The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-11-28
THE KELLEY MOTOR.

The recent death Of Kelley, the in
ventor of the ''Keeley motor" closes
one OF the most remarkable frauds of
the age From the year 1875, when the
inventor first made the results, not the
process, of his invention public, until
the year 1885, many thousands of in
telligent men believed in it, and in
vested large sums Of money in it. The
inventor declared that he had discover
ed a new power in nature, which If 1t
could be controlled and applied, would
drive steam out of use. His difficulty
was in controlling it, he said, but he
was engaged in inventing ways and
means of making it useful, and would
soon succeed.
He refused to show his apparatus
because he said that until he should
take out patents, wicked men might
steal his plans, and he could not take
out patents until his plans were per-
fected. But he invariably said that in
six months the inventions would be
complete He freely exhibited small
the middle of a room, which exhibited
by the usual tests, 500 horse power
The box was not open to inspection,
nor would he permit any one TO exam
inc the floor under it, Kelley was not
an educated man, and knew little of
the science of mechanics. But he did
have surprising insight into the
weakness of human nature. He highly
estimated the value Of mystery as a
means of influencing men.
He apparently acted in simple and
direct way and disarmed suspicion. A
corporation took hold of the matter
Money was rapidly subscribed. Brokers,
lawyers, business men, freely bought.
Charles H. Haswell, the noted engineer,
examined that part of the apparatus
that Kelley would permit him to see.
which was merely the box, and Mr..
Haswell. thrown off his guard by Kee-
ley's innocent ways, reported that there
might be a new and valuable motive
power discovered. He did not however,
buy any stock in the company. But
the prices DOOHeu III TIC piohOiS Vi
fees. Every one purchased in faith.
All felt that Kelley alone should keep
the secret of the nature of the great
force, until his patents were obtained.
ANY confidential communication by
him. it was said, might betray the mat
ter into the wrong hands. AS time
went on Kelley always said TO the i'm
patient wait six months. He kept
cool, lived at great expense, shut him.
self up in his mechanical laboratory,
and looked wise. He was always per
fecting the invention" Months and
years passed. Kelley shut himself up,
looked wise, said he had discovered
something more and as usual replied
wait six MONTHS Investors got tired
of waiLing and sold out. New men
came in with enthusiasm. They agreed
that Kelley must alone keep the secret.
Kelley smiled inwardly. When these
grew impatient, he said wait six
months, it is nearly ready" The pa
pers, the scientific journals, discussed
the nature of the hidden force that
would supersede steam. The conserva-
tive papers threw some suspicious over
it Investors got tired again, and new
ones came in. Ten years passed, and
the money flowed in, while Kelley
looked honest, earnest and simple. He
had now said "wait six months" for
Ten years. The crop Of fools was large.
At the end of ten years several of the
new investors become suspicious and
demanded an inspection OF the box. 1t
was refused. They said that Kelley
had received over 100000 and pro-
duced nothing. Proceedings were taken
to- compel him to explain. He fought
desperately, but the court ordered him