The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-25
GENERAL WHEELER's INVENTOR

0@NGfAfH@ - INV @iN INV Washington Special to Atlanta Journal
 Gen. Joe Wheeler has again strnyed from the Primrose paths of peace and put his hand to implements of war This time he does not seek to kill, however He has merely invented something with which others may kill. He has invented combination ram-rod, gun-rest and bay onet for the army rifle and the patent office has regularly and in due form is- sued letters of patent to Joseph Wheeler, of Wheeler Ala
 In launching his patent on the battling world General Wheeler has particularly emphasized the definition of war as de- clared by his one time enemy. General Sherman The thing is calculated to make war as much like hell as possible, for by it's unique mechanism it enables a soldier to take the best possible aim at an ad- versary, to wipe out the smoking bar rel of his rifle so that the next shot may go true and finally sto "stob" him. as General Forrest would say
 The first application for a patent on the invention was filed February il, 1902, but this had to be amended twice. In the application General Wheeler gave his res idence as Hotel Walton, Philadelphia, Pa.," but this was amended by his at- torney, s. re Cameron of Washington, who explained that the Hotel Walton was only the generals temporary abode. The papers show that the witnesses were May Patterson and Arthur c. Tomes and that the $20 fee for the patent was received November 26 The patent was issued this week. The doughty little fighters sigma ture is attached to the application, which has this introductory explanation of the nature of the thing:
 My invention relates to firearms and more particularly to gun-rests and bayo- nets.
 Tn modern military practice the ten dency is to depart from the offhand style of shooting heretofore in vogue and to have the gunner take more deliberate aim, and it is very desirable in such cases to provide the gun with a conven- lent rest Moreover, while engagements at close quarters are of rare occurrence, nevertheless the natural effect of the bay onet is still recognized by military ex- perts.
 "The object of the present invention is to provide a single implement in the form of a ram-rod or cleaning rod which shall be so combined with the gun that 1t may be used at will either as q gun-rest or bayonet, the rest being capa- ble of adjustment to suit either the re- cumhent or kneeling position of the gun ncr.
 with these objects In view, the ln- vention consists of rod divided into two sections of unequal length, detachably attached to the gun underneath and par alel to the barrel, preferably with the shorter section extending toward the muzzle and the longer toward the stock Each necessarily is so iolnted to the gun or to the other section that it is capable of being turned down at right angles to the gun barrel and preferably has its lower end pointed so as to stick into and secure d hold on the ground when it is used as q gun rest. The longer sec- ton when lying parallel with the barrel with it's pointed end forward projects be- yond the muzzle of the barrel a proper distance to enable it to serve as a bayo- net, suitable means being provided to securely retain 1t in this position. When detached from the gun the two united sections form an efficient ramrod.''
 General Wheeler has never before tried his hand at inventions, except that he has invented short cuts for getting over ground and through the capitol and de- partmental buildings.