Guide to the Frank Melbourne Collection

Collection — Box: 277

Identifier: H70-37

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection includes correspondence from various persons requesting Melbourne's services, a contract, and two copies of a pamphlet that describes the event in Cheyenne and similar events in other locations.

Dates

1891-1894

Creator

Melbourne, Frank (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of print materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Biographical Note

Frank Melbourne was a rainmaker dubbed "The Rain King". He traveled throughout the United States purportedly producing rain for profit. In August and September 1891, Melbourne was in Cheyenne conducting his experiments and apparently succeeded in making it rain. However, this collection does not tell how Melbourne actually did it.

Melbourne was reported to have come to the U.S. from Australia. His first successful rainmaking demonstration was at Canton, Ohio June 1891. By June 1891, he was in Cheyenne, where he was contracted to produce rain. He spent the next several years traveling around the arid west producing rain using his secret method. Around 1894, he disappeared. Both his manager Frank Jones of Cheyenne, and his brother, from Canton, Ohio, unsuccessfully attempted to locate him for many years, though rumors of him appeared from time to time.