Omaha daily bee., 1892-05-26
TACKLED PINE TOP"
What Alderman ChafIee Learned of M.
Alcohol in u Texas Forest.

What Alderman ChRnee Learned of MethyI
Alcohol in u Texas Forest.
There once was q story that the DAY was
not far distant when q man could take his
rip saw IL hand and so out 10 pine log
saw out q fair RrLicle of huuor and get drunk
before dinner by simply digestlng the saw
Dust.
This was regarded as q hoax, but just ut
tins time c. L, Chaffee has evidence IL his
possession which shows that the story was
not idle talk, but that it was the truth, The
whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Some weeks ago Mr.. Chaffee visited the
pine forests Of Texas with q view 10 pur-
chasing large stock of lumber. He had
been through the camps ana had noticed that
many OF the men indulged II an occasional
drunk but he was unable TO locate the foun-
tain head or even where the stuff was MANU-
featured or solu. One Gay he asked the fore
man Of one Of the camps where the men pro
cured the hquor.
why, out OF the roots, the knots and the
bopCns of the trees" answered the foreman.
Mr.. ChaheA, hGving been member Of the
Omaha council Tor many years, knew TN
men sometimes talked through their hats,
and informed the Texan that he was doing
tho very same thing. The Texan laughed as
only Texan can and said 10 Mr.. Chaffee,
"YOu just follow me-"
Mr. ChRffee followed and was led some
distance into the woods where in operation
he saw q full hedged plant for manufacturing
| alcohol. There was not an ear of corn in
sight, but there was still and any amount
of knots limbs anG brush.
But you cannot make alcohol out Of this
stuff, said Chafee.
'tBut you wait and see, SAID the Texan,
"aud will show you trick that you never
| dreamed of" continued the man of Texas.
The plant was fired up and the boiler was
| loaded with tne wood, stumps, chips, roots
and bougEs. the machine commenced 10
make steam, and short time thereafter raw
| alcohol commenced TO run from the END of
| the worn Of the STILL
According 10 MIR. Chaffees statement, he
| looked on IN surprise and simply remarked,
THAT taxes not only the cake, but the whole
| bake shop, cook and all"
Mr. ChRfee learned that several of these
stills were being operated on O large scale
| and that pine WOOD alcohol has become ono
| OF the ex ports OF Texas. He also learned
| that the refuse was drained of ana ma:la-
factured into an excellent quality Of axle
\ greaEe.
Then upon continuing his search after
knowledge ne found that the sIumps that
| were not boiled into alcohol were boiled for
oil and that from the boilings We're made
turpen tine, req or machine oil and excel
lent quality OF oil that IS used in mixing
| paints,
! After the alcohol and oil is boiled out of
the pine wood the natural inference would
be that The pulp woulo be thrown away, hui
such is not the case, rs il is al piled up and
burned 10 charcoal which is shipped north
! Then there are ashes which accumulate
! during the charcoaling process, but they are
! nos wasted, for they are worked over into
concentrated I've, which finds its way into
! me nor hern market
This one factory is not alone, nor Is II the
only one Of the kind IN TeXAs, Us Mr.. Chafee
learned thai there are . dozen or more IN
successful operation.
ThRI the skepticAl may be furnished with
proof, Mr. Chahee brought bottles OF the
pine tree product home with him and has
! now placed them on exhibition in tine rooms
Of the Builders and Traders exchange IL u,
| rev York Life building