The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-30
ONE WHO KNOWS
Another Experimentation MnchiSac'
The following Is an extract from Da'en'

Another Experimentation Mnchafac.
The following Is an extract from DaVen-
bort letter to the Chicago Journal:
Not many years ago there dwelt and dealt
in this city n merchant possessed Of consider
able property and of n very speculative turn
Of mind His name was not Benjamin Bur
lev hut by that name shall designate him
here.
MT. Burley was not content with the ordi-
rsry profits of his trade, but was continually
scaeming to increase his income by means
entirely foreign to his business and often
extremely visionary in their character, and,
very naturally, of course, through this neg
lect his custom fell off, until at last he was
obliged to sell out under the hammer ana re-
tire from business with scarcely suihc'ehl
means to maintain his family respectfully even
with the most rigid economy. Mr. Hurley
had always possessed several hobbies, pfonli-
nent among which was belief in the posi-
bility of perpetual motion. 1t would be sup
posed that after his nlisfortuneS he would
Law aside all such speculations and apply him
self diligently to the practical duties OF lie:
Not SO, however; that was not his style"
On the contrary, he applied himself more
closely than ever to solving that problem that
had puzzled the brains and wasted the means
of so many men before him. 1t is needless
to follow him step by step, and tell of his
many failures and disappointment. Suffice
it to say that at last, after all his means
were exhausted, his labors were crowned
with success. The general outlines oi hls
machine had long been familiar to him, ana
il was only upon minute butrery important
portion OF its details that his attention had
been confined; but ut last, one day, rs though
by chance, the idea came to him, the missing
link was supplied, the invention complete,
and fame and fortune just within his grasp.
He lacked only the money to construct
model and obtain patent. So, providing
himself with full drawings and specifications,
he began search for some person possessed
not only of money but Of credulity enough
to assist him. He was not long in finding the
proper parties. Several gentlemen who are
to-day numbered among the most prominent
and influential Of our citizens joined. With a
sagacity that has always distinguished them,
they stipulated for u large interest in the
patent when obtained.
1t was then determined to construct and
put in operation one of the machines before
applying for the patent. So work was begun
in the utmost secrecy. A room was rented
in Nichols block, on the corner Of Second and
Brady streets, and here poor Burlcy spent
U
rates might have been found here almost
every evening engaged in secret consultation.
The greater part of the machine had to be
cast and to prevent any one from obtaining
any idea of its mechanism, the work was dis
tributed around, and sent in part TO Chicago,
St Louis. milwaukee,, and even rs far rs to
Cincinnati. 1t was expensive, but it was safe.
II was nearly six months after these gentle
men had assumed financial control Of the I'M
dertakng before the last of the parts was
completed and packed carefully away i'll the
room before mentioned. A night was APP
pointed for putting it together, and promptly
at the hour fixed the parties interested were
oil Oh hand. The night was chilly, dark, and
generally disagreeable, and the room looked
most cherries, lighted RS twas by but soli-
tary candle, but the inventor, busting about
cheerful and courageous, sustained the spirits
of his friends and inspired them with little
Of his own confidence.
Quickly but carefully Bupley began joining
together the various parts Of his machine,
which soon grew into vast conglomerate
OF pulleys, wheels, and levers, that seemed
massed together without any design. At
length, along towards the "wee sma' hours"
his work was nearly completed, and he asked
the assistance of the spectators in tying the
machine, for he assured them that when the
last wheel was added it would at once start
on its never-ending work. SO it was tied
down to the floor and up to the ceiling, and
dashed to strong st!nchions set in the wall,
and ropes sufficient to have curbed the power
of o locomotive were laced and interlaced be-
tween the wheels. Then Burley advanced
and cautiously placed the last piece in posi-
ton, and stood ready, knife III hand, to free
the engine Of its bonds.
With intense interest depicted on their
countenances, the doubly interested specta-
tors drew near. One by one the ropes were
cut, and every eye was strained to catch some
sign Of. motion. Here" cried H., "this
cord Is straining,"
"she is tusging at the rope, too," cried D.
"Quick, Burley, with the knife"
At last but one limp, slack tie remained,
and poor Burley, into whose eyes there began
to creep wearied, hopeless expression, with
trembling hand secured it. Still no sign OF
life or motion. With blank, dismayed coun-
tenances, the parties gradually slipped out,
leaving the inventor alone with his inven-
ton. With unsteady step he walked about
1t, trying In vain to start it, until at last,
realizing his failure, he flug his knife into
corner and sank down with groan upon the
floor.
Poor fellow! he died not long after. I
think it killed him. The other parties still
live here. understand that the engine was
tested before its destruction, and it Yves found
that an able-bodied horse would have all he
could do to keep it in motion.