The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-08-02
RICHARD oATLrNo.
lRochesser HersId.l

The Calling gun is, of all modern en- zines of war, most terrible. l asked its inventor, Richard Gatling, not lons since, how he came to bend his mind in such a direction. Well" he replied, shifting his gold glasses, "l was in Indianapolis during the war, and most every day walked through the Union depot Sad scenes were on every hand then-families all torn up-fathers, brothers and hus- bands going to the front, and after bit, many of their bodies coming back, when the walls of woe were blended with the cheers of recruits and the few happy greetings of return. The terrible scenes
 1 saw, the agonizing trials of partin9s and meetings, and the depth of despair-ah,
 shall never forget. It seemed SO terrible to me, this var, strife and
 slaughter, that became almost fasci- mated by its horror, and finally conceived the idea of inventing gun SO powerful
 and effective as an engine of war that
 soldiers might, in the main, be dis
 pensed with.'
 This proposition, inconsistent though
 it be, led the way, and the inventor talked
 on as we smoked together in the twi- light.
 And did have time over that gun.
 Previous to that had invented a grain drill, for which had sold manufacturing rights all over the west, realizing in the neighborhood of S8o, 900 therefrom. was pretty well fixed, but when l com menced on the gun business my shekels began to go. After perfecting the model of the original gun had a long search in quest of an establishment adequate to the,r manufacture. Finally when six guns were completed in the Cincinnati shops the works were fired, doubtless by southern sympathizers, and the whole was dead loss. The Cincinnati type foundry was my next resource, and as the war had thrown a damper upon type founding and the works were idle, the proprietors made a contract for another half-dozen guns. When completed a Chicago man on his way to Washington undertook their sale. Secretary Stanton wouldn't even look at them, however. General Butler was the only military man who could be brought to see the merit ot the invention, and on his ovn authority he purchased them at SI,ooo each. Unluckily for me my selling agent failed before accounting b me, and the sale brought me nothing. General Butler used the guns vszy effectively In one engagement, when the ammunition being exhausted, the secretary ofwar per. emptorily refused to furnish supplies, and the weapons lay idle.
 made moro guns, however, my friends' advice to the contrary. Nov the United States government owns over one hundred of them, and they are used by every civilized government.J
 Calling has, like most inventors, had a checkered career, yet one marked through out by less failure than any of his class. The screw as a motive power was his first invention. At that time be was but a boy, with his father in Virginia. A neigh Dor invited the father 0 inspect a model of boat so constructed @ Co ooerate paddles underneath tho water and obviate the difficulties of . motive power in which sidewheels wexe liable to be shot away during engagement YounR Cat ling was an interested specsator of the trial, and noticing the utter clumsiness of action and waste of power in the me chanism, set his brain to work to devise something better. In . short time he evolved perfect working model with the screw propeller as motive power. His father was called upon to pass judgment upon the invention. |" It's worth patent- ing, Richard" the senior counsel con- cluded, on inspection: "in the fall I'll have business for you at Baltimore, and you can go on to Washington and make application yourself" A few months later this programme was carried out, but much te the boys chagrin, it was found that Ericsson had presented similar model two days in advance of the formers claim, and not fully understand ing the value of the invention, or, in fact. the means of subssantiating prior claim. the inventor did not contest the matter. as there could be no doubt that it was original with both.
 During the early years of his progress as an inventor Calling made a visit to Niagara Falls. The magnificent power of the cataract suggested . train of thought which bore fruit in the formation of company in Httsburg wish the object of supplying compressed air as a motive power from some central point. Failing to secure patent oa the idea it was aban- doned, though the decisions of the case have since ben made the basis for the | patent-ofiice rulings of the United States. |
 Captain Calling is nov about seventy years of age, quite gray, bat active and | erect ss ofyore. His is familiar figure at | Washington hotels, and in fact at the | capitals of the world, through his nom- | laal resiaaAce is at Hartford. Conn. Ofl lofe he has nerfecfed snver>l valr. kl> ;,,. provements on the engine of var which 1 arc applied to the more recent purchases of this government.
 Deaiss throughout the state should | remenbG thak Nick KupSersA at his wholesale house, IF Main street, Little | Rock, cazries the largest and best assort- ed sock q general saloon supplies in A1kansav. This house makes speciality q tAe fssr grades of vines, liquors and dsan, a.d tAe dealer will find upon in- k7a 0etnrn vfoh IT. Knnfpxae