The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-06-30
WHO is KELLER !
What a Cold Water Motive Man
t-st 14@
Did in New Orleans.
An Inventive Artful D0dger.


Scientific and mechanical circles have within
the past twoamonths been considerably exer-
cised over what is known as the "Keeler
motor" the invention of mechanic in Phil
adelphia. The man Keller claims that by q
system Of valves an hydraulic pressure Of
some fifteen hundred pounds to the square
inch can be obtained with the use of only
about two buckets of water.
The machinefs to occupy space about as
large as wash tub and run locomotive and
train.
When the inventor first informed the world
Of the wonderful properties Of his machine,
although he refused to show his model stock
company was formed and money raised to put
it into practical operation. As yet we have
not heard Of its success, nor is it probable we
ever will, and for this reason:
About two years ago short, red faced man
of rather pleasing address, came to this city
and put up in q boarding. house. After one
or two days he visited firm of patent law
yers and stated to them that he was the origi-
nal inventor of machine which would give
power enough to run locomotive with a
bucket of water, and without the employment
Of caloric. hs
He went On to give just enough Of de-
confound those With whom he conversed, but
refused to fully explain it. The patent soil
citors, Messrs Jenkins & Olmstead, laughed
at the idea, and said that it was contrary to
the elementary principles of natural philoso-
ply, ard the man asked to be introduced to
some one of mechanical turn who would
assist him in building a model He was in
troduced to Mr.. CASTOR T. Raoul, formerly of
the firm Of Raoul, Sons & Wadley, owners of
the Southern Car Works.
He told Mr.. Raoul of his intention, and
made SO plausible story of it that that gen.
tieman offered to assist him if he would d.
vulge enough of the secret to insure him that
there was something practical in it. He then
told him of reservoir on top of the machine to
hold bucket of wateJ, series of valves and
syphons, all enclosed, aud that the water be-
ing drawn down by grsvitation would set to
work q valve series, and in twenty minutes
fifteen hundred or two thousand pounds pres
sure per square inch would be the result. &.
Mr.. Raoul thinking that there was some
thing in the thing, rented retired room
where the man could work unseen, and fur
nished him with tools and material. By his
work be soon showed himself an apt mechanic,
and soon the outside shell Of the apparatus
was completed. .'Ss3 e4A@As
One week passed and he drew more money,
still working on and going out in the streets
but seldom. At the end OF the third week
he said he wanted some peculiarly shaped
pieces of India rubber for valves. They were
telegraphed. for to New York. Another
weeks delay followed before they could ar
rive In the meantime he had talked consid-
erably here to mechanics, and had created
considerable curiosity on the part of many.
He talked and tried to, convince United
States District Attorney Beckwith, who is a
theoretical and practical mechanic,
having for amusement taken up that study,
but Mr.. Beckwith refused to become con-
vert At last the valves arrived. He took
them to his room, but. "Alas!" he said,
'fhey would not fit. Another size would
have to be telegraphed for"
It was becoming evident that he was working
for time and drawing sums Of money every
week, on one plea or another These delays be-
came annoying to. Mr.. Raoul, and he urged
more energy. One day the inventor said he
wanted certain amount of money to COM
plete the job, and after it was given him he
suddenly was taken down with smallpox.
Mr.. Raoul saw that every attention was paid
him and it was not long before he recovered,
marked about the face.
After he was fully convelesent he went to
the jewelry store of Mr.. A. NJ. Hill at the
corner Of Commercial Alley and St Charles
street, and bought costly watch and chain,
stating that he would pay for it in few days,
and r9ferred to his benefactor. He then went
to otn0fphces and borrowed money on MIR.
Raours name, and the next morning the in
ventor, valves and all his chattels, excepting |
the outside shell of the machine were gone |
glimmeripg.
He took away by his frauds some three
hundred dollars, and the mechanics COM
menced to whisper, II told you So"
Nothing was heard Of the wonderful motor |
for long time, until one day q Western |
paper came out with the announcement that |
a novel motor had been invented, getting |
twenty horse power out of bucket of water; |
but it died out. and it was thought the cold |
water man had gone to the far West.
Now the same thing turns up in Phila- |
delphia- .nAa
Is Keller the individual who visited and |
took id New Orleans? IF he is, he should be |
about five feet fveand q half inches in height |!
dorid compisxions blue eyes, pock-marked |
TT