The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-24
AN ELECTRIC II
Palace That a Modern Magician Has
Built.

Built
Correspondence of Washington Post.)
Buffalo, ". Y, May 20-If a sage Of,
say, the twelfth century, cou.- be res
directed, and, without any prelimina-
ries, suddenly transported to the cleo
trical palace of Frank C. Perkins, at
655 Prospect avenue, this city, he
would be forced to believe that the
puny magic he practfced had been sur
passed in a that in his wild
est moments he never dreamed Of. The
residence of Mr.. Perkins is filled from
cellar to garnet with electrical wonders.
Fresh surprises await the visitor from
the momen he steps on the veranda,
thereby causing the incadescent lights
flash up, until he falls asleep with an
electrical cigar lighter within reach of
his land.
On passing into the vestibule and
closing the door the lights are auto
matically turned out and othei lights
are lit IN the first landing. In the
oak panel work a secret door is OPEN
ed n switches there will light any
room upstairs the hail., bathroom, at
tic, or any chamber VIII be found bril-
liantly lighted ON reaching it. Callers
speaking from the front door to sew
ing-rOom, nursery, or other rooms may
be admitted by pressing a button, the
front door opening automatically.
The Old style burglar alarms are re-
placed by a new method, and if any
door or window is forced open the cleo
trio lights on the veranda and in the
vestibule are Immediately lighted and
the usual bell alarm given in tbs
Kitchen.
The temperature of the whole house
is electrically controlled to 60 degrees,
while the lower rooms are separately
controlled to 70 degrees, and after once
being set in the fall, the heat is even
ly distributed throughout the year.
Electric wires are provided for charg-
ing an electric carriage, which passes
down an inclined cement pavement in
to the basement. The barn is thus
done away with.
Electric wires, plugs. and switches
are provided for electric heaters, cleo
trio cooking apparatus in the kitchen,
and electric knife sharpener and coffee
grinder. I'm the DINING room the coffee
or tea is kept warm on the sideboard
by an electric heater, while in the par
Tor dainty bits may be cooked in the
electric chatting dish.
BEAUTIFUL LIGHT EFFECTS.
The lighting effects in this house are
novel and interesting. No chandeliers
are to be found in reception hall, par
lor, or diningroom. The electric light
ing is accomplished by electrical grOund
glass globes in the side walls and CELL
ings, back of panels of Clipped and
opal glass, shedding a soft, subdued
light about the rooms, with nohe of the
fixtures of the past.
"A choke coil, constructed on the plan
of the theatre DINNERS, allows the volt
age of the alternating current to be
varied at will, increasing or decreasing
the b~rilliancy of the lamps.
Every ten lamps Of sixteen candle
power are equivalent to one-horse
power of energy; 50 per cent. Of this
energy is heat and 5 per cent. light,
and by placing these lamps in hot air
conductor-pipes back Of the glass pam
els referred to, the heat is conducted to
registers on the first or second floor, as
desired. Either natural gass or cleo
tricity may 'be used for lighting or
cooking, as both are provided.
EVERY MODERN CONVENIENCE.
In the bath Don the electric shaving
cup is 1t hand, and an instantaneous
heater gives hot water as long as the
spigOt is left Open, so that once empty
ing the tanks does not leave other
members of the family With cold water.
In the sewing room a switch and
plug is provided for the operation of a
sewing machine by motor controlled
10y the foot, while in the dem the cleo
trio cigar lighter is in convenient po-
sition.
The sleeping rooms are provided
with the usual calls, electric lights
controlled from within the O or be-
low, as desired, while the electric curl
ing iron heater is within reach on the
bureau.
The laundry is wired for electrically
heated irons, which are always main
tanned at the desired temperature
waiting to be reheated.
The s~ideboard, mantels, and grllls
are studded with ten candle power.
g~roundless globes, which shed a soft,
light and give a very pleasing
effect.
The designer all these wonders is
electrical engineer. As may be sup
posed, he makes his electrically-fitted
house the hobby Of his life. 1t is safe
to say that there are few residences
that equal it for l~abor-saving and ON
devices.