Charles Hatfield

Rainmaker

What is Charles Hatfield known for?

Born in Fort Scott, Kansas on July 15, 1875, Charles Mallory Hatfield was known for his impressive, albeit controversial, career as an American rainmaker. Hatfield's family moved to Southern California in 1886, where he later started his adult life as a salesman for the New Home Sewing Machine Company. However, Hatfield's true passion was clearly in pluviculture - the art of rainmaking.

Inspired by the simple observation of a boiling kettle attracting water vapor, Hatfield began experimenting with methods to replicate this process on a larger scale. By 1902, he claimed to have created a secret concoction of 23 chemicals that could trigger rain. This elevated him to the status of a "moisture accelerator".

Hatfield's claims were put to test in 1904 when he was hired by a group of Los Angeles ranchers to produce rain for $50. The experiment seemed to be a success, as rain followed his efforts. Many contested these results, attributing the rain to a passing storm, but Hatfield's supporters begged to differ. His notoriety grew, earning him more commissions, including a significant contract to produce rain in the dry Yukon Territory for the Klondike goldfields.

Hatfield's most notable endeavor was his contract with the San Diego City Council in 1915. He promised to fill the Morena Dam reservoir with rain, charging $1,000 per inch of rainfall. By early 1916, heavy rain began falling, resulting in flooding causing widespread damage and reported fatalities. Despite fulfilling the conditions of his agreement, the council refused to pay Hatfield unless he assumed liability for the damages, which were estimated to be around $3.5 million. A prolonged legal dispute ensued, with two courts eventually ruling in 1938 that the rain was an 'Act of God', clearing Hatfield of liability but simultaneously denying him his payment.

Despite this setback, Hatfield's fame only grew. He continued to receive contracts for rainmaking and left a unique legacy behind. In the annals of American history, Charles Hatfield's name stands as the embodiment of sheer determination and an unrelenting passion for mastering the elements.