The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-12-20
The Work OF a Wonderful Girl.

1t has often been said that there is
no mechanical genius in woman; but
there is a representative woman near
here who is endowed with remarkable
mechanical genius. Her name is Miss
Martha Knight. She has invented
machine for manufacturing paper bags.
The continuance is very simple, consist
ing of but little machinery, and is al
ready pronounced an inevitable acquisi-
ton 10 the paper bag making trade,
which centers near Northampton, Hol
yoke, and Chicopee.
A frotune is predicted for the inven.
tress in comparatively short time.
The authorities at the Patent Office,
Washington, say this is the first COM
plete invention gotten out by wo-
man.
Miss Knight is now experimenting
the making OF the machines, which are
being manufactured at the Ames Com.
panys works, Chicopee. Some amusing
and interesting accounts are given OF
her visit to the works. The plans for
machines had been sent on previously,
and preparations had been made to be.
gin the machinery.
itested by the workmen regarding her.
All they were aware of was that the
plans had been sent, and that they were
drawn by woman. There was not a
particle of fault to be found with them:
they were correct to dot. But they
were not convinced. "Probably she had
a man to tell her everything!n the
workmen averred, and so they be.
lieved.
On the day of her first appearance in
the shops all tools were dropped, and
the whole force of men stood facing her.
Not in the least inundated, she met
scrutiny with frank, honest smile,
that at least won their friendly regard.
When she went on to explain her
plans, and when, wishing to illustrate
more particularly her meaning, she &C.
tually stepped to one of the men g
places and did herself what she wanted
done, instead of asking to have it done
for her, they were not only surprised
but convince1 at once of her entire ca
pability of managing her own affairs,
and all the employees were ready to do
whatever she said they were to do.
Since that time she has made them
diurnal visits, goes down and labors with
them herself, detects mistakes and flaws
with keener eye than most men, and
she has gained the admiration, respect
and friendship of every man in the
large establishment. They all have 8
word OF welcome for her, and her visits
to them are the pleasantest parts of the
day.
In personal appearance Miss Knight
is decidedly progressing. She is tall
well-developed woman, with frank
pleasant face, very expressive, honest
and fearless, with blue eyes, and light
brown hair, which she wears plain, with
coil at the back of her head. Hel
manner is singularly simple, being en-
tirely free from atfectation. She has
way of going straight to the point a
once when she desires to say anything
and her mode of expression is decided
and correct.
When friend, in a conversation
ventured to wonder some at the pecu
liarity of her present vocation, anC
could not explain how woman shoulc
ever do anythingin machinery, she sensi
bly, replied:
at is only following out nature.
never cared for things that girls usual,
, admire; dolls never possessed an
, charms for me. | could not see tn,
sense of coddling bits of porcelain with
senseless faces. The only things wanted
were a jack. knife, gimlet, and pieces
: of wood. My friends were Mortified
| was styled a Tom-boy, but that mad,
J but little difference to me, and effected
: no impression, whatever. | sighed
/ sometimes because | was not like othe
girls, but wisely concluded that | coulC
not help it, AMI sought further consola
: ton from my tools. | was Away
making things for my brothers; die
! they want Anything in the line of play
things they always said: Matte will
, malse them for u.s. | was famous fo
my kites, and my sleds were the env,
and admiration of all the boys in town
I'm not surprised at what I've done
I'm only sorry | could not have had a
good chance as a boy, and been put t
my trade regularly
J Yet she knows as much about ms
. chinery as though she had made it
study all her life. 1t is q genuine eff
Miss knight is native of Boston, bu
was employed In one of the large pape
bag manufactures near Northampto
for some time and it was while so Ell
, z ged that she first conceived the cres
| ton of machine that would save labo
in paper bag manufacturing. Sewers
: attempts have been made before to il
2 vent something of this kind, but a
have proved unsuccessful.
Election Rets-A Snoring Mans Onir