New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-05-04
Cotton Turned into slIk-A Frenchman,.
Discovery and What Came Of Ii.

A few weeks ago there arrived in this cit,
from New Orleans dapper little French
man named Paul Magner, accompanied b,
Tentoric friend of ripper years, a DR.
Edward kunemann. The former had beer
practising chemist in New Orleans, and
claimed to be the discOverer of wonderful
process by which flax or cotton fibre could
DC converted into silk, or into q texture SO
nearly like silk as to defy all ordinary in.
spectiOns and tests. The results of this
prOcess-of which the Frenchman alone
had the secret-had already been exhibited
by sample to limited number of manufac-
furers and experts at the South.
few persons, accordingly, were led to
believe IN M. Magner and his process.
Among others was New Orleans agent of
Messrs. Seligman & Co., bankers, of this
city: The chemist had applied fora patent
at Washington and in several European
countries to protect his process, but he had
no capital wherewith to work it. An ar
rangement was made with him on behalf of
this firm that he should come on to New
York to develop his process, that they
would supply him with preliminary funds,
and that 50 soon as he could onvince them
that the manufacture was practicable on an
extended scale an ample amount of capital
would be forthcoming. to take partnership
IN his invention or to purchase the right of
using 1t within determined area. The Dr.
hunemann referred to was personal friend
OF Magnefs, one who had assisted him IN
New Orleans, and whom he brought with
MN as an associate in his ambitious pro-
jects.
Meanwhile. tidings of the discovery and
discOverer had reached Nlessrs Prall Broth
ers six manufacturers at Paterson, New
Jersey Mr.. Edwin 7. Prall sought out
NJ Wagner, anxious to be informed of his
remarkable discovery He found him TO he
an accomplished, well read gentleman, ap-
parently acting in perfect good faith, and
utterly absorbed in the possibility of his
discovery Ii was arranged that he could
nave the use OF Messrs Pralls silk factory
1T Paterson-there to perfect and amplity |
his methods, and there to begin the new
manufacture. The Frenchman was to have |
tne use OF machinery and power. The man |
uIacturers expected to be his agents for the |
sale OF the goods, and the Seligmans, as
already stated, We're to advance the CAPITAL |
as speeiai partners, or, as was determined |
later, joint stock company WAS 70 he
formed, with proportionate interest TO
each w
The mercurial and sanguine inventor was
soon busted III the construction of retorts
and apparatus of various kinds In these
labors he was assisted by his friend DIR,
kunemann. Monday week both made their
appearance in Paterson. The Freuchman
began 10 be very busy at the Prall's mills.
his chemicals. A quantity of the latter.
prepared for the transportation of cotton,
max, etc, into silk was soon in readiness.
A small parcel of the flax yarn was oper-
ated on; woven into ribbon by Pralrs
machinery; came out as glossy as the pur-
est SILK. All concerned were in ecstacies
l IL was thereupon baptized. and was to be
known IN commerce by the name of solene.
wednesday OF last week the Frenchman
suddenly disappeared. The doctor is still |
IN New York, and processes to be in ter
rioie quandary at the desertion of his friend.
lie had left, he says. a lucrative practice in
New orleans te found his fortunes in the
silken bonanza. I
Mr.. Prall still maintains perfect faith in It
he Frenchmans process and the integrity
II the man himself. He thinks the latter G.
vas worried and overwrought, perbans L
'ecame entirely crazy. and fled to Europe s.
0 escape imaginary evils. A box of r. bbons. cl
'oven from common fax yarn. but brilliant ID
from the looms of Lyons. remain at Mr.. 4
rails Office to testify wha. might have q q
York World :"