Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-12
A New Mineral.

From the Boston Advertiser.
A new discovery, from which immense re-
suits are expected, is announced as having been
made in Texas. This is nothing less than an
entirely new mineral which is said to possess
properties that, if not overstated, must make il
immensely valuable in several mechanical and
electrical lines. 1t seems that a deposit of a
curious substance resembling asphalt attracted
the attention Of a scientific man with sporting
proclivities, who was fishing in the lone star
state, which, upon investigation, showed was
lmperv1ous to water and unaffected by heat.
acid or alkalies. The story as told by a local
paper relates how experiments carried on with
samples Of it. sent to New York, demonstrated
the existence Of an entirely new mineral, which
may exercise a tremendous influence upon
many Of the greatest industries in operation in
1t is claimed for this new substance that SIT
Is the most perfect insulator yet discovered:
that it may be used as o paint that will resist
the action OF heat. salt air, salt or fresh water
gases or other influences that destroy the paints
now in use; that it will make perfect varnish
which the ammonia gases of the stable will not
tarnish and that will remain undisturbed under
all atmospheric conditions; that it may be
rolled into Q tissue that is entirely free from
odor and practically indestructible when en-
ployed in the making of mackintoshes, canvas
betting, waterproof tents, &C.; that it possesses
pCSuhnk pOWCfo VI PcuctfatlOu Wueu 0DDleQ
at high temperatures enabling it to enter and
fill the pores Of iron and steel, making these
metals absolutely impervious TO acids, &C., and
making common leather entirely waterproof.
and that 1t may be applied to wood pulp in such
Q way rs to transform that material into what
looks and acts like ebony or horn"
The testimony as to the possession BY the
mineral in question of all the qualities named
is said to be vouched for by persons whose evil
dence il unimpeachable, among whom are sew.
eral experts in chemistry and mechanics.
Numerous practical tests are noted, among the
rest the painting Of the smokestack Of steam
ship with the material and the subsection of a
piece of sheet iron covered with it to an actual
heat Of 4l5o fahrenheit In the former instance
the action Of the salt water and heat had No
detrimental effect upon the painted pipe, while
In the latter experiment the high degree Of heat
noted failed to raise . blister on the iron
treated But il ID in electricity that its benefit
may perhaps be most readily appreciated.
According to one authority, Prof Hamilton
the electrician OF the Western Electric Com,
pany, certifies that under tests executed In n.
most exhaustive manner, 80 wire prepared vith
Q covering Of the material showed 4 reaistsnce
Of over 1000 megohms per mile" This 4 s.id
to be seven fold the resistance offered bv .nv
other wire. There is also said TO be pract;caiiy
no limit in the state to the supply Of this
strange material, which IL found in veins rsne-
ing IN depth from two TO forty feet The world
OF science and mechanical industry VIII await
with interest further investigation, which l.
needed to prove the utility of the new discovery
beyond pefadventure.