Box 4, Folder 3: Typewritten Letters 1866-1870

1272 -1432-

[1871] & 1872.

The Great Drought of September 1871. Sent to Gen'l Meyer Dec. 28, 1871.

To show that the unusual number and unprecedented magnitude of the fires that occurred chiefly in the early part of October 1871 in the northern portions of the United States may have been cause, or at least, rendered possible by the extreme dryness of the weather a month of more preceding I have collected the following list of counties from which reports have been received showing the existence of drought or unusually dry weather during the preceding month of September. The information is derived chiefly from the Monthly Report of the Department of Agriculture for October 1871.***

The accompanying map, where the position of these counties is requested, shows how wide-spread and how general was this excessive drought.

Respectfully submitted,

I.A. Lapham.

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Jacksonville Florida, Jan'y 19, 1872.

Dear Mary,--

**** I find the observer's name here is Daboll--a grandson of the man who made the arithmetic that was famous in my younger days. He gets reports from such a limited number of stations that I can make no probabilities from them. The weather is so uniform that his work becomes monotonous, so he does not like it as well as in Boston from whence he was sent here to recruit his health.***

Your affectionate father,

I.A. Lapham.

1273 -1433-

1872.

Washington D.C. May 11m 1872.

Professor I.A. Lapham, Milwaukee, Wis.

Sir,--

I am directed to inform you that in view of 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 which your valuable services have been secured 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.

Very respectfully &c.

H.W. Howgate,

2nd Lt. Brvt. Capt. U.S.A. Act. Sig. Of. and Asst.

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Milwaukee May 31st, 1872.

Gen'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 have 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 I have been in the service,

I remain,

Yours very truly, I.A. Lapham.

-1434-/1274

1872.

Washington D.C. June 10th, 1872.

Professor I.A. Lapham,

Milwaukee Wis.

Dear Sir,--

I 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 obtainable in former years.

With much regard established from the intercourse occasioned by your relations with this office,

I am, Sir, very respectfully,

Yours obedient servant,

Albert J. Mayer,

Brig. Gen. and Chief Signal Office.

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