Wire Stretcher and Tightener. (open access)

Wire Stretcher and Tightener.

Patent for a wire stretcher and tightener meant for wire fence rails. It is easy and convenient to use, and consists of a lever with a fixed pulley on one end, a rope or chain passes through the pulley, and the rope or chain has hooks attached to its ends.
Date: November 5, 1895
Creator: Farmer, Francis Marion
System: The Portal to Texas History
Washing-Machine (open access)

Washing-Machine

Patent for "certain new and useful Improvements in Washing-Machines" (lines 4-5) including instructions and illustrations.
Date: November 29, 1892
Creator: Wilson, Lucindia Jane
System: The Portal to Texas History
Gate. (open access)

Gate.

Patent for a gate that is meant "to facilitate the opening of the gate without the intervention or use of the hands; to strengthen and brace the gate so as to prevent any possible sagging thereof, the braces being extended to form part of the hinge joint; to provide and dispose a latch so that it can be easily actuated by the foot from either approach for the purpose of releasing and opening the gate; lastly, to provide a gate that will close automatically without the use of springs and which will be simple, cheap, light and give satisfactory results" (lines 14-26).
Date: November 14, 1893
Creator: Jester, Andrew Edmond & Alexander, John Gilaspie
System: The Portal to Texas History
Pruning Implement. (open access)

Pruning Implement.

Patent for a simple, inexpensive, and efficient pruning implement meant to prune trees, cutting brush, and trimming hedges. It has a reciprocating knife, an improved hatchet-blade, and an extensible saw-blade "which is seated within a groove or recess in the shank of the implement and capable of being extended and held in operative position by means of a retaining-spring" (lines 16-20).
Date: November 12, 1895
Creator: Baiey, George M.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Railway Cattle-Guard. (open access)

Railway Cattle-Guard.

Patent for a new and improved railway cattle guard, including instructions and illustrations.
Date: November 8, 1898
Creator: Mathis, Charles H.
System: The Portal to Texas History