THE PITTSBURG DISPATCH. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1890.
.
HEALTH 0HTHE CARS
Bt. Lonis People Are Riding on the
Electric Lines to Get the Ben
efit of the Current.
TEE FAD PAIS THE C0MPAS1ES.
A Kew Photographic Printing Machine
lhat Will Give Ten Ihonsatid Im
pressions an Hour.
TANKING IHE HIDE OP ELEPHANTS.
X Kttlod cf Heistnig tic tjtii a ttutz Girts to
lie Tip cf Eii 7c3.
rrEIFARED FOB TBI DIgrXTCK.
The ideas that people attach to the Talne
of electricity and magnetism are often sadly
erroneous. That electricity in the hands of
the skilled medical practitioner may be of
great benefit in the treatment of disease is
beyond doubt, bat it is also true, unfortu
nately, that people very frequently do them
selves great injury by resorting to electrical
remedies without tne advice ot a physician,
simply upon their own judgment or the
careless recommendation of a veil inten
tioned, but ignorant, friend.
The superstitions thatezist on this subject
are of the most absurd nature. People talk
of the curative effects of magnetism, while,
as Sir William Thomson has shown, the
biegest magnets do not exert the slightest
influence on any part of the human body.
If the electrical current is to be used, let the
family doctor be consulted first. It may be
mentioned that in some parts of the coun
try people are m the habit of picking up
the little bits of coppered arc light carbons
that lie about the streets like cigar stumps,
end of putting them in their pocxets as a
safceuard against rheumatism.
This notion has its match at the present
time in St. Louis, where, it is said, hun
dreds ot the citizens have taken to riding iu
the new electric cars to get rid of their lum
bago and rheumatism, as well as other ail
ments. The managers of the road when ap
pealed to by the localjreporters for light ou
this mysterious subject have, of course, no
information to impart, and meanwhile look
with gratified composure on the development
ot a new clas of travel. It is also said that
one or two electric light stations have been
steadily risked by valetudinarians who
wished to saturate themselves so to speak,
in the revivifying electric atmosphere of the
place, and to absorb some of the ozone
which, as a matter of fact, results from the
operation ot the dynamo electric machines.
There nas recently appeared reference in
the papers to the use or small magnets in
hypnotism. The experiments of Dr. Char
cot in Paris hate been cited to prove the
niijrnet's mesmeric value. JCow, it is true
that this relebrated specialist did obtain
some striking results with a sensitive hyp
notic subject under the influence of a mag
net. But it happens to be equally the fact,
though by no means so well known, for the
reason, perhaps, that the credulous neier
hurry to accept or circulate that which de
strojs their beliefs, that Dr. Charcot not
long after repealed the same experiments
with the same "subject," using, however, a
dummy magnet made of painted wood in
stead 01 the real one he had used before. He
obtained the same nvpnotic results, showing
very clearly and positively that electricity
snd magnetism had "nothing to do with the
case."
Self-Expanding IATe Belt.
A new life belt, invented by Signori
Frattini and Ingaramo, is made of the very
best pure India rubber and donblc-sided in
such a way as to contain gas or liquids. It
may be made of any other flexible, water
proof, air-tight material, but pure rubber
appears preferable, though in extreme
climates its working life is somewhat sliort-
pnwl. Thp nntsiri pnrpnnp mjiv hp. mnrlp
of strong texture, or of any fanciful s:1k orn
muslin. The belt is divided into two or
more sections, not only to allow of a free
adjvTtdent aiound the waist, but also to
make sure of a sufficient floating power
even should one part of the belt meet with
accident. Each section is subdivided into
tno parts, which may be called cells. The
manner of this division is very simple yet
most important. Its combination, which
includes spring clips and solvable links,
forms the main feature of the belt. This
division right across the width of the belt
has two apertures or sluices at its extreme
ends, through which the cells have lree
communication with one another.
"When these apertures or sluices are closed
by the spring clips all communications be
tween the cells is so completely cut off that
so gas or liquid can pass Jrotn one cell to the
other. In their turn the clips are kept closed
by specially prepared solvable paper links
which are pissed over the ends of the clips,
made to project from the b-lt and protected
by a small India rulmer teat or by a gauze
clap-shell. Taking one section of belt an
acid is charged in a state of solution in one
cell, and in the other cell is an alkali, like
wise in solution. When the belt is thrown
into water the soluble paper link gives way
immediately, and the spring link, having i
retention, allows the sluices or hatchway of
the division to open, 'and straightway the
chemical solutions intermingle and evolve
gas. Tbc inflation o. the belt is said to fol
low instantaneously. This belt is said to
have passed most successfully through a
series of tests on the river Thames.
TTar Engines o f the Future.
General AV. 2v. Hutchinson has published
ft series of letters in which he shows that
balloons and submarine boats are likely to
become the war "engines of the future. He
thinks that their power will so vastly ex
ceed that of all weapons, that the raanurac
ture of large ordnance and construction of
iron clads, as well as expensive 'ortifica
tions, will ere long be discontinued. He
suggests not only that strenuous exertions
should be made to increase the tfficiency of
the submarine boat, but that care ul acd
exhaustive tests should be made in order to
determine the true mechanical and mathe
matical principles upon which the construc
tion of navicablc balloons should be based.
One method suggested by General Hutch
inson for developing the efficiency of sub
marine boats in war is to offer a prize to
chemists for the best means ot maintaining
the purity o the air in such vessels during
sl long period. He inclines to the opinion
that the development of submarine vessels
would be the means of abolishing armor
clads. "With a view to encouraging iu
rentors and others, he proposes that prizes
be given for designs for propelling cylindri
cal navigable balloons with the lightest
machinery, combined with the least con'
sumption'of fuel or other driving agent. He
believes strongly in the advantage of large
at compared with small navigable balloons
and be prelers them to be made of a cylin
drical form with taper points to enable them
to pass easily through the air. In time of
war he thinks that the navigable balloons
might destroy ships at anchor and forts by
'cropping shells containing high explosives
on them. General Hutchinson's view may
bt somewhat advanced, but there is no doubt
that the result of recent experiments both in
submarine navigation and in ballooning en
courage the belief tht they are not beyond
the range of possibility.
English Conservatism.
The careful and conservative spirit which
characterizes so much of the work done in
England is shown in connection with the
recent splendid piece of work, the City and
South London Bailway, recently described
and illustrated in The Dispatch. "While
many of the details of the line are carried
out with the perfection of "modern electrical
skill, there are some points in connection
with it which are so much behind modern
progress as to appear in a measure incon
sistent with the enterprise which character
izes the rest of the woik. It appears that
the elevators leading to the underground
stations are operated by hydraulic power.
There is a good deal of dissatisfaction that
electricity has not been used for this pur
pose. Nothing could be better adapted lor
working lifts than motors, and the saving
in expense would have been considerable.
Unless the elevators are balanced there is a
plunger volume of high pressure water
wasted every time each hoist is used,
whereas if the motors were employed the
generator would need supply little more
than the power wasted in general friction.
Another tact which has been freely criti
cised is the use of an air brake where elec
tric power is available. It has been urged
that the block system arrangements, and the
cut off of the supply from a moving train
in cae of necessity are objections to its use.
If these are obstacles they can be easily
overcome, and the special leads which sup
ply the carriage lamps could supply the mo
tive power for the brakes. It is argued that
this combination in the same plant of
hydraulic distribution, compressed air and
efectrio traction is a somewhat anomalous
Photographic Printing Machine.
A new departure is the application of
photography to the work of the letter press
printer. A machine is now used either for
the production of book illustrations, or for
turning out a complete illustrated news
paper, and is capable of printing 10,000 im
pressions per hour. A panoramic machine
camera is used in conjunction with the print
machine. This camera, which takes pict-'
ures continuously at tne rate ol lour per
second, is capable of producing street scenes
with all their life and motion, or a long
procession from beginning to end. This
printing machine is likely to do away with
all the tedious sketching and the trouble
some block process, which occupies so
much time and which costs so much. A
well known person's photograph, with his
letter, could be copied by photography and
printed by light much more quickly than
you could set up type lor the letter, let
alone making the block for the likeness,
which would take days. It would not then
he so perfect as it would come out when
printed by light alone, for the texture and
detail which could be secured by the new
process would be impossible by the block
process.
The machine prints upon bands or webs of
sensitized paper, which pass under the nega
tive, a momentary pause being made while
the light is acting. Only gas light has been
used to print with hitherto, bnt it is expected
that with the electric light a'much greater
speed of operation can be attained. After
the bands leave the negative they are
quickly passed through the necessary devel
oping, fixing, washing and drying opera
tions. The heavy cost of the sensitizing sil
ver salts requisite to the successful workings
of a machine of this nature has hitherto
been a serious obstacle, but a substitute has
now been found in a lorni so cheap that the
preparation of the paper will cost but little,
and the possibilities in the way of printing
by photography will be largely increased.
Municipal Control of Electric Plants.
The experiment of establishing the muni
cipal control of electric plants, which has
been tried in several cities in this country,
has in almost every case proved unsuccess
ful. This, nevertheless, does not appear to
have deterred the City Council of Chicago
from again attempting to solve the problem,
and a committee has just been appointed by
that body to take into consideration the
acquirement of electric light plants by the
municipality. "Whatever may be the
eventual result ot the agitation whicV is
now going on, there is no donb: that there
is much to be said in favor of the post ion
taken by Prof. Barrett, the city electrician.
He has placed himself upon record as op
posed to any scheme that will interfere with
iranchises now held by local companbx.
The fact that these companies have gone
into business, invested large sums of money
in the establishment of their plants and the
development of their systems, should insure
for them recognition ot their rights. Prof.
Barrett says:
"If the city should decide to engage in
commercial lighting, it should, injustice to
these local companies, buy the Iranchises
and plants now in their possession. Other
wise, the city should allow the companies to
continue without opposition" until the ex
piration of the terms of their franchises.
These men have invested their money in
Eoodjfaitb, and common decency demands
that their rights be respected." The issue
o.' this question, which will shortly be de
cided by the acceptance or rejection'of a bill
bearing on the subject by the Illinois Legis
lature, will be watched with great interest
by electricians throughout the country.
.Electricity In Mining.
E. P. Browne, speaking of electricity in
mining, says that miners were quickly alive
to the advantages offered by the telephone.
Most mines arr, to a certain extent, in dif
ficult positions on precipitous mountains.
The telephone enabled the manager to be in
close communication with bis mine at all
hours., both night and day. "When difficult
ground or heavy flows of water were en
countered arrangements could be made to
control the situation at once without thS
loss of hours in communicating the neces
sity The electric bell and annunciator now
tell the story of what is wanted and what is
going on below in deep shalts or inclines.
The touch of the button tells the top
men and engineers if ore waste,
tools or men are coming up, and
what level they are coming from.
Another signal tells if timber, wedges, tools,
or the foreman is required below. Formerly
when a bell rope from 500 to 1,000 leet in
length was used, it was so heavily counter
weighted or held by such a counter spring
that it took an able bodied man with a six
foot run to sound the gong above. Wants
were only known by tickets attached to the
bucket or skip, or after the toilsome climb
ing of messengers to the surface. Now the
tool "nippers" and the '"powder-monkiy"
are the only traveling men in the ground
below. The remainder of the shift stays at
the level until relieved. When the tact
that the human voice cannot be heard over
100 leet under ground is considered, the ad
vantages of electric communication for
mining purposes become manifest.
A SaTe Mode of Transit.
There are few instruments or pieces of ap'
paratns more delicate and fragile than many
of the costly and intricate productions of
mechanical skill in general use to-day by
electrical companies for the purposes of re-
fiued electrical measurement, and it can
easily be understood that the difficulty of
shipping these expensive and easily de
ranged instruments Irom place to place
without risk ot damage irom careless hand
ling :n transit is a perplexing question,both
to manufacturers and users. A famous
English electrician says that he early
adopted a plan that proved so successful
that he has adhered to it ever since.
Finding that'eareful packing and conspic
uous labels stating the contents lobe "glass,
with great care," were not always sufficient
to prevent breakage and damage to delicate
parts, he hit on the idea of sending out all
his instruments in beautn'ully polished
mahogany cases with brass handles and
mountings. The exquisite appearance ot
the cases appealed successfully even to the
callous natures of porters and dock hands;
they positively had not the heart to scratch
the immaculate polish by rough handling,
and the freedom of the instruments from
damage amply repaid the extra cost of the
luxurious cases.
3atlo Accumulators.
A novel form of accumulator has just been
produced by M. Emlle Beyuier. This bat
tery affords in a simple compact structure a
high voltage, and at the same time im
proved modifications for .seen ripe addi
tional solidity and 'transportability. The
essential advantage of this battery consists
in its possessing a'certain amount of elastic
ity from its peculiar construction. It has
16 plates mounted in flexible pockets, and
these elemeuts are placed flat, one against
the other, and compressed between two end
plates of wood by means of rubber spring
bands.
This spring arrangement gives to the
active solid matter an artificial elasticity
which results in large specific power and
storing capacity. This is only one of the
many importint improvements which have
recently been effected in the storage battery,
and which are gradually bringing that mode
of utilizing electricity to a stage of perfec
tion which will lead to its general adoption
lor propulsive and other purposes.
The Elephant's Hide.
The tanning of elephants' hides is compa
ratively a new industry. The method em
ployed is practically the same as in the tan
ning of cow hides, except that a stronger
combination of the tannic ingredients is re
quired, and a greater length of time, about
six months, is necessary to perform the
work. "When the hide is taken ont of the
vat it is about one and one-half inches
thick. Articles made of elephant's hide are
expensive luxuries. A small pocketbook
of -elephant leather, without any silver or
gold ornamentation, costs about f40. A
small leather satchel made of the same ma
terial costs anywhere irom $300 to $400.
Cigar cases, card rases and similar articles
vary from $25 to $100. Floor rugs are also
made out ot the leather. In finishing the
hide no attempt is made to glazj or polish
it. Everything is done to preserve its nat
ural color and appearance. Jt is a very en
during leather, several years' wear having
but little effect on it The scarcity of ele
phants and the great expense entailed in
the tanning of their hides precludes the pos
sibility of elephant leather ever becoming a
thing of popular and general use.
Test of Quickness In Fencing.
A very interesting method of testing the
quickness of a. sword thrust consists in
photo-chronographic measurement. The
movement of the foil-point is too quick to
be measured by .the eye, but Jby the aid of
the photo-chronographic apparatus it can
be plainly shown. The fencer is dressed in
white, placed in front of a black back
ground, the foil is chalked, and a metallic
spangle is fastened to the tip by wax. The
photo-chronographic machine being set in
rotation, the trajectory o( the tip of the foil
during the movement of the fencer is shown
by a series ot dots. As two successive im
ages arc one-filteenlh of a second apart in
time, it follows that by counting these
images the entire time occupied from the
beginning to the end of the movement can
be determined. In a recent test it was found
that the stroke occupied a little lessthan
four-tenths of a second. By this means two
swordsmen can be compared, and their rela
tive quickness easily and exactly deter
mined. Electrical Tricycle.
Several attempts have been made to con
struct an effective electrical tricycle, and a
machine has now been -constructed which
appears to possess points which entitle it to
be considered a practical machine. It is
similar in construction to the ordinary tri
cycle except that it is mnch larger, and is
said to attiin a speed of 20 miles an hour:
The motive power is the storage battery
placed under the seat. This battery will
run the vehicle over 120 miles at one charge,
at a cost of 0 cents.
The Fatten Multiplex Telegraph.
The multiplex telegraph, devised by
Lieutenant Patten, is now working 16 cir
cuits on a wire running between New York
and Philadelphia, a distance of about 90
miles, at 25 words a minute.
HORSFOItD'S ACID PHOSPHATE
Imparts Renewed Strength,
and vigor where there has been exhaustion.
n cms.
Hundreds of Different
Styles.
Largest Slock in the City,.
Description will convey
no idea of this truly gigantic
variety. You must come
and see for yourself. We
call your attention, how
ever, to our great specialty:
Real Antique Oak Rock
ers (not Ash), first-class
goods, can be had with
Plusbor Tapestry Seats, at
only - '
$3.50
FOR YOUR CHOICE.
These chairs are. the big
gest bargains ever offered
in this or any other city,
923, 925. and 927 TyT
13 OAS:a O 'CREDIT. f '$
.r"r , - . . . i. ,. , , , ,,,., i " i-. - .,. --,... , M
K E E C H'S
EVIDENCE OF CHEAPNESS.
Can yon call to mind any wide-awake
town of 6,000 inhabitants where lots
can be bought at' prices we ask and on
such easy terms?
ecures a Lot
PDBTLAND, the county seat of Jay county, Indiana, is half way between Eort
Wayne and Richmond, and 118 miles from Cincinnati by rail, or, about 90 miles in a
direct line, and 150 miles from Chicago.
It is in the Largest Continuous District of Natural
Gas-Bearing Land in the World !
.
The gas wells sow in nse at Portland have an output of over 15,000,000 cubic f est
daily, and this supply may be increased ad infinitum.
The Grand Bapids and Indiana Railroad and the Lake Erie and Western Bailroad
give Portland a north, south, east and west outlet The county is one of the richest stock
raising counties in the State.
Portland has fine public schools, a Normal College, three newspapers, viz: "Commer
cial," "Sun" and "Republican;" two banks, a building and loan association, seven
churches, two fine hotels, besides lesser ones; an opera house, and does a large wholesale,
retail and manufacturing business.
THE EVANS ADDITION
Adjoins the North Corporation Line of the City of Portland, and Lie3
Dlrootly on the Principal Street of the Town.
Lots are offered in this subdivision npon the following terms, viz: One per cent cash
with order, then one per cent each week thereafter (or more if so desired by purchaser) un
til full amount is paid, when warranty deed will be executed for the. property. A rebate
of ten per cent will be made for all caslfin advance. On receipt of first payment a bond
for a deed will be forwarded to the purchaser with the amount duly credited; also a large
plat of the property and a colored township map showing the exact location of the addition.
The Title to the Land is Absolutely Free and Unincumbered.
A complete abstract of title furnished free to all purchasers on receipt of first payment.
THE LOTS ABE 25x140 AND LABGEE, fronting on 60-foot street with 15-foot
allev, and are equal in value to lots selling in.other localities of the gas belt at $200. "We
advise taking two or more lots to secure a good frontage. There are twelve lots to the blook.
A. H. EVANS,
The Best Xmas or New Year's Gift
That can be made to an out-of-town friend is a subscription to the Sunday issue of the
PITTSBtTBG- DISPATCH,
24'pages, 192 columns filled with the best and most-interesting reading matter.
SENT BY MAIL TO ANY PART
Parlor Tables,
-9
Divans,
Tete-a-Tetes,
Sofas,
Rockers,
Arm Chairs,
Cabinets,
Hall Stands,
Hat Racks,
Book Cases,
?
Secretaries,
Wardrobes, .
Chiffoniere,
Sofas, .
Couches,
Bedsteads,
Pillows,
Mattresses,
60 II PAYIM OF M (ITS A WEEK!
ONE PER CENT GASH, THEN ONE PER CENT EACH WEEK
THEREAFTER UNTIL PULL AMOUNT IS PAID
in the Great
Trustee,
DON'T
Sideboards,
Extension Tables,
Dining Chairs, ,
Baby Chairs,
Child's Rockers,
Kitchen Tables,
Sewing Tables,
Dressers,
Medicine Chests,
Blacking Cases,
Foot Stools,
Carpet Sweepers,
Office Desks,
Office Chairs,
Mirrors,
' Pianos, ' -
Table Covers,
Blankets. -, ' -
Buy trashy Christmas Gifts.
.Give something that you
yourself would like to re
ceive. Let your present to
friend or relative be some
thing sensible and substan
tial. THIS "AD."
Contains many sugges
tions that you would do well
. to consider carefully. There
is not a poor or trashy pres
ent in the. entire list, and
everything is offered at
PRICES
Lower Than the Lowest !
If you can't come in the
day time, come in the even
ing. You will find Keech's
store
Open till 9, o'clock
every night till Christ
mas. Saturdays till 10
o'clock. v
CASH OR
923, 925
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
Natural Gas and Oil Field of
fr$-0-fr0
4004--
Portland, Ind., or
4Q West
IflHBpH
OF THE UNITED STATES FOR $2 50
Carpets,
Cutlery,
Rups. "J Wt-
Mats, gF
Curtains,
Portieres,
Curtain Poles,
Cloaks, '
Wraps,
Shawls,
Men's Clothing,
Clocks, -
Pictures, .
Bronzes,
Pedestals,
Easels,
Bric-a-Brac,
Silverware,
. CttEnDTT.
andj227
WE OFFER LOTS AT PBICE8 AS FOLLOWS: $60, $65,
$70, $75, $80. $85, $90, $95, $100, $105, $110, $115, $120,
$125, $130 and $135 each; Meridian street lots are $130 and $135.
All without interest, and free of taxes until deed is executed.
If any application is received after all the lots are disposed of the money Inclosed for
first payment will be returned.
Bemember the number of lots is limited, and "first come, first served."
The Boyal Glass Company has located a plant on the addition, covering an entire
block, and have already tnrned out some of the finest cathedral glass ever made In this
country. The company expects within a few days to be running to their full capacity.
i .
ANYWHERE TJNDEE theENTIBE SUBDIVISION GAS CAN BE SECURED.
EVEBY LOT-OWNEB MAY HAVE HIS OWN GAS WELL AND BEGULATB
THE SUPPLY TO ANY DESIBED QUANTITY. A well properly sunk is sure to
strike gas. Three wells have already been sunk and in each a large and satisfactory flow
was obtained.
.The natural gas obtained in the immediate vicinity of Portland is so pure that it is
used for illuminating purposes, and is equal to the best manufactured gas. This claim
cannot be made for natural gas found in any other locality.
Pobtland, Isd., March 1, 1883.
I have made the survey and plat ot the land comprised in the Evans Addition to the
city of Portland, Jay county, Indiana, and hereby certify that there is not a lot in said
subdivision that is not suitable for building purposes and susceptible of good drainage.
The subdivision adjoins the corporation line of the city. Meridian street, which panes
throneh the property, fs the principal street of the city and the main thoroughfare of the
county leading into the city. Sixteenth street is also an important highway.
C. E. BOGEES, Ex-County Surveyor and present City Civil Engineer.
PORTLAND has developed quite rapidly since the discovery of Natural Gas and
Oil in that locality. Population is increasing and land advancing. A number of new
factories, businesr blocks, and over 100 dwellings have been built within the past year.
The census of 1890 shows a gain in population of 179 per cent over 1880.
There is every reason to believe that an investment made now will bring to the pur
chaser large returns in the near future.
Pearl Street,
Tinware,
Hollow Ware,
Woodenware,
Queensware,
Porcelain,
Crockery,
Chinaware,
Dinner Sets,
Tea Sets,
Toilet Sets,
Cups and Saucers,
Parlor Lamps,
Table Lamps,
Piano Lamps,
Glassware,
Kitchenware,
Stoves,
Ranges.
-. -
KEEC H'S.
PORTLAND
Has over 5,000 population. The Evans
addition is less than a mile irom the Court
House, on the main street, with three
fourths of the population lying between it
and the Court House.
Portland, Ind,
Cincinnati, O.
de4-90
PER ANNUM.
deH-117 i
Good, Reliable Makes
Bed-Rock Prices.
We are showing some
entirely new designs for the
holiday season in Parlor,
Chamber, Dining and Sit
ting Room Furniture. -Wise
housekeepers will not neg
lect this opportunity.
A WORD
TO
Young Married Couple's
Keech will furnish your
new home better and
cheaper than any house in
either city. Call, see and
judge for yourselves. Don't
let any dealer persuade you
to buy before you have
learned Keech's prices and
easy terms. ;
ilffll.
m