Patent for a new and improved seed separator. This design "provide[s] a machine for [separating seeds] in which the grinding and separating actions will be performed continuously and in a more automatic manner, dispensing with the work of the hand, requiring a less amount of water, and at the same time performing the grinding and separating actions in a more rapid and perfect manner" (lines 29-36).

Patent for a new and improved straw cutter. This design "relates to certain improvements in straw-cutters; and it consists in the [novel] construction and arrangement of parts" (lines 13-15). The novel construction and arrangement of parts means that "[t]he machine is simple, durable, and inexpensive in construction, will not readily get out of repair, and will perform the necessary work in an efficient manner" (lines 1-4).

Patent for a new and improved curtain fixture. This design calls for a rubber roller in which a curtain can withdraw and from which a curtain can emerge. The roller has holes for screwing and mounting.

Patent for a new and improved coupling for cars. This design "relates to that class of couplers that are self-couplers; and it consists of an open-top hook-shaped draw-bar provided with a pivoted T-shaped vertically-moving coupling-bar, and provided also with an end socket for using the ordinary coupling link" (lines 7-12).

Copy photo of train #112 in Paris, Texas. There are men lined up by the train posing for the camera.

He received Charles' letter and Clarence got a job moving Mr. Crowell to Delta County. They were going to go through Melissa and Ladonia, but couldn't. They went through White Rock, Devil's Race Track, Hogeye, and Commerce. After moving Mr. Crowell they visited Paris, Texas. Nelson Dalken and J.W. Broad are dead. He talks of how nice Paris square is. Then he went to Bonham and his acquaintance Maddsey is becoming rich from being a butcher. He mentions Dodd City and they were going to start for home, but Una wasn't feeling well. They returned home and he mentions that his cotton is damaged by the drought. The corn has also been effected by the drought. Sam Doss was killed by the sheriff of Bonham. He talks about camp meetings taking place on their route, the little rain they received. Sylvanns and Solomon killed some skunks and Aunt Ann has gotten better, George is not back from the Nation, and Harriets' folks are not well.

Patent for a new and improved bolt-lock. This design is for a flat piece of metal (the "lock") that secures the head of the bolt so that, when the adjoining nut becomes rusted, the nut and bolt can be successfully separated without damaging the surrounding material.

Thomas McGee Scott, 1881-1941.

Patent for a new and improved coupling for railroad cars. This design "consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the fork-shaped draw-heads having under-beveled bearings between the branches, the slotted coupler-bars having hook-lugs in front of the slots and adapted to interlock, the side bearings or ledges on each side of each hook-lug, designed to support the sides of the bar and to allow the hook-lugs to enter the slots in coupling" (lines 19-27).

Patent for "a cotton chopper, the combination, with the wheeled vehicle, of the side and central section-bars carrying the inclined knives, the handles secured to the central section, and double rack connecting said handles, the adjusting-levers pivoted to the central section, and the pivoted perforated arms connecting the levers and outer section bars" (lines 40-47).

Pearl U. McComas, about 1883. Pearl was the daughter of Arthur McComas and Kate Hale McComas of Paris.

Patent for a new and improved sash holder. This design "relates to that class of sash-holders in which the sash is held at any desired height, and locked when held down by means of a latch pivoted to angular upright wings which are integral with side plates securing the elastic cam, and adapted to impinge and bind upon the window-frame; and the novelty consists, in connection with the elastic cam, of the metallic plates arranged one upon each side of the said cam, and secured thereto by means of a pivotal device" (lines 17-27).

Patent for a mechanism that aims "to promote convenience in adjusting and regulating cotton choppers" (line 44-46), including instructions and illustrations.

Patent for a new and improved feeder for cotton gins. This design consists in "the combination, with the driving mechanism, of the alternating sections, the shaft or rod, loop-rods and staples, the crank-shaft, and hooked rods . . . [and] of the adjustable comb, the crank-shaft, hinge-connection, arm, and cross-bar" (lines 3-12).

Patent for a new and improved windmill. This design "consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the radial arms of the wheel-frame and the vertical pivot-posts thereon, the sails or fans pivoted to said posts, the pivoted detents, and the pivoted governing-levers to which said detents are connected, said levers carrying adjustable weights" (lines 16-23).

Patent for a new and improved corn sheller. This design "comprises a double-shelling surface of peculiar construction in one plate or bed-piece, whereby a corn-sheller having but little weight is produced, which shall be capable of shelling either one ear of corn, or, by using both hands, two ears of corn at the same time, and which shall do its work with increased ease, ready clearance for the shelled corn, and protection, when using both hands, against their striking each other" (lines 12-21).

Patent for a new and improved coupling for railroad cars. This design "consists in the improved construction and combination of parts of such a coupling, in which the link may be raised and supported at different heights for the purpose of coupling with cars of different height, or for the purpose of raising the link out of engagement with the hook of another draw-head" (lines 26-32).

Patent for improvements to windmills.

Patent for a new and improved coupling for railroad cars. This design is "composed of the draw-heads having bars and forward cross-bar, and beveled on its outer end, and provided with slot above [the] bar, the coupling-bar pivoted at its rear end between [the] bars, and enlarged . . . immediately in advance of said pivot, and provided near its outer end with an opening, and the hook pivoted to and depending from the coupling-bar" (lines 78-86).

Patent for a new and improved pitchfork. This design "relates to a hand-fork for handling cotton in the seed and cotton-seed at the gins, as well as for other useful purposes; and it consists in the novel construction of the teeth and tines or head, together with the means for fastening the teeth to the head" (lines 9-15).

Patent for a new and improved saddle spring. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with a riding-saddle, of the series of transverse bridge-springs extending over the saddle-opening and having spiral ends bearing on the tree, and the longitudinal springs at the sides of said traverse springs" (lines 52-57).

Letter from Cyrus I. Scofield to Judge David Howell Scott, December 11, 1884. Discusses Congregationalism and a church conference.

Sanborn map sheet showing an area of Paris in Lamar County, Texas, including geographic features, buildings, and details related to risk assessment for fire insurance.

Sanborn map sheet showing an area of Paris in Lamar County, Texas, including geographic features, buildings, and details related to risk assessment for fire insurance.