The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-27
LOCAL MATTERs.

ANOTHER TRIAL OF THE FIRE- AToR. - A
very large number OF persons assembled on the
public grounds, near u street, just over the canal
last night, having been attracted thither by the
announcement in flaming handbills that there
would be ga trial between Phillips's Fire. Annihi-
lator and a Fire Engine," ON ga house erected for
the purpose, fifteen feet square and eighteen feet
high" The house was built Of pine boards, with
out plasiering, and divided into two stories.
DIR. Cotton delivered O brief lecture TO tho con.
course of people in explanation of the ire-annihi-
lator, stating, among other things, that 1t gener
ates steam, carbonic acid, and nitrogen, all Of
which deadly to flame. OF the value of the in
vention in extngushing fires while the flames
confined within doors, (and at that stage in which,
in nineteen cases out of twenty, they discover
ed,) it is claimed there remains no doubt. And
the lecturer further il s the flame which
consumes buildings, and not the burning Goals !;
that the water has no effect upon the flame, but
only upon its source, and that about half the build
ings which take fire burn down from the delay in
bringing the water to act, and from the inability
to throw the water upon the source Of the flame II
was expressly asserted that the annihilatof is not
intended to supersede the fre-engine, but to be
made use of as auxiliary.
While the doctor was delivering his lecture
house to be dedagratcd, and the cry of Sire %
"fire!" went up from thousand voices. Soon
the match was applied, and in the of fifteen
or twenty minutes, tongues of flames, probably
ten feet or more in length, issued from the upper
windows, much to the delight of the spectators.
Now was the important moment to test the efficacy
of the annihiator. Two of the machines were APP
piled, which sent forth their steam and gases into
the house; end in the course of about four seconds
the Protruding flames were drawn in and sup
pressed, together with the general blaze, which
was superseded Immediately by a black dense va.
por surrounding the tenement, and passing off
somewhat in the form of an inverted cone. After
the lapse of several minutes, the house was again
seen, but slightly charrcd by the test to which it
had been subjected.
The fre-engine was now to try its skill. So the
house was again set fire, and the flames had
scarcely reached the same height, as before, when
the cry of "Down with the Percy went up, and
the rafting of the arms of the machine heard.
The water whizzed through the pipe, and by the
time we took out our watch to note the time and
put it back into the pocket the flames were out.
This was succeeded by loud huzzas.
As to which won the victory we do not pretend
to decide. Both the Annihilator and the Perse-
verance, however, suppressed the fire.
That the former answered its purpose none can
doubt, and, from its almost instantaneous efficacy
in doing what promised for it, we incline to
the opinion that not few who we're doubtful upon
the subject are now convinced of its utility. And
it must be especially valuable as immediate
appliance AT the commencement Of fire, before
the ordinary engines can aohch the scene, and in
houses isolated from thicky settled neighbor-
hoods. . s,-.
A lecture is to be delivered at Carusi's Saloon
tonight upon the subject of the Fire-Annihilator.
SAcs AND FoxEs.-The delegates of these an
cent tribes of Indiana, from the Osage river, west
of the State of Missouri, who arrived in this city
on Tuesday evening, visited the department of
the Commissioner of Indian Affairs yesterday
morning. Colonel Lea, the Commissioner, being
Of necessity absent. they were received by Major
Charles Mix, the chief clerk, who stated to them
the fact of the time of their Great Fathers being
taken up in attention upon the Grand Council Of
the nation, it was proper to forego giving their
red brothers a formal interview until after the
adjournment Of Congress. Assurance was given
that in the time intervening every attention should
be shown them for their protection, comfort, and
pleasure; and that they should all the interest
ing departments and inventions Of the country in
this vicinity. r.. -
Mr.. Mix recognised the son of tho celebrated
Keokuk, a companion Of delegation of the
tribe who was here in 1887, and referred specially
to him. He also expressed qualification at meeting
the delegates, and. promised them future acts Of
kindness and friendly interviews.
The young Keokuk has remarkably fine eye
and face; and q son of the celebrated Black Hawk,
though of rather settled countenance, is at least
remarkable for his bulk of frame and characteristic
marks Of frmness.
The indiana expressed themselves as gratifed
at the assurances given. and took respectful
leave er