p.1

From the Milwaukee Sentinel November 16th 1870

"Mr. I. A. Lapham of this city received
from General Myer Supt. of the Storm
Signal [Service, crossed out] during a recent visit
to this city the tender of a position in
Washington to collate and compare reports
from various sections of the country
and put them in shape for practical use.

That is to say it would be the duty
of such an officer reduce the several
reports to a system each day and give
the results of his investigations to the
country indicating the direction of
storms if there are any. General Myer
was quite anxious Mr. Lapham should
accept the offered position but Mr. L.
felt called upon to decline on account
of the inadequacy of the pay offered.

It would seem to be exceedingly appropriate
that the place in question should be filled by
Mr. Lapham as he is the originator of the system.

Possibly he may yet reconsider his decision."

He could not afford to give up all other business and break up his
home for the compensation offered and his principles would not allow him to join the army.

* Albert J. Myer Chief Signal Officer U. S. A.
Storm Signal Service was in War Dept.