100 years ago in Spokane: Rainmakers makes rain, but not enough for payment

Charles M. Hatfield, the hired rainmaker in Ephrata, Washington, came through with a deluge.

“Water Stands on Ephrata Streets,” the Spokane Daily Chronicle headline said.

Details on the exact amount of rainfall were still sketchy, but a correspondent reported that “Ephrata had so much rain last night that water was still standing on the streets this morning.”

A day earlier, Hatfield had predicted an inch of rain overnight.

“The people here give Hatfield the credit for causing this rain, but he must produce two more inches before he receives his first $3,000 payment under the contract with the farmers,” the correspondent said. “The money has been raised and is being held in the bank here for him. If he produces three inches of rain, he will receive $6,000.”

From the amusement park beat: How many people were expected to descend on Natatorium Park over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend?

So many that the Washington Water Power Co. was planning streetcar service every half-minute.

The park’s big “plunge” – swimming pool – was set to open for the season with a number of upgrades. It would now have 20 new changing rooms and new pumps to draw fresh water up from the underground wells.

From the Prohibition beat: Two federal Prohibition agents and the Ferry County sheriff were arrested and formally charged with the slaying of Ernest Emily, a suspected bootlegger in Keller, Washington. They said they opened fire after he refused orders to halt when confronted.