Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-12-12
For the Frecmnn.

Noltullelu, DCc., 1917.
For the Freeman.
A few weeks since the PdtchnlGu con-
tanned brief notice, in the Waterbury
local, of Mr.. Jerome Atkins, u native of
that town and the inventor of the automa-
ton harvester rake, which some twenty
five years ago was extensively and favor
ably noticed by the press of the country.
1t was indeed wonder of curiosity, not
only TO turner's, especially of the west,
where such vast fields of gain are to be
harvested every year, but to ingenious in
ventors and commissioners of the patent
office, and associations for the promotion
OF the arts aud sciences. Abundant proofs
of these statements could be furnished
had you space and the inclination to pub
lish them. But not less curious than this
invention has been the history of its au-
thor, and his efforts TO realize some rea-
sonabe compensation for the great benefits
his invention has conferred on the agricul-
tural interests of the country.
Mr.. Atkins was born Us above stated, in
Waterbury, in 1915, and consequently is
now past three-score years. From child
hood he evnce strong inclination for
mechanical constructions, and at an early
age was apprenticed to the late Henry
Carter, then mill-wlight of Morristown,
but more recently citizen of Waterbury,
where he died some six years ago.
Young Atkins spent some three or four
years with Mr.. Carter, and at the age of
nineteen years went west where he work.
ed at his trade in Chicago and vicinity,
till by being thrown from his carriage he
received very serious injury, in conse-
quence of which he was prostrated on his
bed most of the time for tUentyfour years,
but except for while his mental powers
were unimpaired and some ten years af-
ter receiving the injury this famous inven.
tion was perfected and patented.
AS Il recognized mechanical and inven-
tive genius, it was suggested to him by
neighbors that could he invent rake to do
the work of an active man, then required
to rake the grain as it fell on the platform
of the Mccormick reaper it would be
worth fortune, as it was indeed worth
millions to the farmers of the great west
ern, southern and middle states. This Mr..
Atkins accomplished, as far as most sat
isfactory invention could do it, but many
misfortunes and difficulties have interpos-
ed in the way of his realizing an adequate
compensation. The mismanagement and
failure of the men who undertook, in con-
sderation of one half the patent right, To-
manufacture and introduce the rake TO the
use of the farmers, made it necessary for
Mr.. Atkins to accept disputed real estate
securities, which became subject to many
harassing lawsuits, which, together with
physical disabilities, seemed anything but
II desirable fortune. Had his health been
good he might have realized satisfactory
income from his invention during the life
of the patent, but failing in that he was
under the necessity Of years of effort and
expense to secure the renewal of the
patent, and then other rakers, more Or
less infringing on the principles of his, by
wealthy manufacturers, against whom he
had not the means to maintain suits, had,
toa great extent, supplied the demand for
rakcrs.
In view of all these disappointmcnts Mr..
Atkins has memoralized Congress to pay
him Il specific sum in money in consdera-
ton of which he will give up to the coun-
try his patent right, which, though it has
been worth much to the country has by
misfortunes been made of little value to
him.
Mr.. Atkins has made several other i'm
porlant inventions, which, if he can OBJ
tain the pecnniary means, he hopes to
make useful to the country-based upon
philosophic principles and relating to the
greater availability of water power, The
greater ease and safety in handling heavy
cannon in action, the better control of
steam power in heavy seas, and the greater
facility in steering large vessels.
For the last ten years Mr.. Atkins has
been resident of the city of Washington,
where his talents are not confined to me-
chanical inventions, but he seems to have
the reputation of n successful persuader of
men, even men in authority and high off
cial stations, and the writer confosses to
having been much interested hy Mr.. At
kins' narratives on several occasions during
his recent visit to his native town, where
u few of his relatives and old acquain-
tanceS reside.