52 



OFFICIAL RKTROSPECTIVE FXHIIUTION 



became one of tlie leading machines of the West. Tiie improvements 

 were directed to simplifying and cheapening the construction of harvest- 

 ing machines. A reel, adjustable in its height, was used, and the 

 Hussey cutting apparatus as well. 



This machine was brought to liistoric notice, as it served in a 

 measure to bring about an understanding that certain important fea- 

 tures in the reapers of the day were free to the public. 



While the manufacture of Manny machines was at its height, suit 

 was brought against its builders by C. H. McCormick, under patents 



granted to him. The court held, however, 

 that there was no infringement. If one 

 will take into account the fact that the 

 British patent granted to Salmon early in 

 the century showed a divider; that Ogle 

 and Bell showed a reel; that Manny's reel, 

 like Bell's, was supported at each end by 

 overreaching arms; that Hussey had en- 

 riched the art by providing a raker's stand 

 and the cutting apparatus used by Manny; 

 that, from the earliest, reaping machines 

 had been made adjustable in height rela- 

 tive to the ground — it will be clear why 

 the Manny machine was held not to in- 

 fringe. 



In a biographical sketch of the life of 

 John H. Manny, now before us, an account 

 of this celebrated trial is given, from which 

 we quote: "In the first trial of the cause 

 Abraham Lincoln was employed, and after- 

 ward referred to his $i,ooo retainer in the 

 case as enabling him to stump the State of Illinois with Douglas, and 

 which, logically, it should be added, made him the most famous of all 

 the Presidents." 



No. 30. 



MACHINE A MOISSONNER MANNY. 



Le 23 Septembre 1851, un brevet des Etats-Unis fut accorde a 

 John H. Manny pour perfectionnement de faucheuses et de nombreux 

 autres brevets couvrant des perfectionnements le suivirent. L'illustra- 

 tion ci-dessus est une reproduction photographique d'un modele de 

 la dimension d'un cinquieme fait en conformite de son brevet du ler 

 Janvier 1856, qui peut etre considere comme comprenant tous les per- 

 fectionnements dans Tart de recolter le grain, faits par lui a partir de 

 1846. La moissonneuse Manny fut placee au marche peu de temps 

 apres et devint une des principales machines dans TOuest. Les 

 perfectionnements furent faits pour simpliher et rendre meilleur 

 marche la construction des machines h. recolter. Un rabatteur, 

 ajustable dans sa hauteur, etait emi)loye ainsi que Tappareil de coupe 

 Hussey. 



Cette machine devint historiqne; elle servit dans certaine mesure 

 pour faire comprendre que certains caracteres importants dans les 

 moissonneuses etaient libres au public. 



JOHN H. MANNY. 



