New Haven Daily Herald

Cooper vs. Matheys.—This was an action on a patent right tried last week before Judges Baldwin and Hopkinson, and a special jury in the Circuit Court of the United States.—The plaintiff claimed to be the inventor of the wooden springs or "bumpers," as applied to railroad cars to prevent concussion, and also of guard timbers in the framing of the car for the purpose of safety, in the event of the breakage of wheels or axles. His patent was dated as far back as 1832, and in that year he had put his improvements into operation on the Newcastle and Frenchtown Railroad. In 1835-36, the builders of cars on the Pennsylvania Railroads introduced spring bumpers and longitudinal braces in the frames, and they are now in general use. The defence was in substance—first, the want of novelty in the plaintiff's invention—second, that the plaintiff's improvement consisted not in the invention of wooden springs, &c. but in their application to railroad cars in a particular manner and for a particular purpose, while in regard to the defendant, his application was in a different manner and for a different purpose. Many witnesses, engineers and persons connected with railroads, were examined, and the whole case was fully argued by J. R. Ingersoll, Esq. for the plaintiff, and John Miles and James Todd. Esqs. for the defendant. After a full and elaborate charge by Judge Baldwin, on the points of law involved, the jury returned a verdict for the defendant.

United States Gazette.