The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-06-03

Under this name it was recently believed
a most important chemical discovery had
been made, which was nothing less than
the manufactlre of beautiful silken goods
from the cotton fibre, instead of the WEB
Of the silk worm. Some weeks since faiii
Wagner, young French5nan, protesting
to be chemist of New Orleans, arrived IN
New \ orl, with an elderly German call-'
ing himself DIR. Edward KuHeman. Mag
ner claimed to be the Inventor OF a process
whereby either the common lax or cotton
fibre. could be converted into silk or a
fabric. SO nearly resembling it as 70 defy
pordinary inspection. In econfiruiation of
the so-cIaimed invention, samples OF the
new silk to which the nGme OF SOiene'
was given. were exhibited, and several
persons who examined it were led to be-
lieve in the truthfulness of Magner's repre-
sentations. Among these was a New
Orleans agent OF Messrs. Seligman& Co.,
the New u ork bankers. The Inventor
represented that he labored patiently for
many months in the analysis of the vari-
Gus fibres and in-the cocoon OF the silk
worm had identified certain elements WANT
ing in hax and cotton, and that these he
had chemically obtained, and was able to
apply them ia such manner as 90 manu-
1
he had applied for a patent at Wash-
ington and i'm n lseserais~s,E European
countries to, protect his process, but
had no capital wherewigh to work
il. An arrangement was made with him
on behalf of this firm that he should come
on TO New \ ork to develop his process,
that they would supply him llprelirn
mary funds, and that so soon as he could
convince them that the manufactuTeswas
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 it wifhins a
determined area. The DIR. Kuneman re-
TERED to was personal friend of Mag
ner's, one who had assisted him in New
Orleans and whom he brought with him
as an associate in his ambitions projects.
News of the supposed discovery was
conveyed.to Messrsl Pral Brothers, silk
manufacturers at Paterson, n, j., who,
having faith therein, gave it thorough
examination, which resulted in their en-
teriug into an agreement with Magner, to
give him the use of their machinery and
! power, and therefor to become agents for
the sale of his goods, while the Seligmans
were to advance capital as special part
ners, and when the enterprise was a sue
cess joint stock company was to be
formed. sr-szs - .--.vs-u.-.--
Magner accordingly began work at
4 Prall's manufactory. OstenSibly taking up
his residence in Paterson, and Introducing
a lady and little girl as his wife and child,
testablished himself at one of the leading
hotels. When allwas in readiness. a parcel
of flax was operated on, woven into ribbon
by Prall's machinery, and transformed
into the gloe siest and richest silk. All
the parties who had invested in the enter
prise were happy in the expectation of b' =
/ coming nilli0naires, and b0ilanza equal
! ing in productiveness its Californian
namesake was believed to have been dis
covered. A few days alter the success OF
/ this PRELIMINARY test, Magner disappeared.
His friend, the Doctor, could not account
I for his absence, while the lady and child
took the matter quietly. and the Pralls
were mystified. Soon after the sudden
disappearance of the inventor a telegram
was received by the proprietor of the no
tel, at which the Magner family boarded,
asking to be advised of the departure of
Mrs. Wagner, which occurred two days
subsequently. Mr.. Prall maintains per-
feet faith in the invention of Wagner, and
belieyes that, being of an eXcItablc dis
position, be became so rapt in his dis
cOyery that he fled TO Europe to escape
| imaginary evils, while others think it pro-
| bable that he may have entered into ar
rangements with other parties. A box of
ribbons, which MIR. Prali saw woven from
common fax-yarn, as glossy and brilliant
as any from the looms of Lyons, remain at
his Office to testify TO the success of the
Invention of Soiene, and the fortune that
gentleman might have made but for the
disappearance of the magician who can
convert flax and cotton into silk.-ToLedo
Blade.