The evening times., 1896-06-20
HOLDING EXPRESS CARS
New Device for Beating off All
Train Robbers.
MOBILES AND HOT WATER
Scalding Reception Can Be Given to
All Bighwaymen In the Future.
A Woman's Idea for BioOmers-A
Fishing Rod Which VIII Catch
Fish-Other Novelties.

There are several inventions distinctive
for their novelty and oddity among the 475
that were patented yesterday Probably the
most curious is the .'anti-train robbery
apparatus" patent for which was issued
by Commissioner Seymour to James +.
Matthews and Henry L. Sberburne, both
of Topeka, KaDs. The numerous holdups
in the West no doubt suggested this unique
invention TO the patentees, who propose
To defend railroad trains by artificial
means when mask kedhi ighwa ymen attemptto
loot them.
A drawing and the specifications of
this Interesting anti-robbery scheme were
seen at the Patent Office today by an
Evening Times representative. The in
vention consists of a number of metal
pozZles for throwing jets of scalding water
and steel guards. From the boiler Of the
locomotive the inventors intend to run
pipes, passing them around the engine,
ending in noZzles at the end OF the cab.
MOBILES FOR PROTECTION.
These noZzles are so arranged that when
hig h wa yInen try 10 hold up an engineer all
he will have TO do is TO turn on the hot
water. Then, in the twinkling of an eye,
streams OF the boiling liquid will be thrown
out'in every direction from the cab, while
a steel shield-guard, be fore invisible, rises
quickly and shuts off all entrance of robbers
or bullets To the cab or tender.
Thus protected, the engineer may throw
his throttle wide open and soon leave the
scalded and chagrined robbers far behind.
A lady inventor OF New York was grant
Il a raDt N,s rI.v fpr an anp pat,,..p Mt
for female attire whereby she may wear
blooners and yet appear modest to the most
prudsh critic Mrs Elizabeth L. Mozart
ney is the name of this lady patentee, and
she proposes 10 accomplish the purpose
aimed at without the skirt or canopy.
HER CLAIM.
In the claims of her application for pa tent
right il is stated that this new form of BIZ
cycle pantalettes is "a garment having
the appearance of a combined skirt and
trousers, closed a the back and divided in
the front, and comprises back breadth,
combined side sections, and tronSer legs.
A tongue OF clo.h projects from each side
section and extends upward part of the
hcighth OF the side sections.''
A flap is buttnnel neatly to either leg
outwardly the garment appears to be a
riding habit, it is in reality the genuine
article Of bloomers in disguise.
Oscar Plauh of Chicago has invented a
fishing rod that Will meet the approval of
the latter-day disciples of Uncle Izaak Wal
ton. This queer rod, the inventor claims,
viii catch fish Of all sizes and degrees
with an energy within itself, and needs
no outside or human agency. The story has
been told of the small boy who tied his
fishing line to his big toe and took a nap
and how a large fish came along, seized
! the bait and landed the lad overheard. But
Inventor Plath claims to have discovered
the solution to the problem how man or
boy may fish and sleep at the same time.
The rod and holder are poised and cooked
upon a strong spring. In this position it
may be left on the shore by itself after
the owner has baited the hook and cast it
into the water. When a fish seiZes the bait
the tug 1t gives the line opens a trigger,
aud presto! his fishship is jerked ashore
and landed high and dry by the uncoihng
| Of the spring, which throws the pole up
wards and shorewards.