New Orleans Republican., 1873-08-31
A Wed.foot Genius.

A cayeat was recently filed in tie patent
office at Washington for a new motive
power. which, in the opinion of experienced
engineers and scientific gentlemen vino
have examined the working model, Will not
only supplant the present steam engines in
use, but largely increase the uses to which
machinery can be applied with profit.
Strange to say, this invention which prom
ses such great results is the product OF
boy but eighteen years of aye, who was
born and reared in the backwoods OF
Oregon
Frank G. Crouch is the name of the
young genius. His father settled on farm
in Douglas county over twenty years ago,
and the only educational advantages en-
loved by the young man were those afforded
by the country school. At very early
age he demonstrated wonderful ingenuity
in the construction cf windmills and water
wheels. Before he was ten years OF age he
built toy sawmill which was the wonder
of the inhabitants for miles around. Natu-
raj philosophy and chemistry were his Ia
vorite studies, not only faithfully followed
in school, but fairly reveled IN out OF school
hours He was continually testing the
theories of the book by actual experiments,
and produced results which astonished his
elders The frivolous amusements OF other
children he turned from, and his entire
time was occupied not only in practically
demonstrating what he saw in print, but in
endeavoring to improve upon the original.
Up to four years ago, when he went with
his father to Portland, he never had seen a
telegraphic instrument, yet instead OF hav-
ing its operation explained to him, he AS
tonished the operator with more profound
elucidatiOn of its workings than the opera
tor himself could have given. Upon his
return home he constructed an instrument,
made battery, and in a way could tele-
graph with it. He came near losing his life
at this period, from the strength OF battery
which he had constructed, receiving shock
which laid him up for month. In this con-
nection it may be stated that this young
man has perfected system of telegraph
whereby messages may be sent and received
on board train of cars, whether standing
still or moving at the rate of fifty miles an
hour. The young man fully explained this
system to a Chronicle reporter, showing
plainly that it is feasible, but as his appli.
cation for patent is not yet filed 1t would
be unfair to make it public. This system
also renders collisions impossible and
greatly reduces the chances of accidents of
all kinds. 1t has been tested on twelve
miles of road and found to work Like a
charm.
Another of his inventions, from which his
friends and practical machinlsts expect
great results, is self-regulating water feed,
to be applied to boilers. The great major
ity of explosions which occur are caused by
the water getting low through the careless
ness of engineers. BY this arrangement the
waite, in the boiler will always be kept at a
certain height, rendering explosions impos-
sible, requiring no attention from the engi-
neer, and dispensing with the water gauges.
Among all the inventions to which this
young man has applied his atten ton the
one which he was most desirOus of bringing
before the public was his new steam engine.
His father, who is plain, practical
farmer, endeavored to turn his attention
from machinery and electricity to the every
day life Of the farm, but finally he was per.
suaded by the constant and unceasing i'm
portunities of the youth to go with him to
Portland and endeavOr to get some capital
to supply the money to bring out the inven-
tons of. the boy. They met with poor sue
cess in Portland, and the father, whose
means are limited endeavOred to persuade
his son t. return home. The young man
would not listen to such a proposition, aud
finally induced his father to come or down
to San Francisco. They met with poor
success here at first, but young Crouch
finally succeeded in getting a miniature
model OF his engine manufactured. He took
it down to San Jose, where several OLD
friends of the Crouch family reside.
At Judge Hester's residence, on the Ala
media road, the little engine, with but two
inch cylinder and twO-inch stroke, was
applied to large straw cutter, ordinarily
worked by a very strong mule. 1t easily
handled the machine, and accomplished
work which the mule could not cutting off
grapevines and barrel hoops as readily as
straw. The mule was substituted for the
little engine, and brought to dead stop
when these things were put in the machine.
Judge Moore and Mr.. Bishop at once took
stock in the undertaking. With the means
furnished by them large engine is now
being constructed at machine shop in this
city, which will be in operation this week.
The merit claimed for the new engine is.
that by it steam is converted into won
derfully expansive gas, by being super
heated in combination with air, thus giving
to comparatively small engine great
power By this arrangement the main OBJ
stacle which has prevented the apple alton
of machinery to many purposes will be
overcome, and the steam carriage for com
mon roads made practical. A great saving
in fuel. as well as weights, is also secured
by the invention of young Crouch. The
engine and boiler are combined, and an en-
gine of forty horse power will not take up a
space of six feet square.