Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-24
A Big POrphyry Blast.

PLOT KNOB SHAKEN TO ITS VERY CENTER,
Tie rapid development of the mining inter
ests OF Missouri has pduced the enterprising
mine proprietors, in keeping pace with the
march of improvement" to employ not only
the Diamond drill but a more powerful expIo-
sive than powder. The st. Louis journal of
Commerce says:
A few days ago we announced the presence in
the city OF DR.. Carl Volney, the efficient repre-
sentative of Lake Shore Nitro glycerine com
psany, OF Paintsville, Ohio, who had just finish
ca me WORK OF driving tunnel throu gh the h ari
photographic limestone 300 feet, at Hannibal, 20
secure an APP roach to the new bridge. The re-
SUIT was that Dr N0lney was at once engaged
to make a practical test for the Pilot Knob
company, and orders were given by President
McClune that the proper arrangements be made
at either Pilot Knob or Shepherd mountain, to
On Monday two holes that had previously
been drilled in solid iron ore for powder-say
two inches in diameter, and from eight to nine
feet deep, were used. The burthen of these
were from eight to nine feet and the iron ore
was cleaned 0ff-probably from 100 to 100 tons
IN each case, and the ore broken so small that
aad or further reduction, could be dis
pensed with. All who were present were great
ly astonished with the result, and with the
power of this great explosive.
Bnt me most astonishing result was attained
IN 6iasting IN the hard porpbyry, where a hole
had been drilled only two inches in diameter
and seven feet deep, with a burthen of about
ten feet; The explosion was terrific. 1t not
only broke OF all the solid rock in 'front.' and on
either eide, but TO depth Of fifteen feet below
theh hole, and shattered and loosened the previ-
ously s0il0 rock some elk or eight feet back of
the hole-thus really cracking the rock i'm the
rear and IN both sides, in an area of probably
thirty feeG,
HUNDREDS of tons of rock and ore were TINS
thrown down by each of these explosions prov
ing satisfacto rily that this is the most effective
and powerful explosive agent ever used in this
region. The Arcadia house is fully two miles
from the location where the test was made vet
Mr. Robinson and several citizens of Ironton
state they distinctly felt the shock OF the explo-
sion.
The holes used for these tests had been dri,le
Tor powder, and were not of proper proportions.
Several points were satisfactorily decided: 1
That nitro glycerne is at least twelve times
more powerful than powder. 2. That one
half the drilling can be saved by its
be moved by it. t. That it can be handled with
safety by those who understand it.
THE WORD "FEMALE."-The use of this word
for woman is one Of the most unpleasant and
inexcusable of the common perversions of Ian
gusge. 1t is not a criticism, although it is
much more in vogue among British writers
and speakers than among our own. With u.s.
lady Is the favorite euphorism for woman.
For every one OF the softer and more ambitious
sex who is dissatisfied with social position. or
uncertain of it, seems to share Mrs Quickly's
dislike of being called a woman. There is no
lack of what is called authoritative usage dur
ing three centuries for this misuse of female as
may show, should l undertake the discussion
of Americanisms, 80 called. But this is one of
those perversions which are not justified by ex-
ample, however eminent. A COW or q SOW or
as man Is no more male than bull is; or a
boar; and no woman calls herself female with
out thereby sharing her sex with all the brute
creation.-Rural New Yorker.