RICHARD J. GATLING(1818 - 1903) American businessman and inventor of the precursor of the machine gun, the Gatling gun. His invention was used with great effect during the Civil War, and in some forms is still in use today. Scarce A.D.S. penned on the verso of a partly-printed promissory note, 1p. 12mo., Indianapolis, Oct. 1, 1853, a note signed by Johan Vetter promising to pay Gatling the sum of $400.00 within two years. On verso Gatling writes: "Feby 21st 1855 Recd one wardrobe, at thirty dollars in part of within note. R. J. Gatling". Very good.