Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1874-09-24

AN OLD MAN CONSTRUCTS WONDERFUL MA
CHINE AND BECOMES THE VICTIM OF HIs OWN IN
GENUTTy
We referred, few weeks ago, 10 All invention
called perpetual notion" constructed by IN old
negro who lives three miles West Of TITS pfHso.
It is a wagon, 30 arranged that after being ret
in notion it ruis itself by virtue of the fact that
the weight of grayitaton il thrown forward of
the centre Of motion, and consequently, the
machine is compelled to rln.
II has been tile intention of the inventor to
have his wagon at the fair on the 9th of Sep
tember, no that its value may be tested publicly
in tho presence OF the thousands of people who
will be present; and We learn from one of our
best mechanics that last Wednesday-tlic same
day Of the circus-the old negro mounted tho
machine, adjusted the bands, tipped the balance
weight over tho center Of motion, gave the driv-
ing wheel shove, and started for Franklin to
report to John .. Montague, secretary or the
association, and have his machine regularly OH
tered on the books.
About one mile this side OF the old negro's
home there is noted point called ..Red Pond
Immediately at the forks of the Cross Plains and
Springfield roads /; and here, unfortunately, an
accident occurred which we fear viii cause a
disappointment to many inventors who were
coming to our fair for the purpose Of examining
this wonderful invention. The machine was
humming along the smooth, sandy road ut about
fifteen miles All hour, and tho happy inventor
WAS oh uech,lceiii ah prp.lti III niton on DOAru
his first steamboat, when in making the turn
just near the margin Of the red pond, the star
board front wheel colllded with heavy set post
oak saplins, aud tho rebound was 80 powerful
that the old negro was thrown forward over the
washboard, and was at the same time strnck by
the ilange Of the driving wheel, which precipi-
tated his speed no much that when hia head
struck the fence panel oil the opposite side of
the road he WAS 80 badly smashed that his death
must have taken place immediately.
Coroner Hartfeld's inquest was uncertain Is
to whether he Ind been killed by a sudden
stroke Of tho drlving-wheel or by 4 too hasty
collision with panel OF the fence. The ma
chine, after this accident, struck out with free
dom, and, passing the residence Of Capt. Lea,
soon made its way across in tho direction OF
Bosseal,'s meadow, but WAS arrested in its pro-
gress by large log, which tilted the balance
weight back OF the centre of motion, and the
wild wagon was standing gently ct rest when
overtaken by the coroner and his party, who
were following along to take care Of tho killed
and wounded.
Since the tragic death of tho inventor, no man
has dared to mount the fiery steed, but our in
formant assures us that ii will he on exhibition
at the fair grounds, and We invite the inventors
and machinists to its peculiar mechanism.
We will not vouc', for any mans life who mounts
it and sets it IN motion in a tmbered locality,
but it can be managed safely on tho half mile
track on tho fair grounds, and will be put to it's
best speed, II any man can be found who is com
petent to guide it.-Frdnklin (Ky.) Patriot