Omaha daily bee., 1905-09-03
Recent Progress Made in the Field of Electricity

and efficient expedient, although we have
more than a suspicion that the hotel keep
ers would not regard 1t with approval, and
we have more than half a suspicion that
practice of the plan would be attended
with some danger of accidents of several
kinds. Showed we'll down toward the foot
of the bed the light of the lamp would be
no annoyance. while 1t would make no
trouble as long as the insulation remained
perfect and no unguarded movement with
a bony heel shattered the fragile globe.
That once broken; however there would
be an explosion that would at least give a
somewhat painful start to the lamps bed
fellow, and other mlshaps might follow,
possibly to the imperiling of the whole
house. That is a question for the experts
to decide, and as the expert who made the
revelation was not afraid to try the ex-
pertinent presumably the peril is not ex-
cessive. At any rate. the idea is a queer
one and the opportunities for exploiting II,
If it is of any value. are not confined to
hotels in the hinterland.
.
Owls Killed Isy Electricity,
The temporary suspension OF work at
the mine and mill of the Granite Bmetallo
Mining company at Philipsburg, Mont,
was caused by an owl becoming entangled
in the wires. Since the transmission line
was put into commission. nearly four years
ago, relates the Anaconda Standard, TWEEN
ty-five owls have been electrocuted by
coming I'm contact with the wires and
since November Of last year twelve fine
specimens Of the owl family have gone to
owl land over this route.
The transmission line is eleven miles
in length and furnishes current Of 5000
volts to the mine and MILL No. copper
wire being used. The line traverses a
wild and unsettled country, the abiding
place Of all kinds Of wild beasts and birds.
Shortly after the line was opened there
was a sudden break in the current one
night The line crew began an investiga-
ton at once
A few miles from the power station a
monster owl was discovered dead Just be-
low the pole line. The bird bore every
evidence OF having been electrocuted. The
occurrence was then considered a novelty.
and the bird was stuffed by some OF the
company employees and placed on exhibit
ton. Since then. however, the act has
been repeated so often and with such
serious loss of time TO the companys ope-
rations that the freaks of the owls hays
become serious nuisance.
AS might be supposed. the breaks nj.
are most difficult to find. In nearly every
Instance the wires are burned outright.
but In few cases where the owl fails
to land with both feet on both wires no
serious damage is done TO the wires, but
the bird is always a victim George T.
MacGulre, the electrician at the power
house has memento Of one OF these
night tragedies IN the shape of a rabbits
loot which was found in the talons OF an
electrocuted owl
A big owl became entangled in the wires
one night. causing the customary sus-
pension OF work at the mine and mill. Mid
way between the station and the mill next
DAY pr MacGuire found the owl sus-
pended from the wires. the claws of one
loot clutehing the wire and the other
holding fast rabbits foot. The rabbit
mad evidently been killed by the owl and
parity eaten After making a meal Of
bunny the owl had carried away the foot
Tor a future repast or perhaps for good
luck and later struck the high voltage
wires with disastrous results. The owl
haa sueh death grip On the foot that
mr. MacGuire was compelled 10 cut away
the claws to secure IL. and lie has carried
the amulet ever since.