The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-13
A SUCCESSFUL TEST OF THE
CHIEFS SUPERB INVENTION.
Something That Premises Not Only
a Benefit to Insurance Men,
But Fortune.

Last nights express carried elab.
crate drawings and an application for
a patent on fire hydrant patented
by James Cleary of the Fire DEPART
ment OF this city. Before they were
sealed a representative of the APPEAL
was allowed to make a careful exam.
ination OF the drawings, which were
prepared with bis usual finish by Mr..
Anthony Ross Of the Sewer Depart
ment, and sfterward made a careful
examination of one of the hydrants at
engine-house No. l,
"rhis is one of l00," said the chief,
"jutt finished for the city by the Mil
burn Gin and Machine Company. l
made the first test about an hour ago.
When ! showed my plans to Presi-
dent Hidden aud asked him to
give the order to have them
made at home, he wanted to
know what was to be done
il they failed to work properly when
finished. agreed to eat one of them
il they were nc ( satisfactory. He said
it was bargain, and gave the order
on that condition. But do not think
| shall be obliged to make so radical a
change in my diet. The test made
this afternoon was completely salts.
factory, and think l have the best
hydrant made"
The chief ought to know, as he has
seen nearly every hydrant in use in
the United States. The cap of the
specimen examined, and which had
Just been received from the factory.
bore the legend, "Clta'y HydIant,
Made by the Milburn Gin and Ma,
chine Company, Memphis, Tenn"
The hydrant is similar in appearance
10 those which may be seen at any
street corner. 1t may not be quite SO
handsome, but is well made, durable
and possesses points OF advan.
tage which are at once mani
fest. 1t is cast in three pieces.
the lips clamped by iron bolts. Those
in the section which will appear at
the surface OF the ground are OF brass,
as it has been noticed that bolts placed
at the top Of the ground soon rust and
break. The supply is taken at the
side through iour-inch opening, the
aperture being closed or opened by
turning with key the squared end
of an inch and half rod which ex-
tends through the center OF the cap
down to the bottom Ct the hydrant.
The valve is fixed to one side
OF a sort of skeleton wheel, whose d.
ameter corresponds to the diameter OF
the hydrant, eight inches, and
works up and down along the
inside OF the stem. The
threads Of the long rod-like screw are
very large, so that eight revolutions of
the key completely opens the four
inch aperture through which the sup
ply tlowR. An aperture in the oppo-
site side OF the pipe about one. eighth
Of an inch in diameter is mode to open
and close automatically, and allows all
Of the water remaining in the hydrant
to flow out after use, so that all danger
Of damage in cold weather is aveltsd.
This vent is 30 peculiarly constructed
that it is closed while the bydrant is
in use, ard does not allow a particle
Of water to escape. An arrangement
Tor packing about the exposed or KEY
snd OF the long rod prevents it
from becoming clogged by an accu-
mutation of gravel, prolific source of
amusement with mischievous street
arabs. In word, the points about
The hydrant to be commended are its
durability, the rapidity with which it
nay be opened, its freedom from &C.
emulation Of grit, its ability to empty
itself Of every drop Of water after
Use and, above all, the ease with which
/ may be repaired. The whole inside
u the hydrant may be lifted out, lesv.
Dg it clean as a whistle, repaired at
eisure and replaced. With the old
1ydrant the question OF repairs is a
1ifficult one. 1t is often necessary to
Zig down to the main pipe, from
which the water must fir be shut of,
meet the connection and lift the |
whole thing out. Even then repairs
II serious nature are often impossi.
lie, and the hydrant is broken to
nc ces in the attempt. The reporter
vent with Chief Cleary late yesterday
'veniDg 10 the corner of Gayoso and |
fernando streets, where one of the
lew hydrants had Just been put in,
md witnessed test, which was com
'letely satisfactory. The chief has a
,oIaoza.