Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1872-06-13


The committee of scientific gentlemen ap-
pointed by the board of managers of the
Nashville Industrial Exposition, to consult
with the inventor of the lightning railroad,
made the following report to the board on
Friday evening. The report has caused con-
siderable expression and was extensively
talked about yesterday in the city: |"s- ..s''
With a view to, satisfy the generally ex-
pressed anxiety on the part of the public, we
visited the inventor, who very courteously
exhibited to us the model of the railway car,
and sas far as he could, without compromising
his interest at the Patent Office, the electric
engine and the way in which he applied it to
propel the cars. 1t is a very simple arrange
ment, and the only wonder to US Is that the
discovery has not been made before. The
engine is composed of q number OF magnets
SO as to obtain motive power of $50 pounds,
or horse power, The armature is made
to work similar to the pitman of sewing
machine, and takes the place of the piston Of
q steam-engine. This works by breaking and.
closing the circuit -by the manipulation of a.
short, easy working lever, worked easily by
the fingers Of the hand, and SO fast that the
movement at either extremity is impercepti-
BILE to the eye, but makes it appear as solid
piece, like = red-hot rod of burning stick APP
appears if moved rapidly by the hand, a beau
tifdl phenomenon often indulged in by chill
dren. .I9 This armatute rapidly ttfns'a driving
wheel, sinlilaritto that upon Hoes printing
presses. by which, an additional, power Jig
obtained by its momentum, and this works
the wheels under the car, which propeis II at
avery rapid ratea The road being elevated
upon single row of poless tits asleyal AS a
die, and the cars are consequently moved with
the greatest ease. The engine, working as
fast as lightning, the cars can be driven at a
tremendous rate ofdspeed.' Weshould think
100 miles per hour would be easily made; but
they can be driven as slow as desired, i ,y,r,
The inventor designed his invention to- be
used in carrying mails and express packages,
which can easily be done at the rate of 100
miles per hour, but electromagnetic lts a
motive power for small machinery, will make
the invention more useful and Important.
The model exhibited TO us shows the road,
upon poles setin the curbstone or edge ofthe
pavement, with easy and safe stairway1to
ascend to or descend from the cars, The
single line Of poles supports a double track
for cars TO- run iii opposite directions; the
telegraphie, lines yoff the different companies
and of the fire alarm telegraph and gas lamps
tO light the street.. It is made very light so
that 1t viii not obstruct the street, but adds to
its beauty, and does away with the old fash
ioned tramwaY street cars, the dread of iowth-
Iiers of vehicles and the inIpediment eftcom-
fIneIclal intercourse IN ali teltles, pe CATS
win run noise1essfy,' and" are the very thing
needed upon alEefowded tliofoughfares. 9iii"7
Mr,nWilliam ID. Gentryp 1hstauthorof this
wonderful inyentionJ is the manager OF the
Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph office in this
city; has been a practical telegraph operator
for twenty-five years, and Isl one Of the Oldest
operators. now living HE hasuevoted eight
years to the development rtof this invention,
apd we hope he will now reap the re reward Of
his iabors.74H 'AEfA t61'i'' p7AAS'S '''''.'''+~
|.r Al working model large enough to Garry
passengers orifreight, will soon be pubinto
practical operation. ,unngjtIas T. aiii,p ~