Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-01-10
A Valuable Invention.
THE "McGAHEY ENGINE

The Elkton News of January 3rd, 1894, gives
''MeGahey Engine which is the invention of
Calvert R. McGahey of McGahey Bros, the
Proprietors of the Foundry and Machine
Works at Elkton, Rockingham county, and
manufactured by them =
This engine, though much smaller than
the one generally in use, owing to the saving
of the twenty per cent in the usual engine S
powers by the use of balanced slide valve,
was under test, and easily run the heavy ma
chinery of the shops as well as the electric
light plant in addition. The date of the in
vention was given as June 81, 1892, and the
papers were filed at the United States Patent
Office on Dec. Is, 1892. Following the usual
red tape government method of procedure the
necessary papers were finally issued Nov. 81,
1898 The features of the invention are that
the valve being perfectly balanced, the steam
pressure enters the valve in the center and the
pressure being equal in all directions, conse-
quently perfect balance is obtained. By so
doing the friction is brought to minimum
and but slight wear is effected. This valve be-
ing balanced. and having large, short and di-
rect steam ports and live steam being held at
boiler pressure within the valve and the same
being maintained in the steam cylinder until
the point of cut off, consequently quick adj
mission and high degree of economy is
u.
automatic in taking the slightest wear. The
whole being perfectly balanced takes but small
per cent of the engines power to operate, saw
ing 20 per cent in power and consequently a
saving of 20 per cent in fuel required by the
ordinary engine.
A 4-horse power engine is now on exhibit
ton at the works, the whole engine having
been made in Elkton. The castings are of
such a character as not to be attempted by any
other foundry in the Valley. and were made
by J. A. Smith, one of Messrs. McGahey S
moulders, of whose efficiency and qualifica-
tons they speak in loud terms. Messrs. Nc
Gahey cordially invite all interested to call at
| their works and see the engine in operation.
Those living at distance, interested, are in
vited to send for illustrated circulars of the
| invention"
| The New Years january Home and Cows,
try is replete with good things. The magazine
is deliberately illustrated and its contents are
diversified. 1t contains articles on many
interesting and timely subjects.
| OF the illustrated articles Ready to Maze
an Assignment. A business mans story Of
the panic" kissing and Kisses" 1.-THE De
velopment of Light Cavalry. The Dragons, >
Variety Specialists. The habits of wander
| ing performers" IAN American Girl in Lon
don. A Renaissance" and "Player on the
Horn" are worthy of special mention.
| The American Student and those who de
| light in ''looking backwards" will be interest
ed in -" Pioneers in American Literature
| From Capt. John Smith to Edgar Allen Poe, y
| Dancing in the 18th and 18th Centuries
Pensacola Navy Yard, Old Fort Pickens
and 'Anthropoid Apes. Gorilla, Chimpanze'
and Orang-Outang"; while lovers of light
literature will find much that is enjoyable in
La Belle Anglaise. A novel" Greentree
the Tailor. A character sketch" How No
so Beat the Record. The story Of an old-tim'
| locomitive engineer" THE Golden Bird
A fairy tale" and Merritt Foster An in
cident of the Civil War"
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