Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-10-17
Aisesllaneu,ls 8sading.
HOW DYNAMITE Is MADE.
Conditions Under Which the Substance
ls Harmless.

Conditions Under Which the Substance
ls Harmless.
The visitor to Dodson. just out OF
Kansas City, knew that dynamite would
explode. and that was about all he
knew concerning 1t. The little plant
there where Kansas City people daily
deal with this powerful explosive had
often occurred to him as source OF
investigation, says the Kansas City
Star, but there is an Unborn timidity In
all people when 1t Is suggested that they
make close scrutiny of dynamite. The
attitude Of the superintendent was the
customary one Of the long suffering
compassion for the uninitiated as the
visitor timidly piped his questions.
what Is dynamite and how Is 1t
nader" he reiterated.
The questioner Redeemed little as
he thought of the length. height and
breadth Of his ignorance. The super
intendent pulled open a desk drawer
and handed out a stick Of some soft
substance covered with shell Of heavy
paraffined paper. Opening one Of the
nicely crimped ends. soft substance
was seen that looked something like
fine cornmeal which has been damp
aned and firmly pressed.
That's some of It." was the brief ex-
plaration.
Looks harmless enough" said the
visitor, in an Indifferent tone, laying IT
back upon the desk with a well con-
cealed 'qualm Of nervousness.
land as harmless as 1t looks, except
under certain definite conditions" was
the quick rejoinder in tone suggesting
considerable professional pride.
"And the conditions?"
Nothing less than a decorating cap
buried in one end Of the stick and set
off by a special kind Of fuse"
How about a sudden jar"' was ask
ed. In reply he raised the stick with
which he had been emphasizing his re-
marks and hurled 1t to the floor with
al his strength. The visitor restrained
with great difficulty, an impulse to
shatter the international record for the
standing high jump and prepared to
continue the study Of high explosives
in sudh a manner as to preclude forci-
hle demonstrations.
No danger from that source" con-
tinued the informant, "as long as your
powder remains in its normal condi-
ton. when partially frozen, however,
some dvnamites may be exploded by
violent concussion: It depends a great
deal upon the composition Of the dope"
1.-The dope" ,..
"Yes. You see, all dynamite con-
sists In general Of nitro -glycerin, mixed
with a more or less complex absorbent
called the dope Two elements uni
versally used in the dope are sawdust
or wood pulp and nitrate Of soda. They
are explosive, but both, especially
the latter, when ignited, give of
large volume Of gas. which expands and
adds considerably to the force of the
soda is imported by thousands Of tons
from Chile and other South American
regions, where 1t Is found in vast nat
ural beds, and known as Chile saltpeter.
You remember the dispute over the
ownership of these deposits was the
casus belli In the late Chile-Colombia
affair"
"Yes," the visitor responded reminis-
Gently; land the other ingredients OF
the DOPE"
well, you see," he replied, after
moments hesitation, ut would be
hard matter to explain to you in twenty
minutes, all that has been discovered
and utilized in twenty years OF re-
search. Over there is the laboratory
building" pointing to a small red
building at some distance, where could
be seen an occasional figure moving
around amid a labyrinth Of retorts,
glass tubes and what not. 1--WE employ
an experienced chemist to conduct con-
slant experiments with a view to hit
ting upon some new active absorb
ent which shall be cheaper, safer and
more effective than that now in use.
Accepting the hint the visitor paused
to sum up. "Then dynamite consists
In nitro -glycerine mixed with a number
Of non-explosive substances. which to-
gether act as an absorbent"
"And the nitro -glycerin? What Is
that made Of and how do you make
it%
Nitro -glycerin is formed when pure
glycerin Is agitated with a mixture Of
nitric and sulphuric acids. Come along
I'll show you how 1t Is done"
Leaving the Office we struck out to-
ward a large frame building high up on
the bluff and flanked on either side at
wide intervals by other houses" Of
the plant. On our way to the nitro
glycerin house or "nitrater" we passed
some long rambling buildings, from
which issued dense white and red
fumes which set us coughing and gasp
ing at a great rate. Here's where we
make the acids for the nitro -glycerin,"
was the explanation. land over there
pointing to a huge iron tank Of boiler
like appearance. is where the acids are
mixed and whence they are driven In
suitable quantities by compressed air
to the nitrater"
Arrived at the last mentioned build
ing and having accustomed our eyes to
the semi darkness, which appeared
Stygian after the glare of the midday
sun, we saw a series Of large leaden
tanks set in tiers; to the highest OF
which my courteous guide led me. 1t
look like a church of Herculean pro-
portions, the agitator being driven by
a powerful steam engine. Into this re-
ceptacle. which was already charged
with a weighted amount Of the mixed
acids, there flowed a tiny stream OF
pure golden glycerin. An attendant
seated on a stool gazed steadily at
a large thermometer. the lower end Of
which projected into the swirling IL
quid within the tank.
why do you watch the temperature
so closely?" / asked.
"Over 80 Is dangerous he replied,
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