Corn-Planter. (open access)

Corn-Planter.

Patent relating to "a novel corn-planter, and has for its object the production of a simple, durable, and efficient planting attachment which may be applied to an ordinary plow and which when so applied will automatically effect the distribution of corn or other grain at desired intervals" (lines 12-18).
Date: December 21, 1897
Creator: Ellis, William Wesley
System: The Portal to Texas History
Cotton Chopper, Scraper, and Cultivator (open access)

Cotton Chopper, Scraper, and Cultivator

Patent for improvements so that the "choppers may be raised, in order to leave standing such of the growth of the cotton as is necessary, or while turning corners; third, in means hereinafter to be described, by which the depth at which the scrapers and choppers run into the ground maybe adjusted" (lines 16-22).
Date: May 6, 1890
Creator: Ellis, David P,
System: The Portal to Texas History
Composition for Concrete Tombstones. (open access)

Composition for Concrete Tombstones.

Patent for "a new and useful composition of matter for concrete tombstones and a process for manufacturing the same whereby a perfectly white substantial rock will be produced that will be very durable, will not be liable to peeling, cracking, or turning dark, but will bleach out in the weather and become very solid, so as to form a permanent and substantial tombstone." (Lines 10-19) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: September 8, 1896
Creator: Belcher, Jeff D. & Hendley, Marion J.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Wire Stretcher and Splicer. (open access)

Wire Stretcher and Splicer.

Patent for a wire stretcher and splicer device, for "stretching of the wire when a fence is being constructed, the tightening of the wire after the fence is constructed, and the splicing of broken wire" (lines 10-13), with illustrations.
Date: January 17, 1893
Creator: Dowell, Lawson Henrey
System: The Portal to Texas History
Vehicle-Axle. (open access)

Vehicle-Axle.

Patent for "axles for carriages, wagons, &c., and has for its object the construction of an axle in such a manner as to enable the spindle and stock to be removed and replaced by a new one when worn out without going to the expense and trouble of going to a blacksmith." (Lines 6-12) Includes instructions and illustrations.
Date: December 15, 1896
Creator: Morris, John Poke
System: The Portal to Texas History
Tool for Building Wire Fences. (open access)

Tool for Building Wire Fences.

Patent for a simple and effective tool used for building wire fences that is "a nail holding and driving device, a measuring attachment, and a wire cutter" (lines 12-14).
Date: May 15, 1894
Creator: Highsmith, Lewis C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Plow Attachment. (open access)

Plow Attachment.

Patent for a new and useful plow attachment, including instructions and illustrations.
Date: October 24, 1899
Creator: Pool, Benjain L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Self-Setting Trap. (open access)

Self-Setting Trap.

Patent for a useful self-setting trap, meaning the captured animal will set the trap for another animal. In this self-setting trap the bait is held against molestation, and which may be employed to successively catch and confine all animals that may pass therein.” (Lines 14-17) Illustration is included.
Date: July 7, 1891
Creator: Dowell, Lawson Henry
System: The Portal to Texas History
Method of and Apparatus for Making Concrete Monuments. (open access)

Method of and Apparatus for Making Concrete Monuments.

Patent for "an improved method of and apparatus for making concrete monuments and tombstones" (lines 9-11) and makes harder and sets faster than other methods. The end result is meant to look like polished stone.
Date: June 26, 1894
Creator: Cameron, Neill C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Percolator. (open access)

Percolator.

Patent for a simple and inexpensive water-bath percolator meant to extract "the soluble constituents of various substances" (lines 11-12). "The lid or cover may be sealed hermetically whenever it is desirable to exclude the air or prevent the escape of vapor or volatile constituents" (lines 19-22). It has an inner vessel, the outer vessel containing water. The two vessels are easily disconnected.
Date: December 24, 1895
Creator: Riley, David L.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Design for a Railroad-Brace. (open access)

Design for a Railroad-Brace.

Design patent for a railroad brace that has an essential feature of possessing peculiar shape and configuration.
Date: October 4, 1898
Creator: Cater, Daniel
System: The Portal to Texas History