Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1876-06-03

kept up until considerably after the la
test hour of night

test hour of night,
Through the kindness of Mr.. J~C.
Watson, proprietor of the ice factory at
this place, l was yesterday shown
through the establishment, and exam
ined the process of making "winter in
the midst of summer The building is
an ordinary brick structure, containing
the engine, gas pump, and the appara-
tus for converting water into crystal
ice. a large wooden tank called the
freezing box, is used containing salt
bath. in which are placed SO zinc cans,
2 It. in. long, in. wide, and 2 l2 in.
thick, filled with distilled water to with
in six or eight inches of the top, leav-
ing this space for the expansion ct the
water as it is converted into ice.
There is a receiver containing Acetic
, Ether tbe agent usedD Equifed under
a pressure of 76 pounds to the square
inch, out of which it is allowed TO force
itself through mass Of pipes traverslng
all parts of the freezing box, throueh h
the salt bath and the rapid expansion
of the Acetic Ether, causes 1t to give
off the caloric, and reduces the atmos-
phere below the freezing point. The
disposition of the Ether to free itself
from the pressure in the iron receiver,
aud to assume the form of gas, causes
it 10 pass entirely through the pipes in
the flcszing box, keeping up constant
current, and by meaus OF a continuation
of the same pipes, is conveyed into a
reservoir, from which it is again forced,
by means of the force pump, into the
receiver, and made to continue the cur
rent, through an endless chain OF pipes
Were there no escape of the gas, the
one filing of the receiver would contln:
ue to supply the apparatus tor an lndef-
mite time.
The freezing box holds one thousand
pounds of ice when frozen, and 1t re-
uuires five hours to complete the process
of freezing each batch of cans. He uses
a 20 horse power engine, and gas
pump with 20 inch stroke, and one hun
dred revolutions minute. lie sells the
ice to dealers at 3 l-2 cents per pound
and to hotels and ice cream men at .
cents. The ice is clear as crystal, and
is said to last equally as well as lake ice.
At points outside the freezing box,
wherever there is a joint in the pipes
through which the Ether is passing,
causing slight leakage, ice is formed
thick and firm, produced from the mois,
ture of the atmosphere, similar to pipes
leading off from an engine during ireez
ing weather of winter.
There was a large, and enthusiastic
railroad meeting in this cityyesterday,to
take into consideration the manner and
means of building another road TO this
place. There were over five hundred
of the leading citizens of the city and
county, in attendance comprising capi
talists, merchants, lawyers, doctors and
farmers, and after the matter had been
thoroughly discussed, committee was
appointed to suggest plan OF action
The committee i'll due time reported
set of resolutions recommending the or
ganization Of company to be called the
"Waco Railroad Company" and the
opening Of books for the subscription o.
stock. There was also committee ap
pointed 10 confer with the Internationa
and Great National Railroad company
as to making a connection with salt
road, and to take measures to procure
charter from the Legislature, which Ii
now in session. The I.& g. \. X. X.
extends from San Joan on the Texas 4
Pacific, in the eastern part of the State
crosses the Texas Central at Hearue, ,anc
is approaching rapidly the capital of the
State. BY making a Railroad conncc
ton with the l. & G. \. Il. r., viii
place Waco in direct communication
with the great pine forests of Eastern
Texas, and make it the lumber market
for all Of Central Texas.
The Texas Central Company, that
now controls the branch leading &c
this place, is moving towards an exten
sion Of this road farther into the North
western part of the State, and by taking
the terminus from here, will divert {
great deal of trade from Waco, aud
transfer it TO other points on the road
as it will pass through section largely
beneficial to this city. | am glad to sec
the interest manifested by the people in
Railroads, as they are the handspring
to the advancement of any country, al.
though there are some few, and well
there are but few, who believe that
Railroads are a curse to the country, at
least they say 50. Yours Truly,
A. s. STONEBRAkER.