The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-07-30
WONDERFUL FEAT.
concluded from page IL

have been tremendous as its trajectory
was an almost straight line. The can
non weighing about seven tons was
raised several feet and thrown back
eight or ten feet.
The artillery experts present, at once
congratulated Mr.. Isham on the COM
plete success of his invention. They
asserted judging from the hole torn in
the face of the cliff that no vessel could
possibly survive the destructive effects
of the dynamite contained in one Of
these shells.
Inventor Isham is mining engineer
in this country and has been chief en-
gineer Of several railroads, and is in
terested in various mining properties
in this republic. He has been working
on this problem for several years. Be
ing native of Dewey's state, and very
patriotic he has worked hard on his in
vention especially since the beginning
of the present war, and he leaves this
week for Washington to offer his in
vention to the American government.
The principle involved in the con-
strnction of the shell is secret which
Mr. Isham guards zealously. He will
only consent to state that the dynamite
is in no way rendered inert by chemical
action, but his invention is entirely
based on an original system of cush-
ions the base of the shell whose action,
as he can prove by mathematical and
physical demonstration, neutralize the
conclusion of the powder explosion. The
she'll explodes By impact and there is
no fuse at all connected with the pro-
jectile.
The inventor claims that there is not
the slightest liability of the dynamite
exploding prematureiy. Such is the
perfection of the ingenious cushions
that II the shell happened to strike butt
end on. it would not explode.
Mr.. Isham figures that with an eight
inch gun and shell properly cons
tructed of steel, he could fire from one
of the American warships forty pounds
of dynamite, or with one of the Indi-
ana's thirteen inch guns he could send
a proiectile with one hundred and
seventy five pounds of dynamite dis.
lance of ten miles.
He claims to be able to discharge
nitro glycerine 100 per cent pure with
perfect safety.
Mr.. Isham has invited President
Diaz, Minister Clsyton and other high
functionaries to witness an additional
test which he win make of his shells
before leaving for the States.
Prof. and Mrs. Barrett who assisted
at the experiment are old school-mates
of Mr.. Isham's, all three having grad
uated at the same university. Prof |
Barrett spent several months in Mex
leo last fall making a collection of
butterflies for the Smithsonian Insti-
tute. He returned here with Mrs.
Barrett about two months ago and has |
been busily engaged at the museum in
Tacubaya preparing an chronological |
exhibit which the Mexican government |
will send to the Paris Exposition
When his friends arrived here, Mr.. |
lsham submitted to them the plans he
had prepared for the construction of |
the shell which was destined to make |
him famous. Prof Barrett and Mrs. |
Barrett both went through Mr.. Isham's |
calculations and at once pronounced |
the scheme as practicable. As an ear
nest of her complete confidence in the |
practical working of the shell Mrs.
Barrett yesterday lighted the fuse thus
being the first person in the world to
fire dynamite out of IA gun with a load
of gu1powder. Her confidence in the /
was much greater than
that of some of the witnesses of the
test, who sought refuge half a mile
off in an adjacent ravine.
When the shell exploded by impact
with the limestone, for several NOM
ents the air was full of song. The shell
was torn into so many and such minute
fragments that tho walls of the rayine
were freckled with the pieces which
penetrated into the lime rock whence
some were dug out ley Herald repor-
ter. Had regimeuC of soldiers been
in the vicinity of thu explo-
sion they must all have inevitable per.
ished. The scene was most spectacu-
lar. The report reverbeEated up and
down the raviues and an immense col
Umn of of dust rose high in the air
Ernnl tLA Enna Of H. nIaLz 49, !