New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-07
THE TAILOR OF MANNHEIM.
STORY OF THE BULLET-pROOF CLOTH.

STORY OF THE ,BULLET-PROOF CLOTH
The most popular tailor in Germany to-day Is
neither Worth nor Felix he Is Heinrich DOVE. Until
n month ago no one had ever heard Of him outside
OF the poor quarter OF Mannheim, Baden. where he
always find in the NaundOrf annals interesting reading
followed his hOmely trade. making blue bionses Tor
w0rlingmen and mendng the trousers OF men OF his
kind. his Is familiar to every soldier and
War Minister of Europe. He has been received In
audience by Chancellor Caprvi; he has been coured
by representatives of Austria Italy and France, and
his daily mail requires the services OF secretary.
Scores OF editorials have borne his name as head
line and patriotic Germans have eulOgized him IN
verse. His name has been coupled with that OF
MoItke and his achievements have given rise to new
dreams OF German conquest.
About six months ago Dove began to experiment
with a peculiar kind OF CLOTH which he hoped to
make popular with wOrkingmen because Of It's durable
properties BY accident ne put 1t through process
which he has kept sccret-and to his astonishment
found its powers OF resistance almost incredibly great
DISCHARGED revolver bullet hattened against It's sur
face. Naturay-for Dove served his three years IN
the army-vislons OF uletproof uniform and hordes
Of soldiers standing up against flying lead missiles
arose before him. lie continued his experiments Win
greater zeal. In the dusk OF evening, after hard
davis labor he stole out TO the shooting grounds OIL
the Mannheim regiments placed his cloth on the
limbs OF and began to fire at IT with his army
gun. His fellOw-laborers In the little shop thought
him crazy and kept him at respectful distance
The small boys OF the town gathered about to 1eer al
and mock him, but DOVE worked on. His experl
ments were interrupted for weeks at time for lack
money to purchase ammunition and chemicals. VI
the interval he woal1 ply his needle with especial
diligence would save q few marks and then proceed
with his higher abors. At last half confident OF MS
success he unolded his plans to physician OF Mann
helm Who after considerable hesitation, lent MN
300 marks with which 10 continue his experiments
He could give no security for the money ana coWo
only promise the doctor percentage OF future gains
4 little more than a month ago he called upon the
commander OF the Mannheim garrison ana asked MN
TO "try his bullet-proof cloth" The officer Laughed
INTERNATIONALLY but consented to accommodate MIN
To the amazement OF tho officer and his aids, the eX
nrrmens were successful and the bullets OF the oIdi
nary rifles made impression on the dark Diut
cloth The Lebcl gun. the terrible DESTROYER,
men" il IS true. not used IN the shOoung; pu
Dove is confident that his cloth eventually VIII %
able TO Gatten the bullets from the " Lebcl barrel
The Mannheim commander Sent the news Oh th'
invention TO the War Office I'm Berlin. and DAY iato
Dove was n famous man. He Is ABOUT tnirty-i0u
| years old and q widOwer with two children; III
Education was and II Is probable that ne ull
drrstands no physical law. He Is Intelligent, now
| ever for man OF his class and with the weaiif
| which seems to be within his grasp he VIII ne AMI
| to lit himself for the comparatively lmpor'ah, P"c
| which he NAV be called upon to occupy.