The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-05-06
TIE BURGLAR GUN!


Decentralization, we led to tho conclusion
that, sooner or later, it must come into genera
use, and take rank as one of the most Vaiuapi'
discoveries of the times.
The credit of this invention is due to the Hon.
John. Wilson, of Anderson, S. O. ana II Is unoef
stood that the idea was suggested 10 his nn'ho Dy
tho act of IN audacious burglar who entered his
office in the nighttime, with intent to commit
felony and made a clean sweep of the contents of
purse and pocket book. We predict, however, that
similar experiment will not be made upon his
honor during the remainder of his lifetime. His
name, henceforth, will be nseparably connected
with and always suggestive of this faithful sleep
less seniinel, and his worldly effects much better
secured against burglars and thieves than they
could have been by locks, and bolts, and bars
This burglar gun, Like all fully perfected in
ventions, unites in an eminent degree, both
simplicity and efficiency. These are the leading
clements of their usefulness and most convincing
proofs of the genius of the inventor The whole
structure consists of o gun or pistol resting
on pivot, or upright rod, preceding from the
centre of hollow motalio drum, about the
size and shape of o peck measure. Within this
drum is planted the machinery that gives rotary
motion to the rod, on which the gun rests, 80 that
it is made to fire in any of four directions, IN
stantly and with fatal effect. Four very delicate
wires proceed from this internal machinery in ep-
posite or different directions, to anyrpoint that
may be selected within the range Of the weapon.
These wires, always in state of slight tension,
from the pistol. But, BY far the most astonishing
feaure of the performance is, that the discharge is
always precisely in the direction Of the wire
touched. For although the gun may be pointing
in an opposite direction, in the course of either
of the other wires, it instantly responds to the
burglars touch, turns its pivot, and fires at him
The writer is not acquainted with the ngeni-
ously planned mechanism by which the inventor
has impaired such precise pcrceptive powers to his
bantling but is we'll assured that it has been done
at cost of much thought and unsurpassed inge-
niity.
But, in forming IN estimate of the merits of this
invention, the great question to be solved in ad-
vance is, as to the practical advantages to be de-
rived from it; and the propriety of its as re-
source against burglars and thieves, in moral
point of view. AS respects the first, it is beyond
all question one of the most reliable safeguards,
and uncompromising sentinels, ever placed in
charge of the property Of citizen. It effecually
supercedes the necessity of all other means of Sc
curity. Locks may be dispensed with and doors
thrown widely open, and yet the answer of the
sentinel, could the inventor have impaired the
power Of speech, TO the question, 'Watchman,
| what of the night" would always be, ''Ths day is
dawning, and all is n al u
It's efficiency has been tested in many localities,
and in every instance with complete success. No
inclosare, no garden or orchard has ever been en-
tered approached where the presence of this gun
was suspected There is terror even in doubts
as to its whereabouts, 'that hauds tho wretch to
order" Was this weapon introduced to general
use, We are not prepared to say it would make men
honest, inspire rosues with distaste for steal
Iing-tke present demoralized condition of the
country illustrates all such expectations We see
men all around US once regarded as high-toned
and honorable, thrustiEg their roguish paws into
the pockets Of their more honest neighbors and
former friends, and growing proud and consequent
tiai on ill-gotten gains. The love Of money has
been sown broadcast in the human heart and like
the fabled Upas sheds the dew of death upon every
budding virtue No, no; it is impossible to make
men honest; but Wilson's gun will prevent them
from stealing-can diminish, if not entirely abate
trials, for grand and petit larceny, before our
criminal cours-lessen the number Of oonvicts in
our penitentiary and above and beyond all else,
can protect the property of honest people against
burglars and robbers through all coming time.
AS to the moral right of citizen to place
deadly weapon in charge of his property, it would
seem to US unquestionable And if the public
mind was fully enlightened as to the beneficial re-
suits that would follow its introduction to general
use, the legal right would be promptly provided.
As general rule the weapon should be placed in
enclosures where no one has right to enter ex-
cept the owner of the estate; and where none
would except for felonious purposes-such as
banks mercantile houses, mansion houses, and
other buildings with locked doors, and gardens
with locked gates. These contain nearly all that
is valuable on farm If restricted in this way by
statutes, no honest person would ever be injured
by the burglar gun. The lock on door or gate
would announce in unmistakable language, the
presence of the fearful wnchman. And surely if
IN audacious thief should have the hardihood to
force on entrance under such circumstances, and
should lose his life by the experiment, he would
hove simply met his reward and should be buried
in o felons grave, without the honor of sigh or a
tear to his memory. He would be no loss to So
cicy-there would be plenty of the same sort left.
This department Of industry and enterprise is al
ready over-stocked with competitOrs-so much SO,
that if hundreds were destroyed annually by Viii
sons gun, it would not amount to on aDpreciablo
diminution of their number.
But the protection to property afforded by this
gun is not necessarily limited 70 the above named