The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-31
1CEIfLENE Gas.
Practical Demonstration of This Wonder
fui illuminate.

Practical Demonstration of This " Wonder
fui Illuminsnt.
About two years ago Major j. Turner
Morehead, of Leaksvine, y. c.. was max
ing some experiments at his aluminium
plant at Spray, and by accident got a
product he knew not what lie knew that
IL was not what he was after. and threw
it aside. In the course OF time. however.
the great unknown came I'm contact with
a bucket OF water, and it began 10 behave
in such a manner as to attract Major
Moorehead's attention. In short. L began
to emit gas, and, to make a long story
short. Major Morehead discovered that
he had produced a compound known to
science as carbide of calcium. Calcic
carbide has great affinity for water, ana
when brought In contact with II greedily
takes ii up, giving off pure acetylene gas.
Major MOrehead knew, OF course. that
he had made a most valuable discovery,
and he lost no time in making practical
use of it. The next thing was TO sim
plify the process so that II could be manu-
featured at a cost that would justify its
use commercially. Calcic carbide and
acetylene had been known for ages TO the
chemist but Major Moreheads process
promised TO produce il in such qualities
and at such cost as seemed TO the chemist
almost a miracle. In short. he announced
that he could make it by the ton by a
simple fusion under great heat OF 30 per
cent Of lime with 50 per cent Of coke
So great was the interest in the dis
cOvery that the scientific journals at
once began TO write about IL and scienti-
fic men from all parts OF the world went
to Leaksvlle 10 satisfy themselves. They
went in doubt and returned convinced.
The discovery was all that was claimed
for it.
Then business men became interested
and the result OF it all is that AT this time
there is an immense plant at Niagara
Falls for its manufacture which with
three thousand horse power is turning
out carbide at the rate OF many ions 4
day
The discovery has often been mentioned
In the Richmond papers and DR. Taylor
and Professor r. A. Miller have made
some interesting experiments with the
product. But the acetylene light in all
its perfection has not been publicly ex-
hibited here until now. The Virginia
Gas Light and Power Company has been
organized to handle acetylene i'm Virginia
and a plant Tor making calcic carbide
from Virginia coke and lime is now being
erected at Feddlers's Dam on James. river
Moreover, the company is exhibiting the
light at $50 east Main street.
Crowds visited the building last night
and enthused over the brilliant exhibit.
everybody declaring that acetylene IS
the nearest approach to sunlight in the
world, and that IL is what the company
claims for II.
Comparative tests were made with city
gas lights. and IL was demonstrated tnat
ff.,Is
OF gas per hour was more brilliant than
four city gas lights consuming twenty
feet per hour as evidenced by the shad-
ow. one acetylene light showed over
city gas light las daylight doth lamp.
The company claims that il can supply
acetylene 10 private residences and COM
mercial houses at IS per cent OF the cost
or city gas and that each burner supplied
at this cost Will consume one foot per
hour az acetylene gas giving a I2-candle
power light, as compared with the city
gas burner consuming five feet per hour
OF coal gas, and yielding an lS-candle
power light The only apparatus needed Is
a small holder which works automatically
and which will be supplied 10 the cor sumner
at companys expense. Then the carbide
will be furnished at so much a pOunc
ana delivered regularly a the holder
and placed in the holder by company en-
ployees. The same gas pipes can be used
without change. except as to tips. In few
words. the consumer may order his car
bide as he orders his coal with the ad-
vantage that the man who delivers the
carbide will put it away"
Acetyene gas can be used i'm steam
boats street cars railway trains, hotels.
and ii has even been applied To bicycles
with most satisfactory results. II will be
great blessing to summer resorts ana
country houses
IL is now being used in Chicago ana
Philadelphia and other cities and two
trains running out OF London are lighted
with II. The Prussian government mas
bought the right TO use 1t on the Imperial
Railway
1t is not too much to say that acetyiene
Is brilliant success.