The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1884-10-09
AN ELECTRIC RAILROAD.
Prof Daft's Singular Line in New Jer.
sey---Supplying Motive Power.

A company has been formed in this
city to furnish electric motive power to
any and every ono who may have
wheel to turn. Tho machine it pro-
poses tou SO is the electric motor of
Prof. Louis Daft.
About ono milo west of Greenyille.
N. j., ,nestling in grovo of troes, is q
small frame house of four rooms, and
under its shinglcd roof was found the
wizard of Newark bay. Jumping from
his drawing-board an with energy that
he might have drawn from one of his
own motors. he said in CHEEKY tones;
"Comc, take ride
"Ampcre, named from the distin-
gudshed electrician, was brought out
from neigliboring she'd saddfod and
bridlcd, and the wizard and his guest
got aboard. "All ready" he cried, and
touching levor, and giving n quarter
revolution to thrce-inch crank, tho
engine started. Tho track, from its
appearance. might have been built of
the debris of the first experimental rail
road In. America. The rails were
old. and worn, and rusty; they were
up here. down yondcr; u succession of
heavy grade and the one curye of for
corner of u fence. How in tho world
any four wheels ever managed TO follow
such n track is q wonder but cam
pero" whirlod along it, back and
forth, without groan and was as do
cile and quiet rs Il Shetland pony. The
engine would sweep along to within
m inch of the ends Of the rails and
stop instantly when on tho verge of go
ing over.
The power that moved the engine
came from a generator in tho factory,
through mile of wire, which might as
we'll have boon ten or twenty-five miles
long. Tho power was transmitted to
the engine by means of small iron
rail in tho middle of the track. The
milo wire was attached to the rail, and
tho current flowed through it, produc-
ing power enough to move "Ampero"
and standard gauge passenger coach
| containing seventy-tivc passengers up
n seventy foot grade, and yet barefoot
cd children play upon the track un-
harmed.
In the factory close by q small motor
that occupies less room than sewing
machine operates the saws, planners and
drills of q wood working shop, and q
still smaller one in smother room pro-
uuccS 9UO revolutions 4 minute in q
thirty-si&-inch fan, ard drives n cur
rent of air through the building that
would turn n windmill. Prof. Daft
would in all cases show tho harmless
ness OF his machines II diverting tho
current of electricity operating the ma
chino into his own person, and even by
closing tho circuit with his tongue; this
Notwithstanding the flash of light the
opening of the circuit produced.
"What is your plan for applying
your motor to domestic use," he was
| asked.
1--WE shall build central stations. at
which we shall generate sufficient pow
or to supply every demand within ra-
dius of two and q half miles. We will
carry as much of that power into your
house as you want, and measure it out
to you, and wo will carry it in way
that will afford you no Inconvenience,
taking no room and being absolutely
safe. We will give you motor of any
capacity; it will occupy only one-Gfth
the room of any other; will always be
ready for instant use, is cleanly, re-
quires no engineer, and will take care
of itself. You start and stop it by o
quarter turn of n thrce-inch crank. -
~ y Iribune.