Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-28

city. With view to satisfying the gener-
ally expressed anxiety on the part Of the
public, we visited the inventor, who very
courteously exhibited to as his model Of
the railway and car, and as far
as he could without compromising his in
terest at the Patent office, the Electric en-
CINE and the way in which he applied it to
propel the cars. It 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 anumber Of magnets
so as to obtain motive power Of eigh
hundred and fifty pounds, or one horse
power. The arInature Is made 10 work
similar TO the pitman Of sewing machine,
and takes the place of the piston Of steam
engine. This works by breaking and clos
ing 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 I'M
perceptible TO the eye, but makes
It appear as a solid piece, like
red-hot rod or burning stick appears If
moved rapidly by the hand, a beautiful
phenomenon often INDUCED in by children.
This arnature rapidly turns a driving
wheel, sin In n that upon Hoes printing
presses, by which an additional power Is
obtained by its momentum, and this works
the wheels under the car, which propel it,
at a very rapid rate. The road being ale-
waited upon a single row Of poles, it is as
level as die, and the cars are consequently
moved with the greatest ease. The engine
working as fast as lightning, the cars can
be driven at tremendous rate of speed.
We should think one hundred miles per
hour would be easily made; but they can
be driven as slow as desired.
The inventor designed bis invention to
be used in carrying mails and express pack
ages, which can easily be done at the rate
Of one hundred miles per hour, but the
ectro-magnetism as a motive power for
small machinery, will make the invention
more useful and important.
The model exhibited to us shows the
road, upon poles set in the curbstORe or
edge of the pavement, with safe and easy
stairway to ascend to, or descend from the
cars. The single line of poles supports a
double track for cars to run in opposite di-
rections; the Geographic lines of the differ
ent companies and of the fire alarm Tele-
graph and gas lamps TO light the street. 1t
is made very light 80 that
It will not obstruct the street, but add to its
beauty, and do away with the old-fash-
toned tramway street cars, the dread OF
owners of vehicles and the impediment of
commercial intercourse in all cities. The
cars will run nOiselessly, and are the very
thing needed upon Broadway, New York,
and all crowded thoroughfares.
Mr.. VIM. D. Gentry, the author of this
wonderful invention, is the Manager Of the
Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Office in this
city; has been practical telegraph operator
for twenty-five years, and is one OF the old
est operators now living. He has devoted
eight years to the development OF this in
vention, and we hope be will now reap the
reward of his laboTs.
A working model large enough to carry
passengers or freight will soon be put into
practical operation.
: NASHVILLE, April 20, 1872.-C. r. Par
sons, ESQ, President, Sir: Your committee
appointed to see Mr.. Gentry in relation to
his proposed elevated street railroad, wish
to make the following report:
The committee met Mr.. Gentry at his Of
fee and inspected the model he had pre-
pared to illustrate the principle OF his inven-
ton, and from the explanation he
gave, we are very favorably impress
ed as to the feasibility Of the scheme, es-
pecially for large cities and crowded thor
Oughfares.
The propelling power for cars Is supplied
by the agency of electricity, produced by
galvanized batteries at intermediate sta
lions, and utilized by powerful magnets at
tached to the cars, that can be purchased
at a low price. From the explanation we
received from him, we are induced to think
the system practical; the model was too
small to form any opinion from, and con-
sjdering the short time from now to the
opening of the Exposition, do not think IL
advisable for your Board to incur any ex-
pense in order to test its merits.
We desire to thank Mr.. Gentry for his
courtesy, and wish him ample success in
the development of project that may be
found of 50 much intrinsic value, and to
which he has evidently given so much anx-
ious and well directed thought.
T. NJ. BRENNAN,
GEO. II. BARRY,
J. NJ. THATCHER,
COMMITTEES,