Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-08-29
From the Mountain Banner.
Eire Annfililafor.

understand the various accounts given OF this won
derfu invention it is not pretended that they explain
its peculiar construction and mode of operation, an(
they merely give an account of its effects. claim
the invention far back as 1887. In November o
this year | paid my fee and filed my specification
in the Patent Office at Washington, In the word
and figures following, to-wit
Your applicant claims that he has made and use
full invention for eXtnguishing fire and flame with Car
bo'ic Gas in manner new and useful the Gas to b
generated by chemical process condensed through
per medium in machine and with appropriate append
ages and appliances be directed to spot project
ed any elevation, make it practical and eff
cen agent for extnguishing fire cheapy safely, quick
ly, and far superior other hitherto
II fire a ship burning in the middle of the de
y clare my belief that this discovery is destined to
ssWM. A. GRAHAM'
The answer | received from the Patent Office was
which would justify this office in issuing patent Nor it
indeed believed to be capable of being carried into ec
(Signed) H. L. ELLSWORTH.
Applicants answer:
81 think all the objections to my specifications and &c
granting patent fully by the by Sc
ries of experiments carefully made by myself fully
the mode propose cheaper quicker and with certainty
than other hitherto used known, and ready
convince the Commissioner of patents and the public of
efficiency by an exhibition of its efects.''
went to work, fixed my machine, procured an
old frame house 80 by 20 feet, and 50 feet high
rolled two extinguishers wheelbarrow to the
theatre of action. and put three cart loads of
shavlngs | commanded one engine, boy the other.
When the whole was completely ignited and the
house enveloped in flames, the curiously constructed
noZzles of the hose for the exit of the Gas by the
turning of cock were made to play on the confa-
grafton 1t quenched the fire and put out the flames
In 3 minutes This experiment made in the
Commons, Southwest of the Capitol, in the night
time.
| then prepared for new exhibition but conclud-
ed would consult some of my acquaintance and
state the obstacle had met with at the Patent Of
fee / stated my to E. Stanly and R. Strange
The Senator took lively interest in my case, and
introduced me to an indiUidudl who he remarked
had great influence with the Patent Office. He ex-
pressed great willingness to forward my views AT
ter sundry interviews the individual said he mad
proposition to make: public could not give
their time to private claims without remuneration
at word can secure you patent if you will make
an ASST gnment and enter into written contract
told him to reduce to writing what he wanted, and
would think of | returned the next evening :;
the writing all done. He insisted very earnest
ly on having my signature then. I declined, put
the paper in my pocket and walked off, saying
would think of it. 1t claimed that he was a coin
ventor and that in consideration of council assis-
lance and advice to me given in the premises, he
was to have half the dues, or hencefOrth to
be earned by the patent & have it now in his hand
wntlng) | consulted Hon. James Graham upon
the propriety of signing the agreement He said
emphatically, =" Have nothing to do, make no bar
gain. with a man you know to be dishonest"
then consulted MIR. Calhoun, read nv specifca-
tons and explained the whole matter to him With
his quick apprehension and clear perception he I'M
derstood the invention and the cause of nv embar-
rassment. He said, Never sign that paper; get
your friends will go at your head to the Patent
department, explain your case, and for you demand
your rights. If refused, will call the attention of
the Senate to the matter"
Thus stood matters, when. on the night of Goth
December, 1888, at 9 o'clock, was arrested on a
Iol4
pay, and brought to Raleigh, where a heavy amount
was concentrated against me. I transmitted nv
papers to j. e. Calhoun and left the matter to his
discretion. who in his place in the Senate and
moved that this subject should be referred to Sc
lect committee, Messrs. White, Dews, Talmadge
Crittenden and Young Mr. Webster declined on
account OF the multiplicity of his engagements
subpoena was served upon me by the u S. Marshal |
Beverly Daniel, to appear before the committee of
the Senate. But was in durance vile. | could
not attend. The malgn and mercenary interest,
coming even from the Senate chamber, foiIed me-
= Nameless in dark oblivion let him rest'
Before left Raleigh appeared under the protec-
ton OF the writ of Habeas Corpus before Judge Pear
son. made an assignment for the benefit of creditors
and IN that document gave particular account of
the invention or discovery had made. The Judge
ordered the Clerk of the Superior Court for Wake
to record It, In the mean time the Committee of
the Senate reported, but made no ausion to me- ex-
cept that they had sealed up my charges and spec-
cd,lohs ana nled them with the public archives
leave the matter beyond suspicion, cavil or doubt
and wishing my name might go down to other times
as the first to suggest and perfect this wonderful in
Ventlon, believing, Napoleon said, that an origin
IL and important idea in these days of printing and
talking. once thrown out in the ocean of time will
boat forever, never can be lost.
| was introduced by Mr.. Calhoun to Mr.. Feather
stonaugh, who presented me to Mr. Cox Minister
rom England. Upon consulting his library he in a
very polite and obliging manner directed me how to
proceed IN order to receive my rights in England
ntlmating that would encounter no such embar-
'assment there as | did here
[ accordingly wrote, through Mr.. Hunt. Texan
minister, to Gen. Henderson, minister at the Court
II st. James. give his reply
LONDON, March TO- 1888
Your and DR.. Grahams letter reached me not un-
IL last week. | Immediately upon the receipt of
Dr.. Graham's letter referred to the Patent Office
made known my desire. and exhibited to the clerk
he description of the invention as given in the ca
'eat as forwarded to me by DR.. G. After examin-
ng the same he informed me that he was then pre-
pared to make the entry. and was kind enough to
ay that he would, Gin the event that any other per-
ons applied tor patent for an invention of the same
lind, give any one thought proper to name seven
lays notice according to law to appear before the
\ ttorney General and describe the machinery and
Whole invention to enable the Attorney Gener-
u to decide whether it in terered with the discovery
# DR.. Graham.
PINCKNEY HENDERSON.
To MEMUcAN Hunt
Now the time has arrived when delay would be Z
atal; for it has been udcially decided in England
that if an inventor supiney and calmly stands by
nd sees his invention 60 into common use without
sSertlng his claim he foreits all right to PATENT
ask for my own credit, for the credit of our {