The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-05-01
A Nitro lycerine Excitement.
~ 49,

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WHAT m is AND HOW USED.
80 q q .txf-s& 81
E.l. AS we have been frequently asked
What is Nitro-Glycerine?' we clip
the following interesting facts relative
to this destructive article Its mani
festlyltoo dangerous substance to be
tolerated in common use. The fol-
lowing tells us what it is and its use:
Glycerine is the sweet principle of
oil, and is, extensively used for the
purposes of the toilet ) but it has now
received an application of rather an
unexpected nature. In 1847 pupil
of M. Pelouze SIN. Sobrero, discov-l
cred that glycerine, when treated
with nitric acid, was converted into
a highly explosive substance, whicMl
he called nitro glycerine 1t is oily,
heavier than water, soluble in alcohol
or ether, and acts SO powerfully on
the nervous system that a single drop
placed on the tip of the tongue will
cause a violent headache, which will
last for several hours. The liquid
seems to have been almost for
gotten by chemists, and it. is
only new thatasN. Mabel, a. Swed7.
| ISL. engineer has succeeded In
applyingit to. avery important branch
Of his art namely, blasting. From
paper addressed by him to the. Acad
/ envy of Sciences, we learn that, the
c6mposed Of one part Of glyeesfsiif6ses and and
three. parts of nitric acid, possesses,
is that it requires amuch smaller hole
or chamber than gunpowder. does, the
strength of the latter being scarcely
sone-tenth of the former. Hence the
miners work, which according to the
hardness of the rock, represents five
to twenty times the power of the gum
powder used, is so short that the cost
of blasting is often reduced by fifty
per cent. The process is Very easy.
If the chamber of the mine presents.
assures, it must be lined with clay to-
make it waterFtight; this being done,
the nitro glycerine is poured in, the
water after 1T. which, being the lighter
liquid remained at the top. "A slow
match with a well charged percussion
cap at one end is then introduced into
the nitro glycerlne.. The mine may
then be sprung by Lighting the match,
there being no need of tamping. e'a
From the New York World, of Saturday.
THE INVENTOR IN THIS CITY-HE IS
BROUGHT TIC. THE MAYORS OFFICE
ri TEN CASES OF THE STUFF SEIZED AT
A PUBLIC STORE IN GREENWICH
STREET AND REMOVED. 81
marshal Baker appeared yes
terday, before Mayor Hoffman, at his
office, and notified that official that a.
/ large quantity OF, that dangerous ex-
ploslvei known as pitro-glycerine''I
was stored in the United States public
stores, Nos. 56and So Greenwich street.
and that this stuff was imported bv
the inventor, Mr.. Albert Nobel. who
arrived in this city on Monday last.
for the purpose of establishing man
ufactory In this city and agencies
throughout thecountry. Mayor I'll off 4
man promptly gave Fire-marshal Ba-
ker the following letter of authorize
ton to act in the premises:
49, !. lAYoa's OFFICE, April 20, 1866
SIR Understanding that a quantity of
nftro-giycerine is stored in this CITY in one
or more places, have to request that Won
Will report TO- me the places in which the
same may be stored, and to bring before.rne
forthwith the parties owning and co,,froIo
ling the same. (. III go + -rNsN ~
y t5l!'a JOHN T. HOFFMAN, Mayor
In pursuance of this request. Fire
Marshal Baker produced Mr.. Nobel
and his agent, James Deveau, who in
formed the Mayor that there were
twelve cases of this dangerous chemi-
cal, containing about three hundred
pounds, at present stored at the pub
lie store mentioned above, and that
this was all of the chemical they had
imported. Fire-Marshal Baker inn
mediately proceeded to the public
store, and took possession of ten cases
found there, and which were at once
removed to safe place beyond the
city limits. The other two cases had
ALREADY been removed to the Apprais
ers office, at No Sc Broadway. for in
spection, where they were found stored
in the chemical department., on the
top floor of the building. These eases
were. also removed beyond the CITY,
| limits. A great deal ofaexcitement
was occasioned among the employees
about the public stores and Apprais-
J er's office when it was known that so