Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1893-06-08

Word Of Caution Concerning tho cars
OF Matches.

A Word OF Caution Concerning the Cars
Of Matches.
A recent writer in one Of our chcmi-
eel journals raises the question whether
tho so-called safety Matches" which
are supposed 20 ignite only OF tho
boxes IN which they are put up arc
really as safe as they are supposed 10
be. As justification for his question
he cites the fact that In his Office COM
bustion took place in two packets
which were allowed 10 fall 90 the floor
In handling, the only cause of the igni-
ton being the conclusion attending
the fall. Further demonstration showed
that the matches were not by any
means as absolutely safe as might be
supposed from the label upon the box.
IL was found impossible TO ignite them
by sharp impact against each other,
which was doubtless the cause of tho
phenomena when the packages were
dropped; and they could also be lighted
when rubbed sharply upon hard, smooth
surfaces, like sheet Of paper n pane
OF glass, or the like. Yet chemical
analysis showed that these matches
were true TO their formula, in that they
contained no phosphorous There was
also popularity noticed In that they
were more susceptible to ignition when
in an extremely dry state than when
the atmosphere was damp, though not
excessively so.
This experience gives the text for a
little discussion of dangers so common
and so imminent in every household,
that no apology would seem necessary
for referring TO II with the purpose OF
uttering word of caution, which may
be repeated from member 20 member
OF the home circle. We wonder how
our ancestors manr4cd TO get along at
oil before the invention of matches;
they are so indispensably handy that
we keep them in every room OF the
house, the "men folks carry them in
their pockets, leave them hanging in
their ''other clothes" in dozen closets.
In all portions OF tho house; we have n
handful resting within reach while we
sleep; they are dropped here and there
as we attempt TO handle them; IL It is
light, and we readily sec them, they
are picked up, otherwise they are left
till more convenient season-which
generally does not come, simply be-
cause they are forgotten, being "only
n match''--wc can get plenty more for
a cent, and time is too valuable 10 be
wasted over so insignificant n tribe.
Yet this insignificant trine" pos
sesses the latent power TO destroy the
finest mansion, and with It lives of
sweetness and beauty which the world
can poorly afford to spare. The cause
of the oonflagration may not always be
revealed, for the fire demon frequently
covers or destroys his tracks most
effectually; but how often Is it appar-
ent that only simple match-that in
significant tritle-could have wrought
the ruin.
Every match which happens 70 drop
anywhere is a magazine Of danger. Any
friction, or the pressure of a foot, no
matter how lightly booted, will ignite
the thing. a careless boy may lose one,
in some thoughtless way; his sisters
foot, in pressing it. may start blaze
which, communicating 10 her clothing,
may burn her TO death. a more rapid
ly passing person may leave behind the
burning splinter, TO communicate its
flame to other material, and TO end
where?
The moral is obvious: familiarity has
bred contempt, and in the use of these
dangerous little conycniences we have
become extremely careless IL is time
10 turn over new leaf. Keep matches
in bat q few places in the house or the
Office. Let those few be hre-proof re-
ceptacles, in which the matches could
burn TO ashes without endangering
anything. Remember that combus-
tion cannot go on without a supply Of
air, and for that reason, as well as to
prevent accidental scattering, the
match-boxes should always be kept
covered.-Burnt Fingers, in Good
UOusekPeDiuV