The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-11-02
Mr.. MERGENTHALER, OF LINOTYPE
FAME. DEAD
A Victim OF Lung Trouble

A Victim OF Lung Trouble.
Ottoman Mergenthaler, inventor
Of the linotype printing machine,
died at his home in Baltimore, Md,
last SATURDAY. lie had been suffer
ing with consumption for several
years, but did not give up his busl
ness until about two weeks ago, since
which time he had been confined to
his room.
At the time Of his death his wife
and four children were with him lie
sank rapidly, but wss conscious TO
the last, and passed away lmmedl-
ately after a hemorrhage.
Mr.. Mergenthalar had made sev
ersl trips to the Adironiacks AID
New Mexico for the benefit OF bis
health.
Mrs. Mergenthsler Was Miss Emma
Lschemayer, of Baltimore They
married 10 the fall of 1851, and had
FIVE children, one son having died
The surviving children rsuRe from
six to sixteen years of age, the
daughter, Pauline Resale, being the
Youngest. The sons are Fniz En-
gene &. and Herman.
WAS BORN A MECHANIC
Mr.. Margeuthaler was man Of
retiring disposition, and his whole
energies were devoted to his marvel
Gus inventions. He was born IN the
kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany.
MAY 10. 1854 His father was a
teacher and mis- mother was the
daughter of teacher. When four
teen years Of age his father desired
him to enter seminary. where ne
would receive training TO become
teacher, but in repairing the village
clock young Mergenthaler aroused
liking for mechanics, and 10 1865 he
begaG an apprenticeship in the SHOP
Of his step mothers brother, M'
Hahl. a clockmaker at Bleugheim.
la 1872 he decided to emigrate, and
landed in Baltimore in the fall
of that year with $50 in cash and
trunkful Of clothing He went o
Washington and secured employment
IN the shops of his cousin, Mr. HAIL
THE FIRST MACHINE
Toe Hsbl shops were sfterwsrd
removed to Baltimore, aud Mr.. Mer
genthaler went with them. la 1876
be began experiments upon p print
ing machine which proved failure.
A second machine WAS planned and
completed in the latter part of 1873.
but this, too, proved failure. Ga
Japuary |. 1888, the partnership
which existed between Messrs. Mer-
genthaler and Hail WAS dissolved,
and Mr.. Mergenlhaler STATED IN
business for himself on Bank lane.
la July, 1854 the real linotype was
completed and ready for q test. A
crowd assembled, and after casting
few lines himself to shown that the
machine worked, Mr.. Mergenthaler
turned it over to Miss julia Camp,
rapid typewriter, who was familiar
vita its workings.
A company was organize Tor the
manufacture of the machine under
the name of the National Typo
graphic Company of West Virgins.
The second machine was exhibited
in Washington in February, 1850,
and was inspected Dy President Ar
thur. James G.. Blaine, and other
public men. A banquet lowed 10
honor of Mr.. Mergentnsler.
Ia 1885 a syndicate of newspaper
men secured control of the invention
for the sum of 5000, 900. In this syn
dicste we're Messrs Whitelsw Reid,
of New York, and Melville Stone, OF
Chicago. In the latter part OF that
wear the Mergenthsler Printing Com
pauy was organized. In July. 1856
the FIRST machine to be put IN use
was sent to the New York Tribune
office.
RECEIVED A ROYALTY OF $50.
Last year Mr.. Mergenthsler pub
lished beck giving an account OF
his career, and the invention OF the
linotype. Ia this he tells of what he
calls the mistakes of his life IN &C
ceptipg q royalty of $50 on each
machine manufactured instead OF III
per cent. of the cost of manufacturing
each machine, which was his origlua
contract The machines cost So 900
each. He was induced to make this
concession to secure the good will OF
the company, and promises were
made to him contingent upon the
concession, but Mr.. Mergenthaler
repeats over and over in his books the
phrase ~
Promises made by company
are made only to be kroken.'
Mr.. Mergenthsler's receipts, how
ever, were large About COO ma
chimes are now in use. From these
his receipts have been about 500,
900. His heirs will receive $50 on
each additional machine that is man.
ufactured.
The machines have been manufac-
tured and used extensively in Eng
land, but Mr.. Mergenthaler got no
royalty on the machines made there.
The Mergenthaler plaut in Balti-
more is devoted to the manufacture
Of special machinery. 1t manufac-
lures some parts for linotype ma
chimes. 1t is a profitable business,
Mo~.ootha larfr ami % Will