The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-05

The impression seems to be prevalent
that the New England States have pro-
d,,ced most of the mechanical talent that
/ has been shown in our country. ana IL
As probably fact that they showed more
of this turn Of mind than Southerners
i'm the early history of the United States,
hut they have not taken out monopoly
1 on this branch of talent and achieve
mont. and think ] may venture the
assertion that since Lees surrender, we
have not shown ourselves inferior to them
IN the inventive faculty. What spufred
Them on beyond us in old times was prob
ably the fact that with their rugged cline
and sterile soil they needed the assist
ance OF machinery and mechanical ap-
,liarces more than we did, Nature had
oealt more beautifully with us. The ele-
,nonts were ..kindlier mixed our soil
and climate were more propitious TO our
efforts. and then again, the institution
& OF slavery rendered us in large meas
,,re. independent OF machinery In a
small way the Southern shareholders re-
scmbled the old Egyptian monarchs who
With their hosts Of captives and slaves.
s. ns.,for,ned such prodgies as puzzle and
amaze the man Of the twentieth century,
who with all his improved appliances,
could not perform such Achievements.
E,t nowadays, we Southerners nave 70
betake ourselves to the aid of machinery
like our Northern and Western broth
n -.u and in the invention of this. / think
/ NO may claim to keep up with the pro-
1 rrssion But even in the early history
Of the United States, the South was not
devoid Of inventors. a proof OF which is
afforded by James Rumsey, to whom Is
undoubtedly due the credit of having first
utilized steam as a locomotive power. f1e
S.as born in Maryland in 1143. but took up
his residence in Virginia. lie was ems
rloved BY the Potomac Company to i'm
prove the navigation of that river and
In this situation. he turned his attention
to different modes of propelling vessels
and especially TO the utilizing OF steam
for this purpose. AS is usually the case
with great inventors, he had to run the
gauntlet Of ignorance. incredulity and
pIctudice on the part of those around
him. they clubbing him Crazy Rumsey.
He vas four YEARS in working at his idea
before 1t developed in a material shape.
aud even then 1t was Very crude and
clumsy thing, but no matter. 1t was
headed In the right direction, and laid
the foundation for the perfect steamship
Of modern days. 1t was about fifty feet
long and the machinery did not occupy
more than six feet square, The boiler
f held about five gallons of water, only
pint of which was required at a time,
ana il used from four to six bushels of
eo.l in twelve hours. He launched it on
Ale Potomac and propelled 1t against the
surrcnt at the rate of four or five miles
IN hour. which at that time Svas con-
hderad such wonderful speed that people
called 1t 1.-THE flying boat On its trial
kr.p Q7S4) General Washington and other
distinguished persons We're on board. and
HE former gave his certificate as TO the
.i,iity OF the invention.
In 1857. Rumsey was granted patent
FOR the exclusive use steam navigation in
Virginia. and obtained. also. similar
privilege In Maryland and New York.
But meantime. another contestant for the
honor OF having invented steam naviGa-
ton. arose. John Fitch, of Connecticut.
who was born in the same year as Rum
oey ll7a3). and who affords one OF the