davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
RADIUM AND THE POSSIBILITY OF UTILIZING ITS ENERGY

which will finally be exhausted, or it
must be constantly receiving energy
from some. as Yet unknown external
source and which IT transforms into heat
and radiant energy
Possibilities Of Practical Utility.
But what a-s the possibilities Of prae-
ticany utilizing the energy OF radium2
May it be used to do our work run
street cars and automobiles. heat and
light our housesi Prof. CroOkes esti-
mates that the energy of gram OF pure
radium. could II al be liberated at once
like an explosive, would be sufficient TO
lift the entire British navy 10 the top
Of Ben Nevis. Prof. Curie has shown
that a pound of radium produces heat
enough to melt a pound Of ice every
hour. The heat necessary to melt a
pound OF ice would raise four-dfths OF
pound of water from the freezing point
20 the boiling point 1t would not take
many pounds OF radium TO keep house
warm in the coolest weather But IL
must be remembered that with ali the
efforts to obtain this interesting sub
stance during the past four or FIVE
years there is probably not more than
two or three pounds in existence today,
and that it has cost at least S1,QoQ.0oo a
pound TO separate il from its ore. 1t is
one of the rare metals. found only In
very small quantities in the one MINERAL.
pitchblend. Until some more abundant
source is discovered and some more eco
nomical method devised OF separating II
from the ore. and some means invented
Of storing the energy or hberating IL
more rapidly when desired, IL is not
worth while to consider its practical ap-
DlcatiCa as a source of energy. And
even if it could be obtained che3ply anc
and in large quantities, it would be a
verT dangerous substance TO handle far
more dangerous than any of the modern
explosives, but for a different reason.
Disagreeable ulcer-like burns requir-
ing months to heal have been produced
by carrying a small vial of radium ia
the vest pocket for a few hours. Prof
Curie has said that he would not dare
to remain in a room with a pound Of
pure radiuTa, for it would certainly de-
stroy the sight. burn the skin. destroy
the tissues and sooner or later produce
death. But used III small quantities and
with proper precautions Il may prove
to be very useful in therapeutics III is
found to be a powerful germicide Seeds
Of plants exposed TO the rays Will not
germinate. Many of the different kinds
of baciIi are destroyed by exposure To
the rays. 1t is claimed that cancers and
tuberculosis both OF the skin and the
lungs have been cured and the blind
made TO see by the use OF the rays II
is believed that il viii prove TO be much
more powerful as a remedial agent than
X-rays. and much more easily applied
But il is stin too early 70 know whether
the reported cures are permanent or TO
predict the extent of its usefulness as=
remedial agent in the hands of u skill
ful physician.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

have in every way like x-rays. having
great penetrating power. producing
strong fuorescent and photograph ef-
fects. but not In the least affected by a
magnetic or electric field They are evil
IDENTIFY ether effects and probably pro-
duced by the collisions OF the beta rays,
or electrons. with the massive atoms or
molecules OF the substance. All three
classes Of rays have strong ionizing ef-
fects on the air through which they
pass. making IT "a good conductor OF
electricity. This furnishes the most
sensitive and perhaps the most accu-
rate test of the presence and the
strength of the Becquerel rays. 1t is
estimated that a sensitive electroscope,
such as used by the Curies. viii detect
in one minute an amount Of matter
thrown Of by a radioactive substance
which would need to accumulate for
two million years before it could be de
tected by the most sensitive chemical
balance.
Besides these three classes Of radia-
uon proceeding from all radioactive
substances, there is, at least In the case
OF radium and therium. a sort of
gaseous emanatiOn, forming an atmos-
phere about the substance and occiuded
in its pores. which has the power Of
imparting a temporary activity to other
bodies with which il comes in contact
II can be driven off by heat or drawn
off with a current of air, and wherever
il comes in contact with a huoreScent
substance makes it glow, showing that
il is itself radioactive, but only tenn
porarily so. since II loses its power In a
few days or at longest in a few weeks.
It's chemical composition Is unknown.
but Il behaves like an inert gas such
as helium or argon. forming no COM
binations with other clements. Passing
II I'm tubes through liquid air il disap-
pears at temperature of about 80
degrees Fahrenheit, being probably
uduefled, since it does not pass on with
the carrying gas, as is shown by the
lack of huorescence in the tube beyond.
But il is in such inconceivably small
quantities that no residue can he found,
nor can it be detected in any other way
than by it's radio-activity. 1t is, per-
haps, the remnant of the radium atom
after the eIectrOns and collections have
escaped.
Theoretical Importance of Radium Rays
These. then. are the peculiar proper
ties Of radium, that it emits constantly
and without apparent diminution, and
without apparently receiving energy
from any external source or decreasing
in weight, at all temperatures and from
all its compounds, whether in solid
form or in solution, these three classes
OF rays which are capable Of penetrat-
ing dense and opaque matter, producing
Photographic, luminescent and electric
effects. and maintaining a temperature
of about degrees Fahrenheit above that
of surrounding bodies. And these are
certainly interesting properties. but the
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

town. Mr.. Williams said that it was
first established in 1904. the land being
donated for the purpose by DIR. Charles
Beatty on the condition that IL the
tract ever ceased 20 be used for market
purposes il should revert TO the original
owner or his heirs or assigns. The mar
ket now rents out twenty-three stalls,
and a number of country people occupy
some of the vacant spaces. paying 10
cents a morning for the rental. Mr.
Williams said that the provision stores
had made great inroads upon the
Georgetown market by afording better
accommodations to the people in the
wy OF delivering goods, going after
orders. and the like He thought the
time might come when the Center Mar
ket would outlive its usefulness and
might have to be abandoned as a super
ANIMATED institution He said that there
were now slxty-five provision stores IN
Georgetown. and that the number was
increasing every year.
In speaking OF his vitality at such ad-
vanced age. Mr.. williams attributed it
10 one circumstance. He said that
when he was seventeen years old he
was. apprenuced to Richard copley 10
learn the shoemaker's trade. and il was
a law of the establishment that every
one must be in bed by 10 O'Clock. Mr.
Williams explained that as CoDIey often
worked them until 10 O'Clock there. was
no time 10 run about and learn bad
habits THE point Of it was. Mr. VIII
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

2 y the course OF a lecture one day
last week on the subject Of Re
L cent Discoveries in Physical Science
and Their Relations TO Theories Of
Matter and Energy" Prof John s Nc
Kay said:
A few months after ROentgen had
astoni5hed the world by his discovery Of
the wonderful x-rays. which would
penetrate the aesh and give shadow
picture OF the bones, Henri Becquerel
announced that the metal uranium and
al It's compounds. whether solid or in
solution. emit invisible rays which are
capable Of penetrating bodies opaque
10 Light affecting a photographic Plate
through several thieknesses Of black
paper and ionizing the air so Is 20 dis
charge an electroscOpe. In many ways
the Becquerel rays seemed 10 resemble
x-rays. only gsss intense IN their ac-
tion. requiring several days TO rake a
shadow picture OF the hand which the
Roentgen rays would produce in as
many rainutes. Later it was found that
the Be squerel rays, or some Of them.
were detected by a magnet and thus
resemble cathode rays rather than X
rays. which are not Influenced by a
magnet
Discoveries of NJ. and Nine. Curie.
A few years later NJ and Nine. Curie.
Of Paris. began TO experiment with
pitchbIend. the mineral from which
=
sensitive test of the electroscope to sep
arate from the ore a purer form OF
uranium with greater radioactive pow
er. From many tons Of the ere they
succeeded by various chemical processe
in securing a substance with several
thousand times the radiant power OF
uranium. From its great activity and
its atomic weight. which they found 10
be greater than that OF uranium. they
believed Il 10 be a new element and
named 4 radium because OF its power
70 emit energy continuously and with
out apparent loss OF weight This pre-
ajction was later verified BY Lord and
trum Of this wonderful, substance and
sound Il 20 contain lines differing from
that . any known element. The Curies
tlso diicovered a radioactive substance
related 20 bismuth. which they named
Dolonium in honor Of the native coun-
try Of Nine. Curie- But this substance
sa- not yet been proved 70 be new
element II IS believed to be only radio
active bismuth. Iasse brilliant discOv-
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

years. Facts are accommodating from
many lines Of research that all the diff
farent kinds of matter have been
evolved from some simple primordial
substance ike the ether. extremely rare
and all pervading. The names protyle
or nebulllm have been suggested for
such a substance.
go A third point Of theoretical inter
est is the fact that the minute particles
COMPOSING the cathode and beta rays
always bear a definite charge of cleo
tricity which cannot he divided or re-
moved from them. And since the pres
ence Of such a charge, as viii be shown
in another lecture, can be made 10 eN-
plain many of the properties Of matter
such as impenetrability, inertia, cone
sion and chemical affinity. is it not
probable that the ultimate atoms OF
electricity and that in the final analysis
matter and electricity are the samel
And since an electric charge always
manifests itself as a stress in the ether
may not these ultimate atoms of matter
and electricity be only an ether stress,
resulting from some vortex motion2
lp Another interesting scientific tact
connected with the Becquerel rays IS the
enormous velocity of the PARTICLES emit
ted A cannon ball moves at the rate OF
a few hundred feet per second The
earth in its orbit has a velocity OF about
seventeen miles per second venus aho
Mercury move still faster ana some OF
the stars are known TO have a velocity
of 200 miles per second. But the par
ticles in the Becquerel rays are moving
at the rate of 100O0 to $1,000 miles per
second. This implies a new order OF
motion, the intra-atomic. and makes II
necessary to restrict Newton 5 cele-
brated laws Of motion to masses moving
at ordinary velocities-
(5) But the most interesting point Of
all is the fact that these radioactive
substances are constantly manifesting
energy without any apparent adequate
source. When other bodies t'adiate
energy il can be traced TO some source
Many bodies will glow for a time after
being exposed to light or heat or the
electric current. or as the result of some
chemical combination. But as soon as
the source OF energy is shut of they
soon cease to radiate. But radium con
tinues to send forth its multiple rays
for months and years without diminu-
ton. even when reduced to the temper
ature of liquid air and shut up in q
vacuum in a lead box with walls a foot
thick AT first thought it might seem &c
be an exception TO the law OF conserva-
ton OF energy upon which all physical
science is based. But never for a mo-
ment has science entertained such q
conclusion. To the scientist IL is un-
thinkable He could no more think ol
radium creating the energy which il
manifests than that IL creates the ma
terial particles which il hurls into space
IL must have a store of potential energy
from which IL gradually draws in mani
Testing It's different properties, and
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

ings Of grapes and groups of fruit. and
are regarded as a remarkable collection.
One picture has been frequently sought
TO hang in the dining room Of the White
House. but Mr. Ricketts, has refused TO
part with it
Mr.. Ricketts, holds TO the theory that
the malaria so common in Washington
is due TO the South Carolina poplar.
He says the leaves of this tree fan in
June during storms. and at that time
develop the malarial germ. He says
what Washington needs 70 be rid OF
malaria Is TO cut down the poplars
and not trouble so much about the fill
tration plant. He declares that the ma
laria viii he here after the water is
filtered
Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts, celebrated their
golden wedding two years ago It
was an occasion long to be remembered
by those who participated. \ large
company Of friends assembled and had a
jolly time.
Mr.. Ricketts, is in robust health. and
as full of life and as joviaI as his sons
Mrs. Ricketts, is in feeble health. but
able TO attend to light household duties
Oldest Couple in Georgetown.
The Oldest married couple in George
town IS Mr.. and Mrs w. H. Williams
They were married hfty-nine years ago.
and each has attained the age Of .he
oetogenarian. Mr.. Williams bears his
eighty-four years lightly. and IS able 10
attend to business. and Is as active as
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

many are at sixty. Mrs. Williams is an
invalid, but she clings TO the hope that
she may live until next May, when she
and her husband viii round out sixty
years Of weddcd life
Mr.. Williams was born in Georgetown
on August 10. 1919. and has lived in the
District OF Columbia all his life. Mrs.
Williams was Marcia Burns. and was
born in Anne Arundel county. Md. on
November 90. 1920. Miss Burns was kins-
woman Of the celebrated Marcia Burns
the daughter Of David Burns. who be-
came the wife of Mr.. Van Ness and the
mistress OF The proudest mansion in
Washington. Mr.. and Mrs. Williams
were married on May ?, 1874, at the
house Of James A. Burns. by the Rev.
DR. Wicks Mr. Williams was then a
shoemaker by trade. and had laid the
foundation OF a competence which sus-
tains MIN and his invalid wife in their
old age. Two. children OF Mr.. and Mrs.
Williams died in childhood. a son died
In manhood several years ago. and two
daughters-AIrs. G. W. Bell and Mrs. p.
F. Hoover-are stil living.
Gu the fftieth anniversary Of his mar
riage the Oldest Inhabitants Associa-
ton presented Afr. Williams with n
gold-headed cane. suitably Inscribed,
commemoraung the event.
Man of Excellent Memory.
Despite his eighty-four years Of life
Mr. williams is an active man. His
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

discerned that their lines must come to
Washington as the future city and cen
ter Of the National Government There
were no attractions for railroad ter
minai in Georgetown. and from the mo-
ment that the first train brought it's
passengers from Baltimore, Georgetown
began TO decline It's Industries fed. its
commerce melted away. its property de
clined in value. its young men sought
other fields in which 10 invest their
capital OF strength and energy and
grass grew in its streets. Finally the
town lost even it's identity by being in
corporated into the city of Washing
ton. Mr.. Williams related the fact that
Judge Bfbb. the Secretary Of the Treas
ury in PresI5fs.-t Tyler's Administra-
ton. used to come up to Georgetown to
buy his cigars. and now the women Of
Georgetown watch the Washington pa
pers for bargain days in ribbons. gloves,
and shoes. and the railroads and street
cars have wrought the change.
Georgetown il the Fifties.
Mr.. Williams said it was a pretty
sight 10 stand on the hills OF George
toyvn IN the ffties and watch the little
steamers plying on the river. There
were the Dandy. the Joe Johnson, the
Phoenix. the Essex, and the Surprise
all running and carrying passengers and
freight between Georgetown and Wash
ington. Alexandria and Fort Washing
ton
In speaking of the market at George
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

uams said. that thus early I learned
habits Of industry and TO keep away
from places where there was any sort Of
temptation to dissipate. have been in
bed at 10 O'Clock all my life. and that.
with a naturally robust constitution. ex-
plains il all. / think
Mr.. Williams does not think that there
is any future for Georgetown apart from
the natural growth and progress Of
Washington Its dream of industry
and commerce. he believes, is a thing
of the past.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

~ NE OF the oldest married couples
In Washington are Mr. and
- Mrs. James H. Ricketts,, of 6SS
G Street southeast. On October
y they celebrated the hfty-second
anniversary of their marriage in a
family reunion. Ave of their ten chill
dren being present TO participate there
in
Mr.. and Mrs. Ricketts, were married
in Newburg. \. Y. October p 1851, the
Rev. John Johnson officiating. Mrs
Ricketts, was Miss Ruth NJ. Bright She
was born in New Jersey in 1882. The
marriage was an elopment from the
house OF her parents IN New Jersey Mr.
Ricketts, was a young business man in
Newburg at the time, and for several
reasons which appealed to the young
peopl,. among them the bridegroom s
aversion to big wedding, they de-
cided TO so together to Negs York and
nave the ceremony performed there.
Mr.. Ricketts, Is in robust health. and
works evey day in the Government
Printing Office. where he has position
as a bookbinder. The United States
Government has books in its several IL
braries that were bound by Mr.. Rick
etts more than nifty years ago. though
he was not regularly employed in the
Printing ONCE until about twenty years
ago.
Mr. Ricketts, was born in OIdbridge.
life. however. his parents moved to
Green Castle. Ind. where he was raised.
near the Asbury University. Mr.. Rick
etts says that he received no college
education. except such as he received
by absorption from the outside Of the
buildings.
Became a Horticulturist.
In IS54 Mr. Ricketts,. then - NeWburg.
\. Y, started in the business OF raising
fine fruit, especially grapes and pears.
He achieved great success in this busi-
ness. which he carried on FOR nearly
thirty years. Mr.. Ricketts, took seven of
the eight medals offered by the National
Fruit Growers Association for the best
grapes. While in the business at New
burg lie raised about 800 varieties Of
pears. and go varieties Of grapes.
AIMING the latter were some Of the
81; rdard varieties Of the present time.
T1esy were first produced from seedlings.
S, me Of theI.l were the Downing. Lady
Washington. Peabody. and Mariadne.
Wine from the latter sells now at so a
gallon.
Mr.. Ricketts, has in his home some
excellent fruit pictures. They are paint
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

Two Interesting Couples Who
Have Celebrated Many
Wedding Anniversaries
Mr.. and Mrs. w. H. Will
Jams United IN the Bonds
of Matrimony Fifty-nine
Years Ago MIR. and Mrs.
James H. Ricketts, Married
Bliss Began IN 1851.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

Despite his eighty-four years Of life
mem y Of dates and places is remark
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

NE OF the oldest married couples
In Washington are Mr.. and
Mrs. James II. Ricketts,, of 63S
q Street sn,,thnast On Octnler
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-05-20
DEATH CRIMINAL:
DOCTOR Is HELD
Post t-Mortem Examination Results
in Sensational DeyeI-
opments.

Port Huron. Mich, May 20.-A SEN
sation was created here when ii was
learned that a quiet investigation had
been conducted regarding the death of
Helen Griffin, II years old. who resided
on Garfield street. with her parents.
and that a pcst-mOrtem examination
made after her body was eXhumed,
disclosed the fact that she had been
killed by Il criminal operation.
The name Of a well-knOwn doctor
in this city is connected with the case,
but it is said that he has state
ment, signed by the girl, to the ef-
feet that she herself was responsible.
A corOner's jury was impaneled. but
it has not yet rendered a verdict.
Whether prosecution will follow may
depend upon the jury's findings. The
names of several well-known young
men have been connected with the mat
ter.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-05-20
MAYOR CROLIUS COUP
is WELL WORKED
JoIiet's Executive SummariIy Dis
charges One Police Chief
and InstaIIs Another.

Joliet, ILL.,, May 20.-Mayor Crolius
by clever coup succeeded in Install
ing Theodore Binzen as chief of po-
lice. to succeed Philip Rcitz. whom
he summaIily discharged. The mayor
waited until after the council had ad-
jOurned, and then going to the police
station he Informed Chief Reitz that
he was discharged from his position.
Reitz demanded to know by what au-
thOrity.
"On the ground of incompetcncy.'
was the mayors reply. He then in
formed ReitZ that the more specific
grounds We're for allowing a gambling
house to run wide open. The mayor
had brought with him Binzen. whom
he mt once appointed to fill the va
cancy. As soon as this had been done
the mayor turned to Night Captain
Brooker and Patrol Sergeant Emery
and demanded their designations on
the same grounds as their chief.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-05-20
CAMANCHE CLAMMER
FINDS a SO, 900 PEARL

The largest, most perfect pearl yet
found in American waters was found
in clam shell taken from the Miss
issippi river short distance below
LynXville last Friday by Frank JOr-
dan. a fisherman, whose home is at
Camanche. p o. Heide purchased
the gem Saturday, giving him $4,000 in
cold cash for the pearl. 1t is a sal
mon pink in color. is double saucer in
shape, and weighes 96H grains. With
only one exception, this is the highest
price ever paid fisherman for any
pearl and this was only equaled
about year ago, when Heide paid
Albert Caroline a like amount for
large white beauty. While none of
the other local buyers have yet equal
ed the above price, some of them
have gone much higher than any of
the foreign dealers have dared to GO
1t is estimated that the local dealers
paid at least $1,000 for pearls and
boroques during the week.-Prairie
du Chen Union.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-05-20
NO CAUSE Whatever
FOR WORRY ABOUTIT
So Lord SeIborne Tells n Solicitous
Member Of the Higher
British House.

London. May 20.-In the house of
lords the Earl of Crewe QiberaD. while
intcrrogatinS the government as to un-
der what regulations and restrictions
the warShipS of foreign powers We're
admitted into British colonial harborS
and coal stations. instanced the re-
cent presence ut Colombo. Ceylon. of
eleven war vessels of friendly pow
er. and said that if that power had
become hostile colombo would have
been absolutely at the squadron's mer
cy.
Lord Selborne. first lord of the ad-
miralty, replying. said no restrictions
existed. No power for]jide the pres
ence of British war vessels in their
ports. According to his view a friend
ly power should he very accommodate
ing; but if any obstacle was placed in
the way of British ships visiting for
eign ports the whole matter should
be reconsidered. He had no reason
to fear eventualities under the pres
ent principle Of international hospital
ity.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-05-20
DENIES A PART OF
CHRISTIAN BELIEF
Preacher at Waupun, Wis, on The
Ory of Immaculate Con-
ceptiOn.

Milwaukee. May 20.-Dr. T. Allen
Hoben, of Waupun, Wis, is the author
of book which may create u sensa-
ton i'll church circles. The title of
the book is ''The Virgin Birth In
it he disputes the doctrine of the inn
maculate conception. DIR. Hoben claims
that Jesus of Nazareth came into the
world in Il manner no different than
ANY other man born of woman"
The report that the book is to be
used as a textbook by the Universe
ty of Chicago will give it more promi-
nence. DR.. Hoben claims that the doc
trine of the virgin birth is not found
in any writings prior to Ignatius, in
the second decade of the second cen
fury. DIR. Hoben is the pastor of the
Union church ut Waupun. He held
the fellowship of the New Testament
in the University of Chicago from 1898
to 1901. wheE he was called to his
present parish.