Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-07-18


Government did not pay much atten-
tion to the matter. Though very poor,
Dove was not to be discouraged, but
kept on alternately making his i'm.
provements on the inventiO and work
ing at his trade as Il tailor. In the
earlier part of March this year he had
his bullet proof coat tested ON semi
private shooting range near Berlin.
A large number of people were present,
chiefly newspaper men, military Off.
GERS and representatives from the va.
rious German gun clubs. In order to
thoroughly demonstrate the resisting
power of the coat, the same rifles were
used against three inch planks and
steel plates. The targets were placed
at a distance of 575 feet Several of
the best makes of rifles were used,
amongst them the Mauser, Martini
and Winchester, though the small
caliber infantry rifle known as model
SS" was used the most. The targets
made of steel and wire plates two fifths
of an inch in thickness, backed by
inches of wood, wers perforated with
ease. After this had been proved a
wooden dummy covered with the bull
let proof coat was put up, and after
receiving not less than fifty shots was
found 10 be without mark, all the
bullets having buried themselves in
the composition of the coat without
penetrating it once. All present were
highly pleased with the result, and
Herr Dove was warmly congratulated
on his success.
But it was two weeks ago that the in
ventor achieved his greatest success.
He had interested Count Schouvaloff,
of the Russian Embassy, in his inven-
tion and this gentleman said he would
like to make test, provided the tailor
would wear the coat while being shot
at. To this Dove unhesitatingly con-
sented, and the test was made before
brilliant gathering of military men.
The experiments were of the most
searching and severe order, and after
revOlvers had been used on the invul.
nerable tailor, rifles were brought into
action. AS u preliminary experiment a
few shots were fired at a block of solid
oak, which was pierced by the bullets,
and the best made steel cuirasses were
shot through as if they had been made
of paper. After this had been done
Dove again donned his bullet proof
coat and invited the Count and his
friends to. blaze away. 1t was indeed
very exciting while the rifles lone of
the most approved patterns usCd in
the German army was being aimed at
the tailor. The spectators were strung
in an extreme state of nervousness and
instinctively closed their eyes in an.
ticipation of seeing Dove killed But
after the report of the rifle rang out
and the tailor was seen standing, ap.
parently unhurt, there was a feeling
of relief among all present. Dove
keenly enjoyed their anxiety and fairly
beamed with satisfaction as he should
Fire again, you can not hurt me-" A
bullet was then fired from Winches-
ter rife directly over his heart, but
did no more harm than if it had been
spitball. The festive tailor was alb
solutely unhurt and all the bullets
found imbeded in the bullet proof
coat.
A second series of experiments was
then commenced, which proved fully
as interesting as the first. 1t is pro-
posed that the cavalry of the future
shall be protected by the wonderful
material invented by the tailor of
Monnheim, so horse was equipped
with bullet proof coat. A number of
shots wore fired at the animal, but they
did not seem to annoy equine half SO
much as an equal number of self re-
specting horse flies would. The beast
kept munching his oats in blissful
serenity'while the rifle balls plunked
themselves harmlessly in the wonder
full coat.
Herr Dove is overjoyed with the re-
suits of these many experiments and
received the congratulations of Count
Schouvaloff, the army officers and
Others who had witnessed these con-
elusive proofs of the merit of his in
vention. To question from naval
officer present if this armor could be
successfully applied to war vessels,
Dove replied that any vessel provided
with a sheeting of bullet proof mater
ial would become impenetrable to the
heaviest guns of the modern ironclads.
This may sound little bombastic, but
seeing that he has carried out his
theory in regard to bullet proof coat
for soldiers he might evolve something