Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1891-04-24
THE KING.

THE Ignite KING.
Under the above name the Retort
Stove Company, Capt. S. W. Groesbeck,
president. that they are hav-
ing their initial stoves constructed. The
matter has been frequently discussed in
these columns, but as the successful con
summation of the idea means so much
to the Missouri slope it is proper to state
the grounds upon which they rely for a
successful issue to the enterprise. The
Harkins device as roughly applied to a
common cook stove has now been in use
nearly a year. In that time it has been
frequently tested. and the saving it eff
fects in the use of all kinds of coal caA,
it is believed, be safely placed at rs per
cent. Its most profound feature, how
ever, is in its admirable adaptation to
the burning of Ignite coal, to which it
gives a value at least double that of it's
present rating as fuel. The significance
of this fact alone is best understood
when we consider that the Ignite depos-
it's, with little doubt, exceed in quantity
the true Goals of this country, hat they
are more widely distributed and that the
question of better utilizing them. is one
great and growing urgency. The COM
fort of the homes and industrial devel-
opment of the population occupying and
to occupy by far the creator
part of this continent, are
largely dependent upon their better use.
While Ignite closely approaches the
true bituminous GOALS in appearance,
analysis and utility, the one persistent
characteristic which detracts from it's
value is a tendency to disintegrate under
heat into a fine, compact mass, thus ex-
GLIDING the air and checking what other
wise would be a very free and effective
combustion. While burning with great
t~ierceness and waste at one moment, it
will smother the next, and, demanding
constant attention, it becomes a tax upon
the patience and the purse alike. Hence
it may be safely affirmed that an
ic and satisfactory use of Ignite will
never be attained in the open hearth, or
any stove now available to the public.
In proof of this it is sufficient to state
the fact that the government supplies, at
great expense, our military posts with
Pennsylvania Goals when Ignite coal in
~inexhaustible quantities, is found on and
near the reservations where these posts
are located. Bismarck lies against the
Ignite beds, yet she imports eastern
GOALS for common uses.
That science would come to the relief
Of the situation has been a hope hereto
fore vainly entertained. Now, however,
the Harkins system points the way to a
realization of that hope. Ignite must
be retorted, in other words, converted
into fuel gas. Certain it is the principle
of the retort and that of the hot air blast
as simple and admirably applied in the
Harklns patents, can alone explain the
good results Herewith obtained, not
only in using Ignite but increasing the
efficiency of all other Goals. Lignite
used In this system makes a beautiful,
effective, lasting and economical fire, and
one which requires no more attention
than the best bituminous coal. Such ii
result has never before been reached. 1t
means that vast regions heretofore de-
pendent upon an Inefficient and in every
way unsatisfactory fuel will now find
themselves favored with a fuel as cheap
as the cheapest efficient in its application
and especially desirable because of as
great freedom from black smoke as is
wood or anthracite coal.
In a personal letter from the captain.
he says:
Our first stove is being cast in Cleveland.
Ohio, today. When thoroughly tested and
all details OF construction satisfactorily
worked out. 1t is the intention of placing
sample stoves on exhibition at various
points throughout the northwest. The
new system can probably be best under
stood and its value in utilizing Ignite ex-
planned by the following brief statement:
Under ordinary atmospheric pressure. lig-
mite. undergoing cumbustion, diSintegratrs
SO fine that it excludes the air. Under our
system, Ignite is subjected to a pressure of
hot air. from which il cannot escape, no
matter what form it assumes" Herein lies
the explanation why we get a steady and
intense heat and why, from the first, the
writer reached the conclusion that Ignite
was destined to be regarded as an efficient
and satisfactory fuel. Being free from sui
phur less than l per cent. ! and in our SyS-
TEN, free from black smoke, it is possible
nay, prObable-that the one carload Of lig-
mite This company has just ordered shipped
from Sims to this city is but the f%orerunnrr
OF ~numberless trains, to meet the
needs of the Twin cities for cheap fuel,
and especially II which will clear the at.
mospllere from the intoleraJle nuisance Of
black smoke.
Yours in full faith that the world moves
forward to better things.
). w. GRESBECk.