The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1907-01-24
Sleet Cleaning Device a.
Reality
Newark Tribune.l

j. w. Blscksten, living at 216
Central avenue, in this city, is the
inventor of device that will
prove saving of thousands of
dollars to traction companies
throughout the United States, at
least for those who use the third
rail instead of the trolley system.
1t is well known fact that the
only obstacle that has stood In the
road of perpetual operation Of
trolley cars is sleet. Ever since
the beginning of the operation of
these. cars, the companies have
been trying to get some one to de-
wise means of overcoming the
difficulty. The honor of being
the first person to perfect this
means rests upon the shoulders Of
Mr.. Blaeksten. During his resi-
dence In Lancaster prior to five
months ago, he solyed the prob
lem. The device is a simple ono
composed of plate upon each
side of which are two strong
springs that fit over the sides OF
the rails. Between the springs is
arranged a toothed roller which
revolyes rapidly and behind the
roller is a steel "shevel' which
scrapes the crushed ice from ths
rail leaving clear surface for the
"sboe' to form contract.
Although MIR. Blacksten has
had the device ready for use since
last winter, he never had an op-
portunity to test it until Thursday
of this week. He was called to
Columbus by Supt. Bradley of the
Scioto Valley Traction company
and asked to "clean up" the rails.
The device was attached to car
about two O'Clock Thursday after
noon after traffic had been blocked
for "a hours. A slight mishap oc-
Cured shortly after the start was
made and holdup resulted at
Obetz Junction, four miles below
Columbus. AS soon as the dam
age was repaired the journey to
Chillicothe, 40 miles away, was
continued and the trip was made
in schedule time, l :55.
The device worked like charm
and the ice was thrown like so
much -four from the,rail clear out
side the right Of way.
Supt. Bradley had given orders
to clear the tracks before the run
was made, and the test was made
with "clear field" The orders
were also given to run at top
speed, owing to Mr. Blacksten's
that it would do the
work as well at high as at slow
speed. The crew called the su-
oerintehdent as soon as the trip
vas completed. During the run
Mr.. Blacksten stood on the front
'tep of the car and watched the
'scraper" from the time the car
eft Obets, until it reached Chilli
'othe. Frequently there would be
. dip in the track which caused
he electricity to flash from the
AL, and when Mr.. Blacksten re-
urned Thursday night to this city
le required the services of q ply
ician to relieve the terrible pain
n his eyes. Friday morning he
gas notified TO 60 to Columbus
nd meet the directors of the COM
ANY and arrange deal for the
isposal of the patent. Mr..
Ilacksten was seen just before he
oarded the car ;45 p. m, and
aid he was not decided how he
'ould dispose of 1T, but was in
aYor of selling ii outright. rather
nan collect royalties from it. 1t
one Of those things that the
would not want often,
ut when they did want it, they
ould want it badly.
Mr.. BlAcksten is an smploye of
le Bailey and Kelley Tin and
Iate roofing establishment In shis.
ty. j. w. Blaekstsn is son of :
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