Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-09
Experts Witness a Practical Test Of
Two Wonderful Inventions.
A MOST POWERFUL EXPLOSIVE
And q New PrOpelling Force Whose Equal
May Never be Found.
EVEN DOUBTING THOMAS CONVINCED

4
rapidity, but the unpropitious nature of the
elements had no effect upon the buoyant
spirits of the specials passengers. The des-
tination of the pilgrims was the thriving
settlement of Emmens, on the Pennsylvania
Railroad, a few miles beyond Painter
vile, and they wended thither to wit
ness an official examination of the
new explosive, ''emmensite," and fgel-
bite" the famous smokeless powder,
by an emissary of Uncle Sam. Lieutenant
Brainerd, of the United States navy, had
been dispatched to Emmens, as representa-
tive Of Lieutenant Commander Courts, to
test both "emmensite" and ''gelbite," /" and
make full reports upon them.
THE PARTY PRESENT.
Among those on board the train were:
Messrs. G. A. Shipley, of the Pennsylvania
Railroad; James Atwell, Sheriff McCand-
less, Maurice I. Cohen, of the Builders
Gazette; 7. J. McTighe, Frank Pollock,
81. T. Logue, T. J. Garland, ex-Sherif
John Gufey, of Westmoreland county; E.
s. Kennedy, and M. II. Lyman, of Lyman
& Harris, the EmmensIte Company's stock
holders. Mr.. Schlosser had charge of the
catering, and his provisions were highly
appreciated.
If Lieut.. Brainerd could make an accurate
report upon that deEiled bacon and crab, as
we'll as upon the deadly explosives invented
by Doctor EmJhens, his efforts ought to be
highly appreciated at Washington.
After a very agreeable trip the train
reached Emmens which aspires to and no
doubt will soon attain the dignity of a sta
ton. Here all disembarked and hsstened
toward the manufactory, which crowns
neighboring hill. 1t was quite sight to
behold the long line of stsid, elderlyigen-
tlemen, lengthy as to overcoat and substan-
tial as to wraps picking its way along the
snow. coveted banks of the creek to the tenn
porary bridge, erected for its convenience.
From the bridge it was but a step to the
laboratory, where DR.. Emmens, the inventor
of both 'gelbite", and "emmensite" sat
epthroned among his Yials. The doctor
made everybody welcome, and, after little
Introductory conversation, proceeded to en-
tighten his visitors as to the elements OF the
two great discoveries.
BEFORE THE INQUIsIToRs.
In the foreground, notebook in hand, stood
Uncle Sans delegate, Lieutenant Brainerd,
the doubling Thomas of the party, watching
pared to pounce Yindictively upon the
simplest mistake. Around were grouped
pilgrims in attitudes expressive of every
frame of mind from skepticism to awe.
The doctors keen gray eyes took in his
auditory at a glance. He recognized the
presence of men of intelligence, and
his subsequent statement seemed to
appeal directly to every person present.
FIJI Est came the "emmensite," named after Its
distinguished inventor. In the presence of
the Pittsburg pilgrims the doctor msnufact-
ursd certain grade of "emmensite."
The ingredients of the compound have al
ready been published through the medium
Of THE DISPATCH. When mixed and thor
onghly heated, it has q reddish brown tinge,
which fades into pale yellow as the sem-
mensite" begins to cool. No sooner was it
ready for experiment than the doctor pro-
ceeded to business. He explained that one of
the chief and most valuable properties of his
explosive was fits entire imperViousness to
fame "Emmensite" positively cannot
be exploded by means of fire. To
prove the truth of this statement
lighted match was applied to heap ofthe
explosive lying on the doctors table. The
emmensite merely burned for little, after
the manner OF sugar, and presently went
out. It also refused TO blow up under the
presence of the pestle, and hence that it re-
sisted the power of conclusion, the doctor
pounded the explosive for some time in a
mortar, and then delivered it to the skepti-
cal Lieutenant Brainerd, who proceeded to
do likewise. Not even a puff followed.
The Lieutenant was evidently disappointed.
ONLY ONE WAY TO DO IT.
DIR. Emmens then explained that the
only method of exploding his inven-
ton is by using illuminate of mercury.
Helped by this powerful agent, he loaded
a derringer with emmensite, and very clev-
erly hit and pierced target atthe other end |
of the room, to no, small CONSERVATION of |
many peaceable citizens present. But, the !
doctor explained, this stuff he had fred was |
merely weak kind of ''emmensite" He |
exhibited the more powerful emmensite, as |
prepared in pellets Of dark green color, |
and filled his derringer with charge of the
stronger kind. This time the bullet was |
driven through two thick pine boards and |
lodged in the wall of the laboratory.
Lieutenant Brainerd expressed himself |
completely satisfied. The safety of the ex-
plosive had been admirably demon
strated by It's resistance to the
attacks of fire and eoneussion.
Its strength, the pistol shots had
sufficiently demonstrated. More certain
tests were yet to come, but for the time being |
the doctor to his second discovery, "gel-
bite" the smokelesS powder.
A SUSPICIOUS RESEMBLANCE.
There is every reason to believe that this
gelbite is the smokeless powder that the
German Government is now boasting the
possession of. DR.. Emmens submitted his
powder to the German War Office, and since
that they have been Dragging of just such a
nronellin0 force the secret of which is in |
their possession. The doctor has patent
real Simon pure, be is bound to reap gold
en- harvest
Gelblte is prepared and placed in thin
layer upon yellowish paper. To the un-
initiated it exactly resembles sandpaper. It
can be ignited and will not explode. Only
a cap, filed with the illuminate, and con-
nected with platinum wire, which can be
heated with electricity, can explode gelbite. |
And, as Mr.. E. S. Kennedy happily mis-
quoted, when it explOdes, it explodes like
tucifer."
To form eelbite cartridge the paper is
rolled, somewhat after the manner Of
cigarette, around the ball. The rest of the
required apparatus can, OF course, be
kept affixed to rifle or revolver. DR..
510n%S EmmS1' tTn fired ap inch SSg5ai5 goar5, ball
means of very slight charge of gelbite.
The discharge was almost absolutely smoke
less. There was Just film of hardly per-
,eptible mist around the revolver muzzle,
hat was all. As to the power of gelbite,
he doctor explained that / 11S grains of gel
bite is equal to nine grains OF ordinary gun
powder.
MOST CONVINCING OF ALL. !
Il