The Dawson journal., 1885-06-04

mid reduced to ashes; in 1548,
1865 and 1853 it again suffered
from the same cause, and in 1745
stroke of lightning fell on it
with such tremendous force that
the whole tower was again nearly
ruined; it was rent in no less than
thirty-seven places. In the years
l761 and 1862 it was again severe
ly damaged. We here have suffi-
cient evidence of the e'frequent eff
fects of lightning on this building
while unprotected to satisfy the
most skeptical that there must
have been something to attract
the lightning. Now we have
shown that something" to be ac-
cumulated electricity, and have
stated that by the application of a
lightning rod without insulation
further damage would have been
prevented. In 1866, one hundred
and nineteen years ago. o,such a rod
was applied along the exterior of
this tower. Since this period We
find the building has not been
damaged in the least degree by
lightning.
The line of telegraph wires
from the Atlantic to the Pacific
oceans have conductor on every
eighth pole, without insulators,
and never yet have they been the
least injured by lightning. At
telegraph offices you will find no
insulators attached, simply for the
reason it makes it less dangerous
from lightning.
In placing rods on buildings
they should be attached to the
roof by means of hooks or eyes, in
proof of which we submit the fol-
lowing from two of the most re-
nowned electricians the world has
ever produced:
Prof. Joseph Henry, Secretary
Smithsonian Institute, Washing
ton says: I'm a house properly
provided with lightning rods,
however many discharges may
fall on it, we are well assured
from full experience and estab-
lished principles, no damage can
ensue to the occupants within.
Solder rods to metallic roofs and
attach rods to modern buildings
by means Of iron hooks or eyes. -
Sir David Brewster, the highest
English authority says:
'In securing buildings, capa-
cious channels for conduction
should be applied systematically y
along the walls. These may be
carried down from within or with
ont the building. These hines of
conduction should be secured i'm
mediately against the building,
and not be placed from it, and
pass through Rigs of glass and
other insulators. The closer the
conductor is applied to the walls
the better"
We wish to ask the correspond
ent what electrician ever advoca-
ted insulation and what work on
electricity ever recommended it?
None. At a convention of the
most renowned electricians the
world ever produced, held last year
at Philadelphia, insulation was
condemned.
We think we have fully shown
that the theories of the lightning
rod men have" not "been upset, -
and that, instead of being a neces-
sity, insulation is dangerous.
Mr.. Cheney has so much faith in
lightning rods that he has had
!
Capt. 0. G. Robinson, of our
town, to place a new set of rods
on his dwelling. Our advice to
all is, get Capt Robinson to rod
your houses, don't use insulators
and be safe.
We trust that we have clearly
shown that those prejudiced views
and opinions which are en-
tertained in relation to lightning
rods by persons entirely igno-
norast of electricity are not
founded on any sound basis, what
ever, and that a judicious
application of a system Of
circuit conductors, we'll pointed,
both on land and at sea, is not on
ly desirable, but is, in many cases,
absolutely essential to the preser-
walton of life and property from
an element which is instantane-
Gus in its work of destruction
In the consideration of the IN
terestina questions but briefly