River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-26
A GIGANTIC FRAUD.

One of the most gigantic frauds ever
conceived by the scheming propensity
of a willy and unprincipled villain has
recently come to light. 1t is the at
tempt of one Cochrane to blackmail
the manufacturers of what is known
as the patent -four by certain proc
ess understood by millers. Machines
known as middlings purifiers are en-
plOyed in the making of this flour av-
ing been in general use in Europe for
some time. and all patents upon which
having expired years ago, machinery
made after imported models has been
placed in all the largest and best -four
ing mills throughout the United States.
This man Cochrane, or some one for
him, conceived the idea of claiming
the invention, notwithstanding the
fact that it was an old one patented by
other parties and upon which the pat
ents had expired, as his own and OBJ
tanning a patent upon it, which was
accordingly done. This accomplished
the next thing in order was to put in
to practical operation his nefarious
scheme. Suit was brought against q
miller under the laws affecting patents
in this country for using the machine
which COchrane claimed was covered
by his patent, and the Supreme Court
rendered its decision in favor of the
plaintiff, without the knowledge OF
millers generally that such suit was
pending, and it is asserted that the
suit was not properly defended which
fact implies collision somewhere
Armed with this decision CochranC
and his associates enjoined certain
mills from using their OWL
machinery, among others the celebra
ted Washburn mill at Minneapolis, ak
acting of them heavy bonds guarantee
ing the payment of the royalty de
manded in case the suit Is sustained
In the instance of the mill above nam
ed the bond was $3.50, 600, which wa.
promptly furnished. The proprietor:
of the ''Cochrane patent" propose t.
grant licenses to such mills rs recog
nize the validity of what they claim
as his invention at the modest(O rate
of 50. 900 for each run of stone. which
in Minneapolis alone would make the
snug sum of SI,200.000, and it ha:
been estimated that at this rate the
mills in the United States would pay ;
royalty to this impostor or his assigns
of $50, 900, 900 for the use of an inyen
ton which wis in use and the patents
upon which in Europe had expired
years ago. This is a direct blow a
the people as well as one of the mos
important industries of the country,
aud one which if successful will very
materially affect the item of bread
the ..staff of life.' Every miller wh'
is compelled to pay $4,000 ON each run
of stone owned by him for the priv
lege of making a superior grade o
-four must necessarily exact an in
creased price for his production. whiel
of course comes out of the pocket o
the consumer, to aid in making up t
a sharper and his confederates tn
sum of $50. COO. 600, in case they ar
successful in their efforts to proven
the mills enjoined from using tie ma
chinerv therein. The newspapers
boards Of trade and people generall'
in Minnesota are fully aroused in re
gard to this matter and ale calling III
on their representatives III Congress
to procure an Investigation As to tn
issue Of the Coclrane and ether pai
ents with view. to the adoption Q
some reformatory measures in the Pal
ent B,,rean. It is thought by SOM
that the cases against the Washbur
and other mills viii never come 70