The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-31
BOSTON MAN MADE
 FIRST PIANO PLAYER
John McTammany Worked Out
 His Invention
IN A FREMONT GARRETT
Was Penniless and Friendless-Plans Are Stolen by Powerful Manu- lecturers, But Are Won
 Back After Fight.

From the Boston Herald.
 Who invented the first piano-player in America, and thus gave rise to an in- dustry which yields employment to vast army of workmen and is a source of joy to millions in all parts of the world?
 An elaborate investigation of conflict ing claims recently undertaken by Charles T. sisson. the musical instru- ment expert, traces the origin of this remarkable instrument to John McTam- many, a Seotehman, who came to this country early in life and away back in the eos shouldered a musket in the war for the union. On his return from the front Mcfammany took lessons In music, and while thus engaged turned over in his mind the idea of a piano which could be played by means Of d perforated roll. AS there was then, in the year 1868, noth- ing of the kind on the market, McTam- many began experiments with the view of producing such an instrument.
 After experiencing many of the ups and downs incident to the life of an in- ventor, he landed in St. Louis with a plano which is substantially the inside player of the present day, since it had keyboard and used narrow perforated sheet on winding and rewinding rolls, with foot pedals and wind motor.
 
 The McTammany instrument was not regarded with favor by either musicians or manufacturers. It was in vain that the inventor emphasized the value, nov city and desirableness of his machine His enthusiasm only stirred up incredu- lily and he got rebuffs for his pains.
 But he persevered, and finally landed fin a garret on Fremont street Boston, where, with a couple of mechanics. he began the manufacture Of the McTam- many organet. When the new instru- ment began to be a commercial success, other manufacturers tried their hands and plants at redupicating the contriv- ance
 McTammany protested without avail. for he was penniless, friendless and threadbare. while his opponents were rich and influential They actually ap- piled for and received patents on his in- vention through his inability to take patents out for himself. In this situa- tion he looked about for somebody to aid him in his determination to recover the rights which had been usurped-
 The story of how he was enabled to do this is told by John McTammany himself for he is still alve-in a letter to The Herald.
 Aided in Fight for Rights.
 "One Saturday night, in the winter of 1876.'' he says, 'the writer cold, wet, hungry and homeless, entered the edi- torial rooms of The Herald, after weeks fruitless effort to interest man ufacturers. The Herald was kind enough to listen to my tale of woe,' and not only wrote of the invention, but loaned me 5000 to fight parties who had conspred to rob me of my rights. and during the years that the contest was waged between the inventor and the men who had contributed 10 ruin him, the Herald more than once came to my de- fense against the wealthy and influential band of pirates who had combined to rob me of my invention. While I did not get all that belonged to me as a result of the struggle, nevertheless I succeeded in establishing my title to the inventorship so far as the official records are con cerned. The money loaned me by the Herald l repaid with interest but I have not forgotte nthe Heralds s kindness to me. and I know the manage ment of your paper will rejoice that they were instrumental in lifting a poor and helpless inventor out of the mud, and placing his feet upon a foundation where he could establish himself in business and win fame and fortune"
 The struggle referred to by Mir. Mo Tammany was waged in bot the courts and the patent office, and it was only after years that he obtained a judicial decision declaring that he the prior inventor. and that his opponents had ob- fained their patents surreptitiously