INVENTOR OF THE MODERN PLOW. 55 



" On arriving at Albany he found himself 

 not a moment too soon. The ease had an im- 

 mediate hearing, and after three days' trial 

 the Circuit Court decided unequivocally that 

 the plow now in general use over the country 

 was unlike any other which had been pro- 

 duced ; that the improvements which rendered 

 it so effective were due to Jethro Wood, and 

 that all manufacturers must pay his heirs for 

 the .privilege of making it. 



" This was a great triumph; but it was now the 

 late autumn of 1845, and the last grant of 

 the patent had little more than a year to run. 

 Wood again repaired to Washington to apply 

 for a new extension, but the excitements of so 

 long a contest had been too much for him. 

 Just as he had recommenced his efforts they 

 were forever ended. While talking with one 

 of his friends, he suddenly fell dead from 

 heart disease, and the patent expired without 

 renewal. 



