433 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
CHAPTER IV.
THE TELEGRAPH.
THE first line of Magnetic Telegraph in this country, was constructed with an appropriation of $30,000 made by Congress in 1843, for an experimental line between Washington and Baltimore. It was completed in the Summer of 1844, and the first intelligence of public interest transmitted over it was a report of the action of the Democratic National Convention, held in Baltimore in July. It took but a short time fully to demonstrate the success of the enterprise, and additional lines were constructed in various directions in the East.
Two years later (1846), two rival lines were projected through Northern Ohio, which were opened for use in 1848. The one was that of the Lake Erie Telegraph Company, under the management of Heman B. Ely, of Rochester, New York ; and the other, that of the Erie and Michigan Telegraph Company, with John J. Speed, Jr., and Ezra Cornell, as managers. The Lake Erie line was then opened between Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Detroit. Its business was not very encouraging at first, as the following statement for the month of January, 1849, will show
Offices. Receipts. Expenses.
Buffalo $212 30 $122 51
Erie 59 86 53 80
Ashtabula 19 98 35 99
Cleveland 317 88 283 90
Hudson 9 85 28 64
Akron 41 72 49 60
Massillon 42 29 80 61
New Lisbon 33 18 29 05
Wellsville 30 22 30 22
Pittsburgh 283 94 123 04
Elyria 39 64 37 45
Sandusky 171 80 89 95
Toledo 90 45 54 86
Monroe 32 85 56 10
Detroit 178 91 126 36
$1,564 67 $1,202 24
Among the first Operators of the Lake Erie Line, were the following :
Buffalo-Mont. Gibbs, Sidney Gibbs. H. S. Bishop, W. Herrick, S. G. Lynch, -- Jones. Pittsburgh-James Bellows. Erie-J. E. Dunn. Massillon, Ohio-J. H. Painter. Akron--L. H. Nichols. Hudson-E. W. Moore. Wellsville-J. N. Alvord, P. S. McIntosh. Ashtabula-R. T. Greene, Anson Gorton. Sandusky- J. P. Williams, J. G. Lumbard. Toledo-Uriah C. Cleveland. Detroit D. V. Benedict, -- Collins.
The property of this Company finally fell into the hands of a Sheriff, by whom it was sold, being purchased by the lessee of the line (the New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company), and ultimately it became part of the consolidated Western Union Telegraph system.
The Erie and Michigan line extended from Buffalo, via Cleveland and Toledo, to Detroit; and thence to Chicago and Milwaukee. The office at Milan, Ohio, was opened in July, 1848 under the management of Jeptha H. Wade who was allowed, for himself and son Randall (then about 15 years of age), a joint salary of $400, to which Mr. Wade added a small income from portrait painting, which had been his business, as it was of Professor Morse, the origins for of the Telegraph. The coincidence is further shown in the fact, that Mr. Wad took the first daguerreotype West of Buffalo, a Professor Morse did the first one in New York. Mr. Wade, with Colonel Speed, built the fin between Detroit and Jackson, and the former was the first manager and operator at the Jackson office. The first operator of this line a Cleveland was A. B. Cornell (since Governor of New York), a son of Ezra Cornell, his salary being $400 per year. Some of the other office were manned as follows
Monroe, Michigan, S. G. Clark ; salary $200. Kalamazoo, D. F. Howe, $275, and one-third of market report (?). Toledo, D. W. C. Rowley, $400 [but a note from the Superintendent, D. F. Tillotson, stated that " the price of the bed and bedding should I paid by him "]. A. G. Luckey was Rowley's assistant at Toledo. Sandusky, Charles M. Stebbins, $351 Fremont, G. H. Valentine, $250. Maumee City, I C. Hutchinson, $250. Buffalo, W. D. Allen, $500, E. G. Morgan, $400. Detroit, B. B. Hoyt, $300.
In a letter to Manager Howe, at Kalamazo( Superintendent Tillotson wrote :
I see that our Company have a bed, bedding, etc at jour Station. That is a saving to you, probably of $30 per annum, which should be considered; otherwise, we had better sell it, as it is a poor kind of assets to pay dividends with to stockholders who have advanced $110,000 to build the line with. Your salary ($275) should not exceed $200. Many offices with as much or more business at the East, are kept up for $100 per year.
At that time, the public press was supplied with news and market reports wholly by the Telegraph Companies, which furnished what ever their operators might be able to pick up which, at the best, was meager enough in amount, consisting of little beside what was found in the local papers. What this source c revenue and business messages amounted to a the different Stations of the Erie and Michigan.
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line, for the month of November, 1848, is shown in the following statement:
Business. Press. Total.
Detroit $138 55 $30 00 $168 55
Chicago 199 62 50 00 249 62
Milwaukee 77 79 50 00 127 79
Southport 26 57 25 00 51 57
Racine 24 05 25 00 49 05
Michigan City 15 62 25 00 38 62
South Bend 8 55 25 00 33 55
Kalamazoo 11 92 25 00 36 92
Jackson 11 12 25 00 36 12
Toledo 32 19 30 00 62 19
Maumee City 7 14 25 00 32 13
Fremont 5 98 25 00 30 98
Sandusky 18 71 28 00 46 71
Milan 27 20 28 00 55 20
Cleveland 55 30 ------ 55 30
Erie 19 86 9 25 29 11
Buffalo 114 49 2 25 116 74
$784 96 $427 50 $1,212 46
Evidently, in several instances of receipts from press reports here named, schedule charges are given, rather than the sums actually paid. With the exceptions of Buffalo, Cleveland, Sandusky, Toledo, Detroit, Chicago and Milwaukee, there were then only weekly papers issued, not one of which, it is deemed safe to say, could afford to pay $28, or one-half that amount per month for Telegraph reports. In some instances, these probably were taken regularly, but chiefly as furnished free by operators. The writer has distinct recollection, that it was on such terms, at the hands of Manager Wade, his own paper (the Milan Tribune) was supplied its first " Telegraphic Report," which consisted of intelligence of the French Revolution in July, 1848, as it subsequently was with other news.*
Mr. Wade subsequently built the line from Cleveland to Columbus ; was actively connected
* An incident in this connection may not be out of place here. The extension of the first Telegraph line West of Buffalo, stopped for some time at Cleveland. It was during such period that the Editor of the Milan Tribune indulged in a little enterprise in the interest of his paper. It so happened, that on the day preceding the issue of his paper of April 14, 1847, the news from the Mexican War so clearly indicated the early fall of Vera Cruz, before the assault under General Winfield Scott, that the Editor ventured to make the trip from Milan to Elyria by carriage, on the morning of the 14th, in order at that place to meet the mail-stage with the Cleveland morning papers. His plan was, that in case the expected intelligence be received, he would return to Milan (28 miles) in time to have the news put in type and his papers for the Westward-bound mail in the Postoffice when the stage should arrive from Elyria. His expectation as to the War news was justified by tidings of the fall of the Castle of San Juan D'Ulloa and the capture of Vera Cruz on the 26th, and the formal capitulation on the 29th of March. The news reached Pensacola, Florida, April 4th. The return from Elyria was made in about four hours, beating the stage sufficiently as to time, for the Tribune with the news to be printed and delivered at the Postoffice before the mail arrived.
with the construction of the California line, and was chief manager in the organization of the Western Union Telegraph system. For many years past, as now (1887), that gentleman has been largely engaged in Banking, Manufacturing and Railroading at Cleveland.
Connected with Mr. Wade in the construction of the Pacific Telegraph line, was Mr. Chas. M. Stebbins. The latter was a printer by trade, and took his first lessons in telegraphy from Mr. Wade at Milan, in 1848-9. Soon after the discovery of gold at Pike's Peak, Mr. Stebbins bought the line from St. Louis to the Western border of Missouri, which proved a good investment.
On the 18th October, 1861, Brigham Young sent the first telegraphic message over the new line from Salt Lake City, to Mr. Wade, at Cleveland, congratulating the latter on the completion of the overland Telegraph to that point. The Western portion of the line was completed soon thereafter.
Rates for the Pacific Telegraph, when opened from St. Louis, were as follows : To Omaha, 10 words, $1.70, each additional word 15c. To Fort Bridger, Utah, $3.75, and 31c. To Salt Lake City, $4.00, and 33c. To Sacramento, California, $4.25, and 36c. To San Francisco, $4.25, and 36c. To Shasta, California, $6.25, and 46c.
The extension of the Telegraph Westward raised with the Western press a problem of no small importance. The use of the new agency was very essential ; but could it be employed with any certainty of success? Such was the practical question. Referring to the subject, the Toledo Blade, of August 23, 1847, said
We shall, if the Blade meets with an increase of encouragement sufficient to warrant the expense, be enabled to furnish our readers with foreign intelligence at the moment of its reception at the Eastern Seaports.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer, about the same time, had the following:
We are a thousand miles from the Seacoast, and for every 10 words brought over the Telegraph line for us, somebody has to pay 25 cents. For every five lines of printed matter, somebody has got to pay $1.00. Now, who shall that somebody be? If Cleveland contained 30,000 inhabitants, and we had 3,000 subscribers to our daily paper, we could stand the expense and be " somebody;" but as it is, we cannot. With only 600 daily subscribers, it will require at least 200 more to justify the additional expense. Where are these 200 additional subscribers? We know they are in the City, abundantly able and fond of news as anybody ; but they do not like to hazard the expense of a daily paper at $6.00 a year, although its telegraphic reports may be worth double the subscription price to them.
A few days later the Plain Dealer announced that it had made arrangements with the Telegraph line for reports, on condition that its daily circulation would be increased from 600 to 900.
434 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
The Toledo Blade of February 14, 1848, announced the opening at Toledo of an office of the Lake Erie Telegraph Line, in the following enthusiastic terms:
The magic wires are here, and we are in connection. We shall henceforth be able to furnish our readers with the latest news--the daily condition of the Eastern markets, and all that kind of practical intelligence, which is now largely sought after by the business world. The expense incident to the employment of the Telegraph, we can illy bear, but a conviction that our enterprise will not go unrewarded, induces s to hazard the experiment of a trial.
The Telegraph column of the paper was headed as follows:
THE FIRST STREAK !
BY TELEGRAPH FROM BUFFALO.
For the Toledo Blade.
TELEGRAPH OFFICE, Toledo, February 14, 1848, 9 P M --The Telegraph has just commenced operations at the Toledo Office, and through the politeness of Mr. H. B. Ely, Manager, we are enabled to lay before our readers the Buffalo and New York markets in advance of all other means of communication.
Following the above were the Market reports of Buffalo, dated February 12, 3 P. M., and the New York report, dated February 11, 7 P. M
The first item of current " News by Telegraph to the Blade," was published February pith, and consisted of the report of the murder of a colored roan in New York.
February 18th, appeared the first "Steamer News " (by the Hibernia), the intelligence leaving, New York at 10:30 A. u, of the 17th.
The following explanations given in the Telegraph columns of the Blade, of the dates stated, will show something of the experiences, both of the Press and the Telegraph Company, at the outset of their connection
February 21st. "No report to-day. The Telegraph won't work to Buffalo."
February 23d, 3 P M " No report by Telegraph to day from Buffalo and New York. Wires broken."
March 9th, 11th and 21st. " No Telegraph report to-day."
March 23d. " Our neighbors at Cleveland having ordered the daily report by Telegraph to be stopped, we shall be unable to furnish it until we can make arrangements with a Buffalo reporter."
March 28th, reports were received.
April 1st. " The Telegraph wires are broken between this place and Sandusky City, consequently we have no report to-day."
April 11th. " Arrival of the 'Hibernia.' Nothing startling-everything quiet. When we got this far, the Telegraph gave out."
April lath, the Blade had a new trouble, to wit: " The frequent se the Sandusky operator made of his ground-wire.' We received the report at 10 P. M., some four hours after our publication hour, and were put to the trouble of issuing an extra. Reasonable forbearance is a virtue, but there is a point where it ceases, and we are on the verge of that point."
April 19th. " Lines not working, in consequence of the wet weather."
April 24th. " The report of the operator is to-day, that there is no circuit East of Erie."
April 27th. " we regret that the transmission of our report should be delayed. But accidents will happen. The line is down somewhere."
May 1st. " A heavy storm prevents commnication by Telegraph East of Cleveland to-day."
May 2d. ' No Telegraphic report this afternoon."
Same, May 4th, 5th and 6th.
May 10th. " No report from New York to-day. Line down East of Rochester."
May 12th. " No report, and no explanation."
May 15th. "Some of our readers may be surprised at the absence of Telegraphic reports froth our paper. We will explain. We made an arrangement with the Cleveland publishers to procure the services of a reporter at Buffalo, but our Cleveland neighbors haying discontinued their reports, we are also obliged to do so. We are now trying to make arrangements for regular reports, and if we can do so and live, we shall ; otherwise, we shall discontinue altogether."
May 17th, 18th and 19th. " No report."
May 20th. " No report when we go to press there being electricity in the air."
May 23d. " No Buffalo report at the tine of going to press-because of electricity in the atmosphere."
May 31st, June 5th, 7th, 10th and 17th. " No report."
June 19th. " No New York report-lightning in the State of New York."
June 21st" New York line down."
During the next 18 days, the report failed six times, and then (July 11th) came this : " The natural lightning played a freak with the Telegraph today, which will probably prevent us from having reports for a week longer. It struck tare wires, broke the machine, upset the operator, and kicked up a fuss generally."
To add, if possible, to the annoyance, on the 31st of May the Blade received a joint letter from P. Evans Son, R. Evans, J. C. Wroodward, W. R. Evans Co., and Moore & Henry, subscribers at Defiance, asking " to have their money refunded and the paper discontinued, unless they could have it regularly," they frequently getting two or three copies at a time. The editor explained the trouble and said : " Our subscribers would not blame us, did they know all. The meager reports we now receive, whether they come daily or weekly, cost about $8.00 per week."
The facts given in this connection, indicate something of the trials to which the pioneer Telegraph managers, far more, even, than the Press, were subjected. The distance between the meager and unreliable reports of those day s and the page after page of Telegraphic news now daily and reliably transmitted, seems like the separation of two worlds. It should be borne in mind, that at the time named, but a single wire was stretched by imperfect fastenings, in many cases to insufficient poles, along the public highway-there then being no Railroad between Buffalo and Toledo-the only means of examining and repairing the line being by private conveyance, and much of the time over roads hardly passable. There were then no connecting lines, over which communication could be had. Hence, the " line down " at any point between Toledo and New York, was a complete suspension of business until the break could be found and repaired, which work, in many cases, was then devolved upon the local
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The conditions, in this respect, are greatly changed. It is now almost impossible completely to sever telegraphic communication between the principal Cities, the numerous lines which center in them from every direction affording outlet even when the most direct routes are crippled or cut off. A sleet-storm, which play temporarily disable the entire local plant at any given point, is, perhaps, the only thing that could cause a complete suspension of communication.
The character of the service performed for the Press, shows no less improvement. Formerly, it was the custom for representatives of the newspapers taking reports, to copy them as the Operator read from the paper on the instrument. In the Autumn of 1854, however, the services of these amanuenses were dispensed with at Toledo, and the Operator, reading by the sound of the instrument, copied the report in duplicate for the two papers which received and published it. Within the last two years the type-writer has been introduced into this service, and in nearly all the principal Cities, these instruments are now used in copying Press reports, the Operator receiving from the instrument "by sound," and sending to the compositor the printed sheets from his type-writer. The insulation of old-time wires was very imperfect. Those running into and through the various offices, were devoid of protecting or insulating covering ; while outside, especially during the Summer months, much trouble was caused by the rank growth of trees and underbrush. This, coming in contact with the wires, opened numerous channels for the escape of the current to the earth ; so that, even when the wires were intact, they did their work much of the time slowly and only with the exercise of much perseverance and painstaking by the Operator. Business was, of course, greatly delayed in consequence, and the patron of the Telegraph thought nothing of waiting a whole day for a reply to a message sent by him to New York. Now, it is a frequent occurrence for the sender of a message from the floor of the Toledo Produce Exchange to his correspondent "on 'Change " at New York, to receive his answer in one minute.
A well authenticated ease like this is given of early days : A Telegraph Operator furnished a Cleveland daily paper with news which he stole from the wire while it was being transmitted to other papers. The operator', pay for such service was $4.00 per week. Not getting his pay, he "stopped the reports."
Two Press organizations-the Western Associated and the United Press Association-now lease and control their own separate Telegraphic facilities, employing their own Operators and maintaining offices, distinct from those of the Telegraph Company. Should the wire over which their report is passim; at any time become disabled, a perfect wire is instantly supplied, and the work proceeds without delay. The announcement, "No report to-day--Line down," which was once kept standing in most newspaper offices, ready for use, has disappeared and will probably be seen no more. The advance made in this connection within the past 30 years, will be seen when it is stated, that the time occupied in the transmission of the annual message of President Pierce, in December, 1854, was 14 hours, the entire document having been sent on one wire, and received in Toledo by Charles O. Brigham, then 16 years of age. Now, for similar service, five or more wires are used, and the time occupied in the transmission is usually about three hours.
In this connection, a brief review of the many Telegraph ventures with which Toledo has been connected, will not be out of place. As already stated, the Erie and Michigan, and the Atlantic, Lake and Mississippi Telegraph Companies-the former commonly known as the "Speed Line," and the latter as the " O'Reilly Line "-opened offices in Toledo some time during the year 1848. About 1854, the New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company obtained control of the O'Reilly plant, adding to its facilities. In 1855, all the above mentioned passed into and became part of the newly organized Western Union system.
This Company occupied the field unopposed until 1864, when the United States Telegraph Company opened an office in Toledo, occupying the room now used by the United Lines Telegraph Company, in h Hartford Block, Madison Street, as its main office. In March, 1866, the property and franchises of the United States Company were purchased by the Western Union, and the former, as a competing organization, ceased to exist.
The next candidate for favor, was the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company, which opened an office in Toledo in the rooms vacated by the United States Company. The Atlantic and Pacific, under an energetic local management, proved to be a very lively competitor, remaining in the field until it was merged in 'the Western Union. Its first manager in Toledo was Mr. William M. Coon, and its last was Mr. J. M. McNamar, both still residents of Toledo.
In the Spring of 1880, the American Union Telegraph Company opened an office in the First National Bank building on Summit Street, which was maintained one year, when that Company also became a part of the Western Union system. Their Superintendent and Manager at this point was Mr. Charles Selden.
In the Spring of 1882, the wires of the Mutual Union Telegraph Company reached Toledo and an office was opened in the Poag Block, corner Summit and Madison Streets, with Mr. C. D. Meserve as Manager. At the expiration of one year, this Company likewise became, by
436 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY
virtue of a lease of its property and franchises, practically a part of the Western Union system.
In 1884, early in the year, the Postal Telegraph and Cable Company opened an office "at the old stand," on Madison Street. Mr. J. A. Hawley was its first manager, who afterwards was succeeded by Mr. J. At. Wright, the present incumbent. The Postal, shortly after its establishment, was joined by the Bankers' and Merchants', a kindred organization, and the two are now doing business under the name of the " United Lines Telegraph Company."
A new candidate for business in the telegraphic field has just appeared (February, 1887) in the Inter-State Telegraph Company, and is building a line from Detroit, on the North, to a connection with the Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Company at Fostoria, or some other point on the South. This Company, since the date named, has opened an office at No. 40 Madison Street, R. A. Shipman as Manager.
Mr. William A. Beach, the well-known Manager of the Western Union interests in this City, came to Toledo in September, 1854, as Manager of the Erie and Michigan or °' Speed " office. Upon the organization of the Western Union Company, which took place the ensuing year. he became its local Manager, a position which, for 32 years, he has continued to fill with credit to himself' and satisfaction to the Company. When he took charge of the Toledo office in 1854, its facilities for the transmission of business consisted of two wires, and his only assistants were one operator and a messenger. Now, the office which stands as the successor of the one originally managed by him, has connected with it 113 wires, and (with its branches) employs 30 operators, together with a corresponding three of clerks, messengers, line men and battery men. The receipts of the office for the month of October, 1854, amounted to $417.25. For the corresponding month in 1886, the amount was $3,!)00. The number of messages handled in 1854, was about 3,000 ; in October, 1886, it was 80,9)88.
With Manager Beach have been associated the following named employees of the Company Mr. Charles O. Brigham, Chief Operator, began his connection with the business, in May, 1852, as messenger of the Atlantic and Lake Erie (Speed, line, being then 13 years old. Ambitious for promotion, he at once sought every opportunity for learning the art and skill of operating, and for want of better facilities, practiced with a pencil over his jack-knife and with door-latches. In November, 1853, he attained the coveted position of Operator in the O'Reilly office. In February, 1854, he changed to the Speed line, and for a time was in its Cleveland office, with Mr. Beach, the two together coming to Toledo in September of that year, Mr. Beach as Manager, and Mr. Brigham as Operator. In 1861, the business of the Toledo office required an enlarged force, when Mr. Brigham became the first Chief Operator, the position which he yet holds. From June, 1869, until 1877, he was Superintendent of the City Fire Alarm. In September, 1866. he was appointed as the local Agent of the Western Associated Press, serving as such until March, 1886, when he was succeeded by S. S. Knabenshue.
Mr. George M. Brigham became an operator in the Western Union office in February, 1870, and since 1875 has acted as Night Chief Operator.
Mr. Joseph T. Church commenced as Messenger, in July, 1870; began as Operator, in October, 1877 ; and has served as Assistant Chief on day force since June, 1879.
Frank M. Green became Cashier and Book-keeper of the Office in May, 181;6, and yet holds the position.
Until 1874, the service of the line was performed wholly at one office. At that time the business in connection with the Produce Exchange had assumed proportions demanding more ready and more ample facilities, when a branch, known as " Exchange Office," was opened on the floor of that organization. Its first Manager was Mr. W W. Wells who, in 1882, was succeeded by the present incumbent, Mr. John M. Cronenberg. His staff consists of eight operators.
The department of Construction and Repairs constitutes an important part of the Telegraph system. In 1863 this service was placed in the hands of Mr. Joseph Keenan, as Foreman, who since that time has had charge of that service for the District of Toledo and vicinity, and to whose skill and industry the excellent condition of the lines is largely due.
Among the early operators in Toledo, were Messrs. Maurice A. Scott, Charles E. Bliven, and others.