davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
Oct Nicarasua.Ranal.

Sm Senat lit 1don ldtngit i'm &pmt=
te fir Mustpdrtiges, unter 8oriib bon
@enator Morga1t, cine Nicaragua=
Ranal!8iq beratben unb bei4lonen
morben. Sbr 9aupt< Snbalt gebt ba=
bin, bab bic Ser. Staaten Megierung
bic @arantie elmer Mnleibe bon 100
Milionert Dollars ubernimmt unb
ebenfo bic RontroGe bon befen 8au.
Senator Morgan 1T Elm entldtebener
8efiirnorter Dieier Mabregel lnb mar
es i@pn lett Sabren.
Die Sarif=8iq 9at aber i'm Senat
iebe anberpeitise @eiebsebung in ben
9tntergrunb gebrGn9t, }elbit bic @erz
nilltgungsz8iu Die Gritredung beg
b%iesidbrigen 5inana : @tats auf ben
Sult, ben eriten Monat bes reuen
TtstalzSabrs, 1T bic Tolge bapon.
Cider mtrb nod cine neitere Gritrez
dung audi auf ben Nuguit notbpenoig
tperben. 49,.
SIN 9aus, tpo man bic Mnnubme
ber uripriingli@en Wi(1onzSarifbiQ
ldngit btnter fi4 bat, mar 3eit genue
fir @nnabme BET @erpiuieungsz8tus
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
WerterS 8ot1maft.

paris, 3. seSult. MintjterprGiiz
bent Dupup perlas in ber 0eputirtenz
TANNER bic 8otI4aft bes p%rdftoenten
Gaiimtr perier. Sn berielben betBt
es:
vsSS9 bin bon ber MISUNDERSTANDING
lung gum er1ten 8eamten Jrantreths
getpGblt tporben. ST bin tein partei>
mann. ST. geb0re Grantrei4 uno Der
Mspublit. Sin i4eubli4es @erbrez
den, tpel9es bas rationale @eminen
perab14eut, bat bas 2anb bes ousz
ge3ei@neten 8irgers beraubt, ber ber
tpadfame Sitter BET @erfaKung mar.
M0ge bas Mnbenten elmer iol4en treuz
en- YFi9terfiiqung mid erfiuen uno
leiten! Die 9anblungspeiie ber Naz
Understanding, bic in Elm paar
@t1anben bic regelmdbige l1ebertraz
qun9 ber @epalt erlebigte, 1T cine
rleue 8eitdttgung BON Der 5e'tt9telt
republitanii@er @inri4tungen in ben
Musen Der saraen Welt. Sd BIN entz
14lofen, bic our Nufre9ter9altung
Der Mepublit nDtbigen Metbooe1 gu
bei4iiben, unb es 1T meme feite 4bz
fi&t, na4 Mblauf meine5 %iiebentah<
rigen Mmtstermines bus @4id1al
6rantreids anberen 9Gnben gu uberz
geben. SIN @ertrauen auf feline etsez
men 9ulfsqueuen bat Grantret4, tpelz
DIES ribrenbe 8etpeiie ber @pmpatbie
bon @e%gierungen unb Nationen erbielt,
nit emporgebobenen 9dnben feline Griez
bensliebe b%etrGftist. SIS 1T }einer
@ergangenbeit tpiirbig unb ntrb itets
Der grobe Serb unb oas getitige 2t@t
ber Dulbiamteit unb bes Gorti9rtttS
bleiben." Dte 8oti4aft 14lob NIT
elmer Mufforberung gu pereinten Mnz
ftrengungen, i'm bic DFentli4e Orb
r1ung unb ben i%o5ialen 5rieoeu autz
re4t gu erbalten.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19

Dampfer sepadtet, UNI auf benielben
10000 Marn 1ruppen nod Rorea
brinqen al lafTsn. gs tpirb aubers
benz in Ssapar eine itarte Sruppers
mad3t IN Bereiti&aft sebalten, pelhe.
tptnr, notbtpenbig, mad Rorea abse>
.fdidt merben ion. Der Musbru4 eis
1es Rrieges 3tpii4sn Sapan unb Ghiz
na 1T nun rrpermeibli4. Die iapaz
neiii9e Mesierung bat Der prefe berz
boten, Ma4ridten iiber bic 9ruppenz
betpegung 3u ber1fentli4en.
Der Mitabo ipeisert iih entihieoen,
ber bon gbina an i'm ergangenen @ufz
f%orberuns, feline Sruppsn suridauaiez
ben, Golge gu leiiten.
Die 2onboner ,Simes" erfdbrt aus
.Gbemulpo, baB @eneralmajor Ssbima
5000 Mann iapaneiti4er Sruppea be-
.febltst, mel4e iebt in Rorea finb unb
baB tGglt4 nod mebr ertpartet peroen.
Gbemulpo mirb bon 800 ausge3etdnet
ausgebilbeten Solbaten beieBt eebalz
ten. Ser 9anbel 1T tpesen bes Megz
gauges 4ineiider gambler uno 9ano<
tperter ms Stoden seratben. @eoul
tpirb bon 5000 Mann 2ruppen be-
1eBt. De Stabt 1T jeBt BON iapaz
neii9en Madtpoften eingei4lpHen
urb SruppenzMbtbeilungen finb lanas
ber grpbeu nDrbltden @traBe BON
China aufseiteQt noroen. pingpaag,
ber 9auptpab, mirb beieBt, gebalten.
Die 4ineiil4en Sruppen iteben 60
Meilen iibli4 BON @bemulpo, mo- tie
uripriingli9 fanbeten.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
Ser 6eiaer in ber ssyones1hen

- Der 9eiaer in ber SonesYhen
Mb3ugsrDbrenfabrit in @anesbine in.
Obio, Walter Wortman, tpuroe an
einem Der leBten Mor9en bon benz
Sreibriemen Der Ma14inerie gefabtr
ber ii4 etpa anbertbalb SUB iber benz
TuBboben befnbet. Ser un9lidli4e
purbe BON benz Sreibrabe nit Der:
@ei4pinbigteit BON einbunoert nm@
brebungen in BET Minute i'm &reife
berumge1dleubert, 10 bab ibm {dmrnt>.
lide &noden i'm 2eibe gebro@en tpur<
ben. Mortman mar fiinfuno5man5ig;
Sabre alt unb unberbeiratbet.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
pas @etpent oes atmar@ismus.

8elgrab, IL. Sult. Die in Der
ierbii@en Stabt Nii&, mo- ita sese11z
tpGrtia Der friibere R0ntg Milan uno
&Dnig Mlerarber aufbalten, erfolgte
@erbaftung zines auslGnbii4en Mnar<
9i1ten bat groBe Mufregung nerur1a4t.
Mus ben Bel benz Manne 9efunoeren
4apieren gebt berbor, bub ct NIT franz
3Dii19en Mnar9tften in @erbtnbung
itebt unb erit por &ur3em na4 Nii4
getpmmer 1T. Man glaubt, CT lei nah
elmer @eri4tpDrung 3ur @rmorbung
beg R0nigs betbeiligt 9etpe1en.
@abrib, IL. Sult. SIN "a
eSunquera in bet NGbe BON Serena
1T Elm Mnar@iit auf ben @eroa4t bin
perbuftet lporben, an elmer 9eri4p0z
rl1g CUR Grmoroung oes prd1tbenten
@uiimirz perter bon 6rantrei4 bethel
ligt gu fern.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
&vnMacrtd1t rertinoert.

6aftings, Mtnn., II. Sult.
Sin Mpb bon 200 RDpfen BET Iuhte
beute ben M1rber BEG 9oli3titen Saz
cob1on gu lpn9en, murbe aber bon
benz Gberif baran b%erbinbert. Yo;
li3ift Sacpbion tpurbe bon etnem Gin
BREEDER er1@oKen, ben ct Derbaften
moIte. Ser @tnbreder mar elm franz
aDii{4er Gunabier, bet ii4 tpeia'rte,
ieinen Mamen an3ugeben.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
Gin Mplfenbru6. Dem elm bel

w. = Sin Woltenbru@, Dem Elm perz
beerenoes 9agelmetter folgte, ging Bel
9ot Springs, Nebr., nieber. Ser
San @tber trat iiber feline ufer, UNI
termiiblte mebrere 8riiden, unb BE-
bedte bic @eletie Der @ltborn 8abn
nit @er0Q. Der 9olaborratb apeier
9ol3b0fe, fotpte mebrere @ebGuoe MUIR
ben meggei@pemmt. Wie bo4 ii4
Der anserihtete @4aben belduft, fam
%Dorldufg nod ni4t feitgeitelt peroen.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
0roker 8rano In 9omlon.

Sn bet frana0iii@en @eefeitung
3oulon, tpurbe bur@ 6euer i'm Or
ienal elm S4aben BON mebreren M}tls
lione,1 6ranten angerihtet. Die groz
BE Maf4tnenabtbeilung, in tpelher ii@
lpertbpoQe elettrti4e Snitrumente Be-
fanben, pel4e gu genauen Menungen
benuBt purben, 1T 5erit0rt poroen.
ur1prung bes Geuers 1T Bis jeBt
nod 1ni4t ermittelt pprben.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
Site 1tnp 8Sratrtcfcuer.

Sn Yterre,S e. Dat, berr19te am
II. Sult etne nod ME ba9epeiene 9iBe.
Das thermometer regtftrirte i'm S4atz
ten 40 @rab. Mn benz ienieitigen
l1fer am MiHourt miitbet Elm 9rairiez
feuer. SSm 2aufe Der geitrigen Na@t
eritredte ii4 bus Jeuer auf einen 40
Meilen langen unb 6 Metlea bretten
2mbitretfen. I'm Sort pterre tperz
ben 19on @rGben ge3Dgen.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
SauicuSc oboahloS.

Die @tabt plungan i'm @ouuernez
ment Milna in 81 E Ian 1T burA
cine semalttse T%euersbruni It total TER
ni9tet tpprben. Observation-Disclosures
gig !9duier liegen in Ni4e unb iber
1000 BON ben 1900 @inpobnern BEG
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
i:nbcarnreetc @eramte.

Mom. Sic uber ben @eiunbbeitsz
3uitanb bes Papites perbreiteten Sc
rii6te iinb ablolut untpabr. Dies
gebt aus benz l1mitanoe berpor, bab
ber papit einen @pa5iergang in ben
@Grten bes 8%attcans ma9te.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19

-Sn p1eaiant Bead. Cont,
min man Dem beri@tigten @eerduber
Capt. Rtbb Elm 0entmal errihten.
seyebt lit audi nod 9oHnung fir ben
Shtnberbannes pprbanben.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
moro mo eeIbnmpro.

&uttantno, pa., II. Suli. Sn
er54oB Mm. @pant, Elm
ssarmer, crit feline Trau unb t0otete
ii6 banr ielb1t bur4 einen @4ub in
ben Ropf. Ser @runb gu Der Sbat
1T unbetannt.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
en- Wpm !6nhpn in G%pnnecficu1

= Sn Nem 9aben in Connecticut
lit bic crit jiingit gei@loNene @be bon
Charles M. Pratt nit @ertrube 9au
auf @eranlaKung ber Pratti4en So:
milie unter benz Worpanbe, bab Der,
'8rdutigum Pratt bel Der @bei4liebu ngs
1innlos betrunten mar, fir niatig err
tlGrt tporben. Mabrli4 Elm praht=.
eremplar aus ben beften @eieQiduftsz
frei1en.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
Cholera TT Sto6boltt.

Stodbo1m, S4meben. Stint
5ebn YaKagtere bes tur5li4 aus pez
tersburg bier eingetroHenen 9ampfers
Dobeln liegen ieBt an Der Gbolera
barnieber.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19

.Stdbt9ens iinb ~obbadblos unb baberr
Sab unb @ut ~berloren. Mh9t rur,.
bab bic meiittn 9~austbsre in ben
Jlammen gu @runoe gesansen finb.
aud cine Mnaabl Rinber unb dltere
Gruuen ionen Bel benz 8ranbe um's,
Qeben getommen iein.
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
MbImarot ~abaemtefeu.

Berlin, 10. Suli. Das Rei@s~
aeriat Fat bic 8erufung bes beru4
tiqten Mntii emiten Rector Iblparot
gegen feline @erurtbeilung 81 elmer.
6reimonatli4en 9aft tpegen 8eleibt=
gung preuBtider 8eamtem abgepieien--
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19

sSn @4mebens 9auptitabt st rdz
lit Elm @bolerafa4 gemelbet
tpprben. Sic Suarantatnebe90rben
bebaupten iebo@ es lei nur Elm San.
BON Gbplerine. /
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19
Sapam's Ma1nnaen.

Man melbet aus Dptobama a,
Sapan: Die &egierung but bon Der
Duien : &aiiba @eieqi@aft ie4soebn
Der fortschritt. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1891-1915, 1894-07-19

Darts, 3. Sult. Miniiterpra1tz
bent Dupup perlas in ber 0eputirtenz
TANNER bic 8oti4aft bes prdiioenten
Gafmtr perier. Sn berielben betBt
The National tribune., 1894-09-06
PEACE PRESERVERS.
Fifteen-Inch Pneumatic Guns Which
May Become an Essential Part Of
Our Coast DefenSeS.

The great pneumatic dynamite guns that
threw into the air an acre of the Atlantic
Ocean the other day from Sandy Hook are per-
hans helping another cause than that OF war;
and doing their involuntary share in moving
the world along toward that state of friendly
quiet in which the Peace Congresses believe we
should dwell. improvements in explosives
and small and big arms have done much for
the peace of the world, and now quarter of
ton of dynamite, thrown a mile and a half out
to sea, and placed with an accuracy that has
varied only slightly throughout the tests, has
come TO aid in the work of abolishing war.
The news comes from Washington, says a
writer in the New York Sum- that the results
obtained by these last tests and more especially
the great accuracy with which projectiles have
been placed, have attracted the admiration of
the ordnance experts in both services. They
believe that the success of the gun will lead to
its adoption for purposes of coast defense, and
the protection OF those coastwise cities for
which the Fertilization Board has recon-
mended a general policy of defense against
attacks from foreign fleets.
The results obtained at Sandy Hook are re-
garded by ordnance officers as indicating that
the use of dynamite in modern warfare has be-
come practically indispensable to the proper
protection of harbors. and they admit that
whatever doubt was formerly held as to the
impossibility of securing range and accuracy
has been removed by the apparent facility with
which the projectiles were discharged by the
15-inch gan last week.
Next to the interest that attaches to the es-
Enlistment of the effectiveness of dynamite as
an ammunition, probably as interesting lesson
of the recent tests is to be drawn from the use
OF compressed air in the guns. For many
eeasons it would be impossible to use powder.
The National tribune., 1894-09-06

"No, no; cannot move. am perfectly
helpless"
All at once, whether from the way in
which had put my question or from my
manner, it seemed to flash upon him that
there was something behind. He broke out ::
"Why do you ask ? What do you mean
Who sent you here?"
He was in such torment from his wound
and the fever it had brought on that L
thought it best not to fence with his ques-
tions and his suspicious. / told him it was
true that some friends of his who knew how
well he had done his work in the morning
were anxious to learn whether in an emer-
gency, he could resume his duties; that the
position was critical that his troops would
fight under him as they would under nobody
else; in short, admitted that / came to find
out what his real condition was, and that
thought good deal depended on his answer
He groaned and swore and half raised
himself on his bed. The effort was too
much the agony brought cry to his lips ::
"You see what wreck / am it is impossi-
bic, impossible" Even to his courage there
We're things which were impossible. Again
he asked from whom | came, but / answered
that my errand was done; that it was only
too plain that his wound crippled him; that
the whole army knew what misfortune 1t
was, and that must return TO my friends
and report the facts.
The paroxysm of pain had passed, but left
him exhausted. He said goOd-by family,
asked me to come again next day, which
knew I could not and / took my leave.
The account had to give of Gen. Rockers
condition of course put at end to all schemes
at Headquarters, and the sun went down
upon an indecisive day.
The National tribune., 1894-09-06
Pythians in Town.

Last week Washington was thronged with
Knights of Pytbias in attendance on the BIZ
ennial Encampment of the Uniform Rank and
meeting of the Supreme Lodge. The sessions
of the Lodge were held daily and their pro-
ceedings consisted Of the transaction of the bus
mess of the Order. The first public event was
a grand reception at Convention Hall on Tues
day evening, at which Vice-President Steven
son and other dignitaries made addresses. On
Tuesday monster parade of 10000 Knights
formed at Camp George Washington, around
the Monument and, marching up Seventeenth
street, went down Pennsy lvania avenue to the
Capitol and countcrmarched. 1t was reviewed
by President Cleveland. members of the Su-
preme Lodge, and Maj .-Gen. Carnahan, in
command of the Uniform Rank, The Pythian
SisterhoOd met in daily sessions, and gave q re-
ception Tuesday night The Pythan Sisters
also convened. The Marine Band gave a con-
cert and there were various river excursions.
On Wednesday prize drills began continuing
two days. at the baseball grounds in which %
divisions took part. An inspection and grand
review by Maj. lien. Carnahan, Gen. Schofied,
Secretary Lamont, and others took place oil tn
White Lot. In the evening great illuminated
pageant of Washington business men occurred.
The rest of the week was taken up with vari-
Gus small entertainments, drills and other ex-
ercises Hastings Division, OF Michigan won
the first Of IA prizes for divsion-dril contests.
The camp on the Monument grounds was struck
on Saturday, and by Sunday few knights were
left in town.
The Supreme Chancellor in his biennial re-
port made a strong plea for loyalty and the
Americanizing OF the Order. He gave the fol-
lowing as the statistics of membership of the
Order. according to unofficial reports, to July
l, 1884: Grand lodges, sd; subordinate lodges
$500; total number of members, 49, TAI, a net
increase of ", OPS members the past two years
The National tribune., 1894-09-06
Official: J. T.. KILLGoRE, Secretary.
Illinois Ex-Prisoners.

The Illinois State Association of Union ex-
Prisoners of War will hold it's next Reunion
at Springfield, in the Hall of Representatives
Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 26 and q.
The Executive Committee of the Association
has chosen the week of the State Fair for the
Reunion, because comrades in every part of the
State can attend the fair and the Reunion at
one fare for the round trip. During that week
comrades can attend the Reunion and the fair
at much less trouble and expense than they
could attend the Reunion at any other time.
Accommodations in Springfield will be as good
and cheap during fair week as at any other
date. The Hall of Representatives has been
secured for the meetings and Cam fres. Lit
erary and musical programs are being arranged
for the Campfres, and there will be excellent
music and eloquent and stirring speeches and
recitations by comrades and others.
Our comrades in Springfield and Sangamon
County will do all in their power to make our
Reunion a splendid success.
j. Little, Bloomington ILL.,, is Secretary.
The National tribune., 1894-09-06

out changing the elevation OF the gun by con-
trolling the amount of compressed air that es-
capes at zach discharge. When the discharging
lever is pulled, the large valve st the breach
opens and remains open sufficient time to al
low a certain quantity of air to escape into the
barrel; then the valve Closes before the projec-
tile leaves the muzzle, cutting off the escape of
the air and retaining in the reservoir all that
was not needed in propelling the projectile. The
length of time the valve remains open is under
control of the gunner and by regulating the
amount of air that enters the barrel he regu-
lates the energy impaired to the projectile, and
so can change his range without changing the
elevation of the gun.
The system of keeping the reservoir always
stocked with compressed air is a simple one.
At each discharge of the gun the air pressure
in the reservoir falls according to the adjust
ment of the valve. If the standard pressure in
the reservoir is 1000 pounds to the square inch,
one shot may reduce this pressure to 600 or $50
pounds, or any pressure not usually less than
800 pounds.
By drawing from a storage reservoir beside
the engi"e-rooms, which contains air at pres
The National tribune., 1894-09-06
sd &As.a5sSs55 So
FULL CALDER PRoJECTILE.

sure of more than 1000 pounds to the square
inch, the pressure in the gun reservoir may be
speedily restored. This is, in brief, the COM
pressed-air system which the company uses.
The system of loading the gun has been ar
ranged so that there is no danger to be feared
from the rapid handling of the projectiles. The
projectiles are brought from the magazine in
trays, which are run onto a loading carriage.
This carriage runs on circular track around
the gun and brings the projectile into position
for loading.
windass is used for forcing the projectile
into the bore of the gun. 1t requires four men
to load the gun with sub-caliber projectile,
while the full caliber projectiles, which weigh
as much as 1920 pounds require six men.
There are two kinds of projectles used in
the gun-one, termed full caliber, fits the
bore closely the other, sub-caliber, is con-
The National tribune., 1894-09-06

siderably smaller than the bore, and is made
to fit snugly at the ends by a system of circu-
lar blocks. which are loose and which fall into
the water few hundred feet from the mouth
of the gun after the discharge.
All of the projecties have ogival heads and
long bodies The gun being smooth BORE
rotation is given to the torpedoes as they move
through the air by means of spiral veins, some
thing on the plan of ships propeller, which
are attached to the rear.
Tho full-caliber proectile is II feet in length
and has a capacity for 500 pounds OF high ex-
plosive The point is made of bronze and the
BODY of steel three-sixteenths OF an inch IN
thickness.
The explosive charge is divided into two
parts by diaphragm across the interior of the
proiectile about at its middle. the object being
10 distribute equally the strain caused by the
setting back of the charge at the instant OF
discharge, thus causing less shock to the ex-
plosive.
The fuse which causes the explosion is sit
uated in the point of the projectile. where it is
inserted Just before the loading. The range OF
this projectile is 1900 yards.
Two sizes of SUBJ caIiber projectiles are used
one 10 inches in diameter, which carries
charge of 200 pounds OF high explosives and
has a range OF more than 1000 yards, and the
other eight inches in diameter, carrying 100
pounds OF dynamite and having range Of
5 200 yards.
The fuse used in this projectle is somewhat
more than IL inches long and 81 inches in
diameter and weighs 20 pounds. To the end
OF il is attached brass case containing prlm-
ing charge of 81 pounds of dry gun cotton.
About 81 grains of illuminate OF mercury are
used to explode the gun cotton.
All of the more important parts of the fuse
are in duplicate, in order to insure certainty of
action. The hammers are locked until the
proiectile is well out of the muZZle of the gun,
when they are automatically unlocked.
The fuses may be set to explode the instant
the projectile strikes the water. or two or three
seconds later The prcjectile flies through the
air always in view until it strikes the water.
The National tribune., 1894-09-06

and members ofthe company say that the latest
tests have suggested possible improvements in
the details Of the gun.
The gun and carriage weigh in the aggregate
80 tons, but the gun can be moved by the turn
of a wheel or aimed in any direction. A tele-
scope stands by the gun, and through this the
gunner places his aim. The gun is moved by
electricity.
The compressed air is conveyed from the en-
CINE rooms by means of pipes to wrought-iron
and steel reservoirs, which are in chambers
under the gun platform. From these reservoirs
the air is conducted by means of large pipes up
through the carriage 10 the trunnions, and
from the trunnions through large casing sur
rounding the barrel to the breach.
Rotary joints are provided in this pipe at the
pintlc aud at the trunnions. which allow the
gun to be moved with freedom without break
ing the continuity of the pipes and allowing
any escape of air. large valve near the
breech controls the admission of air into the
barrel. The opening and closing of this valve
is automatic aud completely under the control
Of the gunner.
feature Of the pneumatic system is the
ability OF the gunner TO change the range with
The National tribune., 1894-09-06

Perhaps the most important is that 1t would
detonate so sensitive an explosive as dynamite
The $4,000 pounds pressure to the Superficial
inch, which is about the average force OF
powder, would cause the projectile to explode
before it left the gun. Another necessity
which renders the use of powder impossible is
the Importance of keeping the gun cool.
Powder would heat il to such an extent that
the dynamite would explode. As it is, the
pneumatic gun is made cooler by every intro
duction of compressed air. II powder were
used the shell of the projectile would have 10
be very much heavier than il is now, and there
would be less space for the explosive. The
largest projectle now weighs 1,120 pounds, and
about IS per cent. of this weight is in the ex-
plosve, which in these large projectiles weighs
500 pounds.
The projectiie must, moreover be expelled at
q uniform rate. The first shock of the explo-
sion of powder, diminishing until its force
ceases, would cause tie projectile to explode,
while an explosion is prevented by the unvsry-
ing pressure of com pressed air. which maintains
the same rste-about 1000 to the inch
throughout the gun.
Another reason for the use of compressed air
is that the force of powder is likely TO be vari-
able. 1t is not always uniform. and for that
reason greater accuracy is obtained by the use
of compressed air. which they say they can be
certain will always produce an exact result.
In addition to these advantages there is OF
course, no dirt or smoke or necessity. for scrub
hing out the gun after it has been used.
The idea of using air compressed as substitute
for powder is said to have originated with a
Toledo mechanic named Meffort, who had made
q study of explosives. The pneumatic gun of
to-day is said to have developed from an idea
suggested to Meffort by an arrangement of a
piece of gas pipe and a roughly dynamite
torpedo. He succeeded in throwing his prolec-
tile by means of an improvised mortar, but
could not make it explode more than once or
twice in half dozen efforts. This was due TO
the fact that his fuses were not adequate.
Mefort's idea has been improved upon from
time to time until the present gun was devised,