So great was his ability in this direction, indeed, that there has been a tendency to discredit his achievements as a creative genius and to attribute his success to his talents as an organizer and driver of industry.

"I may make a million dollars from this reaper," said McCormick, in the full tide of enthusiasm over his invention; and these words indicate an indispensable part of his program.

He had no miserly instinct but he had one overpowering ambition.

It was McCormick's conviction, almost religious in its fervor, that the harvester business of the world belonged to him.

As already indicated, plenty of other hardy spirits, many of them almost as commanding personalities as himself, disputed the empire.