davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
a DANGEROUS TRADE.
PERILS THAT sESET THE MAKING OF
NITROGLYcERIN.

Methods Used In the Manufacture OF
This Dangerous Explosive - The
Care That Has to BE Exercised In
! the Factories.
Nitroglycerin and its peculiarities
are little known, even in localities
where it Is made. People generally
give 1t a wide berth, and even n less
number know how it is manufactured.
Probably in no place in the United
the explosive used as in the Indiana
oflfields. Indiana has four nitroglycerin
factories, and they are seldom visited
by curious people.
The explosive is made from = compo-
sition of acids and glycerin. 1t is gener
ally pale yellow in color, and quite col
orless when pure. 1t is odorless, and
has a sweet, pungent, aromatic flavor.
II touched by ones tongue, or even
brought into contact with the skin, 1t
will produce a severe headache. a
large tank, called an agitator, is where
the fluid is mixed. and the mixture is
composed of equal parts of nitric and
sulphuric acids. Inside the tank are
several paddles, like those of n churn,
and it is here that the real danger in
the manufacture exists. The paddles
are put in operation and n steady
stream OF sweet glycerin is turned into
a vat until $50 pounds are thoroughly
mixed with the 100 pounds of acid.
The chemicals coming in contact pro-
duce an intense heat, and in order to
obviate the danger cold water is run
through pipes encircling and running
through the vat. At 50 degrees +.
red vapor. almost like fire. arises. If
cutting off the supply of glycerin in the
agitator does not lower the temper
AZURE, it is time to say farewell. Before
90 degrees are reached nothing but
atoms Of the structure and its contents
are left.
In its manufacture water is used to
food the workroom, since drop fall
ing on the floor might lead to an explo-
sion. Not a nail is to be found In the
floor of the factory, and the visitor is
cautioned not to drag his feet. Those
who make the dangerous fluid say that
Jar viii not cause an explosion: that
friction and fire are the only agencies
by which IL can be discharged. One
may pour a barrel of nitroglycerin
from n high building to n cement walk
below and it will not explode. but a
small quantity of 1t dropped from the
same height in can will blow the
building down. y sharp conclusion in
stantly touches IL. off. Factories be-
come useless after n few years opera
ton and have to be destroyed. The
timber becomes saturated with nitro
glycerin and an explosion is imminent
at any time.
The average production of nitroglyc-
erin from 1,5O0 pounds of acid and 80
pounds of glycerip is about 100. quarts.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17

I About 1G0 quarts constitute an average
shot for an Indiana oil we'll While
! magazine explosions are not rare the
real cause Of the blowing up never be-
comes known Those who are close
enough to see the cause always 60 up
! with the building. The average time
for shooter or nitroglycerin maker to
remain in the business does not exceed
five years. Death is instant. and no
| one has ever recovered from a nitro
glycerin accident. Bodies are torn to
atoms no larger than bits of sausage.
The wages of employees of the fac
tories range from S12J to $50 a month.
Colonel William A Myers of Bolivar,
n. Y, was the man who made and ex-
ploded the first pound of nitroglycerin
in an OIL well. He built the first fac
tory in the United States near Titus
vile, Pa, in 1868. Up to that time
powder had been used to torpedo oil
wells. 1t was then that an explosive
that could be discharged under water
was found in nitroglycerin. Colonel
Myers father was Philadelphia
chemist and taught his son how to
make ii.
The first well torpedoed was on Colo
mel Mills lease, near Titusvilie, and the
charge consisted of only two pounds
Oil was worth 50 barrel then, and a
torpedo that would double the produc-
ton of 4 well was worth almost what
the maker chose to ask for il. Colonel
Myers built - different factories in
different parts of the oil regions from
1868 to 1885, when he retired from the
business. Only one of the original fac
tories stands intact today. Myers made
several fortunes and spent his money
like prince. but. fortunately for him,
he still has 4 snug sum laid by.
Well shooters spin great yarns of
their experiences. and the stories are
of the hair raising order. Well shoot
ers generally are fatalists to a consid-
cradle degree in their belief. and it is
probably one reason why they do not
fear the fluid. They state that when
one would think it was the most dan
gerous the explosive Is the safest.
The smallest drop can be placed on an
anvil and struck by the heaviest
sledge hammer, and the hammer will
bound back over the shoulder of the
striker, no matter how much he may
try to hold 1t. Some claim that it will
tear the arm off. but this is exaGgera-
ton. transporting the explosive from
Il magazine to well is not as danger
Gus as timid people think. according to
the shooters. 1t is transported in
square cans such as are used for var
nish. In preparing for shooting n well,
a long tin shell is suspended in the tub
ing. and the shooter pours the fluid
in rs if 1t was water. 1t is not I'M
us:nl for 200 quarts to be in q well
shooters wagon on one trip. a slight
leak in n can may be touched of by
friction and explode the entire load.
If it should explode in the center OF a
town. every building would be reduced
instantly to bris.-Indianapolis Jour-
nal.
The word Asia is derived from the
Sanskrit Cshas. meaning the land of
ha 10
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
Coined Words.

Coined words, / have made a little
study of them myself, always with
disappointing results. / always run
across them. after discovering them,
somewhere about 100 years before the
birth of the inventor. i once coined a
name, away back in 1876. for one of
my so called humorous characters
Bilderback. I,put the Bilderback fam
lily in jocus print for several years.
One night, about 1887. lectured in Sa-
lem. n. J.. and told one of my Bilder-
back stories. The audience was con-
vulsed with more mirth than the story
called for. After the lecture l was in
troduced to about a dozen Bilderbacks,
who enjoyed my story more than any
one else.-Robert ]. Burdette in Chau-
tauQuan.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
sHeLvED HIS INVENTION.
An Experience Which Taught the
Mechanical Expert a Lesson.

An Experience Which Taught the
Mechanical Expert n Lesson.
One OF the best mechanical engineers
in New Orleans told an interesting
story apropos of the fluctuations of in
ventors. About three years ago he
said, q got up n little device that
greatly simplified the working of a
certain type of pump. took out
patents thai cost me i'm the neighbor-
hood of $500. including attorneys fees,
and finally submitted the thing to n
big manufacturing concern in the
north. The proprietors at once con-
coded the merit of the invention and
offered me $500 down and royalty of
S125 on each one used. The cash pay
ment amounted to nothing, for it really
fell short of covering my time and ex-
penses, but the royalty was generous.
and I figured it out that it would yield
me an income of $1,000 or $4,000 for
several years-perhaps longer. it de-
pended on how soon something better
entered the field.
Accordingly, accepted the PROPOSE
ton and transferred all my right. Now,
how much do you think 1 actually re-
ceived? Not a penny, No, l haven't
have been perfectly straight. The
trouble is they never put the device on
the market. They simply stuck the
patents and drawings in Il pigeonhole
and there they remain to this day.
why did they do 1t, did you ask? To
save money. The public is very well
suited with their pump as it stands,
and it is doubtful If they could get any
more for it with my improvement add
ed. Such n step would merely cut down
the net profit, so they prefer to let well
enough alone. 1t was necessary. of
course. TO get my invention safely
shelved, or it might have been taken
up by some enterprising rival. and the
only earthly reason for spending $500
on the thing was to put it out of the
way. 1t was rather rough on me, to
be sure, but the experience was valu-
able, and 1 won't get caught that way
again" - New Orleans Times-Demo-
crat.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
NOT ON THE TIME TABLE.
The Curious Reason For Which q
Trim Was Side Tracked.

Train Was Side Tracked.
In the rarefied atmosphere of the
high tablelands of Mexico objects that
are really q long way off appear to be
close at hand. This has led to many
ludicrous mistakes on the part of tour
lists, and even on the part of those hav-
ing a knowledge of tie popularity of
the country.
The Mexican Central railroad has q
tangent (section of track in which
there is no curve) that is said to be the
longest In the world. 1t is over 60
miles in length, and locomotive head
light can be seen, of course, for a very
long distance.
One evening a train rounded the
curve approaching this tangent, and
as 1t entered on the straight track its
brakes suddenly began to grind. 1t
soon came to 4 standstill, and the con-
ductor, fearing that an accident had
befallen the engine, hurried forward,
and was shown by the engineer light
that was twinkling and dancing on the
track directly ahead.
"a headlight. sure" the engineer
said. Must be an extra and the dis
patchers have overlooked it, for orders
do not mention it."
"Guess you are right" the conductor
replied, but 1 never knew the dis
patchers to be so careless before. Any
where but on this tangent there would
have been a collision and somebody
killed. We'd better move ahead slowly
to the next side track. We can't tell just
how near that train may be, and we
will wait for II to pass us there"
They reached the side track in safety,
and, drawing in on II, awaited the
coming of the other train. Half an
hour passed, and the engineer was
Tuning. wondering how much longer
he was to be delayed, when the con-
ductOr called him to step out to the
main line.
what do you think of that head
light. nowT' he asked, when the engi-
neer had Joined him. Seems to have
got clear up and off the road
The engineer gazed at the twinllling
light. then. Venus, by JUPITER" he ex-
claimed. BILLY, we've side tracked to
let n star go by, or my names not
Smith"'-Youth's Companion.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
ADVERTISING.
It Has EeevOIutionized Business and
Benefited Humanity.

1t Has RevOIutionized Business and
Benefited Humanity.
Advertising is indeed one of the great
developments of the age. 1t has revo-
lutionized business and made IL posi-
BILE to accomplish in few years what
otherwise would have taken genera
lions to compass. Today the advertis-
er, through the medium of the public
press. can introduce his article to the
entire public almost literally at n
bound. Such n servant at the sellers
elbow has naturally made business
vastly different from what 1t was sew
eral hundred years ago.
1t is no longer necessary. as it was
in previous generations, to confine
ones commercial transactions to linn
tied area. In fact, the manufacturer
of today regards the world as his field.
and there are quite a number of pro-
prietary articles, widely and favorably
known in every quarter of the civilized
world, which have been introduced dur
ing the lifetime of their present pro-
prietorS. who are men only in the
prime of life.
Without advertising. by which 1t is
possible to reach and influence hun
dreds of thousands of persons simulta-
neously, such a result could not be ac-
complished in several generations. lie
indeed it could be accomplished at all.
Nor has this advertising benefited the
seller only. 1t has brought to the
knowledge of the buyer the hundreds
of improvements and articles by which
life can be made more pleasant. by
which the health can be preserved, the
palate gratified, the intellect fed and
satisfied.
1t is no eXaggeration to say that no
force has conduced more to knit the
world closely together nor made our
mutual interdependence more apparent.
1T is but the simple truth to assert"
says a recent writer. that the loss of
the information which the advertise
ments furnish would be one of the
greatest imaginable misfortunes to civ
ilization."-Self Culture.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
Blaine and Thurman.

The senate has always been con-
trolled by lawyers, who are the aristo-
cratic class in the United States, and
Blaine was at n disadvantage because
he did not belong to the profession.
The law lords were disposed to dis
parage and fiout him, but he was dis
respectful TO the verge of irreverence.
docs the senator from Maine think
1 am an idiot?' roared Thurman, in
reply to an interrogatory Blaine put
TO him one day in the Pacific railroad
debate.
well" beloved Blaine, chat de-
ponds entirely on the answer you make
to my misunderstanding Evening
Post
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
THE EAST WIND.

= 8 ,u're coming. coming, like the light 4
And spreading DER the lea
know there's death for some tonight,
But life and joy to me.
For you're the east wind, s5slss
East wind that love,
The east wind of the sea- 10
I. nurtured on our sea girt coast.
Round roof and rock and tree,
Drank in the food loved the most,
The east wind OF the sea.
And midst the spray oceans breast,
While you whistled wild and free,
I've kissed your cheek and sunk to rest
o east wind Of the sea,
So, though pray for those you harm
And wish il might not be,
Sweep in and bring the old, old charm
Oh, bring il back to mel
For you're the east wind, :.
East wind that I love.
= The east wind Of the sea.
Boston Transcript.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
GLASSES FOR THE EYES.
The Reason They Are Worn by So
Many Persons Nowadays.

Many Persons Nowadays.
The question is often asked, particu-
larly by those who can recall the GUS
toms and experiences of % years ago.
''Why do so many persons nowadays
wear glasses:" The answer is easy.
The increase in the number of spec
tacles worn is not to be regarded as
an evidence of modern degeneration
of the eyes, but rather that a long felt
necessity has been met" For it should
be remembered that within the past
quarter of a century much has been
learned about the value of glasses, and
the range of their application and use
fulness has been enormously extended.
OF course the eyes need more help now
than formerly, as the amount of work
they are required to do is much greater
than at any previous period in the
worlds history. The sewing machine
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
A shock to Boston.

An English woman, a visitor, grieved
all Boston by irreverently asking cit
izen, as she walked through the Com
mon and saw the cherished gilded
dome of the statehouse, BEG pardon,
sir, but what building is that with the
brass p?''-New York Times.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
CLOTHES AND THE MAN.
The Difference Being Well Dressed
Made to n Cabinet OmciaI.

Made to Cabinet OmciaI.
Yes, the clothes n man wears make
q great deal of difference in this world,
especially in official life" remarked
the private secretary of n cabinet Off
cial, who is compelled TO see many
people and to hold many more people
ut bay.
Il was especially struck with the
Importance of clothing some time ago."
continued the official, when the as
sistant secretary was absent and it
was my duty to stave all the callers
off the secretary. l do that often, but
when the assistant secretaries are here
they help a great deal.
We'll. noticed on the occasion l
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
Accommodated.

.You haven't any smokeless tobac-
CO, have you?" asked the smart young
man.
Lots of it, said the matter of fact
person behind the counter, producing
box of snuff. "How much do you
want?" es<se
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
Accuracy.

The idea that 4 strict fidelity to
truth demands accuracy is one which
10 seldom entertained, but until we re-
ceive it as n principle and embody it
in action we shall never attain a high
degree of truthfulness.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17
The Extremes,

Hobbs-My landlady has both strong
and weak points.
Dobbs-What are they?
Hobbs-Butter and coffee.-Chicago
News.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17

Prisoners in the penfteEtiary are
about the only ones that live up to
their observation-disclosures City Star.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-12-17

The word Asia is derived from the
Sanskrit Cshas. meaning the land of
the morning dawn.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-09
His Life Yves Saved

Mr.. j. i. Lilly, q prominent citizen
of Hannibal, Mo-, lately had wonder
full deiverauce from friehttul death.
1t telling OF it he says; Il was taken
with Typhoid Fever, that ran into
Pneumonia My luugs became harden
ed. I was so weak l couldn't even sit
up in bed. Nothing helped me. l ex
pected to soon die OF Consumption,
when 1 beard of Dr.. Kings New Dis
covery. One bottle gave great relief.
Icoutinued to use it and now am well
and strong, I can't say too much in its
praise" This marvellous medicine is
the surest and quickest cure in the
world for all Throat and Lung trouble.
Regular size soc. and 81 Trial bottles
free at e. L. Aliens & E. S. Lead
baater s. Sous' Drug Stores; every
bottle guaranteed.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-09
Chamberlain's Cough Rcmedy

This remedy is intended especially
for coughs, colds, Group, whooplne
cough and influenza. 1t has become
famous for its cures of these diseases,
over large part OF the civilized world.
The most fattering testimonials have
been received, giving accounts OF its
good works; of the aggravating and
persistent coughs it has cured; ofsevere
colds that have yielded promptly to its
soothing effects, and OF the dangerous
attacks of Group it has cured, often
saving the life of the child. The ex-
tensive use Of it for whooping cough
has shown that it robs that disease OF
all dangerous consequences. For sale
by J. H. Janrey, Druggist, 70l King st.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-09
AUCTION SALES.
pv O,Eeal & L.upt. Apctioneers,


COMMISSIONERS SALE OF ONE OF
" THE MOST VALUABLE AND DE-
SIRABLE PIECES OF REAL ESTATE IN
THE CITY.
The undersigned, commissioners, appointed
by the decree of Tic Circuit Court of tho city
Of Alexandria, entered At tho september term,
1898, in tho suit wherein S Z. Beach, exec
utor of Willam N McVcigh deceased, is
complainant, sDd Harvcy dcYCish ct ais arc
defendants. will offer for sale at public auc-
ton, in front of the promises, on
THURSDAY, MARCH 80 1898,
at twelve o'clock m.. AL THAT lot OF
GROUND IMPROVED By 4 FOUR-STORY
B2!CK BUILDING. situate at the northeast
corner of King and Royal streets, Alexandria,
Virginia, and now occupied by IaaaC Eich.
berg, the said lot being described as follows
Beginning at the said corner and running
thence north on Royal street about sixty.two
feet (62') six inches (6"J; thence cast fifty
four (54) feet; thence south about fifteen
t15) feet thence " st about liltoen 90 feet;
thence south about forty--evcn (47) feet six
(6) inches 10 King street, and thence west On
King street about tbirty-nine (39) feet two
(2) inches to Royal street, with ali appurten-
ances thereunto belonging.
Terms Of Sale: One fourth of tho purchase
money in cash, and the residue thereof in two
equal payments at ono and two years with
interest. which is to be evidenced by the
notes of tho purchaser, aid secured by the
retention of the title and an insurance policy
on the building.
IT, N,
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-09
JOHN T. MASON, R., c,..,,.,,-
JOHN u. JOHNSON, Vi 0"le

I certify that the bond required OF the
commissioners by the decree directing the
sale Of the above property has been duly exc.
cuted. JOHNS. BEACH,
Clerk Of tho Circuit Court Of the city
fehoS ts of hleXAndriA Va
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-09
BY &. z. Knox. Anctioncer.


TRUSTEES' SALE OF L HOUSE End
4 LOT ON ALFKBD STREET, BE-
TWEEN KING AND CAMERON STREETS,
IN THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, VIR-
GINIA.
By virtue of deed Of trust execnted by
Lizzie E. Barker ard Henry s Barker, her
husband dated the 10Th day of October,
1895, and recorded in decd book No. 80,
| page 341, ono OF thc land records oe the city
| of Alexandria, Virginia, and at the request of
| the parties thereby secured the undersigned,
| trustees viii sell at public auction in front
| OF the Royal street entrance 10 the marke.
Building. in the C. y Of alexandria, Virginia,
| a. - o'clock noon
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY II, 1899,
the following property; to wit:
ALL THAT LOT or GROUND WITH
TIE BUILDINGS thereon in the said city
of Alexandria, situated on the west side OF
| Alfred street, between King and Cameron
streets ana bounded as follows to wit: Be-
ginning OF the west side of Alfred street
sixty (G0) feet north OF an allcy fifteen (15)
feet wide. and orc bundrcd aud scvcnty-five
| ,175) feet. more or less, north Of King street,
and running thence north on Alfred street
/ twenty (2OJ ieet: thence west parallel to
| King street one hundred and thirty-nine
,1G9) feet ter 60 inches; thence south par
Glel to Alfred street twenty (I0) feet, and
thence cast in direct line orc hundred and
| thirty .Dino G39) feet ten l1O) inches to the
! beginning with all appurtenances.
Terms OF Sale: Cash, and all conveyancing
! as tho cost Of the purchaser
ii. B. HARLOW, Trus+oos
PARK AGNEW, trustees
jan 25 ts
Gss- The above sale is postponed to SAT
UBDAY, March II, when ii will be held at
the same hour ami place. feb Is
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-09

NOTICE.-Having qualified as exeeut1iz
N of the estate of JOHN j. JAMESON,
deceased, all persons having claims egain5t
the estate are hereby notified to present the
same duly verified, to me, ana all persons
indebted to said estate arc requested to forth
with settle their indebtedness
4. r. JAMESON,
Exocutrix estate of John j. Jameson.
feb21 I'm
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-09
4 WORD 10 THE WISE Is SUFFICIENT

FIY's CREAM BALM has completely cured
me OF catarrh when everything else failed
Alfred w. Stevens, Caldwell, Ohio.
ELY's CREAM BALM works like charm; it
hss cured rue of the most obstinate case of
cold in the head; wopd not be without it.
Fied"k Fries, 2S5 Hart street. Brooklyn,
A i0c trial size or the soc size of Ely's
Cream Balm will be mailed. Kept by drug
gists. Ely Brothers, 90 Warren street, N. Y.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-09

ia advsuco
,o9.rEc. Gdvertiscrs viii rot he allowed = az-
c9od thoir gpaco unless the szces5 is paid for
81 transient rates, and plder no circGm
etsaces VIII Jboy De allowed TO advertise
o;EoI thHU their legitimate businasa il tbs
612Co contracted ICr.
Esr1is9o and death nchoeE must 10 paid ior
il advance.
RESOLUTIONS in memoriarn, OF shonks, tributcs
OF respect; resoluiong adopted BY societies
or pcrsonf. unless OF public coacorr, will
only be printed in this paper Sc adVer5ise.
l1eut5
Tho GAzE2TE oiuoe Is connected with .5s
IciePhon9 Exchanges. Advertisements, OF,
ders f0r the paqoI, neWg or any infoI:rGrio2
o. business can bo sont by geiophous.
Entered 81 the PosSolioe AlexeAdEis, virgin.
is. ss secOnd-cisss matter.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-03-09

Advocates Of the purity and uniformity of
the G. o. Taylor Whistles are found all over
the eastern and middle States. Physicians.
chemists, men of letters and merchants Of
high standing prescribe, advocate and use
this stimuant. Never sold in bulk, al ways
in sealed bottles. Insist On having G. 0.
TavlOr