The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-27
DEATH ENDS HIS STRUGGLE
Sidney Maltby's Lifelong Battle
for His Inventions.
Confronted by Tremendous 0bstn-
cIcs in Evolving the Plans for
Steam Conference.-The Faculties
Fail just rs His Dream is Realized


The funeral of Sidney Maltby. inventor,
at Langdon this morning VIII be the CLOS
ing scene of series of events which
rendered almost tragic the last months
of his long life The successful compile
tion of an invention whlch Tor thlrty years
held his thoughts ana energy ana an at
tack of mild insanity paved the way Tor
financial difficulties. Confinement at ST.
Elizabeth's followed.
Release from the asylum and then
slow. lingering illness terminating IN
peaceful death were the final acts in a
life drama, the elimination of which was
success closely followed by disappoint-
ment.
Mir. Maltby was well known in Wash
ington. In this city he spent fully half
of the seventy-five years of his life. lie
was a machinist of a high order of Skill
About thirty years ago he turned his at
tention toward the invention of steam
condenser. He wanted to crystalline GER
tain plans he had evolved during his
working days. 1t was his hope to produce
steam condenser, a model of utility and
compactness. He became possessed OF the
inventors fever. Nothing would do but
that all his time should be given to work
on the cherished invention. With his wife
he moved to Langdon, and there beside
his house he erected workshop and an
engine.
Maltby worked at his trade as maclih-
list only enough to gain sufficient money
for the support of himself and his wife.
She entered heart and soul into his plans.
Her faith in his ability and her confidence
in his ultimate success braced him FOR
many another effort after failure OF some
detail had caused his hopes to nag.
But as Maltby grew older the eagerness
TO perfect the invention Kept MIN from
regular work more and more. until at last
the old man found 1t difhcuit TO get EN-
pioyment when he wanted H. But MS "Iie
came to the rescue and opened part OF
their home to boarders' ana thus Siiiiii
sum was gained each week. "orN On ~
invention was then pusheo nioIe 'I'l''s
and the hopes OF the olo coui'ie ioS' q
il approached completion.
FINALLY II was nhisheu anu Pa'e,,'7 P.,.- .,",t,
applied Tor ana success see"leu Pui'' -.
in the grasp of the inventor TO re"aiu ~
years OF patient ana pefseNeIihs ''i
who were well acquainted WIN the h''uie
of the invention were taken 10 ~,
model Whlch was cdIeiun3 -
from prEihs eyes III 'iie WI
pronounced 1t NaiuanIe. oheis mSie No
for the invention Iheg were
fers. too, ana some oil mus ""o .''o,.
the model SAID th"N "ouiu auN ''''e
for its manufacture.
TradiuonallN. misIortuhes hsN
singlv In this case of MaltDy IL seemeo
,,,st strokas of good fortune followed the
- -, I-,llo,-inp, the .conoDIetion of
SAINT i"ie- 'e - | ~ .o,.
the steam condenser Iheie '"iii' nv
against smoke in the District Ana theh
t.e.,,s,;,,srsd s,,narior to nearly all
Wa - ~, ,,s,o,s
these IN use nj Nhai 'iihe' l-'"S'"' '''
were made Tor this invention. 100 IL
was then when all seemed to be bright
-. -, ,t,1,h,..s mind bepap tn fail
- s =, e, -, ,t
W heh II came TO IN h'di HP'
sharing with others OF his invention the
product of thirty years OF study and la
-. t,,- b,rt failed him He conld not
W. i - ,,,.,,,,i1 t,l,,,
bear me ihousht that otneiS Sho'i" IN
his models from him. lie shrahk from
his success His wife saw
- ,,,,l .ri,d "a ,,ar-
'. .8-''A- .'uiiilE oii' "'iu ~
r.l1.. --U make contract Win the
ea,--- s-.H 10 desired to back the in
....... .-..t .bair canitaI and place il on
IA -. ~, ~,
"o"i" h'' ii9'e'i' ~
fuse. ures.
Tl. . strain involved in steady
80 -,
f-.''' @ - lheh tht harassi"s "oi-
- Q. pecuniary obligations threw an
added weight uDon his enfeehI.d intel