Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-29
AN 1--WE NTOR'S FATE
He Gave the Benefit Of His Talents to an
Ungrateful Government
An EmplOye of the Springfield Armory
Who Made Many Valuable Inven-
lions and Died Destitute.

nnds good illustration in the case of
Wilhelm Tegethofr, the inventor of the
shell extractor On the old Springfield rife
who died at his home in Springfield on the
18th instant. This man had been of great
service to this country, giving 1t tho benefit
OF his brain and muscle for many years,
wite.out hope OF reward, and finally lost
his eyesight in its service, with the result
that he was turned of to die without any
means OF earning a livelihood. In his
humble capacity as mechanic in the gov
eminent armory at Springfield during the
war he Invented several articles of great
value to the government, for which, how
ever, he never received the slightest COM
pensation. On the contrary, he was dis
charged as soon as he became of no further
use on account OF blindness, and was
thrown out upon the cold charity of his
neighbors. His is a pathetic case, even as
told in the cold formal narrative of the
government records.
The record in this case opens with let
ter from TegethOn to the Secretary or
War, making application for relief. 1t Is
dated Springfield, March IA. 1854, and tells
his story In the following words: Il have
been employed at the national armory as
an armorer and general mechanic since
July, 1852. Faithfully. and to the best Of
my ability, l have performed my duty as
all men who know me will testify, con-
stantly endeavoring to gain the confidence
and respect OF my employers. l have used
both brain and muscle to invent small
things which would be Of some benefit
When, after the late war. 1,OOO,OOO guns
Were cleaned and repaired here. i made
the so-called Cal wire BRUSH and as
soon as it was introduced it saved 50 daily
on the wages OF four men, so much easier
and better could they do the work. Many
Of the different kinds Of brushes now at
the armery are OF my invention; Tho first
shell extractor, which has been in use for
several years, but Is now superseded by
better one, was also my invention. Never
have 1 entertained the idea that the gov
eminent owed me more for what l had
done than my daily wages But now, I'M
conscious of any fault on my part, mis-
fortune has berallen me in the partial loss
of my eyesight, so that am no longer able
to perform my work or support my family.
May 1 now be permitted to ask the govern
ment to grant me some material help for
the services formerly rendered by me-"
Approved by His SuperiOrs.
In the ordinary routine of the department
this apple alton was referred to the officers
of the armory for report. The master
armorer Endorsed the application as follows:
although not employed as an inventor.
he (TegethofO has, in common with many
other workmen, made some improvements
IN the tools and the manner of using them,
in order to simplify and expedite his work;
such improvements in many cases have
caused a reduc ton in the tariff or price
paid for the same. Col Benton, the then
commanding officer, desired that a headless
shell extractor should be made which would
be practical. After repeated attempts had
been made by different individuals and
workmen, the one known as the model
1878, which was made by Mr.. TegethoH,
was accepted and adopted as the best one
at that time, and 1t was made until Oc-
t>l~N h0Av1 ho~ l-yl-fN rlrt In
faithful. ingenious and valuable workman
for the government.
Col. Burlington, commandant OF the arm
DRY. Endorsed the application In the follow
ing vigorous language:
There is no provision made for such
cases. Workmen, no matter how deserving,
and innocently unfortunate, even when dis
ability has been produced by the nature OF
the work performed for the United States.
or by accident while performing such work,
cannot be kept on the armory rolls. nor
can money In any way be d1sbursed Tor
their benefit. Men to whom the United
States Is in no wise indebted sometimes
obtain judgments in the courts. or have
claims allowed for hypothetical infringe
ment Of patents, and are paid. This fact
in connection with the preceding statement
of the master armorer would make the case
of a modest faithful workman, no longer
able to work. who never entertained the
idea that the government owed me more
for what have done than my daily wages,
and who has, without the hope of reward
given his talents, as we'll as work, appear
in light unfavorable to the justice Of the
government, If nothing can be done for his
relief
Col. Burlington also states that about
149 OSO of Tegethoffs extrac tors were made,
and, at a royalty Of cents each. would
amount to $1,000. which sum. the officer
thought, the workman should receive Tor
his invention and services.
Action Mt the Department..
zo.o tbar coroo bafore Cen Renet
at that time at the head Of the bureau Ct
ordnance On the oath Of March. 1884, he
brought 1t to the attention Of Mr. Robert
Lincoln. then holding the office OF Secre-
tary of War. Gen. Benet's Endorsement or
the papers was as follows:
Records of departing LIT snow ne was
paid at tie rate of So per day, and as the
only feasible way OF Immediately helping
SO faithful and deserving a man, MS EN-
ployment was suggested 10 the command
ing officer Of the arnlory at reduced wages,
but that officer, under date OF March 49,
1884 reported that this method Of relief
had not been forgotten by him, and that
Mr. Tegetrof was kept at work as long
as he could see to perform any labor, but
that now 1t is no longer possible to carry
him on the rolls In any capacity. The in
ventions of Mr.. Tegethoff have been OF
value and saving to the government, as
stated by the commanding officer OF the
armory, and l most earnestly recommend
favorable action Of the honorable Secre-
tary of War In bringing the case of this
deserving workman with an honorable rec
ord of twenty-five years faithful service
to the attention of Congress for such ac-
ton as it may seem fit to take in the
premises"
Relieved by Death.
Secretary Lincoln took a deep interest
in the case, and on the Sd Of April, 1854,
wrote a personal letter to the President
pro tenn. of the Senate, transmitting the
records in this case with his own indorse-
nent, as follows:
Case Of Wilhelm Tegethoff, skilled work.
man, employed at the national armory,
Springfield. Mass, since July 16, 1862, but
row no longer able to work on account Of
loss of his eyesight.
THE inventions of Mr.. Tegethoff are re-
ported by the commanding officers of the
armory as having been Of value to the gov
eminent. and his honorable record of
twenty-five years faithful services would
eeem to entitle his case to the favorable
of Congress"
Thus the case got before the only body
authoriz I'd to afford relief, but it was
In some committee room, and
so far as known was never taken out for
SariOua cOnsidera tiOn hct pli