The Dalles Chronicle July 7, 2002 (Text only) Our previous week's mystery photo proved to be a real mystery to the readers. The structures actually were dispersing stations for rainmaker C.M. Hatfield, construction in 1908 on Gordon Ridge, southwest of Wasco (Oregon) above the Deschutes (river). The ladies in the picture are Florence and Marie Barnett. Mr. Hatfield was of the opinion that during wars, weather was wetter because all that burning gunpowder caused rain. He was hired by farmers to bring rain during a dry spell. We could find no word of his success locally, but at one point in San Diego (California), he was hired and his rainmaking actions - whether effective or not - occurred just prior to a cloudburst so heavy and damaging that his customers not only refused to pay him, but also ran him out of town on a rail. Written permission to reprint History Mystery Photo given by The Dalles Chronicle, The Dalles, Oregon. Copied and submitted by Earline Wasser. Researching: WASSER, GOAR, JOURNEY, HAMM, VINZANT, McNEAL, MATHIESON