Daily Los Angeles herald., 1878-03-28
A Startling EgrvoiHiivh Iinp"adins

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A startling EEevslHiiv-, Iuipsadins
The telephone is by no means
the latest marvel of the inventive
ingenuity of Brother Jonathan. a
Mr.. James Winter, of New York
city, claims to have perfected q
process by which illuminating gas
may be made from water by very
simple mechanism, whose detailed
modus operdndi he declines to re-
veal, except 10 a select few, until
he has obtained patent for the
invention. Quite number of cap
italists of recognized standing for
intelligence and reliability, such
as Mr.. Jordan l.. Mott, of New
York city, are interested III the
success of Mr.. Winters plaus, and
vouch for the value of the alleged
invention. The experiments Mr..
Winter was giving his time to
when he made his discovery were
on a water meter, which vas to be
great improvement over those
now used for measuring the con-
sumption of gas, and it was in the
manipulation of the water, and
some of the forces brought to bear
on it, that lie saw what suggested
how to turn water into an illumin-
ating gas. He worked out the
plans which his discovery sug-
gested. His Whole time was de-
voted to it, and he showed all the
absorption and energy ofan enthusi-
asst. People who saw him were in.
clined to smile, especially when
they observed that he used All old
kitchen kettle punched full ofhules,
in his experiments. But one day
he so far progressed that when he
placed a lighted match at one Of the
holes in the kettle, blush fame
fastened itself TO the aperture.
Then those who had watched him
smiled 10 more, but sprea the re-
port that he had really converted
water into illuminating gas. He
perfected his machine, carbonated
the gas, ana obtained a brilliant
jet. Capitalists heard of it, and
called on him. One moneyed man
was so far satisfied that he was
willing to invest largely, provided
he could be convinced that there
was no trick, such as the use Of
chemicals. lie put to Winter ques-
tions relating 70 the chemistry and
philosophy OF the operation. ~
don't know anything about that.
L only know that this machine
will do it," was the reply, aud he
freely showed the machine. The
capitalist took it TO pieces, put it
together, took water that lie knew
could not have been chemically
ana then generated a gas
of brilliant Illuminating power.
Other capitalists were induced to
look at the machine, and so well
satisfied vera they that they re.
quired only the testimony OF ex-
perts that there was no fraud about
it to invest heavily.
Something important happened
while all this was going on. While
perfecting q machine, Winter mar
rowly escaped being blown topieces.
The little iron box exploded. In
vestigation followed, and he be-
came satisfied that his box was ca
pable Of generating an immense
power, and the capitalists who had
been looking into it thought that
the gas property might be COM
paratively Insignificant considera-
ton. AT the same time there were
suspicious that this might be an
other Keely motor delusion. But
Winter apparently concealed moth
ing, excepting as far as is by the
capitalists thought necessary to
prevent Others reaching the Patent
Office first. To those whom he
trusts he has opened the box and
allowed them to see just how it
works. They have used Croton
water, aud are positive that no
electricity is used. The small ma
chine that is now finished was
filled with few pounds of water,
and in fifteen seconds power
equal to pressure of go pounds to
the square inch was generated. A
gauge showed this. Among those
who have seen the operation are
Vice President Reed, of the New
York, New Haven and Hartford
Railroad. Mr.. Reed gives much
attention to applied science, as far
as it may be made of use in railroad
operations. He was intensely in
terested in the machine. There
was no doubt that great power was
generated, and he remarked that if
it was a genuine thing, and could
be applied, it would be worth
1000, 900 to the company that be
represented. He proposes to be
present at coming experiment
with the machine that is to be made
In the presence of experts, aud
where the most searching examin-
alton Is invited. The project has
ns To .