Bradley University - Anaga Yearbook (Peoria, IL)

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EATHER BUREAU IIROUGH the combined efforts of Congressman J. V. Graff and Mr. O. J. Bailey, President of the Board of Trustees of Bradley Institute, together with Congress, the petition for a Weather Bureau to be situated in Peoria gained acceptance in March, 1904. Bradley gave to the Government as the site for the station, the land bordering on Clara, Main and Institute Place. A two story colonial-styled building of gray brick was begun August 8, 1904. On August 4th, the first soil was turned in excavation, the spade being held by Congressman Graff and then handed to Mr. 0. J. Bailey. The corner-stone was laid September 7, 1904. Congressman Graff, duly elected a member of the Peoria Bricklayers' Union, spread the mortar. Mr. O. J. Bailey took charge of the exercises, and among those who were present were: Dr. Sisson, the ex-director of the Instituteg Dr. Faville, the pastor of the Con- gregational Church, Mrs. Lucie B. Ting, an ardent charity worker, Dr. T. C. Burgess, Director of the Institute, Rudolf Pfeiffer, a member of the Board of Trustees, and Mr. Sammis, whose parents originally owned the ground on which the Weather Bureau was to be located. The Third Annual Convention of Weather Bureau Officials met in Bradley Hall, September 20-23, 1904. Representatives were present from every quarter of the United States. Willis L. Moore, Chief of the United States Weather Bureau was the presiding officer. From December, 1904 to january 19, 1906, the plans for carrying on the work were hindered by lack of appropriations. The station was not fully equipped, hence, only the reports from Washington were recorded and forecast cards were sent out by mail. Un January 19, the telegraph line connecting the Weather Bureau was completed. From that date on, there have been received at this office, in the morning, telegraph reports from one hundred points located all over the United States, from Maine to California, and in the evening, half that number. In July, 1905, an assistant, George E. Turner, was assigned here. The Peoria Weather Bureau Station then began to issue a weather map, and since that time two hundred copies have been sent out daily, some to points near by. but the majority to different locations in the city. There are lectures given by Mr. Seeley, the Weather Bureau Official, at the Institute, and work is being done in connection with the Phisiography class. For two weeks, in the last fall's quarter, the classes in this subject were under Mr. Seeley's instructions, meeting in the Weather Bureau. The Government up to this time, has spent on the grounds, building and its equipment, about ,SI0,000. The station will undoubtedly develop con- siderabl-y within the next year. At the present, Mr. Seeley is making re searches on frost formation.

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WEATHER BUREAU

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OLIVER BAILEY Prcsidc-nt of thc Board of Trustees