upon the great northern lakes, it becomes proper

that T should make a report of what has been done up to this time.

* * *

My instructions were to furnish daily to the Chief Sig­

nal Officer for his consideration and action as quickly as possible

after receiving the morning reports,a brief ana*ysis of the re­

ports received for the twenty four hours proceeding (or for a long­

er period )as to facts bearing upon the probable woather with a

statement of the probable character of the weather for the next

twenty four hours, and in case of imminent danger,the dispatches

wore to be immediately published along the lakes by the several o bservers,without waiting orders from the Chief Signal Officer. * *

In the prosecution of this work I have had occasion to sg

suggest certain changes and improvements in the methods of doing

the important work in hand,some of whic1 have been adopted and

have resulted in saving the time of the observers and of securing

greater accuracy of resultsV, t -z- V 3

-1403- 1871

Twenty five stations wore occupied on the 1st of November

1«70 to-wlt,—

astern and Northern stations—Cheyenne, Omaha, St.

Paul, Duluth, St.Louis, Milwaukee, Chicago, Cincinnati, Toledo,

Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Rochester and Oswego.

Southern and Eastern Stations,-- New Orleans, Mobile,

Montgomery, Mashville, Key West, and Lake City Florida, Augusta

Ga. Washington D.C. Hew York and boston.

Such was the perfection of arrangements made that twenty

reports were received oni? the first morning and this number was

gradually increased until the 24th when reports were received from

all the stations. A break in the aubmarine cable to Hey West

prevented reports from that station until the 20th. The average

number of reports received at Chicago duting the month of November

was 23 out of 25 or an average failure of only 2 * * * In January

1871 six new stations were occupied by observers. The vaerage

number failing to report during the first half of the month was but

one. * * * *

The reports were received in cipher for the parpose of

saving time and expense in their transmission,and were immediately

translated into ordinary language and figures by the very compe­

tent and efficient observer Sergeant James Mackintosh. * * and

the reports mace ready for the assistant by half past nine or ton

o'clock. * * *

c In compliant with instructions* * * * I proceeded each morning with as little delay as possible to const "act a skeleton

chart of the weather on a large sheet of paper,upon which the rel­

ative position of several stations had been marked,showing the /xW

-1404- 1871.

height of the barometer above or below trie mean(aasumed to be thir­

ty inches) the state of the weather, the temperature , the direc­

tion and velocity of the wind &e« at the several stations from

which reports were received. These items were so connected by lins

(in different colors) as to 8how the districts where the barometer

and the temperature were high or low,where rain or snow was fall­

ing &c. this representing to the eye in a comprehensive manner

the condition of the weather over the whole cotintry from the At­

lantic to the Ba-aifie Rocky Mountains, and from the Gulf of Mexico

to the great northern lakes.

With the aid of this meteorological chart and of the col­ umn showing the amounts of change since the last preceding report,

and with a general knowledge of the character and movement of

storms over the interior of our continent, one carnitieadijy deter­

mine what predictions to send forward. Comparing one of these

with the next proceeding,the progress of weather changes as they

move over the country can at once be seen and their direction and

velocity ascertained.

* * * The first dispatch of the Signal Service sent from

Chicago v/as dated at noon on the 8th of November and was directed

to be bulletined at once by the observers on the lakes. It was as

follovrs*

"High winds all day yesterday at Chyenne and Omaha.

A very high wind re ported this morning at 'hnaha> arometer falling

with high wind at Chicago and. Milwaukee today. Barometer falling

and thermometer rising at Chicago,Detroit,Toledo,Cleveland,Buffalo

and Rochester. High winds probable along tho lakes."

The high, winds thus presumed to be about to fall upon the

lakes were shown by the reports of the next morning as follows* -1405- 1871.

St Milwaukee twenty five miles an hot.tr, at Detroit thir­ ty two, at Toledo thirty eight, at Buffalo twenty five, and at

Oswego twenty five miles an hour. Very brisk winds were also blowing at the same time as follows*At Duluth thirteen miles, at

Chicago seventeen miles, and at Cleveland twenty miles an hour.

The second bulletin was directed to be posted on the • lakes,and at ew 'dark and Boston,dated Nov.9 11 a.m. as follows*

"Low barometer moving eastward. High winds along the lakes ana probable along the New York and eastern coast."

At 4 p.m. high winds appear in the reports from the lake stations and 11 p.m. on the lower lakes and at Washington. * * *

A glance at the skeleton charts daily prepared to show the meteorological phenomena more readuly to the eye.shows the magnificent extent of the atmospheric disturbances that thus fol­ low each other with such rapidity over trie country.

The several lines of equal barometric pressure seldom in­ close a space within the region covered by our stations, a region extending from Boston on the east to Cheyenne ofi the Rocky Moun­

tains, and from Duluth on Lake Superior to Hey West at the most southerly extremity of Florida. The lines are mostly in the form of curves of a very great radius, it is,therefore,to be re­ membered that we are dealing with but a small portion only the border--of these disturbances. Such far spreading phenomena can surely not be produced by any local changes of temperature,as has been supposed. We must look for some more general cause,p>erhaps exterior to ot.tr earth, for nothing less than cosmical causes v/ould induce a simultaneous change of the barometers,either rising or falling together,over nearly the whole of this vast region of coun­ try. * * * /2< Y i

-1406- 1371

As a general result it will be seen that these observa­

tions and reports abundantly show the correctness of the most im­ portant, general deductions first reported, by Hspy* especially in regard to the western origin and eastward progress of storms in

the interior of the United States. Our work also leads to the sug­ gestion of some new theories, but it would be premature to refer

to them, t.tntil further observations shall show whether they are correct.

I deem it quite important for Hie interest of the ser­ vice that an observing station should be occupied in Iowa, about half way between Omaha and Chicago, and another at Marquette on

Lake Superior, a port at which there is a very considerable amount of shipping.

Another means of increasing the usefulness of these ob­ servations would be their prompt publication in full detail as often as: once a month. The distribution of such a publication, if free from typographical or other errors, to scientific institutions and individuals could not but lead to important results.

Very respectfully,

I, A. Lapham,

Assistant to the Chisf Signal Officer. .•'.-••-• f ,v y• y

-1407- 1871.

METE8R0L0GY NOR FARMERS,

-0-0-0-

About the year 1840 a friend residing at Columbus, Ohio,

(Jospeh Sullivant) supplied himself with a suit of meteorological ins truments and soon became deeply interested in watching their in­ dications. He was trse owner of a large body of rich land in the valley of the Sciota near that city, anl had a la-'ge number of men employed in its cultivation.

Soon after the purchase of these instruments his men were enaged in cutting hay during an entire day* and at night, the wea her appearing fair, directions were given, tio the foreman to continue to cut during the n xt day. Thus a large quantity of hay was already on the ground and a still large* quantity would soon be thus exposed to injury, should any unfavorable change of weather occur. The next morning, the weather, so far as could be seen, promised another fair day* but during the night the barometer had fallen rapidly, thus indicating to my friend the near approach of rain. At an early hoar, therefore, he mounted his horse and a'ped to the house of the foreman with directions to cut no more hay but to its e all diligence in securing that which was already down.

"This must be done by 10 o'clock, for by that time it will rain;*"

With much astonishment at the sudden change of the programme of work and many doubts of its propriety, the men set about the task.

It so turned out that within a few aiinutes after 10 ft'clock and when the last hay had just been secured, a very heavy rain com­ mon c ed fa11ing .

The saving tints made was more than sufficient to pay for ths whole cost of the meteorological instruments.

The workmen were eager tc see the "machine" which had thus enabled their employer to predict the coming rain at a time -140.- 1871 when everything promised fair weather,

I. A. L.

for the centinel.

Chicago, January 14th, 1871.

General A. J. Meyer,

Chief Signal Offcier--

Sir —

* * * The firsy general failure of the weateer reports at this place since the com* en cement (Nov. 1) oc ettrred this morning, only four (Cheyenne, Omaha, St. Paul and ,yilwaukeo) having been re­ ceived out of the t iai rty-one. * * *

J are now having another example of a heavy northeast winh; with; rain, snow and hail preceding the fall of the barom­ eter, thus shewing that this instrument in any one place in the

region of the lakes gives no warning of these often very severe storms. This approach can only be known by telegrams from the west, such as are received in the "signal service." * * *

P. e s p e c t f u 11 y yo at r s ,

1. A. Lapham.

Jan. 16. Toft Milwaukee for _.acksonville,

Jacksonville, Mla., -an. 25, 1871.

My dear naughter--

* * ** * At Savannah I was detained 23 hours, went to see tine observer, told him I had a son who thought of going n yf

-1409- 1871. to "lashington to prepare himself to make such observations, and he very politely showed me his inatrumants, his method of making observations, &e. I had the satisfaction of finding him all right had e apparently :does not suspect that I have, anything to do with the matter. * * *

Yours truly,

I, A. Lapham.

S igna 1 Of f ic e, '"ar D epar tmen t,

. arch 23, 1871.

Dr. I. A. Lapham,

Deg. r lir —

In attempting to write out a little historical notice of the Bureau of Weather Telegrams for en? of our magazines

I find myself under the necessity of writing to you to ask that you will kindly send me a aketch of the steps by which you wore led to propose through ton. H, E, Paine that Government undertake th e work.

I should be specially pleased to learn whether perhaps the la eor of the Cincinnati Observatory in 1868 ana 1869 contribut­ ed to turn the public attention to this subject.

with high regard and esteem, I remain,

Ver y r es p ec tf ul 1 y y our s ,

C le v el and Ab b e . x. v-o

-1410- lo7l.

Probably the first inception of tithe present movement which resulted in the adoption of the present system of storm sig­ nals, was the occasion of meeting my friend, don. E. D. Holton, on the street in November, 1869, just after he had been appointed one of the delegates to tho Ratioanal hoard of Tradem then about to meet at Richmond, Va. I explained to him the possibility of pre­ venting some of the great losses to shipping on our lakes, a very formidable amount of which had very recently occurred* that storms could be pcdicted by telegraph, from the south and west before occurrence their appea«a»ee upon the lakes and the sea coast? that it was the duty of such bodies at the ;ational Board of Trade to take some ac­ tion in the matter? that Congress ought to adopt measures to, at least, make the experiment* and that if nothing was done now when the losses had become so fearfully great, and when these facts

were known, it might be deemed almost a criminal neglect of duty to humanity on the part of the government and of influential ma , who could put the matter in motion. His reply was, "Prepare for me a statement of these things in writing, and 1 will see what can be done at Richmond. Accordingly I addressed to him a brief and has­ tily prepared paper vh ich he caused to be referred to the Executive

Council of the hoard of Trade on the 3d day of the session, as n appears from their proceedings (page 146). * * * (see page of this manuscript.)

I was very much encouraged to make this movement by the very efficient and successful effort made hy Prof. Cleveland

Abbe of the Cincinnati Observatory in 1868 and 1869, in predicting weather changes? showing (as it did) that commercial men already felt an interest in the subject, and that there were persona com- --/ /I.

-1411- 1871. potent to carry into effect the measures that might be adopted.

The delegation from the Chanber of Commerce of that city took an active interest in the subject and it was, doubtless, throu their influence that the allusion was made to the Observatories and the as"1, ronomers in charge of them.

I cannot- learn that the Executive Council of the national

Board of Trade ever complied with the request to recommend the subject to the attention of congress , unless the presentation of tJa the paper (I had. prepared by Gen. H, E, Paine, the member of Con­ gress front Milwaukee on the 14th of December, 1869, can be deemed as sueh corap 1 ianc e .

On the 8th od -scomber there was published in the Mil- wat kee Sentinel a list of 1914 lake disasters causing damage to the amount of $4,100,000, carefully prepared by the marina editor of that paper, Mr. Louis BleyerJ a copy of which I immediately sent to GeN. Paine with Hie suggestion that the appalling magnitude of these disasters made it the duty of the Government to see whether anything could be done for its future abatement.

The ppper and this list of disasters were orinted as

! '.iscell aneous Document No. 10, and was doubtless, the chief means of introducing the action that fallowed.

Soon after r. Hoi ton left for Richmnond I had the good fortune to meet Mr. 0. W. Jenka who had recently established in Chicago a commercial paper <~>i' a high order called "The Bureau,"

He manifested a deep interest in the matter', an! through his paper aided very materially in bringing it before the public and. to the attention of members of Congress. IN the Bureau for January/' 1870, i a is a map prepared by me showing a clear and comprehensive manner f &, 4~&-

-1412- 1871. the course and progress of a storm from the Gulf of Mexico over the western plains, the region of the lakes and thence to New Pound land, and how it might have been known by aid of the telegraph long before its occurrence. Copies of the Bureau were liberally dis­ tributed and aided much in securing: the final passage oi the mea­ sure in Congress.

Yon are dodhtleas familiar with the subsequent history of the matter, how tine newspapers very generally approved of the movement? how the hoards of Trade in the chief commercial cities expressed by resolutions their oo nfidenoa in its usefulness* and how Surgeon General .1. K. 13arnes, Prof. JOB a ph anry, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution? Prof. -2. Loomis, and especially the chief signal officer, Can. A. J. Meyer, encouraged the measure by letters to Gen. H. E, Paine? which letters were published for the information of members of Congress.

It was through, these means that the passage of the reso­ lution, authorizing the secretary of War to provide for taking me­ teorological Observations and for giving not;ce on the Northern lakes aa d on the seacoaat, by magnetic telegraph and by marine sig­ nals, of the approach and force o f storms, by the American Con­ gress was secured.

I, A. Lapham

Of course no claim i- made in the preceding paper to any credit for the general idea of predicting stroma by tele­ graph? that had been suggested as early aa 1846 by W. C. Redfiald, to whom we are also indebted for many other uaeful facts and aug- f &» ^°*3

-1413- 1371. gea tiona in regard to Btorms, His words were--

" In the Atlantic ports of the HnitedS^ates the approach of a gale, when the storm is yet on the Gulf of Mexico, or in the

Southern or ^astern, states, may be made known by means of the elec­ tric telegraph, which, probably, will soon extend from ,yaine to the Mississippi. This will enable the merchant tS avoid exposing his vessel to a furious gale soon after leaving port. By awaiting the arrival of a storm and promptly putting to sea with its closing winds, a good offing and rapid progress will be secured to the voyager." Wm. C. Redfield in Silliman's Am. Jour, of Science (ii) vol. 2 p. 334, September 1346.

The is xt public notice of the subject is the following by

Prof, Loomis--

"When tin magnetic telegraph is extended from aw York to New Orleans and St. Louis it may be made subservient to the pro­ tection or" our commerce, even in the present imperfect elate of our knowledge of storms. The severe winter storms which desolate the Atlantic © ast come from the valley of the Mississippi and require about twenty-four hours to tavel from St. Louis to New

York. The approach of -:5 dangerous stormmight therefore be tele­ graphed at New York hours before its arrival, while the sky was yet unclouded and the wind propitious, in season to save a fleet of ships from putting to sea, to be engulfed in the bottomleas deep." Pir3t Smithsonian report, 184'7.

Aa early aa 1848 the subject was a matter of frequent reference in the public journal1.:.? was one of the numerous objects proposed by the Smithsonian Institution* and was even then thought to be worthy of the attention of the general government. f dm** v V

-1414-g 1871.

Tn 1851 the American Association for the Advancement of

Science at their meeting held at Albany, N. Y., gave their sanction

to the idea in a report stating that "the lines of our telegrpahs

will be rendered available for observations on the subject, more

complete than any which have been, heretofore practicalbe? and

while they enable us to determine the laws of storms, will also

furnish the means of giving notice of their progress, and. antici­

pating th? ir approach,"

Prof. Jose pit Henry is due the credit of having first

availed himself of the telegraph to ascertain the approach of st

storms. This was ten years after the sitgges tion by Red field, and

fifteen years ago, as appears by the following extract--

"We are indebted to the Xia tional. ^elegraph Line for a

series of observations from Hew Orleans to few York and as far

west as Cincinnati, Ohio, which have been published in the 'Even- excited much interest ing Star" of this city. >se reports have etc-tended-further and could they be extended further north He¥»t-h-a-Ba.-t-Hep^-g9'ft9Fa4iy-4?e'- -fee-wes^war^ and. more generally

to the westward, they would furnish important information as to

the abroach of storms. We hppe in the course of another year to

make such arrangements with tho telegraph lines as to be able to

give warning on the eastern coast of the approach oil storms, since

the inves tigat ions which hava been made at the Institution fully

indicate the fact, that as a general rule the storms of our lati­

tude pursue a definite course. " Smithsonian Report March 1858.

The memorial sent by me to Gen, Paine calling hie atten­

tion to the list of Masters on the lakes and suggesting the pro­

priety of signals giving notice of the approach of great s torma was was based upon an extended series of meteorological observat ion.3. /1~ i-»

-1415- 1871.

Milwaukee, Peb. 28, 1871.

To G enera 1 ge yer ,

Chief Signal Officer,

I believe that the s torm that passed over San Fra ncisco on the 20th, Corrinne on the 21st, Cheyenne on

the 22d, Omaha on the 23d, Milwaukee on the 24th, Portland on the

25th was the first that has been traced entirely across the con­

tinent. The accompanying diagram of curves shows the fact very clearly and may have its its e in the effort to find out more about

the origin an1 progress of the great storms that so often sweep over the northern states and the region of the lakes?

I. A. Lapham.

Washington, April 1, 1871.

Professor I. A. Lapham, to the Chief Ass is t an ^Signal Officer, Milwaukee, Wis--

Sir—

I an directed to acknowledge your communication of the 27th

enclosing table of mean temperature of Milwaukee, corrections to be applied to observations, and to ask what data you require from

our office to enable you. to prepare similar" tables for all station now occupied by our observers. Such tables cannot fail to be of great importance in comparing the reports from dfferent points.

Very respec tfully,

H. W. H°wgate,

Acting 3ig. officer. %*£"<&

-1416- 1871.

ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY.

Report to the Chief Signal Officer War Department,

That electricity has much to do with the condition of the weather and with its numerous constantly recurring c auages, is known to everyone. There is jsut now a disposition among meteor­ ologists to give this mysterious force much of the credit hereto­ fore awarded to heat, for the general circulation of the atmos­ phere, the pe ma riant ever-flowing w ird s . It therefore becomes important to have a series of observations made several times a day and continued through many years, showing the quantity and kind of electricity innthe atmosphere. It is fair to suppose that such observations might be made of great utility in our endeavor to anticipate the approach of storms upon our lake-shores and sea- coasts for the benefit of commerce.

So far as I know Dr. Wislizenus of St. Louis, No. is the only pars) n in the country who has applied himself to the elu­ cidation of this important problem of atmospheric electricity. He has devoted to this subject an a noun t of patient ana persevering labor which entitles him to the thanks or' all metorologists. To make six regular daily observations, each requiring careful manipulation, and to continue than from month to month, for ten consecutive years, with no other hope of reward than the conscious­ ness of adding to the sua of human knowledge is a task few would voluntarily undertake. * * * *

With reference to the possibility of predicting the approach of storms from these electrical observations, Dr. Wislizenus writes

*Fo>~ the observations of dr. W. tables results ac., sea Trans. Vcademy of Science St. Louis, vol. 2, p. 4, 1863. / L ' 7

-1417- 1871. that he had "many times occasion to observe how easily the equi­ librium in. the quantity of the usual atmospheric electricty is dis­ turbed." "Quite dis ant rainfalls and thunder-storms often made the elctricity here disappear at once? still more so the snowfalls.

In the white", when strong positive electricity, with fair and coi weather, suddenly declines or - iaappears entirely, without any appreciable cause, I have often predicted a contemporaneous con- siderable snowfall at great disatnces, an! the telegraph general­ ly onfirmed my supposition from such localities as uairo, Cincinna­ ti, Chicar o, Buffalo and even lev/ York." "The accumulation of positive elctricity there, as is usual with snowfalls, seemed to have produced a vacuum here. The sensibility of the eletrometer in snch cases is far greater- than that of the barometer," * * * *

"The electrometer becomes thus a most valuable ail to the practical purposes of the barometer. "

These very valuable and highly interesting results in­ duced me to consult with Dr. Wislizenus as to the propriety and practicability of adding similar observat ions to those made by sergeants of the Signal Corps? and it was found that though they might be of great service, yet trio delicate nature of trie instru­ ment at present used and the difficulties of making the observa­ tions were such, that they could not become general. If our electri cians could devise some more simple and easily managed electrometer adapted for this purpose—especially one that would be self reg­ istering--th e objec-: could be accomplished and an additional cer­ tainty given to the dally conjectures of the "probabilities" of the occurrence of a torms . I. A. Lapham,

Assistant to t he Chief Signal Officer. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May, 1871. / ^-r~

-1418- 1871,

In the American journal of science? 3d series, vol. 2, p, 81. Aug­

ust, 1871.

Cleveland* Aba e, in "Historical Notes on Systems of

•'leather rpelegraphy and especially their pevalepment in the united

Statea," says* * * *

"In November, 1869, occurred at Richmond the annual meet­

ing of the National hoard of Trade. Several of tho Cincinnati del­

egates (and especially Mr. John A. dano, president of the ryincin-

na ti Chamber of Commei-ce) had been hearty supporters of my Weather

Bulletin at d' were .flea?* desirous of ar ing ing the subject to the

attention of tit at body. Their action was however anticipated by

that of In 3 Hon. E, D, HOlton of Milwaukee, who presented a memori­ al drawn by the Hon. I. A. Lapham. Thi-i distinguished observer, to I or whom I had .some time been indebted for my daily, weather report A from Milwaukee, was perhaps more sanguine than myself of the pros- p3 c t of Immediate aid. f to m Congress and heartily sabored to im­

press the importance ana feasibility of storm warnings upon the

a 11 e n t i on o 1' t a at bo d y.

By him wasdrawn up uhe memorial presented to Congress

December 14, 1869, by tho yon. N. E, Paine and the subsequent papers printed as Miscellaneous documents ho. 10. (41st Congress).

This later paper, as well as the chart of the storm of ».Tarch 1859, published by Prof. Lapham in the Chicago Bureau, served to very generally arouse public a tent ion. The necessity for action -was heartily endorsed by prominent Boards of Trade and Commerce and by

eminent author it ies .

To Mr. Paine is due th auggestion that the conduct of the service be entrusted to the irar Department, and it is interest- /% r?

-WW- 1871. ing to notice that independently of and coincident with the labors of Professor apham "papers and maps in reference to the same suhject were preapared in the ar department," * * «

Washington, D. C. ?December.1,1871

Prof. I. A. Lapham,

Asst to the chief Signal Officer,

Milwa ah ae, Wis .,

Dear Sir»-

I am directed by the Chief Signal officer to request that you wills send him the original weather maps or charts pre­ pared by you last fall in Chicago when performing your duties of forecasting the weather of the -lake region. He also desires to

know if any action has yet bean taken by you in relation to the meteoric effects of the great fires in the northwest.

V e r y res p e c t fu 11 y,

H. w, Howagate,

2d Lt. Brvt. Capt. U. S. S., A.S.O.Asst,

Ans. Maps sent, paper on fires had already been sent.

Milwaukee, Wis cons in,Oct. 26, lb71.

TO General Alb ert J. Meyer,

Chief Sigaal Officer--

Dear Sir--

Tne great fires that have recently apread with such dia astrous results, over our whole northern frontier, from the Rocky

Mountains to Central New York and Pennsylvania, must be regarded at the effect of meteorological causes. Unusual dryness has pervaded /•l(&

-1420- 1671.

the atmosphere during the past two moths? the amount of rainfall very considerably less then th* avaragw, aul tb» amount of evapo­ ration considerable more.* Very little rain has fallen upon most

of this extended region since August.

Winds from a southwesterly direction, blowing often with great force and for several days continuously, bring to the great prairie region of the west, this excessive dryness. Their preva­ lence is often shown bj ths air action towards which tinees lean?

they absorb moisture from every source, making everything of com­ bustible nature still more combustible. The soil itself becomes dessicated to a considerable depth. Pine lumber, of which houses, barns, fences, he., & c ., are ma d e b ec ome s e xd e s s iv e 11 in f 1 amma b 1 e.

The weed.s and grass of the pralriea and stacks of hay and grain are deprived of all moisture &nd partake of the nature of tinder.

When the winds are blowing a small spark is sufficient to kindle a great fire? the camp fire, the wad from a gun, a spark from a locomotiwo? even the stump of a cigar, or the ashes from a pipe, may start a fire that will spread over a county. A stroke of lightning has, doubtless, been the origin of many a prairie fire. The Indians are said th hava piirp«sol jr sat ihem on firo i/i

**out the dear and oth«*» game.

The violent wind hastens to spread the flame over a constantly widening space, until large districts are laid waste by

tho destroying element."

It is familiarly known that these fi es have annually spread over the great pra iries regions of ^he Mississippi valla

•Rain at Milwaukee in September, maximum (lO4l)7.02 inches? mean of 29 years 2.88? minimum (1871) 0.60. '% it

since their first exploration. Prairie fires are no new thing. Of course they vary in extent from year to year, according to the varying seasons as to dryness and other accidental, causes, smoky atmosphere in autumn had bean the common experience every yea'"? and this smokiness has its origin in prairies fires at the west.

The fire once started in the dry grass and weeds of the prairie cannot be extinguished* it must take its own course, gradually widening aa it moves forward, until it presents a front oh a hundred miles or nor :>? the flames , of tan reaching a groat h.ight, ar. Mown fonmri, -fn, fire to place, man, roas ahead.

These fires do not kill the roots of the prairie grass which springs up fresh from the blackened soil, ah en its proper season re turns? but the germsof other plants, including all forest trees, are destroyed. ,,rhen these fires reach the borders o f t ho forest region, the trees are attacked and many of them setroyed? others av,e more or less injured. The young shoots are killed? the roots beneath the soil, and, in many cases, even the soil itself, is cxmsumed.

It is when tlte southwest w ind is high and the atmosphere dry, and when frm long absence of rain the vegetation is also dry, that we are to look for these great prairie fires. i thus have before us the true theory of the origin of the prairies? they are clearly due to the dryness of the climate in autumn, ana. the eonaequent fires. Their existence is not due to the effect of dryness of climate upon the growth of trees them­ selves? for when protected from fires trees a "a fou#d to flourish in the prairie region. It is by fire (induced by dryness) that the trees are destroyed or prevented front growing. if £„& Wi

-1422- 1871. These conditions of climate, the autumnal dryness, and the prevalence of southwest winds, have existed since the crea­ tion,, and hence tho normal condition of the great eastern plains Is and always nas been that of prairie? and so long as these causes condition exist, this region must always remain in this seHR,^ v unless changed by ingenious and peristencly applied devices of art.

The normal condition of other region.: i;; that of forest growth. When old fields are abandoned within these forest regions, as in Virginia, rcc., or wherever lakes have been drained, a growth of trees immediately takes possession of the soil. In a few year: trie forests have resumed their posse.sion. Within the prairies region the soil is equally well adapted to the growth of tre.'S and, by continued effort in the prevention of fires they may scan be made to caver the land with their grateful shade, their beauty and t he ir usefulness? but should these efforts be discontinued for a few years, the drry weather the high winds and the accidental fires will surely So their ap­ pointed work and. the p airie grasa resume possession of the ground. The normal condition of prairies will again be established. The northern boundary of the regions of prairie forma a line which varies from year to year as the seasons vary. A con­ tinued, succession of dry seasons encourages great fires that pene­ trate the forest border and extend the a :ea of the pairie? while a similar succession of wet seasons may allow a growth of trees to spread far within the proper boundaries of the prairie. A con­ stant struggle is thus maintained between the two conditions of forest and prairie--alternating within certain limits and changing the position of the dividing line. It is here that we find the ^i 3

-1123- ' 1871.

"Openings" or scattered trees , chiefly the bur-oak (Oytercas macroc. arpus ) which gives so much park-like beauty to the landscape.

The work of extending the prairie borde- was exhibited

in the autumn of 1871 upon the grahdest scale. Mires have swept more or less completely along the whole northern frontier, from

the Pocky Mountains through -ngacotah, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Mich­

igan, and even into New York and Pennsylvania.

Within the past two or- three decades this region has

been occupied and "improved?" farms have been opened? mills built,

especially throughout the"lumber region" or places where the state­ ly pine (Pinua strobus) predominates. Villages, largetowns ana

even great cities have sprung up along this prairie border line, with a "apidity truly wonderful. And now it is found that these natural ever-recurring meteorological (umrs-os, which have for many

ages prevented the growth of for -s t trees, and equally operative

in preventing the building of houses, towns and cities J

Not only has the wild prairie region been swept by the fires of 1871 but thousands of square miles of forests have been destroyed. Many farms with their houses, ba-ns, s :.aeks of hay and grain, miles of fences, &c., have been destroyed. At the same

time a number of towns and a large part of the city of Chicago war consumed, involving the loss of many thousandahuman lives I The ground, upon v/hich these improvements, were made, has bean reduced

to the condition of prairie.

It becomes apparent then, that if we wish to occupy and improve this prairie region? to cover it with villages, towns and cities? to caltivate its rich and productive sail, we must con- /^LH

-1424- 1871. tend against this natural law, which constantly and s-roly tends to assert its power to reduce everything to its former normal con­ dition. To do this will require mire than individual effort--only united and enforced or , in other words, governmental effort, can afford hope of succ ess.

The precautions necessary to prevent this destruction of property are of the s impl es takind, being only such as are necessary to prevent the recurrence and spread of'fire. This involves not o only watchfulness, but the disuse as far as possible of all combust tible materials. The wa tchfulness should extend not only to our own premises, but to prevent the carelessness and criminality of others? which can only be done by public auhtority. The use of kerosene in all forma should be prohibited? no 1c comotive should be allowed to move without adequate means to prevent the emission

Of sparks from the smoke s„ack? and no fences of wood should be built. If the farmers of Prance anl Cetmany can do without fences certainly we can do the same and thus sa/ e not onlv this food for the fires, but one half of the aggregate capital required in the conduct of our agriculture. A thousand other measures, needless here to mention, should be adopted and enforced, locking wo the same end.

It is announced that semi farmers who have "lost their all" by these fires have become disheartened and discouraged and will entirely abandon their possessions. If this is done now while everything is fresh and new? while the soil retains its virgin richness, what may we expect in after years! Gradually but surely the whole country will be reduced (as have been the once -1425- . . 1871.

fertile plains of the east) to the condition of a desert. It is

true this may be in the distant future? but it is nevertheless Sur

duty to prevent this result aa far as it is within our power.

If fences could be dispensed with, and, if our houses

could be constructed of materials other than wood, the very great

destruction of our forests now going on with such fearful rapidity would, bo c: ecked. It is est in, aged that fifty years will suffice

to consume the pine lumber of Wisconsin aid Michigan, the chief

present sources of supply? the time t. erafore, is close at hand

when the forests will no longer supply the lumbar to be used in

temprary onstruetions, erected only to increase the da^^er of great publie calamities by fire I

Should the present policy be continued, the destruction

of a largo share of the newly-built railroad stations in the

prairie region of the west will surely come--they are built in op­

position to the law of the land, a law that sooner or later must be

enforced, A dry season, a strong wind a rd an accidental fir

waenover they occur together — will do the work.

If these views be correct it is apparent that the

precautions againat these greater calamities are most rie aled at

the southwest part of the town or c it "r? here is always the place

of greatest safety? and here should be erected buildings for the preservation of the mos •„ precious records and works of art. had

the fire at ahicagooriginated at the north or east side of the

city, the barn in which the kerosene lamp was kicked over, alone would have been burned.

Res pect fu 11 y sitbmi 11ed,

I. A. Lapham. / X I £

-1-126- 1871.

War Department

Office of The Chief Signal Officer

Division of Telegrams and Reports for The Benefit of Commerce

Washington D.C. Tov,4, 1871.

Prof.I.A.Lapham,

Asst to the Chief Signal Officer,

Milwaukee Wis.

Sir,-- The Chief Signal Officer directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your interesting report on the recent great fires in the northwest and to say that he desires you to make a thorough inves­ tigation of the meteorological results of these fires,visiting the several localities if necessary.

Please state whether in all or in any cases they were followed by stronggwinda &c.,in confirmation of the theory of Mr.

Espy or whether the result has been to diaprove this,the correct­ ness of that theory.

Very res pec tf ul 1 y yours ,

H.W.llowgate,

2nd Lt.Brvt.Capt U.S.A.

A. S . 0 & As s t.

ilwaukee Nov.29 1871.

Dear Sir,--

In accordance with the request in your letter of the

4th inat.,1 have given further attention to the phenomena of the.

Croat Mires of the North-west with reference to the theory of the late Prof.Espy,and now send you what may be deemed a continuation of the report heretofore sent.

To General A . J .1 leyer, Very r es pee uful 1 y yours ,

Ch. dig.Officer. I.A.Lapham. / 2.- &. Y

-1427- . 1871.

The question is often asked whether the great fires of tho north-west during the months of September,0ctober and November

1871 and especially the one 'which leveled to the ground a large share of ths City of Chicago,had any decided effect upon the weather either by creating or modifying currents of air or by caus­ ing a fall of rain. It was reported by telegram to London,Eng­ land ,and there published "that this fire was chiefly checked on the third or fourth day by the heavy and continous downpour of rain which it is conjectured was partly due to the great atmospheric dis turbances which such an extensive fire would cause,especially when we are told that the season just previous to the outbreak of the fire had been particularly dry." This was said to afford an ad­ ditional example from which to judge of the truth of the so-much- disputed assertion that extensive fires are almost invariably followed by heavy down-pours of rain which have been eausedby them.

A very little attention to the facts exhibited by this great fire will show that no such "down-pours" occurred* and that the fire was checked,nof by rain,but for wanr of other combustible material in the direction towards which the flames were driven by the winds.

The fire commenced at 9 1/2 P.M.of Sunday October 8th, and continued furing that night and most of the succeeding day. By

2 A.M. of the 9th i had reached the Court house and the Sherman

House and was consuming the most valuable portions of the city.

Twelve hours later it was ravaging Lincoln Paek in the north pant of the city. The last house consumed (Dr.Foster's) was in flames before 10 P.M. Commencing at a point in the south west part of the city the fire moved rapidly to the north eastward and only ceased when it had reached the extreme north part of the city on tho shoe / %. t

-1428- ' 1871. shore of Lake Michigan on the east. After this time there was but little spread of the flames though the burning buildings were not yet entirely consumed.

During all this time, twenty four hours of continous con­ flagration upon tho largest scale,no rain was seen to fall nor did any rain fall until about 4 o'clock the next monning and this was not a very considerable "down-pour" but only a gentle raia that ex­ tended over a large district of country,differs Ing in norespect from the usual rains. The quantity as reported by meteorologi­ cal observers at various points was only a few hundredths of an inch. It was not until four days afterwards (14th)that anything like a heavy rain occurred.

It is therefore quite certain that this case can not be referred to as an example of the production of rain by a great fire

Must we therefore conclude that fires do not produce rain and that Prof .Espy was mistaken in his theory on that subject'^

By consulting his Reports (4th Report 1857 p.29) it will be found that he only claimed that fires would produce rain under favorable circumstances of a high dew point and a calm atmosphere.

Both these important conditions were wanting at Chicago where the air was almost destitute of moisture and the wind was blowing a gale. To produce rain the air must ascend until it becomes cool enough to condense the moisture,which then falls in the form of rain. But here the heated air would not ascend very far being forced off in nearly a horizontal direction by the g**eat force of the wind.

The case therefore neither confirms n«r disproves the

Eapian theory and we may still believe the well authenticated cases where,under favorable c wcumstances , of very moist air and ab- /

-1429- 1871.

sence of wind,rain has been produced by large fires.

At some other places where fires occurred of considera­ ble extent,rain was ooserved to fall during their progress,but so far as is known these were general rains extending equally over

the country and not produced by or apparently affected by the fires .

Had the great fires occurred during a calm,doubtless many of the phenomena described in Espy's theory--the ascending

current, the inblowing air from all directions, the cloud forma­

tion above,—and poss ibl«M, even rain might have been produced?but

all this was prevented or very materially modified by the lack of moisture and the great force of the south-west gale.

The effect of these great fires upon the currents of air was also materially modified by the great force and velocity of

the south-west gale. 'While it is undoiabtedly true as stated by

Eapy and others that the increased temperature of the air causesimt

to rise and thus produce an inflow of tie surrounding atmosphere

from all sides, it is namfest that the great gale prevents an in­ flow from the front and increases it in the rear. Different ob­

servers represent the wind as sweeping along at a fearful rate,in­

creasing as the fire progressed. While some report a whirling mo­

tion, others say the motion was direct. As the flames arose above the tops of the houses or of the forests they were forced

forward by the fierce gale. Fire-brands were carried a great dis-

tance?and even roofs of houses are said *o have bean lifted up and precipitated upon adjoining buildings. It was at sometimes dif­ ficult for a s + "ong man to resist the force of the wind.

The approach of the fire is represented as very rapid and aceompani«*d by unusual sounds which inciw-ased to that of Niag- /r^yo

-1430- 1871.

ara. Piles of lumber were blown away,chimneys thrown down and

sand and ashes were swept along like drifting snow.

Under these conditions the fires of eou*sa spread with

the most fearful rapidity in the direction towards which the wind

was blowing ,its velocity being such as to carry the hot air,the

flames and the burning brands directly forward. The predominant

force of the south-west wind was sufficient to over c ome any ten­

dency towards local currents. But fluctuations in the direction

of the wind always occur--and gave rise to different statements

as to its direction. But there can be no reason for the blunder

of an Illustrated. N.Y.Weekly by which the flames are represented

as being carried in a direction exactly contrary to the facts.

The draft of air upon the two sides of this rapidly pro­

gressing stream of fire,near the ground was often very considerable

The lateral spread of the flames was against this draft and of

course was eomparat ively quite slow in its progress.

Masses of flan.es were blown forward and are described

as balls of fire that were observed to fall like meteors in dif­

ferent parts of the town igniting whatever they came in contact

with.

Another account says "that the fire came from the air

above more than from the earth. It swept along in detached

clouds borne with a tornado like fury. The clouds of fire,hot as

a furnace blast would be swept along in "-waving masses of different

sizes." One man describes one of these clouds as of "forty feet

in size each way. Whatever he saw it touch,the object,tree or hous

wilted right down. These clouds of fire usually touched the tops of the tallest houses first,when the buildings would burn down /* >'/

-1431- 1871 just as if saturated with kerosene. It seemed as if the air wae "Charged wi th fire." The intense heat and great rapidity with which houses were consumed,are among the most wonderful facts connected with theee fires,and have given occasion for the suggestion of several caatses both natural and super-natural. It is believed however, that a slight consideration of the effects of trie blow-pipe and of the blast furnace will sufficiently explain all the observed facts. The strong wind constantly supplying oxygen to the flames increas­ ed their magnitude and the intensity of the heat. The telegraph wires indicated no unusual disturbance of the electrical conditions of the atmosphere,and the rapid produc­ tion of flame under the fierce blast of wind will account for the- intensity of the heat without resorting to the theory of the de­ composition of the atmospheric air. We may therefore conclude that these fires were rendered possible and owe their intensity and magnitude to meteorological causes, *and that they neither confirm nor disprove Prof.Espy's theory of storms and the artificial production of rain.

Oct. 15 According to James Mcintosh,U.S .Storm Signal Observer the wind blew at 9 to 11 P.M.the 8th, 12 to 16 miles S.S.W.per hour Increasing to 30 by 12 o'clock and a furious gale before morning. The wind towards the fire in the streets. / 2~ 7 ^—'

-1432- ' \Q3Ar"*z 1872.

The Croat Drought Of September 1871.

Sent to Gen'l Meyer Dec.28,1871.

To show that the unusual number and unprecedented mag­ nitude of the fires that occurred chiefly in the early part of

October 1871 in the northern portions of the United States may have been caused,or at 1 east,rendered possible by the extreme dry­ ness of the weather a month or more proceeding. I have collected

the following list of counties from which reports have been receiv­ ed showing the existence of drought or unusually dry weather dur­

ing the proceeding month of September. The informations is de­ rived chiefly from the Monthly deport of the Department of Agri­ culture for October 1871. * * *

The accompanying map,where the position of these coun­

ties is represented, shows hot? wide-spread and how general vnas this

excessive drought.

Respectfully submitted,

I.A.Lapham.

Jacksonville Plorida,

Jan'y 19,1872.

Dear Mary, --

* * * *I find the observer's name hero is Daboll--a grandson of the man who made the arithmetic that was farous in my younger days. He gets reports from such a limited number of sta­

tions that I can make no probabilities from them. The weather is p so uniform that his work becomes monotous,so he does not like it A as well as in Boston from whence he was sent here to recruit his health. * * * Yours affectionate father,

I,A.Lapham. /2. 7^

-1433- ' 1872.

Washington D.C.May 11,1872.

Professor I/A.Lapham,

Milwaukee Wis .

Sir,--

I am directed to inform ,'ou that in Viaw o£ the limited

amount of money at the disposal of this office for the current

year and the consequent necessity for the reduction of its working

expenses,the arrangement by qhich your valuable services have been

secttred as assistant to the Chief Signal Officer will terminate

at the close of the present month.

It is hoped that the Office will be in sufficient funds

by that date to liquidate your account in full.

Verv respectfully &c.

H.W.Howgate,

2nd Lt. Brvt.Capt.U.S.A. Act.Sig.Of.and Asst.

Milwaukee May 31st,1872.

Oen'l A.J.Meyer,

Chief Signal Officer,

Sir,--

As the closing work of my present engagement I shall

forward in a few days a full list of disasters upon the lakes from

January 1st to this date,which I ahve been preparing currently with

a view of being able to furnish it,at the close of the season,

without the delays of former years.

With many thanks for your uniform kindness and courtesy during the time 0 have been in the service,

I r ema in,

Your s very truly,

1.A.Lapham. -143-1- 1872.

Washington D.C. June I0th,1872.

Professor I.A.Lapham,

Milwaukee Wis.

Dear Sir,--

1 have had the pleasure to receive your letter of the

31st inst.informing me,that as your closing work you will shortly forward a list of the disasters upon the lakes since January 1st which you have prepared currently. This will be gladly received at this office being much earlier than similar information was ob­ tainable in former years.

With much regard established from the intercourse occa­ sioned by your relations with this Office,

I am,Sir,very respectfully,

Yours obedient servant,

Albert J.Meyer,

Brig.Sen.and Chief Signal Offices

-o-

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