The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-06-14


carried in the coat pocket. The neck OF
the bottle is Theoretically sealed with q
rubber cork, through which runs brass
tube divided into two parts by a thin me-
tallic disk, usually made of brass. The top
compartment of the tube is shut off from
the air by means of a screw cap, through
which in turn runs key. Also contained
in this upper compartment is a small vial
of powerful acid. BY turning the key the
vial is broken. and the acid falling upon
the disk eats into the powder which is
packed closely. The time Of explosion de-
ponds upon the thickness of the disk. The
acid, the instant it comes in contact with
the powder, explodes it. The newest in
vention, and one which has met with much
favor in st. Petersburg, is what is called
the HAT Exploder. Two exceedingly
thin circular disks of sheet brass, having
layer of powder an inch thick, are solder
ed and riveted Theoretically together, and
sewn in the top of an ordinary hat. The
entire weight of the machine although it
contains the equivalent of eighty pounds
of powder, is only sixteen ounces. The
hat is waived OF thrown up in the all.
Falling, it explodes. The device looks for
all the world like two pancakes stuck to-
gether. A great many grenades are made
in New York. They are hollow balls OF
iron, through which runs q tube, sur
mounted by button. The button is lead.
The grenade falls by force of gravity upon
the side on which is the heavy lead button.
The button is pressed, breaks q vial OF
acid, and the acid causes the explosion. "A
grenade three and one-half inches in diane
ter, contains the equivalent of 100 pounds
of powder The eight day machine has
been made to contain Greek fire, which is
set off by the clockwork, burning down the
building in which it is placed: In this in
stance there is no explosion. 1t is Won
derful to what extremes of ingenuity the
inventors of internal machines have gone.
Machines have been and are being made in
the shape Of chunks of coal. They explode
when on the fire. Holgate has made nov
ell machine in the shape OF satchel. The
handle connects with q vial inside, OF with
a spring falling into Il slot. Lifting the
satchel, OF touching the handle, eXplodes
it. Not long ago, in New York, ma
chine of the pancake pattern was so con-
Structed as to be made into shoe SoleS.
Walking on the soles for a certain time
- 1oJo no mt
the unfortunate possessor.
The demand for internal machines in
creases constantly, and from the must I'M
expected quarters, kTherel are living at
New York and Philadelphia representa-
tives of all the revolutionary societies IN
the world. They are not confined to Eu-
rope, but extended through Mexico and
South America. A considerable number
of eight-day and thirty hour machines
have been made in Philadelphia, and sent
to San Domingo and Hayti. A large or
der is now awaiting shipment into Mexico.
Peru alone, of the South American coun-
tries, has used them. There were sent at
one time into that kingdom dozen OF the
eighty-day machines, and this within SIN
months. Italy, Germany and Austria buy
rlenteously. From certain indications it
would appear that some sort OF move
ment is speedily contemplated in Italy
An unusually large number Of machines
have been bought in Philadelphia to be
sent to that country. and orders are com
ing in every day. Holgate was asked the
other day what would be the effect OF the
explosive act now before the Philadelphia
legislature, He said sit will be inopera-
tive. My machines are not internal ma
chimes until they are made so. Anything
can be made into an internal machine-a
orange, hat, a boot, a coat, shovel,
pound of sugar, anything in fact. T'
crush the business in this way is impossi-
BILE. '-Philadelohia Press.