The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-10
KEELY MOTOR SECRET.
What 1t Is That Has Induced Men to
Invest Money in the COntrivance.


Megargee..i in Philadelphia Times.
Our talk the other day about the Keely
motor has elected the following letter:
Can you give me an opinion of the motive
of stockholders of the Keely motor in seek
ing to interest capital in their localities,
even as low as $50 or 500, in the famous Tor
notorious) enterprise? Do you believe the
age of Keely and the likelihood of his de-
mise could be an incentive for them to re-
imburse themselves as soon as possible for
their investments of the past years?
One cannot we'll give an opinion as to the
motives that have unseen throbbng in hu-
man brains But there is suggestion in
the missive that has just been read to you
which should set many thinking. 1t brings
to mind a peculiar story within the mar
rator's knowledge. More than two years
ago futile effort was made to lure John
Jacob Astor into the Keely scheme A pub
lie announcement of that fact brought an
approving smile from well-knoWn news
paper publisher, who was then admired for
his foresight and excellent Judgment in
financial matters.
Eighteen years ago. he said at that
time, Il was invited to attend an eXhi-
bitiOn of Keely's marvellous force with a
view of inducing me to make an invest
ment of money in the enterprise. l took
with me two well-known experts in physics.
one of whom was the gifted Prof. George
We saw what many others have seen since
a pint of water poured into q cylinder APP
peared to work incredible wonders. the
gauge showing a pressure of $1,000 pounds
TO the square inch. Great ropes were torn
apart, iron bars were broken and bullets
were discharged through twelve inches of
planking by a force that was invisible
and which the expert scientists with me
tested in order to discover whether it pos
sibly could have been produced by COM
pressed air, electricity steam or gases of
any kind. Upon that occasion I well re-
member that Keely said that within a very
short time. with one quart of water. he
would be able TO send a train of cars from
Philadelphia to San Francisco and back
and that with one gallon OF the same fluid
TO Liverpool and return. After the eXhibi-
tion asked my two friends, the experts.
whether or not the force demonstrated had
peen produced by any OF the four causes
have mentioned. They said 1t had not. l
asked them what was the power. They said
they could not tell"
The next day our friend. the publisher.
walked into the office of the secretary of
the Kelly Motor Company. on Walnut
with request for ten shares of the stock
of the corporation. A look of disappoint-
ment crossed the officials face and he re-
marked that he thought the subscription
would be larger. One hour later, in his Of
flee, the publisher was visited by two of
the most influential members of the board
Of directors, who said to him: Were YOU
not satisfied with last nights demonstra-
Delighted" was the reply.
We'll, we surely counted upon your sub
scribing for at least $4,000 worth of the
stock" said the visitors.
No" said the newspaper man. IF all
that Keely says is true the $500 I've invested
viii in q few years be worth many millions
and that will amply satisfy me Tor the i'm
Vestment. If Keey has what he claims
every newspaper press, every stationary en-
CINE. every street car. every locomotive ev-
eFything that is now provided with steam
power. will be given force by the use of.
only pint of ordinary water. and untold
millions VIII accrue to those who have put
their money into the invention
lhat was twenty years ago. and steam
ana electricity have not yet been supplant-
ed as motive powers.
her
lh-laW OF the publisher called upon him
and begged him 10 arrange for an in
specuon of the mysterious motor. To this
the relative said: "Don't go. II you do you
VIII be fascinated. You win invest your
money perhaps to a reckless extent and
yer there is nothing there 10 warrant any
sensible business man buying the stock. =
The brother-in-law coaxed. promising that
hs would not put any of his money into the
sShene explaining his curiosity by the fact
tnat he was interested in all mechanical de-
wees lie was man Of keen, shrewd judg-
HiehL. He saw the motor. It was not sup
posed afteryvards that he llsd spent q penny
upon IT, Not long ago he died, and an ex-