Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1875-08-19
MATTHEW'S BI(a DISCOVERY.
Tho Ltsi.tin. Of Virginia City. Nevada,
! with Gas from Water.
Lessons in Chemistry for GclltlenseH Of
an Inquiring Turn Of Mind.

Lessons in Chemistry for (:cutlen,eH Of
an Inquirin.s Turn Of Mind.
From the Virginia City tNcvada) Chronicle.
About two years ago an old gentlcman, a
resident of this city, named w. II. {. Mat
theWs, brought to successful issue an in
vcntion upon which he has been laboring for
years. All that was ncedful TO make a colos-
sal fortune was the practical application of
the idea which he had elaborated. He was
like most inventors, without money, as he
had exhausted bis resources in years Of study.
He had followed his guiding idea for the
better part of an ordinary lifetime.
One evening" he called upon George ".
Hopkins, the Secretary of the Yellow Jacket
Mining Company, and interested that gentle
man to the point OF enthusiasm. MIR. Math-
cws protcssed to be able to produce oxy-
hydrogen gas from simple air and water, and
actually did it before the eyes of Mr. Hop
kins, who asked whether the thing could be
done Oh . sufficiently large scale to illuminate
cities.
''rertainly," sai,! ,he inventor, ''as long as
We nave air and water to work with, there is
NO limit to the quantity Of Gas which we can
produce
''But," said Mr.. Hopkins, ''it seems impos-
como from water and air.
The simplest thing in the world, when
you know the secret, replied Ar. Mathews.
''Air consists merely Of two gascs-oxygen
and nitrogen-in the proportion Of 20. 81 parts
Of the former to 1919 Of the latter; or, by
weight, Of 1901 oxygen and 1860 nitrogen.
Water is a compound Of oxygen and hydro
gen in the proportion Of $50 of the first to
Ill OF the latter. Now, all that is necessary
to make q highly inllamable gas is to drive
eff the nitrogen. Ny invention does that, as
you see for yourself, in that fame
There was 10 doubt about the value of the
discovery, for which scientists have been
laboring in vain for years. Mr. Hopkins
was satisfied, and he advanced sufficient
money to make practical test. God Hill
WAS lighted for two successive nights to the
satisfaction Of everybody concerned. This
completely established the practicability of
the invention, and Mr.. Hopkins went heart
chincry made in San Francisco at a cost of
over s., 900. This was set up at the old gas
works at the lover part Of Union street, lnd
was begun.
After the machinery had been set up, it
was discovered that the engine was not sut'i-
cicntly powerful to work the pumps, and
operations were suspended for a time. Mr..
Hopkins had exhausted lis capital. Un-
willing to allow so valuable discovery TO lie
idle, he excrted himself to form a joint stock
company. His efforts resulted in the forlna-
ton in January last Of the Compressed Air
and Oxy- Hydrogen Gas Company"
The company purchased land on Washing
ton street, and finished 4 building at COS: OF
about $4,000, and early in May the machinery
was moved in. Blu, as yet no new engine
had been procured, and this WAS the first step
necessary to practical operations. Conse-
qucntly, in the beginning Of June q meeting
of the incorporators was called. Six atten-
ded, and it was resolved to assess 800 upon
each incorporate interest. The money thus
raised, together with the sale Of stock would
place the company on 8 sound financial basis.
tees was elected. A great demand for stock
arose, and several capitalists of
the city became much Interested To give
these gentlemen q practical demonstration,
George H. Winterburn, the Secretary Of the |
company, arranged with Mr.. Mathews to |
have an exhibition of the works EVERYTHING ,
worked to perfection. The pumps churned |
the escape valves snorted with |
the outgoing nitrogen" and the pipes from
the reservoir furnished bright flame. All |
departed in delight, and eager to invest but
there was doubling Thomas among the dis
ciples, to-wit, Secretary Winterburn. Every
thing seemed right, but somehow he wasn't
satisfied. Lie had induced these friends of
his to see the experiment, and il anything
should turn out wrong they would naturally
hold him morally responsible. While he was
pondcring these facts, sauntering down C
street, MIR. Mathews, with his face all aglow
with a successful inventors pride, accosted
lim and held forth delightcdly on the assured
success Of the enterprise
''Mr. Mathews" said Mr.. Winterburn, II
iavc seen yonr machinery work, and can't
icny that 1t seems a success. but YOU know {
hat am leading these men into the invest
nens, and as business man | want to be {
sure Of my ground. Now, you
Won't feel insultei if ! ask you 10 come with I
nc, and !ct NE make an examination for my I
elf:" ~ -,
'Iou arc quite right. sir, said the invcn- t
Or, almost eagerly Come on. We have s
II day before u.s.
Defore beginning the search, 1lr. Winter |
urn sssKcc Matthew's whether he would sav 1
II his word of honor as gentleman that he G
SEQ nothing but water and air: s
\ do, said Mr.. Mathews.
heh, rnscrcw the top Of the first tank. S
Certainly"
lhere Wss ncti,in.. but water. The pipes d
ere 'aHcn apart, and every tank was exam O
'cG. anu still all was fair. Mr.. Mathews q
'cnt through it al, very much amused but. D
'"ard the end, little annoyed at the per- u
stence of the suspicious and busincss-like s.
'nterourn. Last Of all. the reservoir was Il
.cklcd. .s n
.Open this, said Winterburn. 3
lL was done Npf,irsr h,,t u,atap Tho I VI