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 The Telegraph Comes to Southern Oregon Eventually.
Proposed Telegraph in Oregon.--The Portland Times says: "Messrs. Chas. F. Johnson and E. D. Tousley, who arrived in this city by the last steamer, propose a joint stock company for the construction of a telegraph line from Portland to Salem. The work is proposed to be finished by within eight months after the company shall have been formed. This line is intended to connect with San Francisco, by way of Southern Oregon and Northern California." "Oregon," Daily Free Democrat, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, November 30, 1854, page 2 TELEGRAPHIC ENTERPRISE.--The contemplated enterprise of building a line of telegraphic communication, between Portland and Salem, eventually to connect with California, is progressing, with probability of being carried into successful operation. Sacramento Daily Union, November 30, 1854, page 2 TELEGRAPH IN OREGON.--The agents of the Portland and Corvallis line of telegraph are "blazing out the line" preparatory to letting contracts for setting the poles. Oregon City, Lafayette, Dayton and Salem are to be points on the route, provided sufficient encouragement is given to the work by those interested in the above mentioned points. Sacramento Daily Union, May 1, 1855, page 1 PACIFIC TELEGRAPH.--We have been informed by Mr. Graham, the superintendent of the Pacific Telegraph line, that he has made arrangements for the wire, and will continue the line to Corvallis in a short time. Those who have taken stock should pay up their assessments at once, and thereby enable the superintendent to go forward with the enterprise. Mr. Graham deserves credit for the energy and industry he has manifested in pushing the work forward. Let the stockholders come up to his aid, and we will soon be in telegraphic communication with San Francisco. Oregonian, Portland, July 19, 1856, page 2 EXTENSION OF THE TELEGRAPH.--In the Butte Record, of Friday last, we notice the first telegraphic dispatch from Marysville. From this it will be perceived that the new line is now open. We also learn from the Shasta papers, of Saturday, 22nd November, that J. E. Strong was in that place, on a tour of observation, having in view the extension of the telegraph to Shasta, and thence to Weaverville, Yreka and Jacksonville, O.T. Mr. Strong has been for years permanently connected with the telegraph lines of this state, and we believe has never undertaken one which he did not get through. It is to be hoped he will be successful in this instance. Sacramento Daily Union, November 24, 1856, page 2 Mr. J. W. Strong is on a tour in the northern counties of the state for the purpose of obtaining information as to the probability of getting enough stock subscribed to warrant the construction of a telegraphic line from Marysville to Jacksonville, O.T., via Shasta, Weaverville and Yreka. Nevada Journal, Nevada City, California, November 28, 1856, page 3 PERSONAL.--J. E. Strong, Esq., of Sacramento, was in town during the early part of the week. Mr. Strong has been president of the Alta Telegraph Co. for some years, and is a gentleman distinguished for his intelligence and businesslike capacity. We had the pleasure of an interview with Mr. Strong, and learned that the object of his visit north is to ascertain whether a sufficient amount of stock can be disposed of to construct a telegraph line from Marysville to Shasta, Weaverville, Yreka and Jacksonville, O.T. Mr. S. left for Yreka on Thursday morning. We wish him every success. Trinity Journal, Weaverville, California, November 29, 1856, page 3 POSTAL.--A petition to the Postmaster General for the establishment of a daily mail between Yreka and Shasta is being signed in the former place. In reference to this project and the further extension of mail facilities northward, the Yreka Union remarks: "We would also suggest to our neighbors in Southern Oregon that they are deeply interested in an increase of mail facilities between them and us. By next summer, Yreka will be in telegraphic communication with San Francisco, which will render a daily mail hence to the principal towns in Southern Oregon not only very desirable, but almost an imperious necessity, and they should bestir themselves in securing the continuation of a daily line into their midst." Sacramento Daily Union, October 10, 1857, page 2 THE NORTHERN TELEGRAPH.--The Yreka Union learns from Mr. Hubbard that the early completion of the telegraph line to Yreka is no longer an open question. "The work is completed between Shasta and Red Bluffs, and is pronounced by competent judges to be fully equal, if not superior, to any telegraph ever constructed. Before Mr. Hubbard left Shasta the posts were set forty miles of the distance between Red Bluffs and Oroville, and all the posts were on the line between the top of Trinity Mountain and Oroville except about six hundred and fifty which had been sawed in the mountains, and their delivery retarded by the snow." INTERCOMMUNICATION.--The prospect of a telegraph to Oregon is very gratifying. There is already a line from Portland to Corvallis--50 miles; thence to Jacksonville, about 250 miles, will not cost much in proportion to the convenience to Oregon people, and the Jacksonville folks are able to build a line to Yreka. A stage road from Crescent City to Jacksonville is being built, to be traveled in 24 hours. Now the Crescent City and Jacksonville papers are two weeks old when we get them; the telegraph will put us in instant communication with the northern coast. Weekly Trinity Journal, Weaverville, California, March 6, 1858, page 3 The Iron Trail of Electric
Thought.
We are going to have a telegraph. Mr. Hubbard, of the Northern
Telegraph Company, is here, and he informs us that the connection
between Red Bluffs and Oroville will be completed within thirty days;
then the workmen will commence north of Shasta, and will have completed
the line to Weaverville by the first of May. The wires and other
materials have arrived; everything is in readiness, and the work is
going on vigorously. The Board of Directors abandoned the original
design of following the Sacramento River route; they now intend to
build the telegraph through Weaverville, Trinity Center, Scott Valley
and Deadwood, to Yreka. This conclusion was in compliance with the
request of stockholders in Trinity County. It was a wise conclusion,
and it will secure the company the cooperation of people on this side,
who must have been indifferent about the success of the enterprise, had
their decision been otherwise. Considerable stock had been subscribed
in this county; the first and second installments are now due; a large
amount has been paid to the contractor, who is now here, and who will
remain to complete the collections. It is earnestly desired that all
subscriptions be paid promptly, so as not to delay the work.The Jacksonville people talk of continuing the line from Yreka to that place; thence it will go to the chief city in Oregon; thus completing a highway of thought from San Francisco up-coast, to the limits of our republic domains. In the East the iron trails of thought are reaching farther and farther westward; ere long they will leave the confines of civilization, and will wind their ways across the Great American Desert, through the snowy defiles of the Sierras, and descend to the broad green valleys of the Pacific, there to find well-trained messengers ready to take up their story and flash it away a thousand miles through summer and winter, across luxuriant valleys and over perpetual snows, to the remote mining village where the grating of stone and steel tells this progress of American enterprise. One is amazed at the magnitude of man's inventive genius. For ages of ages two great oceans have been roaring to each other until the terrified monsters of the deep hid themselves in the profundity of ocean, yet their voices have died on the breeze, leaving thousands of miles of silence untraversed. Earthquakes and mountains travailing with fire scared the lazy aboriginal from his camp, but their thunders did not reach the camp of the American Bedouin who sits on the desert sands laying out his war path. But on the Eastern land-verge a man sits among acids and wires; a paper is before him on which is written "Disunion," or "Invasion"; he touches an instrument that answers with a "still small voice," but each syllable is heard above the surges of the western ocean, or amid the storms that wail round the cold temples of Mount Hood. Shut out, as we are, from railroad or river communication, and dependent on the slow progress made over a mountainous country, we think a telegraph indispensable for the convenience and interests of the business community, and we trust that subscribers will respond to the requests of the collector at once, and cheerfully. There is no doubt but what the investment will pay; the line from Marysville to Oroville, dependent on the business of Oroville, alone, has paid a small percentage above expenses; that between Shasta and Red Bluffs exceeds the expectations of the Company. Surely then, a telegraph sustained by Marysville, Oroville, Red Bluffs, Shasta, Weaverville, Yreka, and intermediate places of less note, will make the Northern Telegraph not only a great convenience to the people of the north, but an enterprise of profit. Weekly Trinity Journal, Weaverville, California, March 6, 1858, page 3 TELEGRAPH TO OREGON.--The Trinity Journal thus discourses on the prospects of a telegraph to Oregon: "There is already a line from Portland to Corvallis, 50 miles; thence to Jacksonville, about 250 miles, will not cost much in proportion to the convenience to Oregon people; and the Jacksonville folks are able to build a line to Yreka. A stage road from Crescent City to Jacksonville is being built, to be traveled over in twenty-four hours. Now the Crescent City and Jacksonville papers are two weeks old when we get them. The telegraph will put us in instant communication with the northern coast." Sacramento Daily Union, March 16, 1858, page 2 YREKA.--From the Yreka Union, of June 24th, we cull the following intelligence: Strong is rapidly pushing forward the telegraph from Weaverville to Yreka. Sacramento Daily Union, June 28, 1858, page 3 JACKSONVILLE, O.T.--The Sentinel, of August 7th, has several items of interest, including one congratulating its readers upon soon being able, by the Western telegraph, to furnish news to Northern Oregon: The telegraph, being completed to Yreka, warrants us in believing that it will be continued to Jacksonville within the next twelve months. When this is done, then it will be that the south of Oregon will occupy the position of not only producing supplies for the people, but furnish the news to all Northern Oregon. Sacramento Daily Union, August 14, 1858, page 1 TELEGRAPHIC EXTENSION.--The Oregon Sentinel says that it is the intention of the people about Jacksonville to extend the Northern Telegraphic Line to that place during the coming summer, and that by this line news will reach Portland in advance of the steamer. Sacramento Daily Union, March 31, 1859, page 5 TELEGRAPH TO JACKSONVILLE.--A meeting was to be held at Portland, on the 11th inst., to form a company to construct a telegraph line from Portland to Jacksonville, and thence to connect with the California lines at Yreka. The call for the meeting is signed by Benj. Stark, S. J. McCormick, and J. M. Vansycle, and under the auspices of such enterprising and energetic men we have no doubt this important work will soon be commenced. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 23, 1859, page 2 Our thanks are due to C. A. Thomas, telegraphic agent at Yreka, for an early dispatch of the news of the Broderick and Terry duel. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 17, 1859, page 2 TELEGRAPHING IN THE NORTH.--We stated recently that James Lingenfelter was engaged in organizing a company, with a stock capital of $20,000 for the purpose of constructing a line of telegraph from Yreka to Jacksonville. We now understand that the Northern Telegraph Company in this state will build the line from Yreka to Jacksonville, and that the wire has been shipped from New York and is now six weeks out. The company will build it without asking any subscriptions from the public. We have the above information from one of the directors. Sacramento Daily Union, April 19, 1860, page 2 Mr. J. E. Strong, of California, agent of California telegraph lines, is now on a visit to this city, for the purpose of consulting with our citizens in regard to the establishment of a telegraph line between Portland and Yreka--so as to give Oregon a telegraphic connection with California and the Atlantic States. The importance to Oregon of this improvement cannot be questioned. It is necessary for our own welfare and to enable us to keep up with the improvements of the age. The work is practicable. It is estimated that it will cost $75,000--distance some 360 miles--and can be so located that offices will be established at Portland, Oregon City, Salem, Albany, Corvallis, Eugene City, Roseburg and Jacksonville. The plan for going on with this work is to organize a company, get the stock subscribed and then proceed with it. The stock subscriptions will be required to be paid in five equal installments, and stockholders will only be held responsible for the amount of their stock. This subject addresses itself with great earnestness to our business men. If they hold back, nothing will be done. If they take hold of the work, it will be accomplished. Oregonian, Portland, January 12, 1861, page 2 ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.--The Oregon papers are discussing the construction of a telegraph line from Portland to Yreka, and they seem generally to favor the plan proposed by a telegraphic agent who has visited them--that of constructing the road by stock subscriptions. Such a plan may be feasible, but we doubt it. The people in the Willamette are likely to be very chary of their names when wanted to a telegraph stock subscription list, from a costly remembrancer they had in early days in a similar operation. We are in favor of having telegraphic communication through the state, connecting with the California lines, but we think the only practicable, safe plan is to have the telegraph company construct it themselves, instead of depending upon subscriptions from the people for the means. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 19, 1861, page 2 BROKEN AGAIN.--The telegraphic operator at Yreka informs us that the line connecting with Marysville is again broke, so that no opportunity is permitted us of laying still later news from the East before our readers. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 30, 1861, page 2 TELEGRAPH.--The Yreka telegraphic agent informs us that the line, which has been for some time broken, will be in working order next week, after which we hope to be able to give our readers the very latest Pony news weekly. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 20, 1861, page 3 TELEGRAPH IN OREGON.--The project to connect Portland and San Francisco, via Yreka and Jacksonville, by telegraph, does not seem to meet with much favor at the North. From the Portland papers we learn that less than $15,000 worth of stock has been subscribed in that city, and in the interior few offer to contribute. We have said, and still think, the only feasible plan for a telegraph through Oregon is for a company rich enough to build the line at once, without depending on outside aid during the progress of the work. A good many people in the Willamette were victimized a few years ago in a very shallow telegraph scheme, and ever since they look with suspicion on all kindred projects, whether beneficial or speculative. It would be easier to raise money to build a balloon than a telegraph, from some of them. Nothing short of a through line will pay, we are very certain, and this will cost $60,000. Oregon will not give half the sum for any such purpose. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 27, 1861, page 2 GOOD TIMES.--The Yreka Journal says that the precious metal is now beginning to pour in by thousands of dollars, from nearly every mining locality in the county. The same paper says the northern California telegraph line has passed into the hands of the state line, and are now engaged in repairing, and will no doubt soon extend the line to Jacksonville and Portland, Oregon. Placer Herald, Auburn, California, May 18, 1861, page 2 TELEGRAPHIC DISPATCHES.--The expense for telegraphic news is very high, and with the exception of the Statesman and one or two of the Portland papers, the Sentinel is the only one that receives direct dispatches from Yreka. By having the news telegraphed, we are three days in advance of the Sacramento Union, three or four of the Statesman and four or five of the Portland papers, which, to the people of Southern Oregon, is an age in these exciting times. Hereafter we shall charge two bits apiece for extras, excepting our agents, so as to enable us to get even on our telegraphic expenses. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 1, 1861, page 3 TELEGRAPH ACROSS THE PLAINS.--In a short time from now, say three or four months, we will have one continuous line of telegraph from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The gentlemen composing this company have both the means and the energy to complete it in this short a time. Next to a Pacific railroad, it is the most important work of the present day. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 29, 1861, page 2 Publisher's Notice--Extras.
To meet the increased demand for the very latest intelligence from the
Atlantic States, the publisher of the SENTINEL have
determined to issue Extras immediately on receipt of the Pony [Express]
dispatches, and forward them to subscribers by first conveyance, in
advance of the regular weekly issue. The Pony now arrives twice a week,
the news from which usually reach us on Sunday and Wednesday evenings,
by telegraph from Sacramento to Yreka, and thence by stage to this
place. The northern stage lying over for twelve hours gives ample time
for printing and mailing the extras north, while we will be equally
fortunate in hitting Monday's mail for Crescent City.
To meet attendant expenses, we shall issue to subscribers of the SENTINEL twenty-five numbers of the Extra for the trifling sum of One Dollar in advance. Orders, with the cash, left with any one of the agents named above will receive prompt attention. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 17, 1861, page 2 Telegraph Extension.
Mr. J. E. Strong, favorably known in California as an energetic
telegraph builder, is in town soliciting the aid of the citizens of
this valley in the construction of the projected telegraph line from
Portland to Yreka. Mr. Strong has no doubt of succeeding in the
completion of this line. His success in Northern Oregon has been much
better than it had been with lines that are now in profitable operation
in California. The estimated cost of building, in the manner proposed,
with sawed poles, calculated for two wires, will be $75,000, of which
it will require about $12,000 to complete the line from Yreka to this
place. Mr. Strong hopes to have the latter amount subscribed by our
citizens, and if business men are awake to their interests, we see no
good reason why his hope should not be realized.
That this line, when completed, will become of great national importance, we subjoin the following letter as an evidence: SACRAMENTO,
Sept. 6, 1861.
J. E. STRONG, Esq.--Dear Sir:
Your favor of 17th ult. was duly received. I am pleased to learn that
you are getting along so well with your enterprise, and that you are
preparing to build your line with the best of poles and in so
substantial a manner. It will be for the interest of all concerned to
have your line of the best quality when completed, for I assure you
that it is to become a very important link in the great chain of
telegraphic communication that is soon to be established between two
great nations. The matter is becoming of more interest every day, and
parties are now ready to take hold of it, with abundant means to carry
it through as soon as the necessary arrangements shall have been
entered into between the United States and Russia, which will certainly
be effected before long, as the ministers of both governments are
favorable to the enterprise (in fact, anxious to forward it) and will,
at the earliest opportunity, bring the matter prominently before their
respective governments, when we have the assurance all will be done
that is necessary to enable the parties to commence the work without
delay. In such event, your line, forming a part of the great
international line, will become invaluable, as the business between the
two continents alone would be sufficient to yield enormous profits. We
are getting along rapidly with the overland line between California and
Salt Lake, and will be in direct communication with our Atlantic
friends on or before the first of December next. We are informed from
reliable sources that the telegraph lines on the other side are paying
marvelously, and their benefits will be reflected to us when our line
reaches them, and the same will hold good in regard to your line. Our
dividends have been growing better each succeeding month since the
consolidation. We are sending men over all our lines to have them put
in good order for the winter, and are going to give the Yreka line a
thorough overhauling.Yours
truly,
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville,
October 5, 1861, page
2R. H. McDONALD.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN JAMES
LINGENFELTER.--The following is
from the news by Sunday's Pony:
The Herald's dispatch of the 23rd says: "Yesterday Captain Lingenfelter, of Gen. Baker's California Regiment, while on picket duty near the Kirby road, north of Hall's house, imprudently ventured some distance beyond our lines into the woods, accompanied by a lieutenant, an orderly sergeant, and three privates. They were suddenly surrounded by a force of the rebels, who commenced firing at once. The privates returned the fire and then made a successful retreat. Capt. Lingenfelter and his companions fired upon the rebels with their pistols, but a rebel bullet killed him instantly. The lieutenant and sergeant then escaped, and getting a sufficient force they returned to the scene of the conflict. The body had been stripped of sword and pistols. They conveyed the body to the camp, and today it was escorted by a guard of honor to the congressional burial round ,and buried with funeral honors. Capt. Lingenfelter was from Oregon. He has friends residing in Fonda, Montgomery County, New York." We knew young Lingenfelter well. He first came to California, round the Horn, in 1848. In 1858 he came to Marysville, and was for some time an operator in the state telegraph office. The following winter he was operator in the office of the Northern Telegraph Co., in Sacramento, and in the summer of 1859 was engaged in mining near Downieville. During the fall and winter of that year he was employed at Firebaugh's Ferry and other points on the Overland Telegraph line towards Los Angeles. In the spring of 1860 he went to Oregon and started the project of building a telegraph line from Jacksonville to Yreka, but, not meeting with the encouragement he had expected, he gave up telegraphing and commenced the practice of law, a profession for which he had thoroughly prepared himself before leaving New York for the land of gold. He was an ardent supporter of Col. Baker for the U.S. Senate, and stumped the state in his behalf. When the California regiment was raised in New York under the direction of Col. Baker, Lingenfelter joined it and took command of a company. He risked his life, and lost it in defense of his country's honor. Daily
National Democrat, Marysville, California, October 17,
1861, page
2
Lingenfelter was the first Oregonian killed in the Civil War.
TELEGRAPH.--A note received from the operator at Yreka, last evening, in which he says: They are building the Overland Telegraph rapidly, and we expect to be working through to St. Louis in a few days. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 26, 1861, page 2 DISPATCHES.--We notice that the dispatches from Yreka, published in Jacksonville, differ in some particulars from those sent to us. In that portion of the dispatch found under the head of "Baltimore, Oct. 17," referring to the capture of a large gun from the enemy near Harper's Ferry, by our troops, it is said, "They were, however, forced to retreat, which they did, in good order, as usual." The Advertiser has the words "as usual" enclosed in parentheses. Our dispatch came to us with these words not so enclosed. In the Times' dispatch the words "as usual" do not appear. In the same dispatch from the telegraph office (Yreka), published in the Jacksonville Sentinel, the words referred to are not found. There is another grave error in the dispatch sent to Portland. In substance it represents that four or five hundred Federals were surrounded at Potosi by six hundred; facts were that our men were surrounded by six thousand rebels and compelled to surrender. We are aware that errors may occur in transcribing dispatches, but hope that in doing this hereafter that more care will be given to the work. Oregonian, Portland, November 2, 1861, page 2 THE RATES OF TELEGRAPHING.--We learn from the Marysville Appeal that the rates of telegraphing from that city are as follows: New York City, for the first ten words, $8.75; Philadelphia, $8.75; to Boston, $9; to Washington, $8.75; to the above must be added 60 cents for every subsequent word; to St. Louis, $7; Cincinnati, $7.75; Chicago, $6.60. To the last named, add 50 cents for each subsequent word. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 9, 1861, page 2 The Telegraph Extension.
This is exclusive of the cost of offices, batteries,
superintendence and collecting subscriptions. The company will be
styled "The Oregon Telegraph Company," with a capital stock of $75,000,
and its main place of business in Portland. The line will not stop,
however, at Portland, but will extend seven miles further, to
Vancouver, which is a town of note, and is the chief military post for
Oregon and the eastern part of Washington Territory. After the Oregon
line shall have been completed, it will not be long before a line will
be built through Washington to Olympia, Steilacoom, Port Townsend and
thence across to Victoria. The Russians have, already, a line complete
from St. Petersburg to Irkutsk, and they are now extending it to
Nicolayefsk, at the mount of the Amur, from which point they promise to
continue it across to Sitka. As to the possibility of this there can be
no reasonable doubt. Either by way of the Aleutian Islands or by
Bering's Straits, not more than 150 miles of submarine wire is
necessary in any one place. The distance is about 3,500 miles from the
mouth of the Amur to Sitka, and thence 900 to Portland.OREGON TO BE EMBRACED IN THE CIRCUIT. From the Alta California.
Oregon has no magnetic telegraph as yet, but it is arranged that before
the middle of 1862 Portland shall be in communication with the wires of
California, and through them with St. Louis, New York and Boston. Mr.
J. E. Strong, who has built many miles of telegraph in California, has
spent some months in Oregon, examining the route from Yreka to
Portland, maintaining subscriptions and making contracts for the
erection of the line. Yreka, the largest town in the extreme north of
this state, on the main stage road from Sacramento to Portland, 320
miles distant from the former place, 350 from the latter by the wire,
and 25 miles from Oregon, is now in telegraphic connection with the
large towns of California. The main body of the population of Oregon is
in the Willamette Valley, on the northern border of the state, and 100
miles from the ocean. Portland, the chief commercial town, is only 10
miles from the Columbia River. Mr. Strong measured the distances from
Yreka, by the stage road, and found them to be as follows, from place
to place:
The material for poles is abundant, and the earth along the route is favorable for their erection. The poles will be sawn eight inches square at the bottom, four inches at the top, and 22 feet long, of which length three feet will be put into the ground. The poles will be 88 yards apart, requiring 20 to a mile. The wire will be No. 9, about a sixth of an inch thick--a size larger than that used in California--and 320 pounds will be used in a mile. It is impossible to determine in advance the precise cost of a long line of telegraph, but Mr. Strong makes the following estimate per mile:
New York Times, November 18, 1861, page 3 The Overland Telegraph enables us to lay before our readers news from the Eastern States within six days after it leaves the Atlantic coasts. The wonderful achievement of constructing an overland telegraph line gives us news four weeks before we can receive it in Eastern newspapers, and points to the propriety and necessity of Oregon citizens patronizing the Oregon press. That man who relies upon Eastern papers for news is four weeks behind the times. We trust that another year will not pass before we shall have an uninterrupted line of telegraph from Portland to all the Eastern States. "The Oregonian--Daily and Weekly," Oregonian, Portland, November 30, 1861, page 3 THE TELEGRAPH.--Since the late storm has almost completely demolished the line between Yreka and Shasta, a new line could be as easily built up the Sacramento River route, on which there seems to be no great damage done. We do not expect to have any more reports before next April, unless the company put on hands and build it through other sections than where severe storms prevail in winter. The poles should be closer together, that the wire might be protected, and not attached to trees, as trees are more liable to blow down and rot at the roots.--Yreka Union. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 14, 1861, page 2 TELEGRAPH.--We are informed by the operator at Yreka that the line will not be at work again before the first of April. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 4, 1862, page 3 The Jacksonville Sentinel is authoritatively informed that the telegraph line to Yreka will not be at work again before the first of April. Oregonian, Portland, January 14, 1862, page 2 TELEGRAPHIC.--There was a meeting of the Oregon Telegraph Company at Portland, on the 26th of last month. The shares have all been taken. Mr. Strong, the contractor and builder of the line, stated that he had already ordered from the East all the wire, insulators, and all other stock necessary to complete the line. He had also contracted for the cutting and delivery of the poles along the whole line. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 5, 1862, page 3 THE TELEGRAPH.--Mr. Strong, the builder of the Oregon and California telegraph, had a number of hands engaged in erecting poles on Saturday. Some twenty-four were erected on Front Street. Oregonian, Portland, May 24, 1862, page 3 NEWS.--No telegraphic news this week. Either the wire is down or tamed lightning won't work. O! for one of those letters that our Dixie friends used to receive ahead of the telegraph. Some terrible disaster has no doubt befell the Union army, and the government despots won't let us know it. Whew! Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 21, 1862, page 3 THE OREGON TELEGRAPH.--The Portland (Oregon) correspondent of the Bulletin writes: Mr. Strong, formerly of your state, is moving along with the Oregon telegraph between here [and] Yreka. The beginning pole was planted here during the spring, and now he is pegging along through the grass-shires of this valley, some 75 miles to the southward. It is expected that it will be up and in working order to the southern terminus this fall, and then we can shake hands with the Bay City by lightning. Nevada Democrat, Nevada, California, July 17, 1862, page 2 OREGON TELEGRAPH.--Mr. Strong, at present engaged in building the telegraph line from Portland to Yreka, honored us with a visit yesterday. The poles on the line are all set between Canyonville and Portland. Mr. Strong has gone to Yreka, to employ parties to put up poles from that place to the summit of the Siskiyou Mountains. He will return to this place in a week or two, and personally superintend the erection of the line from here to the Siskiyou. He assures us that the connection will be made between this place and Yreka before the winter sets in. The progress of this enterprise has been considerably retarded by the neglect of contractors to furnish poles at the appointed time. On this account the line cannot be completed this season. The connection will be made between Salem and Portland, and also between Jacksonville and Yreka. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 20, 1862, page 3 OREGON TELEGRAPH.--Mr. Strong, Superintendent of the California and Oregon telegraph line, informs the Sentinel that the poles are all set between Portland and Canyonville. He has now gone to Yreka to employ parties to put up the poles to that place, and expects that a connection will be made between Yreka and Jacksonville, and between Portland and Salem before winter sets in. He says that the progress of the work has been retarded by neglect of contractors to furnish poles, and the line cannot be finished this season on that account. Oregonian, Portland, September 23, 1862, page 2 THE OREGON TELEGRAPH.--The Yreka Journal of the 24th inst. says: J. E. Strong, superintendent of the Oregon telegraph line, is in town, making arrangements for placing out poles from this place towards Jacksonville. He will survey the line to the top of Siskiyou Mountain, and commence setting out poles from the Siskiyou towards Jacksonville, leaving this side of the mountain to be performed by other parties. He expects the wire here by the 1st of November, and intends to have the line in operation to Jacksonville this winter. The wire to arrive will be of the heaviest kind, capable of withstanding the severe snow storms prevalent in winter on the mountains. Marysville Daily Appeal, Marysville, California, September 28, 1862, page 2 OREGON TELEGRAPH.--Mr. J. E. Strong, superintendent of the Oregon telegraph line, was in Yreka at last accounts. The Union, in speaking of the matter, says: "The wire will arrive at Portland about the first of November. Mr. Strong will stretch the wire from Portland to Corvallis as soon as it arrives, and if the winter proves favorable, he will finish the entire line by the first of January, 1863." Weekly Oregonian, Portland, October 4, 1862, page 2 We get our telegraphic dispatches from the office in Yreka and are three days ahead of the enterprising Sacramento Union. The telegraph will soon be completed between this place and Yreka. The poles are already up, and the line will be in operation inside of two months, at farthest. As soon as the irrepressible Strong conducts his chained lightning to our town, and commands the ethereal telltale to drop his messages at our door, we shall be four days ahead of the California dailies. "To Our Patrons," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 22, 1862, page 2 OREGON TELEGRAPH.--The poles have been set up as far as Sam. Hadley's on the Jacksonville road, within ten miles of Yreka, and will be completed to Yreka in a couple of weeks. Hopes are entertained of having the line in operation to Jacksonville this winter, though we see no chance of the wire getting here before the roads are closed.--Yreka Journal. Marysville Daily Appeal, Marysville, California, November 19, 1862, page 3 THE TELEGRAPH.--We are informed by the gentlemanly telegraph operator at Yreka, C. A. Thomas, that the Oregon telegraph wire was shipped on board the clipper ship Noonday, and that she sailed from New York on the 25th of July last. The ship has not arrived at San Francisco yet. We are fearful that no portion of the wire will be put up this winter. If any portion of it is landed at Crescent City in a short time, it possibly might be hauled to this place. But in all human probability, the Crescent City mountain will soon be blockaded with snow, and the wire, if landed there, must remain until next spring. We will inform our readers as soon as we hear anything definite about it. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 27, 1862, page 3 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.--We have received the National Intelligencer, of Dec. 2nd, containing the President's Message. We have carefully compared it with the copy telegraphed to the Associated Press of California, and, so far as substance is concerned, the difference is not material. So far as the style and composition of the message is concerned, the variations are frequent and important. The last paragraph, in particular, was wholly recast by the telegraph, losing thereby much of its beauty and force, although retaining its substance. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 31, 1862, page 3 . . . The wire for the Oregon telegraph was shipped from New York, July 25th, but has not yet arrived. The southern part of the line cannot now be put up before the snows leave the Crescent City mountains, in the spring. "Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, January 5, 1863, page 2 ALL SET.--The poles for the Oregon telegraph are all set between Portland and Yreka. They are large, sawed poles, calculated for double wires. Oh, that the wire may be speedily recovered. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 10, 1863, page 2 TELEGRAPH WIRE.--We learn by a paragraph in the Portland Times of the 12th that probably only a part of the wire for the telegraph line between Portland and Yreka was on board the ill-fated clipper ship Noonday. Mr. Strong says that he ordered the wire to be sent by two different vessels. We hope this may be found the true state of the case. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 17, 1863, page 2 . . . The wire for the Oregon telegraph was lost with the ship Noonday, which as wrecked near the Farallon Islands, by striking on a sunken rock. Wire must be reordered for at least a portion of the line. This will delay the construction of the telegraph for four or five months. "Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, January 19, 1863, page 2 Three hundred miles of wire for the Oregon telegraph has arrived at San Francisco. Two hundred miles were lost on the Noonday. "Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, January 26, 1863, page 2 Portland and Oregon City are now connected by telegraph. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 8, 1863, page 2 TELEGRAPH.--We received the following from the telegraph operator at Yreka, by last night's stage: "The line was down yesterday, and today it is raining hard, making it impossible to get anything from Marysville." Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 22, 1863, page 2 THE OREGON TELEGRAPH.--From the Statesman we learn that Mr. Strong had got the telegraph wires up as far south as Salem on the 17th inst., and sent to and received messages from Portland. "The work will not proceed any further at present, as the wire lost on the Noonday has not been supplied yet. Mr. S. is going to California to procure wire for the rest of the route." Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 25, 1863, page 2 TELEGRAPH.--Mr. Strong, builder of the Oregon telegraph line, is in our town for the purpose of soliciting subscriptions for the construction of the telegraph, and for the establishment of an office in this place. A certain amount must be subscribed or we get no office. We hope that he will meet with that success which the nature and character of the enterprise warrants. We will give a more extended statement in our Wednesday's issue. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 30, 1863, page 2 OREGON TELEGRAPH.--We see it stated in the Oregon Democrat that Mr. Strong, the builder of said line, is reported to have said in Albany that the line would not be built unless $7,000 additional stock be subscribed. Mr. Strong requests us to state that it is an entire mistake. He intends to build the line if not another dollar is subscribed, but no place will get an office unless a certain amount of stock is subscribed in the immediate vicinity of that place. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 3, 1863, page 2 No Telegraphic Dispatch on
Tuesday.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville,
June 24, 1863, page
2YREKA,
June 22nd.
Ed.
Sentinel:--I
shall have to disappoint you tonight. We commenced taking the report,
but ere we had received a dozen words, the elements broke forth in all
their terrible grandeur, rain fell in torrents, intermingled with
bushels of full-grown hail. The lightnings flashed, while Heaven's
artillery discounted the combined efforts of Hooker and Lee to make a
noise.Yours, in a d---l of a storm, BASSETT,
Operator.
OREGON TELEGRAPH.--Mr. J. E. Strong, on his return trip from California, called at our office last evening. All his efforts to procure wire in California have failed. By the 26th of the present month, however, a lot of wire, ordered especially for the line, is expected to arrive on a vessel from New York, via Cape Horn, and Mr. Strong expects to complete the line this season. Mr. Strong's energy and perseverance in this enterprise is inexhaustible and untiring. Were the pirates to seize his last shipment of wire he would not be dismayed, but in a day would be found doing the next best thing possible for the quick completion of the line. May success speedily crown his labor. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 1, 1863, page 2 NO NEWS.--From Saturday night up to last evening we have received no telegraphic news. We suppose the lightning has destroyed portions of the line on the Plains. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 22, 1863, page 3 The Yreka Journal of the 22nd says Mr. J. E. Strong will be there in a few days for the purpose of commencing operations on the Oregon telegraph line from Yreka. The wire is now on the way from below. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 25, 1863, page 2 The Journal of the 5th says Mr. J. E. Strong is in Yreka, waiting the expected arrival of wire for the Oregon telegraph line. The work of stretching the wire northward through Oregon will soon commence. Success to the line and its enterprising builder. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 12, 1863, page 2 OREGON TELEGRAPH.--Mr. J. E. Strong, the most energetic of telegraph builders, passed through our town a day or two since, from California to his home in Salem. The following item of gratifying news, which we obtain from the Yreka Union of the 3rd inst., gives assurance that the untiring efforts of Mr. Strong have met with at least partial success in procuring wire for the Oregon line: "The wire for the Yreka and Jacksonville division is on the way from Red Bluff. It will be stretched on the poles as fast as circumstances will admit, and in less than six weeks Jacksonville, Oregon, will have telegraphic communications with San Francisco and the Atlantic States." Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 7, 1863, page 2
OREGON TELEGRAPH.--Forty-five
miles of the wire for the Oregon telegraph reached Yreka on Tuesday
last. Mr. Whittlesey with a gang of men is now out putting up the
poles, and has reached Klamath River. It is probable that the line will
be completed to Jacksonville by the first of December.
Shasta Courier, Shasta City, California, October 24, 1863, page 3 Mr. Strong informs us that the Yreka and Portland telegraph will be completed in a short time as far north as Jacksonville. That will bring us one day nearer the Atlantic States. "Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, October 26, 1863, page 2 TELEGRAPH INTEREST TRANSFERRED.--We learn from the Jacksonville Intelligencer that the California State Telegraph Company have bought the interest of Mr. Strong in the line from Yreka, California, to this city. Mr. Whittlesey, the agent of the company, has been preparing the poles to receive the wires between Jacksonville and Yreka, and it is reported that some fifteen thousand pounds of the wire has already arrived at Yreka. The general belief is that the line will be completed to Jacksonville by the first of December. Oregonian, Portland, October 29, 1863, page 2 The Yreka Journal says the work of stretching the telegraph wire from there to this place is about to be commenced. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 7, 1863, page 2 TELEGRAPH WIRE.--Yreka, Nov. 3rd.--Wire for the completion of the telegraph from this place to Portland has arrived, and it is the intention of the company to have the line completed by the first of January, 1864. TEL.
OPERATOR.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville,
November 7, 1863, page
7ARRIVAL OF TELEGRAPH WIRE.--Mr. Strong informs the editor of the Oregonian that the ship S. C. Grant, 182 days from New York, arrived at San Francisco on the 29th ult., bringing all the telegraph wire necessary to complete the line from Portland to Yreka, and that the work will be prosecuted with vigor, and completed by the first of January next. A portion of the wire is expected to arrive at Portland on the next steamship to sail from San Francisco, when the work will be immediately proceeded with from the northern end of the line. Mr. Strong will proceed to Yreka to superintend the putting up of the sixty miles of wire already there. It is expected that there will be an ample supply of wire at Yreka from San Francisco, ready for transportation overland before it is waited for, that the progress of the work may not be impeded. The poles are all ready for the wire along the entire route. Oregon Democrat, Albany, November 7, 1863, page 2 The Yreka Journal says the telegraph will be up as far as Jacksonville, so as to send the dispatches over it in about two weeks. "Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, November 16, 1863, page 3 NO NEWS.--We are obliged to go to press this week without a line of telegraphic news, no dispatches having been transmitted across the Plains, to the Associated Press of California, since the 12th inst. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 21, 1863, page 2 PROGRESS OF THE TELEGRAPH.--By telegram from Yreka, Nov. 18th, we receive the following: The Oregon line is now completed from this place to the upper portion of Rogue River Valley. The work is going on at the rate of about five miles per day. "Oregon Items," Daily British Colonist, Victoria, British Columbia, December 2, 1863, page 6 One hundred and eleven miles of the wire for the Oregon telegraph came up on the Pacific and the rest of it was to come up on the Oregon. The wire by the Pacific has been brought up the river and the work of stretching it on the poles commenced at Salem on Thursday. From Yreka, the wire has been put up to within a few miles of Jacksonville. The work will be continued from that end as soon as additional wire arrives from Red Bluff. The line entire will be up so as to connect us with Sacramento, probably during January. "Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, December 7, 1863, page 2 The recent heavy snow storm on the Siskiyou Mountain has displaced and broke in many places the wire lately stretched on the telegraph line between this place and Yreka. The wire had been stretched to within about twenty miles of this place, but the storm will probably delay the work a month or more. "Weather," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 12, 1863, page 2 The wire for the southern end of the Oregon telegraph passed through Yreka a few days ago for Jacksonville, whence the work will proceed at once. "Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, December 21, 1863, page 3 THE CALIFORNIA TELEGRAPH LINE.--The operator at Yreka, under date of Dec. 15th, in a private letter to us received last night, says: "I should have notified you some time since of the condition of affairs down this way, but [I] have been out working on the line for [the] past week. On the 6th inst. commenced a very heavy storm in this section, which almost entirely demolished about 80 miles of the telegraph line between this place and Shasta. Snow fell to the depth of 3½ feet, making it slow and difficult work repairing in mountains. We will, however, in a few days be going again. Supt. Whittlesey is busy putting in [a] new section of 33 miles in [the] worst part of [the] line. He will have it done in a few days, and then we expect to keep the line in order all the time. If, in the meantime, I get any news in advance of mails, will forward it to you. It will not be long now before the line is up clear through, unless the weather is very bad. It is up nearly to Jacksonville, and over 100 miles of wire is now lying in that place, besides what has been sent to Portland. I think in ten days they will resume work on this end of the line." The Jacksonville Sentinel of the 12th says: "The recent heavy snow storm on the Siskiyou Mountain has displaced and broken in many places the wire lately stretched on the telegraph line between this place and Yreka. The wire had been stretched to within about twenty miles of this place, but the storm will probably delay the work a month or more." The Democrat says "the workmen engaged in putting up the telegraph passed through town this morning, going south, having completed the work of stretching the wire between Albany and Salem." Oregonian, Portland, December 22, 1863, page 2 OREGON TELEGRAPH LINE.--Supt. Whittlesey started his force yesterday morning to mend the breaks in the Oregon line to Jacksonville. It is expected that within a week that town will be in telegraphic communication with the rest of the world. The Semi-Weekly Union, Yreka, California, January 9, 1864, page 3 The Telegraph.
We have a short dispatch this morning, containing later news than that
brought by the Oregon. There
is a significant item in the report of the Democratic caucus at
Washington; the resolution denouncing the proclamation of Mr. Lincoln
as inexpedient, revolutionary and unconstitutional is probably the
great plank in the Democratic platform for this year. Much good may it
do the Northern rebels who made it! Of course, they will think anything
inexpedient which hurts their Southern allies, revolutionary, which
disturbs their treasonable designs, and unconstitutional which
increases and intensifies the power of the government. On the authority
of Mr. Bassett, the faithful operator at Yreka, we are glad to be able
to report that the telegraph will be completed to Jacksonville in a few
days, and through to Salem by the middle or last of February. Till then
our readers will please to possess their souls in patience, though we
confess that for ourselves, while editing a daily paper, we are quite
impatient for some means of obtaining news oftener than once in ten
days, as we now do by steamer.
Oregonian, Portland, January 21, 1864, page 2 Opening of the Northern Telegraph.
The following
is a copy of the first dispatch ever transmitted telegraphically
between the states of California and Oregon:
JACKSONVILLE,
Oregon,
To James Gamble, Superintendent, San Francisco--The line was completed
to this place yesterday morning. Will be ready to receive business
tomorrow. Please send tariff. Weather bad; roads very muddy.January 22nd, 1864, 4 p.m. Signed,
On the other side, the line is in operation from Portland to Salem, and
it is the purpose of the company to supply the intervening space in a
short time. This will place Marysville in direct telegraphic
communication with Portland.E. A. WHITTLESEY. Marysville Daily Appeal, Marysville, California, January 23, 1864, page 3 PROGRESS OF THE TELEGRAPH.--Superintendent Whittlesey informs us that he expects the connection will be made with the northern end of the line within one month from the present date. He is pushing the work forward rapidly and expects to meet Mr. Strong's party at or near Roseburg. On the 18th Mr. Strong, with his party, were on the Calapooia Mountains, and expected to have the wire stretched southward to Oakland by today. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 23, 1864, page 2 Superintendent Whittlesey has started a force from Yreka to mend the breaks in the Oregon telegraph line, and finish the line to Jacksonville. Placer Herald, Auburn, California, January 23, 1864, page 2 TELEGRAPH.--On Thursday the telegraph line was finished to this place, and an office established. Mr. Whittlesey furnished us with the first dispatch that came over the wires. It is our intention to obtain the latest dispatches and publish extras, and condense them for the weekly issues. This will enable the subscribers of the Intelligencer to dispense with dailies that are now taken. We hope to be able to furnish all the latest news. Oregon Intelligencer, Jacksonville, January 23, 1864, page 3 BY CALIFORNIA AND
OREGON TELEGRAPH LINE.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville,
January 23, 1864, page
7TELEGRAPHED TO JACKSONVILLE EXPRESSLY FOR THE OREGON SENTINEL. First Dispatch by Telegraph Through to Jacksonville. ---- January 22.
Fortress Monroe, 17th.--The Richmond Sentinel says
"Yankee troops are being landed at Morehead City, N.C. We expect
stirring times on the coast this winter. A Confederate quartermaster is
believed to be a defaulter to the amount of half a million dollars."
Philadelphia, 20th.--In a letter of Secretary Seward to Minister Adams, the Secretary says the United States insists, and must continue to insist, that the British government is justly responsible for damages which peaceful, law-abiding citizens of the united States sustain by the depredation of the Alabama, that vessel having been built and fitted out in British waters. The Secretary cannot, therefore, instruct Mr. Adams to refrain from pressing claims he has in his hands. Chicago, 20th.--The state senate yesterday confirmed Robert B. Swain as superintendent of the Mint at San Francisco. EXTRAS.--Having made arrangements with superintendent Whittlesey for the regular receipt of telegraphic dispatches from Atlantic States and California, we shall daily print extras containing the war, Congressional and general news, which can be read by our patrons on the same day it is received in San Francisco and Sacramento. We have not yet ascertained the terms upon which we will be enabled to furnish extras, but shall inform the public as soon as we get fairly started. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 23, 1864, page 7 TELEGRAPH EXTENSION.--We congratulate our brethren of the press at Jacksonville, Oregon, that they are now enabled to receive the news daily by lightning dispatch. No California paper can now compete with them or injure their local business with extras, as heretofore superintendent Whittlesey is pushing forward his end of the line, and Portland will soon receive telegraph congratulations from the South. The Semi-Weekly Union, Yreka, California, January 27, 1864, page 2 WIRE BROKEN.--On Wednesday afternoon the telegraphic communication between this place and Yreka was interrupted, probably by a break of the wire on the Siskiyou Mountain. Mr. Mann, the operator, has gone to repair the damage. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 30, 1864, page 2 Jacksonville and the Telegraph.
The progress of improvements
follow in close proximity with
civilization within the last twenty years. The question of joint
occupancy between Great Britain and the United States has been settled,
and the state of Oregon admitted into the union of states with all the
rights of other states; within that period California has been acquired
by treaty, and, with all her wealth added to the Union; Washington,
Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Arizona Territories have been organized, and
will soon knock at the door of the Union for admission. The steady
march of civilization has been onward at a rapid pace on the western
slope of the Rocky Mountains, and along the Pacific Coast.
Jacksonville, our present location, has not been to exceed twelve
years. In November 1855 we issued the first newspaper at this place
printed in Southern Oregon. At that time we had to depend upon cayuse
mail facilities as often as once in two weeks, but oftener it so
happened that we received and dispatched a mail once in two months.
Since that time our beautiful valley has been settled up by the steady,
industrious farmer, and is fast being placed in a state of high
cultivation, and all the supplies necessary to the surrounding mining
country produced and afforded at remarkable cheap prices. Our mail
facilities have progressed from semi-monthly to daily, and instead of
cayuse horses, by stage, which offers advantages along the line and
throughout the country. A railroad line from Marysville to Portland has
been surveyed and located through our town; a telegraph line completed
thus far, and an office established, which last improvement connects us
by lightning with a considerable portion of the civilized world. In
proof that San Francisco is not so far from Jacksonville but that it
may probably become of some importance we give the following.
Telegram.
H. P. Coon,Mayor of San Francisco, Cal. Jacksonville greets San Francisco. May the linked lightning, which has so recently connected California and Oregon together, draw closer the hands of friendship and amity between the sister states of the Pacific, and prove the harbinger of a new era of prosperity for this coast. H.
Klippel,
Pres't. of the Corporation of Jacksonville San Francisco, Jan. 23, '64, 5:20 p.m. H. Klippel, Pres't. of the Corporation of Jacksonville. San Francisco returns the cordial greeting of Jacksonville, and joins with fervent sympathy in the friendly and patriotic sentiments of your telegram. H.
P. Coon,
Oregon Intelligencer, Jacksonville,
January 30, 1864, page 2Mayor of San Francisco. The first message ever transmitted telegraphically between California and Oregon was received at the telegraph office in this city Jan. 22, by Mr. Craddock, the manager, directly from Jacksonville, to which point the line of the California State Telegraph Company has just been completed.--Marysville Express. Placer Herald, Auburn, California, January 30, 1864, page 1 THE TELEGRAPH LINE COMPLETED TO JACKSONVILLE.--The long-expected telegraph connection between this place and Yreka has at last been made. On Thursday last the wagon arrived in town tolling out the wire, which was rapidly stretched on the staunch poles by workmen under the management of superintendent Whittlesey, and by evening the wire was attached to the battery in the office, located in the reception room of the U.S. Hotel. On yesterday morning we received the first dispatch sent over the wires to this place, which we publish in this paper.--Jacksonville Sentinel, Jan. 23rd. Oregonian, January 30, 1864, page 2
The State Telegraph Company have completed the line to Jacksonville,
Oregon.
Shasta Courier, Shasta City, California, February 13, 1864, page 1 Telegraph to Eugene City, Oregon.
Sacramento
Daily Union, February 18, 1864, page 3EUGENE
CITY (Oregon), February 14th.
(Via Telegraph Camp, 63 miles north of
Jacksonville, February 17th.)The Oregon line is working to this place, 120 miles south of Portland. A message from San Francisco now reaches Portland in three days. The weather throughout the state is fine--highly favorable to its business and agricultural interests. COMMUNICATION NORTH.--The Oregon telegraph line being now completed to Eugene City, on the Willamette, and that being by stage but three days distant from Jacksonville, San Francisco and Portland can interchange telegraphic news in that time. Stockton Independent, February 19, 1864, page 3 EXTRAS.--Since the completion of the telegraphic line to this place, we have issued seventeen extras, containing the war, congressional and general news, daily, as received. For this number of extras we have paid, in cash, about sixty dollars. By the sale of extras, at one bit each, we have realized fifteen dollars. We are enterprising--disposed to work hard and give our readers the earliest news--but not being blessed with a superabundance of cash, we are reluctantly compelled to discontinue the purchase and publication of telegraphic news. We cannot afford to pay eighty or ninety dollars a month for telegraphic news and be restricted from sending extras north. Such a tax amounts to a prohibition. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 20, 1864, page 2
Telegraphic news sent to the Pacific Coast is at present sent
exclusively to what is known as the "Associated Press," which is
composed of the Sacramento
Union, Bulletin and Alta
newspapers. This Associated Press pays the telegraph
company ten cents per word, or about $2550 per month for the dispatches.
"The
Telegraph Monopoly," Oregon
Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 14, 1864, page
2The United States pays the telegraph company the sum of $40,000, and the state of California the sum of $6,000 per year, as subsidies to keep up the telegraph. Two of the above members of the Associated Press, if not openly and avowedly Copperheads, are secretly so--are unreliable as supporters of the government, and were once, if not now, in favor of a Pacific Republic. So much for the facts. REMOVED.--The Jacksonville telegraph office is now located in the Sentinel building, upstairs. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 4, 1864, page 5 ACROSS THE RIVER.--On Saturday afternoon a small boat was procured from the bark Cambridge, lying at the North Portland sawmill, when two stout men were placed at the oars, who pulled across the river, thus connecting the two banks of the Willamette by telegraph. Pulleys were ready to "heave" the line up, and the work was readily accomplished, without a break or mistake. The line is "clear" 160 [feet?] above the tide or stream. Tomorrow the work will be commenced from the opposite side, and followed on to the Columbia. Oregonian, Portland, July 4, 1864, page 2 The telegraph is completed to Olympia, Washington Territory. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 10, 1864, page 3 Mr. S. P. Starr, who has come through on the telegraphic line from Olympia, left here on yesterday, for Marysville. He is thoroughly repairing the line as he goes. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 14, 1865, page 2 GONE.--Mr. J. Waldo Thompson, who has had charge of the telegraph office at this place for the last nine or ten months, started for Salem on yesterday morning, to take charge of the office there. We commend him to the good people of Salem as a young man worthy of their highest confidence and esteem. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 25, 1865, page 2 President Lincoln died in Washington City, at 7:30 a.m. on the 14th last, and on the same day it was received at this office in Jacksonville, Oregon, nearly 3000 miles on a direct line, and by telegraph upwards of 4500 miles. This news was published in our extra in less than five hours after Mr. Lincoln died. A few years ago, it took news from five to eighteen months. Such is the march of civilization. THE MESSAGE VIA PANAMA.-- The President's Message was delivered to Congress on the 4th of the month and we received it here, by mail, on the 8th of January, via Panama. This is the first message for several years that has not been sent to the Pacific Coast by telegraph. The reason that we did not receive this through that channel is that the Overland Telegraph Company has usually charged from five to six hundred dollars for transmitting each Presidential message over their wires, but this time they demanded a thousand dollars for so doing. The Associated Press on this coast considered the demand exorbitant and refused to accede to it. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 20, 1866, page 2 DISGUSTED.--A few days since a near relation of the Sun and Moon slipped into the telegraph office with a Chinese "dispatchee," which he desired transmitted to a celestial brother in San Francisco. The operator informed him in his blandest tones that as far as he was concerned it was O.K.; he understood it perfectly, but unfortunately the wire didn't "sabe" China, and the Chinese education of the "dispatchee man" at the other end was very defective. John left with a poor opinion of "Melican sabe," but soon returned with the dispatch rendered into an intelligible language. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 24, 1866, page 2 QUICK WORK.--A private dispatch was sent from the telegraph office in this place to Wilkes-Barre, Pa., a few days since, and an answer received in less than twenty hours. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 24, 1866, page 2 KLAMATH BRIDGE & FERRY GONE.--We have been kindly furnished the following item of news by Mr. L. Applegate, telegraph operator of the toll house on the California road. "Toll House, 8th, 2 P.M.--I learn from Rev. C. H. Newton, just from the Klamath River, that the bridge across that stream went down yesterday morning, a portion of which carried away the ferry below." This is a severe loss, as it may impede the carrying of the mails for some time to come. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 10, 1866, page 2 NARROW ESCAPE.--We learn that Mr. Lucien Applegate, telegraph operator at the Toll House, had a narrow escape from drowning on Thursday last while endeavoring to ford Cottonwood. His horse's feet were washed from under him, and he gained the opposite bank with much difficulty. The operator from this town, who was out on the same day, reports the very small streams greatly swollen and even Wagner Creek nearly impassable. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 31, 1866, page 2
TELEGRAPH LINE.--We
understand that Messrs. Dugan & Wall are making some moves in
connection with business men of this place, towards erecting a
telegraph line from Crescent City to Jacksonville. We think this is an
enterprise which should not be neglected. When this proposed line shall
be completed, Crescent City will be in direct communication with San
Francisco, beside the incalculable convenience occurring to our own
merchants. The line can scarcely fail to be a paying institution. It
would not only get the business of this place, Crescent City and San
Francisco, but Yreka also, if they change their freight from Red Bluff
to Crescent City, which at the present there is a fair prospect for
them to do so. We hope to see a nerve of wire stretched from Crescent
City to this place, thrilled by an electric current, before October
next.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 19, 1866, page 3 MUSIC BY TELEGRAPH.--Our friend Levy has often carried on musical entertainments with fellow operators on the state telegraph line, and we have been expecting that some great musical genius would lease the line and give a concert to audiences in various cities on the same evening. It may be done yet. The following is related by the Jacksonville Sentinel: We were sitting in the telegraph office a few evenings since chatting with the operator, when he suddenly called our attention to an unusual performance of the instruments. "There," said he, "is music. Listen!" A close attention to the sounds disclosed the fact that some musical gentleman was imitating Paganini, and the performance, with a single key and a single string, was excellent. Here came "Dixie" tripping and throbbing over the wire, so correctly that we imagined that we were in "the land of cotton" listening to that popular air. Without disclosing himself, our musical friend responded to the call for "Yankee Doodle," as an antidote to rebel music. Here it came, reminding us of the land of pumpkin pies and rosy-cheeked damsels--then a gem from "Norma"--then the erratic genius "dreamed that he dwelt in marble halls," and told us of the pleasant hours in this "Cottage by the Sea," as plainly and correctly as it could have been done on a musical instrument. It was a wonderful performance, and set us to thinking how little the world realizes of Morse's grand discovery. After interrupting himself to stir the fire, the performer wound up the evening's entertainment with "Old Grimes" and told us he did not live more than a six months' journey from Yreka. State Rights Democrat, Albany, Oregon, April 6, 1867, page 1 DANGEROUS FOR STOCK.--A horse got the telegraph wire round his neck, south of Ashland, last week, and it was necessary to cut the wire to extricate him. In his efforts to disengage himself, he pulled down five telegraph poles. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 25, 1867, page 2 TELEGRAPHIC CHANGE.--The California State Telegraph Co. have consolidated with the Western Union, and all business will now be done in the name of the latter company. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville,
June 15, 1867, page
3
HEARD FROM.--Our old friend Clarke, formerly telegrapher at this place, has been heard from at New Orleans. He was about starting for South America, with a company of emigrants, who were under the auspices of the Venezuelan government. The scheme is very attractive, each immigrant is given a large tract of land, free from taxes, for ten years, and enjoys immunities not granted to the natives of the country. The ancient city of Angostura, on the Orinoco River, is the destination of the colony; it lies in the eighth degree of north latitude, and the climate is said to be the most delightful in the world. A large emigration is already pouring in there from the South, and in a few years, probably, the country will be considerably Americanized. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 6, 1867, page 2 PERSONAL.--Waldo Thompson, of the Yreka telegraph office, slid over on the wire on Sunday last, and paid us a flying visit. Bully good company is Waldo, and a "nice young man," so the girls say--only it's a pity he hasn't black curly hair. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 13, 1867, page 2 TELEGRAPHIC REDUCTION.--From and after the 1st, inst., the Western Union company assume the payment of the federal (5 percent) tax. Messages of ten words, to San Francisco, are now only two dollars. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 13, 1867, page 3 ABSENT.--Mr. Turner, telegraph operator, left for Yreka last Wednesday morning. He will be at his post on Monday or Tuesday next. During his absence, Mr. P. D. Hull is "running the machine." Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 3, 1867, page 2 REPAIRING TELEGRAPH.--Superintendent Whittlesey has reached Croxton's with his repairing team. It is said the line is being put up in a more substantial manner than it was at first. Repairs will probably be completed to Yreka December 1st. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 12, 1867, page 2 NEW TELEGRAPH OFFICE.--A telegraph office, intended for a repair station, has been opened at Estes', about half way between Oakland and Eugene City. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 12, 1867, page 2 NEW TELEGRAPH OFFICE.--There is to be a telegraph office opened at Ashland, in a few days. It is intended for a repair station, but will probably be a great convenience to the people of that place. The office is to be in the store of Baum & Solomon, and Mr. Baum will run the machine. The tariff between that place and Jacksonville will probably be fifty cents for ten words. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 2, 1867, page 3 HEAVY STORM.--During the week a heavy rain storm has visited this part of the state, and as far as we can learn, extended north to Portland. In Scott Valley (Cal.) the wind blew with tremendous violence, and swept down the whole of the telegraph line, cutting off our communication with San Francisco for several days. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 9, 1867, page 3 FREAK OF LIGHTNING.--During the late heavy thunder storm that passed over this valley, a telegraph pole, south of "Tolman's," was struck and slightly splintered; three oak trees to which the line was attached were missed, and the two next poles were also struck. It seems strange that the green trees, being better conductors than the dry wood, should be missed, and the dry poles selected for the passage of the fluid. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 9, 1867, page 3 UNITED.--The agencies of the Western Union Telegraph and the California and Oregon Stage Co. have been united throughout Oregon. In pursuance to this arrangement, the telegraph office in Jacksonville has been removed from this building to the U.S. Hotel, on California Street, to which place the stage office will be transferred on the first of December. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 23, 1867, page 2 YOUNG RUNAWAYS.--On Monday last three young hopefuls, whose parents reside near Willow Springs, concluded to try the experiment of running away. They concluded to try their luck in California and started on foot, bright and early. By the time they had climbed to the Toll House, they were tolerably sick of their job and readily surrendered at discretion to the operator at that place, who had been telegraphed to stop them. Their captor, finding that they only wanted a good excuse to go home, soon released them, and started them down the mountain again rejoicing. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 23, 1867, page 2 ON A VISIT.--J. Waldo Thompson, formerly telegraph agent in this place, was here from Yreka on Wednesday assisting in the removal of the telegraph office. He is a graceful climber, is Waldo, as well as a gentleman and telegraphic expert, and when he was quietly roosting on a pole, manipulating the wire, we heard a lady sighingly remark, "What a pity the Jacksonville boys ain't as good looking." Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 23, 1867, page 2 NEW TELEGRAPH OFFICE.--Cottonwood has awakened to the importance of knowing what is going on in the world, and a telegraph office is to be opened at that point immediately. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 23, 1867, page 3 FEMALE TELEGRAPHERS.--The American Telegraph Company employs about thirty female telegraphers in New York City. The entire business is in the hands and under control of females. Their salaries are from $30 to $60 per month. One hundred and sixty women are employed as telegraphers in London alone. Throughout the United States many small offices are worked by women, and in Boston their services have been in requisition for many years past in the railway telegraph offices and at the central stations. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 30, 1867, page 1 GONE EAST.--Mr. E. A. Whittlesey, superintendent of the telegraph line between Marysville and Portland, started for the East from Yreka on Tuesday. His visit is on private business, and will detain him but a short time. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 11, 1868, page 2 TELEGRAPHIC.--J. M. Bassett, Esq., who is Division Superintendent of this portion of the telegraph line, since the departure of Mr. Whittlesey for the States, left one day this week for Shasta to put the line in repair in that section. Were the line in as good condition south of Callahan's as it is from that point north, we would not be often without reports. Mr. J. Waldo Thompson, the gentlemanly and efficient operator in the telegraph office here for the last year, has been promoted to the dignity and responsibility of agent. We have no doubt our young friend will wear the honors of the position with becoming modesty, will meet its responsibilities with firmness, and give satisfaction to both his employers and the public. Now, "If he only had black curly hair!" Mr. James McConaughy is located as Mr. Thompson's assistant. The public will find him a pleasant gentleman as well as an efficient operator. If there ain't a whole team, we would like to know where you can find one.--Yreka Union. The second named gentleman is said by the ladies to be the most graceful "climber" on the whole line, and the third, although a clever young gentleman, can't climb over a "brick" pile! Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 8, 1868, page 2 TELEGRAPHIC.--Messages can now be sent from this point to any part of the world. The tariff to any point in Europe is $50 for a message of 20 words not exceeding 100 letters, address and signature counted. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 15, 1868, page 3 TELEGRAPH OFFICE.--Mr. Bassett informs us that the telegraphic instruments for the Ashland office are on the road to that place, and that the office will be opened in a few days. This will be a convenience to the citizens of Ashland and vicinity. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 15, 1868, page 3 ON THE STRING.--Mr. J. M. Bassett, of Yreka, the new superintendent of the telegraph line between Portland and Marysville, passed through town during the week, to overhaul the line north of here and straighten things up generally. Mr. B. has been the agent in the Yreka office for several years, and seems to wear his new honors with becoming dignity. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 15, 1868, page 3
TELEGRAPHIC.--The
new telegraph office at Ashland will soon be opened for the public. Mr.
M. Baum is to be "operator," and is at present busy practicing at the
key.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville,
February 22, 1868, page
3
EXPERIMENTING.--Some
fellow, not having the fear of the law before him, pulled down the
telegraph wire in Shasta Valley on Sunday last, and pounded it in two
with a rock. It is surmised that he was prospecting the line to see
where the news came from, or that some thief wanted to gain a little
time. If the telegraph boys catch him he may get his head pounded--if
he is not too big.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville,
February 29, 1868, page
2
TROUBLES OF TELEGRAPHERS.--Superintendent
B------ met with quite a mishap on Thursday. He was overhauling the
line with his usual energy up in the Canyon,
and in climbing a tree to remove some local difficulty, he tore his
unmentionables in a sad and afflicting manner. He made his way to the
nearest house with a flag of distress flying, and by dint of signs from
a distance, procured a needle and thread with which to relieve his
embarrassment. He will probably carry a full kit of repairing tools on
his next trip.
REMOVED.--The telegraph office has been removed again to the Sentinel building, where the operator can always be found at his post when not elsewhere. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 11, 1868, page 2 Italicizing "post" suggests it's an in-joke--the significance of which is now lost. Maybe he spent a lot of time leaning against a post on the office porch. The telegraph office has been removed to Comstock & Cawley's stable. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 11, 1868, page 2 PERSONAL.--J. Waldo Thompson, the gentlemanly superintendent of the Yreka telegraph office, is in town today. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 25, 1868, page 2 PERSONAL.--Mr. J. Waldo Thompson, telegraph agent at Yreka, paid Jacksonville a visit during the week. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 5, 1868, page 3 PERSONAL.--Our esteemed young friend, J. Waldo Thompson, telegraph agent at Yreka, visited Jacksonville with his young bride this week. They both received the congratulations of Mr. Thompson's many friends in this place, and their wedding trip must ever be remembered with great pleasure and gratification. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 24, 1868, page 3 LADY OPERATORS.--In a telegraph office in the city of New York there are 15 young ladies engaged in the duties of sending and receiving messages. One day lately 10 of these young ladies, it is reported, sent and received 3,135 messages between 8 a.m. and half-past 4 p.m., or on an average of 314 each. The work, it is stated, was done well, neatly, correctly, and to their very great credit. The daily number of messages sent by this corps of ladies averages 2,200. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 12, 1868, page 1 The Republicans of Jacksonville lately had a jubilee. Toasts abounded. The following was offered in honor of Bro. Turner, who writes by lightning through the telegraph and (en)lightens by writing through the Sentinel: "Wm. Turner--The lightning manipulator and the 'swamp angel' of the Republican Party in Southern Oregon. May he never be spiked." "State Items," Oregonian, Portland, December 3, 1868, page 2 IN A TIGHT PLACE.--A few days since, the telegraph operator from this place was out repairing. While endeavoring to reach a suitable place on a large oak to nail his insulator, a man drove by in a large wagon. Telegrapher was nearly tuckered out. The tree was wet and slippery, his pockets were full of tools and he knew if he dropped any of them, it would be hard to descend and again reach the desired point. "Hallo, stranger!" said he. "Hallo," said the stranger. "Please stay there a minute," said telegrapher, "I might drop something." The stranger stopped his team and gazed up the tree with a frightened look, and inquired, "Be you from Jacksonville?" "Yes," responded the telegrapher, who was now climbing for dear life. "Save this world!" ejaculated the traveler. "I'll jast bet you've got the smallpox, it's breaking out on you, and they do say it's all-fired catchin'. Gelong thar bally, I'll be darned if I want any of it." Off he drove at a good round trot while the telegrapher sat in a fork of the tree convulsed with laughter, and reflecting how extremely selfish and unaccommodating folks are in smallpox times. He says if ever he catches that "husky" in a tight place he will be apt to play even. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 16, 1869, page 2 TELEGRAPH OFFICE.--This institution has been removed to the Sentinel office. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 16, 1869, page 2 SCARCE.--Butter and eggs are very scarce in this town, and by the time the country folks have the courage to bring some in we shall have learned to do without them. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 23, 1869, page 3 Three new cases of smallpox were reported out on the California road this week. The patients are the wife and two children of Frank Hall. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 30, 1869, page 3 EXPERIMENTING.--Some fellow, not having the fear of the law before him, pulled down the telegraph wire in Shasta Valley on Sunday last, and pounded it in two with a rock. It is surmised that he was prospecting the line to see where the news came from, or that some thief wanted to gain a little time. If the telegraph boys catch him he may get his head pounded--if he is not too big. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 29, 1869, page 2 FATAL ACCIDENT IN UMPQUA.--We are again placed under obligations to Mr. J. B. Whittlesey, telegraph agent at Canyonville, for the following: Canyonville, April 1st.--W. W. Judd, who was one of the first settlers of Umpqua Valley, met with a fatal accident this morning by the kick of a horse, which resulted in his death at 4 p.m. Mr. Judd was much respected and beloved by all who knew him. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 3, 1869, page 2 RETURNED TO HIS POST.--E. A. Whittlesey has resumed his duties as superintendent of the telegraph between Marysville and Portland. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 8, 1869, page 2 RESIGNED.--J. M. Bassett, for along time telegraph agent at Yreka, has resigned and accepted a good situation with the opposition company. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 8, 1869, page 2 OPPOSITION.--A new telegraph company has been organized in Sacramento to connect San Francisco and Chicago by telegraph. They commence work immediately. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 8, 1869, page 3 REDUCTION IN TELEGRAPH CHARGES.--The Western Union Telegraph Co. have reduced the tariff on messages of ten words to all their offices east of Omaha to $7.50 in coin or $10 in currency. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 5, 1869, page 3 In the absence of the regular operator for a few days next week, Mr. P. D. Hull will take charge of the telegraph office. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 12, 1869, page 2 TELEGRAPH SUPERINTENDENT.--Dr. O. P. S. Plummer, who has been Superintendent of the W.U. Telegraph line from Portland to Callahan's, has had his jurisdiction extended to Marysville. The Doctor is an accomplished and popular gentleman, and one of the best electricians on this coast, and his friends will be glad to learn of his promotion. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 3, 1869, page 3 A telegraph office is soon to be opened at Grants Pass with Mr. Magruder as chief electrician. It is intended for a repair station. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 7, 1869, page 2 HEARD FROM.--Mr. Wm. Clarke, formerly telegraph operator here, is now agent of the U.P.R.R. at Wahsatch under a handsome salary. He has charge of ticket and freight business and also of the telegraph office at that point. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 7, 1869, page 2 CANYONVILLE.--The canyon south of this place is all on fire. A man's house was burned yesterday, three miles in the canyon. Trees are constantly falling, damaging the telegraph line considerably. "By State Telegraph," Oregonian, Portland, August 17, 1869, page 2 RESIGNED.--Mr. Whittlesey, for the last five years telegraph operator at Canyonville, has resigned, finding that his duties as assistant assessor will engross all his time. His place with the telegraph company is filled by Mr. E. A. Brown, son of B. F. Brown of Salem, a nice boy and a promising operator. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 11, 1869, page 3 TELEGRAPHIC REDUCTION.--We are informed by the telegraph agent at this place that there is a material reduction in the price of telegraphing. The tariff has been reduced between all points on the Pacific Coast, from 33 to 50 percent. Heretofore, a message of 10 words from Jacksonville to San Francisco was $2; it is now sent for $1.50; formerly the tariff to Yreka was 75 cents; it is now 35. To Salem it was $1.50 and is now 75 cents. The change is very satisfactory to our business community, and there is no probability that it will result in a falling off in the receipts of the company, but on the contrary we believe that a still further reduction would largely increase their business, and prevent future competition. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 6, 1869, page 3 STILL DOWN.--The telegraph wire has failed to do much duty for several days past. It was repaired at the break on Scott's Mountain yesterday, but was broken again at some point south of Salem. Our readers will need to exercise patience and wait for news from abroad. Oregonian, Portland, December 2, 1869, page 3 THE O.S.N. Co. have commenced extending their telegraph line to Wallula. The people of Walla Walla will build a line to connect at the former place. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 19, 1870, page 3 O. P. S. Plummer, Telegraph Superintendent of the Oregon District, has sent a dispatch to all agents of the line, ordering them not to transmit any dispatches of a partisan nature, hereafter, under penalty of a dismissal from the Company. "Political and Personal," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 21, 1870, page 2 The telegraph line is completed up the Columbia to Walla Walla. "State News," State Rights Democrat, Albany, May 27, 1870, page 3 ON THE MEND.--A party of men are engaged in repairing the telegraph line--resetting posts, &c. Democratic News, Jacksonville, June 11, 1870, page 3 A mouse walking across Wall Street on a telegraph wire was sufficient to attract a crowd of brokers recently, who cheered the plucky little Blondin. Oregon Weekly Statesman, Salem, December 28, 1870, page 3 WILLIAM M. TURNER is the telegraph operator at this place; besides this, he is School Superintendent. As an employee of the telegraph company, he holds a high position of trust and responsibility, and becomes the custodian of the confidences and secrets of the community to a very great extent. So much so that the laws of this state impose a very heavy penalty for their betrayal. Sec. 9, p. 918 of the code reads as follows: If any agent, operator, employee in any telegraph office, or other person, shall knowingly and willfully send by telegraph any false or forged message, purporting to be from such telegraph office, or from any other person, or shall willfully deliver or cause to be delivered to any person any such message, falsely purporting to have been received by telegraph, or if any person or persons shall furnish or cause to be furnished to any such agent, operator or employee, to be sent by telegraph or be delivered any such message, knowing the same to be false, with the intent to deceive, injure or defraud any individual, partnership, or corporation, or the public, the person or persons so offending shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000, or imprisonment not to exceed one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the Court. To that section we ask the prayerful and careful attention of Mr. Turner. Ever since the Ralls scandal became public, Turner has missed no opportunity to misrepresent the facts where it became necessary, to send press dispatches about the matter, in some cases descending to absolute falsehoods. In his dispatch to the press, in regard to the shooting, an absolute and willful falsehood appears where he represents Ralls as charging Fay with being the seducer of his daughter. In his late dispatches regarding the affair with Tribble and the acquittal of Ralls, the same style of malignant misrepresentation appears. In the former case he unblushingly asserts that every person present applauded the bold deed, where two stalwart men, either one of whom was the superior in strength of Tribble, stood guard, while the girls, Hannah and Fanny Ralls, each of whom is as big as Tribble, beat him with cowhides. We assert here that the right-minded men and women of Jackson County take no such view of the matter, but believe that when these women thus unsexed themselves, they placed themselves outside the pale of sympathy. In the other case, that of Ralls' acquittal, a vast flourish of trumpets is attempted to be made on account of what is called "continued" and "renewed applause" by the audience which heard the verdict. The facts are, there were from five to seven men near the courthouse door, Ralls' particular friends, who stamped their feet when Judge Prim tapped on his desk with a pencil, and they slunk out of the door like beaten hounds. That is about all there was of the "continued" and "renewed applause." Now what can be thought of a man who prostitutes the great engine of public intelligence to his own private and malignant vengeance; who deliberately and willfully imposes on the public a misrepresentation of facts; who either suppresses the truth, or so colors it with falsehood, that it is in fact a lie, in order to wreak his malicious revenge on a personal and political foe? Can this man be safely trusted with the secrets of trade, of families, of business, where he permits his private feelings to so work upon his sense of duty, that he deliberately perpetrates a falsehood in order to injure a foe in the public estimation. Under this state of facts, could any enemy of Turner's safely go to the telegraph office with a message gravely affecting his reputation, his estate or family, and not fear that his family or business confidence would be blazoned to the world, if it would do him injury? We opine not. He has neither sense of manhood nor fair play. He took exceeding good care that no telegram, announcing that the grand jury ignored the bill against Fay, should go to the press. If the grand jury had returned such a bill, does anyone believe he would not have sent it on the wings of the lightning from one end of the coast to the other? We do not know what despotic powers a telegraph operator may be endowed with by his company, but one thing must be evident to everyone: they are sometimes entrusted to very poor hands. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 9, 1871, page 3 Mr. William M. Turner as a
Telegrapher and as a Citizen.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville,
December 16, 1871, page 2
In an issue of the Jacksonville Times,
its
supposed editor, Mr. James
D. Fay, gives vent to his spleen in an
unwarrantable and unfounded attack upon the agent of the Western Union
Telegraph in this place. The Times
endeavors
to throw discredit on the public telegrams sent by that person, in
relation to the Ralls-Fay affair, and reflects in an infamous manner on
his business integrity. We desire to show the public that every
telegram sent was true,
and
to teach Mr. James D. Fay that the day has passed when he can ride
roughshod over this community or any member thereof. Charge number one
is that the telegrapher sent a public dispatch last spring in relation
to the shooting affray; that was false, inasmuch as Ralls did not
accuse Fay of the seduction of his daughter. The only inaccuracy was
that Ralls did not accuse him when he shot, but it makes no difference,
Ralls did accuse him, the victim accused him, and has sworn to it in
open court, and notwithstanding the action of the last grand jury, he
stands so accused, at this hour, before the people of this county,
whether he be guilty or not. Charge number two is that there was no
applause when the Misses Ralls publicly cowhided Tribble. Right here we
assert and can prove that the dispatch in relation to that affair was
strictly true--that the act met with the emphatic approval of
nineteen-twentieths of our citizens, and public sentiment has decided
that if the lash had fallen on the principal in that social drama,
instead of on a worthless tool, now held on a charge of perjury, the
applause would have been measurably greater. Charge number three is
that Mr. Turner did not telegraph the ignoring of the charge of
seduction against Fay. This is true, and we blame him for it. He should
have done so, and added that the public were in a frenzy of shame and
indignation at the failure of justice, owing to the fact that the grand
jury were instructed that
it required two witnesses to procure an indictment, and
that a vigilance committee was openly talked of--not whispered
about--for the purpose of satisfying justice; had he done this, he
would have done his whole duty. Charge number four is that there was no
noticeable applause when Ralls was acquitted. It is false; there was
applause, marked and emphatic, from a crowd of fifty or sixty persons,
those who kept silent being only the attaches of the court, and so much
so that the judge's voice was nearly inaudible. The editor of the Times (the
prosecuting witness) did not hear it, but today he feels it, and he knows that
the telegram was strictly true. James D. Fay has not been treated
unfairly, and on the contrary he willfully suppresses the fact that the
telegraph agent went out of his way last spring and telegraphed his
card of denial, when he was under no obligation to do so. We pronounce
the whole tirade a groundless, infamous and useless attempt
to rob a man of the means of supporting his family, by casting a slur
on his business integrity. If James D. Fay has any charges to make
against William M. Turner as a telegrapher, why does he not make them
to the officers of the company, instead of through his now-disreputable
organ? Why? Because he knows that he could not sustain them. Because he
knows that Mr. Turner enjoys the entire confidence of this community
and of his employers, and that no business firm or respectable citizen
in this place would ask for his removal. The Times is
so kind as to call the telegraphers attention to certain passages in
the code. We are informed that the agent is quite familiar with them,
and as legal business is dull, we would kindly ask its editor to
familiarize himself with the following interesting paragraphs from the
same volume, page 558, sec. 631.
"If any person, under promise of marriage, shall seduce and have illicit connection with any unmarried female of previous chaste character, such person, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary, not less than one, nor more than five years, or by imprisonment in the county jail, not less than three months, nor more than one year, or by fine not less than five hundred, nor more than one thousand dollars." Page 550, sec. 599. "Every person convicted of the crime of perjury, committed on the trail of, or proceedings in a criminal action for a crime punishable with death or imprisonment in the penitentiary not less than five, nor more than twenty years. Every person convicted of the crime of perjury, committed in any proceeding in a court of justice, other than such criminal action, shall be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary, not less than three, nor more than ten years, and every person convicted of the crime of perjury, committed otherwise than in a proceeding before a court of justice, or convicted of the crime of subornation of perjury, however committed, shall be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary, not less than two, nor more than five years." Now for Mr. Turner as a citizen. We know of only one man in Jackson County who makes any pretensions to purity; that is the editor of the Times. Mr. Turner makes none. Suppose his life prior to his coming among us had been idle and dissolute and abandoned. What of it? Suppose even that he had lain in the gutter. What of it? Every right-minded man or woman must admire the manhood and will of any man that raises him from degradation to the position of a useful and respected citizen. During six years' residence among us, no one can point a finger to a stain on his character, and we honestly think that if he thought that nine-tenths of the people of this town and valley believed him guilty of an infamous crime, and despised him for it, he would leave instantly, and not allow his name to be a stench in the public nostrils. Whatever Mr. Turner has done, there are some things he has not done. He has never lain drunk in the gutter of this town and shot, assassin-like, at the friendly hand that would have raised him up; he has never crowded himself--armed--into a public assemblage, and wantonly insulted one of the first ladies of the place, and he has never crossed the threshold of any man's home and left shame and sorrow and ruin behind him like the slime of a viper. Whatever he may have been the world takes him as it finds him--not as he was. There are few men who do not look back with regret to the errors of youth, but fewer that profit by the retrospect, and take a "new departure," as it is possible Mr. Turner has done, and although the doctrine is quite distasteful to his detractor, we advise him to try it. This controversy has been forced upon us--we have not sought it; so let the Times do its worst, and in the language of its friend, Giles Wells, "lay on Macduff." A telegraphic line will soon be constructed from Roseburg to Coos Bay. "State Items," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 29, 1872, page 2 ACTING AGENTS.--During Mr. Turner's absence east of the mountains, Mr. Max Muller will attend to the business of the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Co.--receive money due on policies, &c. Mr. Frank Krause, formerly a typo in this office, who has become a proficient telegrapher, will run the telegraph office at this place until Mr. Turner returns. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 3, 1872, page 3 RETURNED.--Ed. R. Owen has returned from Salem, having resigned his position as telegraph agent there, to take a clerkship with Mr. Magruder at Central Point. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 11, 1872, page 3 THE TELEGRAPH.--The late stormy weather seems to have been unusually severe on the telegraph line, it having been interrupted twice during the past week between Jacksonville and the first stations both north and south. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 7, 1872, page 3 The railroad telegraph has been completed to Roseburg. "Oregon," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 14, 1872, page 2 REDUCTION OF RATES.--The Western Union Telegraph Company gives general notice that the rate for dispatches of ten words to any part of the United States, where it has heretofore exceeded $2.50, will be reduced to that price, which is a reduction of nearly 50 percent. This reduction goes into effect today. We have not been informed of any further changes. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 1, 1873, page 3 FIRE AT ASHLAND.--A fire broke out yesterday, about 11 o'clock, in a building owned by Mr. J. M. McCall, and occupied by the telegraph office and Wm. Griffin. It was speedily extinguished, and the loss slight. Mr. Griffin lost his clothing, and the damage to the building was probably $50. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 8, 1873, page 3 NEW TELEGRAPH OFFICE.--A new telegraph office has been established at Rock point, 3 miles north of Jacksonville. Marcellus Colvig is operator. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 15, 1873, page 3 A telegraph office has been established at Rock Point. M. Colvig is operator. "Itemlets," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 22, 1873, page 3 THANKS.--Wm. M. Turner, Esq., has our thanks for telegraphic favors. "Town and Country," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 8, 1873, page 3 The telegraph office will soon be moved to Caton's new building. "This and That," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 6, 1873, page 2 The telegraph office is to be removed to Caton's boot and shoe shop. "Local Brevities," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 6, 1873, page 3 Carrying the News Over the
Mountains.
The Associated
Press courier who carried the news of the Modoc execution from Fort
Klamath to the telegraph station at Jacksonville, Oregon rode
ninety-two miles in six hours and fifty-five minutes, over a mountain
road of more than usual roughness, employing only three well-selected
horses for the journey. The last forty-two miles he accomplished in
exactly two hours, defeating his principal competitor by thirty
minutes, and getting control of the wire, which was necessarily
occupied in transmitting the Associated Press report until it was too
late to forward any other.
Marshall Weekly Messenger, Marshall, Illinois, November 1, 1873, page 6 The Western Union Telegraph Company has purchased the Atlantic & Pacific Company's property, and is again without opposition.. "Pacific Coast News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 10, 1874, page 2 Coos Bay and Roseburg will be connected by telegraph next summer. "Pacific Coast News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 17, 1874, page 2 NEW TELEGRAPH LINE.--Work is progressing on the new telegraph line with rapidity. About two or three miles are built each day. The building reached Willow Springs Wednesday evening and will be completed to Jacksonville this week. Dr. Plummer, Division Agent, informs us that the new line will be in every respect superior to the old one. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 17, 1874, page 3 TELEGRAPH LINE.--Building on the new telegraph line has reached Gordon's, five miles east of Jacksonville, and is being pushed rapidly forward. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 24, 1874, page 3 TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.--The new telegraph line has reached Yreka and the work of tearing down the old line is progressing. Those desiring any of the old wire can be accommodated by applying to the various telegraphic agents. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 11, 1874, page 3 REWARD.--Fifty dollars reward is offered by the superintendent for arrest and conviction of any person breaking the telegraph wire or injuring the insulators by shooting or throwing stones, etc., at the top of the telegraph poles. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 18, 1874, page 3 The new telegraph line was finished to the office in town Saturday. The new line is of a larger wire than the old one and stretched on larger and more substantial poles, with glass insulators. The poles are set closer together than those of the old line, and consequently it seems an impossibility to have breakages. "Yreka Items," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 18, 1874, page 3 FINISHED.--The new telegraph office has been completed and is ready for occupancy. It is a neat frame building and was built by David Linn. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 25, 1874, page 3 The new telegraph office is now in running order. It is a neat and convenient establishment, arranged internally after the style of the San Francisco offices. "Local Brevities," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 2, 1874, page 3 The telegraph office closes now at 8 o'clock p.m., instead of at 9 o'clock p.m., as formerly. "Brevities," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 15, 1875, page 3 Steps are being taken by the Western Union telegraph line to construct a telegraph line to Marshfield, Coos County, from Roseburg. "General Notes and News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 29, 1875, page 1 We learn that the Western Union Telegraph Company intend building a branch line to the Galice Creek mines as soon as possible. "Mining News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 5, 1875, page 3 The postal telegraph bill introduced by Butler, of Massachusetts, on the 25th instant, proposes to declare all telegraph lines post-routes, and the Postmaster General is authorized to advertise for the transmission of government dispatches, as carrying the mails is now advertised for. The bill also requires that the rates for special news dispatches and commercial news be the same, and in no case to exceed the rates charged press associations on the 1st of January, 1875. "General Notes and News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 12, 1875, page 2 E. A. Whittlesy, in former days connected with the W.U. telegraph in this section, died recently at San Francisco. "Local Brevities," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 25, 1875, page 3 F. H. Lamb, Superintendent of the W.U. telegraph for this section, was in town this week. "Personal," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 3, 1875, page 3 The Western Union Telegraph Company has given notice that hereafter the rate for Atlantic cable messages will be $1 per word instead of fifty cents, as formerly. "General Notes and News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 5, 1875, page 1 Dalles City is now in direct communication with the Atlantic States by telegraph by way of Walla Walla and Winnemucca, Nevada. "General Notes and News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 24, 1875, page 1 Frank Krause, formerly of this place, but now telegraph operator at Kalama, W.T., is in town on a visit, after an absence of over two years. J. C. Overbeck, who has been keeping a repair station on the other side of Trinity Mountain (Cal.) all winter, returned home this week, and will soon take a position as telegraph operator under Dr. Plummer at Albany. "Local Brevities," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 10, 1876, page 3 Frank Krause has gone to Yreka to relieve one of the telegraph operators at that place for a few days. "Local Brevities," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 7, 1876, page 3 W. M. Turner has gone to Lake County to do some surveying there. Miss A. W. Colvig, of Rock Point, is attending to the telegraphic office in his absence. "Local Brevities," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 19, 1876, page 3 Frank Krause, after a short sojourn among us, this week returned to resume his position as telegraph operator at Kalama, W.T. We wish him success wherever he may go, as he is a good, deserving fellow. "Local Brevities," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 21, 1876, page 3 The Coos Bay News says: The wire and other material for the construction of the telegraph line between this place and Roseburg arrived on the steamer Empire. The work, we understand, is begun already, and it is expected the line will be in running order in six weeks. One of the first dispatches we expect to receive will be that of the election of Tilden and Hendricks. "General Notes and News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 5, 1876, page 1 The Western Union Telegraph Company have just completed a branch line from Roseburg to Coos Bay. "General Notes and News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 9, 1876, page 2 The Oregon Fraud.
The true inwardness of the Oregon fraud begins to develop richly under
the searching inquiry instituted by the Senate committee on privileges
and elections. Enough was elicited yesterday to indicate clearly the
intention and ability of the committee to trace to its source in New
York a corruption fund of $25,000 that was forwarded to Oregon to
lubricate the machinery that should grind out the one electoral vote
necessary to elect
Tilden.
Of this fund, $3,000 has already been run to earth. It found its way to
Cronin's pocket, and was paid him, according to his own testimony, by
the chairman of the Oregon state Democratic committee. This money was
Cronin's share of the fund. It came to him in the form of "expenses,"
to defray the cost of his trip to Washington, which, at the outside,
should not exceed one-third of $3,000. There remains a balance of
$22,000 to be accounted for, and the amount required by the other
parties to the fraud for their "expenses" will throw some light on the
question. The refusal of the manager of the telegraph office at
Jacksonville, Ore., to answer questions touching drafts forwarded from
New York by telegraph has thus far balked the committee's efforts to
reach the facts about the remainder of the $25,000, but the scent is
warm and the prospect excellent that the game will be bagged somewhere
in the vicinity of that "bar'l" which we heard so much about during the
campaign.South Bend Daily Tribune, South Bend, Indiana, January 4, 1877, page 1 Grover Before the Committee.
WASHINGTON, January 5.--Governor Grover, of
Oregon, was examined before the Senate committee on privileges and
elections today. He stated that he issued certificates of election to
the three highest electors eligible. In so doing he acted in conformity
with the Constitution and in accordance with the best legal authority
he could procure.
In answer to questions from Senator Morton Governor Grover stated that he received a letter from Judge Hoadley, of Cincinnati, in which four authorities relating to cases of ineligibility of persons to office were cited. It was a three-page letter, and received at the executive office about a week before the witness rendered his decision in the case of Watts. Witness was unacquainted with Judge Hoadley and with his politics. He had no correspondence by letter with any person or persons in New York in regard to the Watts case. He received a telegram from Senator Gwin, stating that certain prominent legal gentlemen thought Watts ineligible and he wanted to know by what time the question had to be settled. Abram S. Hewitt, of New York, sent witness a communication in which two decisions in Indiana, one in Maryland and one in Pennsylvania were cited as being applicable in the Watts case. Manton Marble, of New York, telegraphed witness calling attention to the Watts case, and witness answered that he then had the case under consideration. Witness has met Mr. Patrick once. He met him in executive office at Salem. Patrick was introduced to the witness by Senator Kelly. Witness knew nothing about Patrick, and looked upon his call at the executive office as a compliment. . . . Mr. Morton called up the resolution submitted by the committee on privileges and elections, Wednesday last, declaring Wm. M. Turner is in duty bound under his oath to answer the questions propounded to him by the committee in regard to the transmission of telegraphic messages through his office at Jacksonville, Oregon, and that he can not excuse himself from answering the same by reason of his official connection with the Western Union telegraph company as manager of their office at Jacksonville, Oregon. Mr. Kelly hoped the resolution would be adopted. There was no reason why telegraphic communication should not be made public when justice demanded it. It was a well-known principle of law that written communications, no matter how confidential, must be produced in courts of justice when necessary to serve the ends of justice, and nothing was more sacred than a confidential letter between two persons. Turner had unquestionably been leaky. He had disclosed something about the dispatches passing through his office, and now he should be made to tell the whole. He was very confident no communications which passed over the wires referring to the political events at Salem, Oregon, would show anything wrong had been done. If any improper telegram had passed over the wire he (Kelly) would have known something about it. He was satisfied nothing improper could be shown, that not a dollar had been expended unlawfully and improperly. He was present at Salem at the time and knew of all the transactions. Indianapolis News, January 5, 1877, page 1 Grover's and Turner's testifying before Congress relates to eligibility of John W. Watts as an elector in the contested 1876 Presidential election. See Henry Klippel's Missouri interview. A Telegraph Operator Who Defies
the Senate.
WASHINGTON,
Dec. 9.--H. M. Turner, of Jacksonville, Oregon, telegraph operator,
says that, acting under the advice of the counsel of the Western Union
Company, he will continue to decline to answer the questions put to him
by the Senate committee concerning an alleged transfer of money from
New York to Oregon, notwithstanding the Senate yesterday voted almost
unanimously that he must answer them.
Reading Times and Dispatch, Reading, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1877, page 1 JANUARY 8--Senate.--By a vote of yeas 35, nays 3, the resolution passed requiring Wm. M. Turner, manager of the Western Union telegraph office at Jacksonville, Oregon, to answer the question propounded as to messages which passed through his office in regard to the appointment of Cronin as Presidential elector, and the check of $8,000 alleged to have been drawn in New York in favor of Ladd & Bush, of Salem, Oregon. "Congressional," Union County Journal, Marysville, Ohio, January 16, 1877, page 4 The telegraph office here burns all dispatches six months old, under a new rule adopted by the W.U. Co. We learn that another wire will be put up this year by the Western Union Telegraph Company. Increase of business is the reason. "Local Brevities," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 24, 1877, page 3 Frank Krause is now the manager of the Jacksonville telegraph office, W. M. Turner having resigned that position some time ago. Frank understands the business and will give satisfaction. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 12, 1877, page 3 Our cotemporary was doubtless in error in his estimation of telegraphic speed. S.S. says it was only an hour. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 26, 1877, page 3 The Western Union Telegraph Company has removed to its former quarters in the Sentinel office. Poverty is described as the cause for the change. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 7, 1877, page 3 AN OPPRESSIVE MONOPOLY.--The Western Union Telegraph Company is not only an extortionate, but at the same time a discriminating and oppressive monopoly. The charge for telegraphing ten words from Jacksonville to San Francisco is $1.50, while only $1 is asked for sending the same number from Portland to the Bay, a distance of several hundred miles further. There is nothing to commend and all to condemn in such transactions as this. We hope to see the time when this soulless corporation will be only too glad to do business at reasonable rates. Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 21, 1877, page 3 The new telegraph line will be completed to this place ere long. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 3, 1877, page 3 Mr. Thompson with a force of men is now engaged in pushing the Western Union Telegraph Co.'s line towards Jacksonville. Already he has reached a point 40 miles this side of Roseburg. Within two months it is expected that the line will be completed clear through to Yreka. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 10, 1877, page 3 The building of the new telegraph line is somewhat retarded by mountain fires in the region of Grave Creek. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 17, 1877, page 3 The construction of the second line of telegraph is progressing quite satisfactorily. The workmen engaged in putting up the new line are this side of Grave Creek. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 24, 1877, page 3 The new telegraph line is completed as far as Willow Springs. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 7, 1877, page 3 Grants Pass now luxuriates in a telegraph office. Eb. Dimick is operator. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 5, 1877, page 3 The new telegraph line has progressed as far as Phoenix. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 12, 1877, page 3 Mr. Crouch, engineer of the construction train of the W.U. telegraph, informs us that the new line will be completed to Yreka about November 1st. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 19, 1877, page 3 The telegraph office in this place has been furnished with the new automatic repeating machines, which require no attention from the operator further than keeping the machine gauged by the screw usually turned in gauging any telegraphic instruments. This improvement gives an operator a chance to do other office business and wait on customers without interruption.--Yreka Journal. "General Notes and News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 26, 1877, page 4 The new telegraph line has been completed to Yreka. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 9, 1877, page 3 The new telegraph line is now finished and in working order. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 30, 1877, page 3 John A. Crouch, repairer of the Western [Union] Telegraph Company, and Miss Rosa Burkhalter were married at Portland last week. "Personal Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 28, 1877, page 3 The Western Union Telegraph Company and O.&C. Stage Company have dissolved relations. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 11, 1878, page 3 A severe storm visited this section on Wednesday last. The telegraph lines between Rock Point and Grants Pass were sadly demoralized and communication was interrupted for two days. "Random Jottings," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 16, 1878, page 3 The telegraph office of this place sent 1,349 messages during 1877. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 18, 1878, page 3 No mails from the south and telegraphic communication with Portland being interrupted has caused a dearth of telegraphic news. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, January 25, 1878, page 3 NEW RULES.--The Western Union Telegraph Company has established a new rule by which the word "collect" will hereafter be charged for. By this rule a ten-word message sent from this place to Portland, if paid for here, will cost one dollar, and if sent collect the charges will be one dollar and fifty cents. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 30, 1878, page 3 After an interruption of nearly two weeks the telegraph lines are again in first-class working order, and the operators along the line are correspondingly happy. "Random Jottings," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 30, 1878, page 3 Telegraphic communication uninterrupted again. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 1, 1878, page 3 Considerable trouble is experienced in keeping the telegraph lines in working order through this place. They are generally "crossed" so that only one line can be operated at a time. "Random Jottings," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 6, 1878, page 3 By the telegraphic tariff just adopted, a message of ten words will be sent to San Francisco for $1, to Portland for 75 cents, to Roseburg for 50 cents, and to Yreka for 40 cents. This is a reduction of 50 cents in the first instance and 25 cents each in the balance. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 29, 1878, page 3 W. J. Wallis, of Yreka, has been promoted to the position of manager of the telegraph office at that place, and Geo. H. Peck has been given the position made vacant by the former's promotion. Both are first-class operators and accommodating gentlemen, and we are pleased to note the change. "Random Jottings," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 14, 1878, page 3 The Phoenix telegraph office is nearly ready for business. Miss Sergent will manage it. "Brief Mention," Democratic Times, January 10, 1879, page 3 The telegraph office at Phoenix is now in working order with Miss Laura Sergent as operator at that place. The tariff charged is twenty-five cents. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 15, 1879, page 3 Mr. D. F. Leahy, Division Superintendent of the W.U. Telegraph Company for the territory between British Columbia and Yreka, was in town yesterday on his way to the latter place. He was accompanied by Mr. John A. Crouch, his chief of construction, both on a tour of inspection. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 25, 1879, page 3 Dan. Leahy, division superintendent of the W.U. Telegraph Company for the Northwest Coast, accompanied by John A. Crouch, chief of construction, were in town this week. They are inspecting the line between British Columbia and Yreka. "Personal Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 27, 1879, page 3 A force of repairers are placing the W.U. telegraph lines in condition for the winter season. "Brief Reference," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 3, 1879, page 3 C. S. Lamb of Portland will assist W. J. Wallis in the management of the telegraph office at Yreka, vice Geo. Peck. "Personal Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 3, 1879, page 3 The Sentinel and telegraph offices will occupy new quarters in Ryan's building, over the Criterion saloon, next week. The Western Union Telegraph Company has reduced the ten-word message rate from $2.50 to $2.00 to all points in the Eastern States. Additional words, 13 cents each. "Brief Reference," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 10, 1879, page 3 A class in telegraphy will be organized in this place tomorrow evening. All wishing to learn this art will be on hand at the telegraph office at seven o'clock p.m. Charges very reasonable. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 17, 1879, page 3 Telegraph poles and wires were demoralized in places by the recent snow storm, but the damage was soon repaired. "Brief Reference," Democratic Times, January 2, 1880, page 3 Mrs. A. W. Cawley has resigned the management of the Rock Point telegraph office. "Brief Reference," Democratic Times, January 9, 1880, page 3 Friend Wallis of the Yreka telegraph office received a substantial present on New Year's Day. It was a bouncing boy, and he is as big as paterfamilias now. "Personal Notes," Democratic Times, January 9, 1880, page 3 Telegraph lines demoralized. The telegraph was badly demoralized again last week by the heavy storm, there being no communication with Portland or San Francisco for several days. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 14, 1880, page 3 The telegraph lines are down in every direction and the operators have been busily employed all week in repairing the breaks. Communication has been suspended for a time, but a resumption is promised soon again. "Personal Notes," Democratic Times, January 16, 1880, page 3 DUPLEXED.--Instruments are now working on the telegraph line between Portland and San Francisco, by means of which messages can be transmitted both ways simultaneously, thus making one line do double work. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 16, 1880, page 3 The Western Union Telegraph Company, through D. F. Leahy, Division Superintendent, offers a reward of $50 for the arrest and conviction of parties interfering with its telegraph lines, particularly for those persons who (where two or more lines run parallel) catch the wires with whips or otherwise, causing them to swing together and "cross," or in any other manner injuring the poles, wires or insulators. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 14, 1880, page 3 The W.U. Telegraph Company officers a reward of $50 for the arrest and conviction of parties interfering with telegraph wires, poles or insulators. "Brief Reference," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 16, 1880, page 3 The late wind storm caused a number of telegraph poles to break, which are being rapidly repaired by the proper authorities. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 21, 1880, page 3 The Western Union Telegraph Co. is now engaged erecting a lot of new telegraph poles. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 4, 1880, page 3 New poles are being put up in places by the W.U. Telegraph Co. "Brief Reference," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 6, 1880, page 3 The government telegraph line has reached the summit of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains, coming westward. Within a month there will be telegraph communication between Oregon and the Atlantic Coast via Idaho, Montana and Dakota to the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad, thence along that road to St. Paul, Minnesota. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 22, 1880, page 3 The telegraph repairers are on their circuit of the state. "Brief Reference," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 29, 1880, page 3 J. C. Overbeck, lately hairdresser for the O.&C. Stage Co. at Oak Grove station, has gone to Eastern Oregon to assist in the construction of new telegraph lines for the Western Union Co. F. M. Overbeck of the Times office will in a few days leave for La Conner, W.T., to take a position in the telegraph office at that place. He is a good operator and we predict a successful career in telegraphy for him. "Personal Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 19, 1880, page 3 Joseph C. Overbeck, of Myrtle Creek, was in town several days this week, visiting his relatives. From here he goes to Eastern Oregon, where he will work for the telegraph co. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 17, 1880, page 3 Fred Overbeck started for Washington Territory last Sunday to take a position in the telegraph office at Laconner. George Howard succeeds him in the Times office. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 24, 1880, page 3 Geo. H. Peck has resumed his position in the Yreka telegraph office. He is a first-class operator and has many friends who will always be pleased to learn of his success. "Personal Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 3, 1880, page 3 Geo. H. Peck has resumed his place in the telegraph office at Yreka. George is a favorite on the line and we are glad to see him back. Mr. Healey, the telegraph operator who has been here all summer, and introduced the duplex apparatus, started below last Monday morning and Geo. H. Peck has taken his place in the office. His gentlemanly courtesy and clever disposition has gained him a host of friends in Yreka, who hold him in the highest esteem, wishing him the greatest prosperity wherever he may locate.--[Yreka Journal. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 8, 1880, page 3 E. Dimick, the affable postmaster, telegraph operator and merchant of Grants Pass, paid Jacksonville a visit last Monday purchasing holiday goods. He was accompanied by his family and returned home on the following day. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 22, 1880, page 3 Mr. Healey has resumed his position in the telegraph office at Yreka as assistant of W. J. Wallis. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 29, 1881, page 3 The telegraph office at Rock Point has been re-opened with Mrs. Cawley as operator. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 26, 1881, page 3 CHANGE OF BASE.--Mr. Henry Judge has removed his large harness and saddlery stock to the saloon building next to Donegan's, the room formerly occupied by the telegraph office being occupied by him as a workshop. The location is an excellent one and displays the stock well, and it is really refreshing to see a saloon turned into a place of honest industry, and there could be no objection if some more of them here were similarly transformed. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 30, 1881, page 3 Joe Overbeck, formerly of Jacksonville, is telegraphing for the O.R.&N. Co. at a station east of The Dalles. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 30, 1881, page 3 Frank Krause, one of the proprietors of the Sentinel and manager of the W.U. telegraph office at this place, left here on Tuesday, bound for Portland, to attend the Grand Lodge of the state I.O.O.F. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 14, 1881, page 3 Mr. Leahy, superintendent of the W.U. Tel. Co., says that sixty miles of telegraph line have been erected on the Northern Pacific out of Ainsworth. Delay in receiving poles kept the work back for a while, but the telegraph company have a good force employed and will reach Spokane Falls nearly as soon as the railroad gets there. Work will also be commenced soon between Umatilla and Baker City and will keep pace with track laying by the O.R.&N. Co. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 21, 1881, page 3 A telegraph line now building north from Reno, Nevada, inspires our Goose Lake brethren with the hope that the wires will soon connect them with the outside world. Good! "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 6, 1881, page 3 The Yreka Journal says that an army officer has been sent to Fort Klamath to make estimates and arrangements for the construction of a military telegraph line from that post to Ashland, Oregon. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 20, 1881, page 3 FOR PORTLAND.--Edgar Klippel, who has been employed as one of the typos of this office for the last two years, will start for Portland next week where he goes to help his father in the typographical work of the Pacific Christian Advocate, of which Mr. Adam Klippel is manager. Edgar is a good, reliable young man that can be trusted in any position, and we expect to hear of his doing well. He is also a good telegraph operator, a business he learned in this office, and when that company wants a good, trusty manager we would advise them to give Ed. a chance. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 3, 1881, page 3 The Ashland Tidings says that the whole of Co. C, 1st Infantry, and a part of Col. L, 1st Cavalry, has been ordered out on detached duty, to build the telegraph line between Fort Klamath and Ashland, and begin work at the Fort Tuesday morning, setting the poles. They will proceed direct through to Ashland with this work, and stretch the wire as they return. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 10, 1881, page 3 Captain G. H. Burton and a company of the Twenty-first Infantry are also engaged building a government line from Ashland, Jackson County, to Fort Klamath. This line is expected to be completed during the present season. "News from Oregon," Daily Alta California, San Francisco, September 16, 1881, page 1 Work is progressing on the telegraph line between Fort Klamath and Ashland, and the poles and wire are being distributed along the line and a section of wire already up. The line will go via Linkville and the Southern Oregon wagon road, the distance being about ninety miles. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 17, 1881, page 3 Edgar Klippel is now employed in the Portland telegraph office as operator, making two Jacksonvillians that are now employed there. A room has been rented in the Masonic building at Ashland for the government telegraph office. No some account [sic] or other the two offices will not be consolidated. Lieut. G. H. Burton arrived in town last evening on official business. He reports work progressing finely on the Klamath telegraph line, the poles having been set as far as the Soda Springs yesterday. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 8, 1881, page 3 Lt. J. F. R. Landis will leave Portland in a day or two for Southern Oregon, to survey a route for a military telegraph line from Fort Klamath to Fort Bidwell, pursuant to instructions from the division commander. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 15, 1881, page 3 Lieut. Landis, U.S.A., says the Tidings, returned Wednesday evening from Fort Bidwell, whither he had gone to survey the military telegraph line from Fort Klamath. His report has been sent to headquarters, but we do not know yet whether it will be decided to build the line or not. It cannot be done until next spring, at any rate. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 22, 1881, page 3 The government telegraph line from Ashland to Fort Klamath has been completed beyond Linkville but is not yet in working order on account of the non-arrival of the telegraphic instruments required. They are expected to arrive in a few days, when direct telegraphic communication can be had with Lake County. "Local
Items," Oregon Sentinel,
Jacksonville, November 5, 1881, page
3
The military telegraph line between Ashland and Fort Klamath is not yet in working order, but will be as soon as the batteries arrive and are set up. It will probably be in order in a couple of weeks. "Local
Items," Oregon Sentinel,
Jacksonville, December 3, 1881, page
3
The charge on messages of ten words, or less, over the military telegraph line from Ashland to Fort Klamath is 50 cents and 3 cents for each additional word. There is no office established at Linkville yet. The line is now in good working order. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 24, 1881, page 3 REDUCTION IN RATES.--The Western Union Telegraph Co. gives notice of a reduction in rates, the new tariff to go into effect tomorrow. The charges on a ten-word message to any point on this coast will not exceed one dollar, and the rate to the Eastern States has been reduced to one dollar and fifty cents for the first ten words and ten cents for each additional word. A change has also been made in the half-rate service. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 31, 1881, page 3 A telegraph office has been opened at Linkville and a repair station at Parker's on the Lake County road. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 31, 1881, page 3 F. M. Overbeck, one of the lightning strikers in the Portland telegraph office, is to be promoted on the 1st of next month and deserves it. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 28, 1882, page 3 The Oregon Pacific R.R. Co. have advertised for bids to build a telegraph line from Corvallis to Yaquina, the western terminus of their road. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 6, 1882, page 3 Fred. Overbeck has resigned his position in the W.U. telegraph office at Portland and will enter the employ of the O.R.&N. Co. at some point on the Columbia River. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 17, 1882, page 3 OFFICE CLOSED.--Phoenix is no longer a telegraph station, Miss Sergent having resigned, and the company's property used there has been transferred to the new office soon to be opened at Redfield's, a station on the railroad. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 24, 1882, page 3 Patrons of the telegraph office here will remember that it takes cash money to telegraph, and after this date no credit will be given on that account. Lightning struck in the Grants Pass telegraph office on the Fourth, setting E. Dimick's store on fire. Plenty of assistance was on hand at the time, and the damage did not amount to a great deal. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 8, 1882, page 3 H. B. Standerwick, commercial editor of the S.F. Examiner, gave us a call this week. He is establishing telegraphic agencies for that paper in all the principal towns of Oregon. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 15, 1882, page 3 NEW TELEGRAPH LINE.--A large amount of wire has passed through town this week to be used in the construction of the government telegraph line between Fort Klamath and Camp Bidwell, on which work was commenced last Tuesday. N. Fisher of this place has the transportation contract and Capt. Burton of Fort Klamath will have charge of construction. The distance between these points is about 150 miles, and several offices will be established on the route. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 29, 1882, page 3 Chas. K. Klum and family have returned from Lake [sic], where they had gone on a rusticating trip. W. L. Whiting of the government line had charge of the telegraph office during his absence. The telegraph line between Fort Klamath, Or., and Camp Bidwell, Cal., is in process of construction, the troops from Camp Bidwell cooperating with Captain Burton, Twenty-First Infantry, who has been designated as the officer in charge of construction. With the utmost activity and energy the line may be completed this season. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 29, 1882, page 3 Forty-five men are at work on the telegraph line between Klamath and Bidwell, and it will be finished by Sept. 10th. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, August 11, 1882, page 3 TELEGRAPH POLES WANTED.--The Western Union Telegraph Co. wants 3,900 telegraph poles for the extension of the O.&C. Railroad. Split cedar is the timber preferred, and those able to furnish them can make something out of this contract. Specifications will be furnished soon. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 12, 1882, page 3 Forty-five men are at work on the telegraph line between Klamath and Bidwell, and it will be finished by September 10th. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 12, 1882, page 3 Ninety men are now employed on the extension of the telegraph line to Camp Bidwell--forty-five on each end. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 19, 1882, page 3 SENDING A TELEGRAM.
AN INEXPERIENCED TRAVELER'S LABORIOUS EFFORTS.
One
man reached a long arm over the little crowd clustered at the
operator's window and asked for a "blank telegraphic form," explaining
that he "wished to send a telegraphic dispatch to his family." Now,
when a man speaks of a "telegraphic dispatch" I always wake up and look
at him, because the cumbersome title is at utter variance with the
spirit of the telegraph. It's too long. The use of it betrays the man
who has little use for the telegraph. The more he uses the wire the
shorter his terms. The more nearly he can come to saying "msg" the more
content he is. And he doesn't call it a "telegraphic form"; he asks for
a "blank," black or red, as the case may be. And he never "telegraphs"
anybody. He "wires" them. And he doesn't explain to the operator what
he wants to do with the blank. Presumably he wants to write a message.
And as to the matters referred to that "msg" and the party for whom it
is intended, the operator will know all that he wishes to know--and
sometimes much more than you want him to know--soon enough.
So I watched the passenger write his "telegraphic dispatch." First he asked the operator: "What day of the month is this?" There was nothing unusual in that. All men ask that. It is the opening line in the regular formula of sending a "msg." You may know what date it is before entering the office; you may even have it impressed upon your mind by having a note fall due on that day, but the moment you poise you pencil over the blank that date flies from your mind like the toothache from a dentist's stairway. So when the man asked: "What day of the month is this?" I was not surprised. I courteously answered him, as a cover to approaching his position, but he did not believe me. He repeated his question and made the operator answer. Then I knew he was very new at it. He spoiled three blanks before he got a "telegraphic dispatch" written to suit him. But everybody uses stationery more extravagantly in another man's office than he does at home. Then he wrote every word in the body of the dispatch very distinctively, but scrambled hurriedly over the address as though everybody knew as well as he did and dashed off his own signature in a blind letter style, as though his name was as familiar to the operator as it was to his own family. But even this is not uncommon. A man will write "Cunningham" so that no expert under the skies will tell whether it was Covington or Carrington, or Cummagen, or Carrenton, and when the operator points to it and asks "What is this?" the writer will stare at him in blank amazement for a moment, and then answer: "Why, that's my name!" "Well, yes, I know that," the operator will say, "but what is your name?" Then the man will gasp for breath and catch hold of the desk to keep himself from falling, and finally shout: "Why, Cunningham of course!!!" and look pityingly upon the operator and then glance about the room with a pained, shocked expression, as one who would say, "Gentlemen, you may not believe it, and I do not blame you, but heaven is my witness--here is a man who does not know that my name is Cunningham" This is not unusual. Any operator will tell you that he has met Cunningham scores of times, and has mortally offended him every time by asking him his name. Well, my tall man with the thin neck got along a little better than that when he handed the operator the following explicit message: Mrs. H. Follansbee, Dallas Center, Iowa: MY DEAR WIFE: I left the city early this morning after eating breakfast with Prof. Morton, a live man in the temperance cause. I expected to eat dinner with you at home, but we were delayed by a terrible railroad accident, and I narrowly escaped being killed; one passenger was terribly mangled and has since died, but I am alive. The conductor says I cannot make connection so as to come to Dallas Center this morning, but I can get there by 8 o'clock this evening. I hate to disappoint you, but cannot help it. With love to Mother and the children, I am your loving husband, ROGER K. FOLLANSBEE. The operator read it, smiled and said: "You can save considerable expense and tell all that is really necessary, I presume, by shortening this message down to 10 words. We have no wire directly to Dallas, and will have to send this message part of the way over another line, which adds largely to the cost of transmission. Shall I shorten this for you?" "No. Oh, no," the man with the shawl replied, "I'll fix it myself. Ten words you say?" "Yes, sir." It was a stunner, for a fact, and the man heaved a despairing sigh as he prepared to boil his letter down to 10 words. He sighed again after reading it through once or twice, and then scratched out "Dallas Center, Iowa," as though everybody knew where he lived. Then he erased "early," and drew his pen slowly through "breakfast with" and "in the temperance." Then he scratched over "dinner with," and went on to erase "and narrowly escaped." And so he went on through the dispatch. Occasionally he would hold it from him at arm's length after making an erasure, to get at the general effect. And at last, after much scratching and erasing, and with many sighs, he came to the window and said, "Here is the telegraphic dispatch to my wife. I have not been able to condense it into 10 words, and do not see how it can be done without garbling the sense of the dispatch, but if you can do it, you would oblige me greatly, as I do not wish to incur any really necessary expense." And with that he handed this operator the following expunged edition of his original message: MY DEAR WIFE: I left the city--this morning after eating--Prof. Morton alive--cause I expected to eat--you at home. But we were delayed by a terrible railroad accident on the railroad. I--being killed--terribly mangled and since died, but I am--the conductor.--I cannot--come to Dallas Center--but I can.--I hate--Mother and the children. Your loving husband. ROGER
K. FOLLANSBEE.
The
operator smiled once more, and
in his quick, nervous way that grows out of his familiar association
with the lightning, made a few quick dashes with his pencil, and
without adding or changing a letter in the original message shriveled
it down to its very sinews, like this:Sarah H. Follansbee, Dallas Center, Iowa; Left city 'smorning; delayed by accident; all right; home 'sevening. ROGER
K. FOLLANSBEE.
"There, that is all right," he said, in
the cheery,
magnetic way these operators had. "Fifty cents, sir; only 25 cents if
we had our own wire into Dallas, sir; we'll have one next spring, too;
saves you several dollars, sir. That's right, thank you." And the man
went and sat down on a chair by the stove and stared at that operator
until the rescuing train came along, as though he were a worker of
miracles. And when he got off the train at the junction for Dallas, I
heard him whispering softly to himself: "Shfollansbee--clishn smorning;
nothin smatter; home saftnoon." And I knew that he was practicing his
lesson and had "caught on."Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 2, 1882, page 1 The telegraph line has reached Lakeview but is not yet in working order. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 2, 1882, page 3 For variety of employment, J. E. Eldredge of the Crescent City Record is ahead; being editor, publisher, foreman, compositor, "devil," photographer, deputy sheriff, telegraph operator, cabinet maker and undertaker. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 9, 1882, page 3 The government telegraph line to Lakeview, Oregon, and Camp Bidwell, Cal., is now complete and in working order. The tariff to any point on that line is 50 cents for the first ten words and three cents each for every additional word over the first ten. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 16, 1882, page 3 One of the men employed with Finn's telegraph repairing crowd fell from the top of a telegraph pole last Tuesday while at work in town, but luckily had no bones broken. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 23, 1882, page 3 The telegraph repairing crowd passed through town this week in charge of A. W. Finn. They are putting the lines in good condition for the winter. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 23, 1882, page 3 Ed. Klippel now holds a first-class situation in the Portland telegraph office, his wages having been increased and his employment being that of one of the main night operators. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 30, 1882, page 3 The telegraph wires being down at the north hampered communication several days last week and up to the present time the wires fail to work satisfactorily. The trouble is caused by the "slashing" of timber for the railroad company near Grave Creek, the trees falling across the wires continually. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, October 6, 1882, page 3 The telegraph line was broken for several days this week, most of the trouble being between Grave Creek and Canyonville and at some point south of Yreka. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 7, 1882, page 3 The new telegraph line to Camp Bidwell is now completed and in first-class working order. The tariff to any point on the line is fifty cents from Ashland. Telegraph messenger boys in Portland receive 1½ cents for each message delivered and 2½ cents for every reply. Their former salary was $15 per month. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 7, 1882, page 3 Telegraph repairers have a lively time of late between Grave Creek and Roseburg, where the railroad construction parties are now at work. There is hardly a day but some work is required on the lines, and the trouble is always between those points. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 28, 1882, page 3 Whenever an important election takes place the telegraph wires are sure to break. The town election at Ashland broke it the last time. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 11, 1882, page 3 E. Dimick, the popular postmaster, telegraph operator, hotel keeper, stage agent and mayor of Grants Pass, gave us a call this week. He reports times brightening up in that section but thinks that his town will have to move to the railroad when completed that far. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 25, 1882, page 3 The new telegraph line on the route of the O.&C.R.R. has been completed as far south as Lewisville. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 2, 1882, page 3 The telegraph line is built along the line of the O.&C.R.R. extension to a point 20 miles south of here, and will soon be around at Redfields at the north end of the big tunnel where it will connect with the through line. The office at Redfields has been discontinued and one established at the west fork of Cow Creek, where the R.R. co. propose to make their headquarters for the winter. West Fork is 20 miles south of Riddle, and 16 miles north of the big tunnel. "Railroad News," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 9, 1882, page 3 J. C. Overbeck will return from the north on tomorrow's stage after an absence of a couple of years. He is now employed in the Umatilla telegraph office and is only off on a furlough to visit relatives here. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 20, 1883, page 3 Joe Overbeck, who has been paying his many Jacksonville friends a short visit, has gone to Pendleton, Oregon, to take charge of the telegraph office at that place. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 27, 1883, page 3 The Roseburg Plaindealer . . . says the O.&C.R.R. Co. will have the connecting link of their telegraph line between Roseburg and Myrtle Creek completed this week. This will give them a perfect line to the end of the track. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 3, 1883, page 3 A PREDICAMENT.--The telegraph operator at Ashland found himself in a strange predicament this week. Being a soldier he was not allowed to leave his post of duty, with chances of a court martial if it is violated, when he received a subpoena from the Circuit Court of this county to appear here and testify before the grand jury, a failure on that point being contempt of court. To add to his discomfiture he had only been married the day before but he decided the case by answering the call of the Circuit Court here, bringing his wife along, and leaving a competent operator in the office at Ashland. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 16, 1883, page 3 A new building is being erected at Rock Point for Capt. Dolson, chief of the locating surveying corps, and adjoining this Mrs. Affie Cawley is having a building constructed for the use of the Western Union Telegraph Company. The latter will prove beneficial to the telegraph company as the office will then be located on the line of travel. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 16, 1883, page 3 Mr. Dolson's headquarters are at Rock Point, where he has had a house built for his convenience. The [Western Union Telegraph] Co. is also having a station put up there, which will be in charge of Mrs. A. W. Cawley. Chas. Strang is acting as Mr. D.'s clerk. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, June 22, 1883, page 3 Dispatches from Washington, dated June 14th, state that, in consequence of insufficient appropriations made by last Congress, a number of military telegraph stations will have to be abandoned. Among them, says the Tidings, are Linkville, Lakeview and Parker's, which are to be closed on the 30th of this present month, it is stated. We hope there is some mistake about this matter, as the telegraph offices at Linkville and Lakeview are a great convenience to the public. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 23, 1883, page 3 By a telegram from Capt. Geo. H. Burton, officer in charge of the military telegraph line, to Col. C. A. Cogswell, we learn that the chief signal officer has rescinded the order to abandon the telegraph office at this place. This is good news, as the office is of great convenience to the citizens of this section of the country.--Lakeview Examiner. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 30, 1883, page 3 The telegraph office at Grave Creek has been discontinued and a new office opened at Wolf Creek. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 7, 1883, page 3 Mrs. Pauline Rea officiates temporarily as telegraph operator at Ashland while Mr. Whiting is fitting up his new residence. The telegraph brotherhood throughout the country are about to engage in an extensive strike. They are the hardest-worked men in the country and more poorly compensated than any other class requiring so much experience and aptitude for their profession. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 14, 1883, page 3 The Jacksonville telegraph office is not included in the strike, and messages will go on time providing there is someone at the other end to receive them. Fred Overbeck is expected here on a visit about the first of August on a visit to his parents. Fred is now one of the chief operators in the Portland telegraph office. None of the military telegraph offices in Klamath and Lake counties were closed, as reported they would be, and the business goes on as usual. They are a public necessity and should be kept open. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 21, 1883, page 3 The telegraph strike still continues with no sign of weakening on either side. The telegraph company has all the operators they need now, and if matters are no worse in the East than they are on this coast it is very probable that the strikers have lost their positions. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 4, 1883, page 3 One of the demands of the striking telegraphers [in Portland] is that a woman shall be paid as much as a man for the same amount of work. This is square, even justice that ought to be conceded and, if not, the concession should be forced by the public by the greatest economy in patronage of a corporation so manifestly unjust to its employees. The demand shows that there is a principle backing the strikers that ought to win the fight for them. "Editorial Correspondence," Oregon Sentinel, August 4, 1883, page 2 The telegraphic strike still continues, and a sentiment in favor of a postal telegraph has been created all over the country. The boys should circulate petitions, and it is doubtful if a single citizen except a Western Union stockholder would refuse his signature. This is the way to bring a pressure on Congress that would be irresistible. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 18, 1883, page 3 Ed. Klippel, one of the Portland telegraph strikers who refused to take the ironclad oath of allegiance to a corporation, is telegraphing for the O.R.&N. company. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 1, 1883, page 3 The telegraph strike has ended, but for the last two or three weeks the service has been poorer than ever, the cause being the continued interruptions occasioned by the railroad men falling trees on the wires on the line of their work. There is a penalty attached to carelessness in this respect, and someone may get left yet if it is not stopped soon. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 8, 1883, page 3 Fred Overbeck started for Walla Walla yesterday to take a position in the telegraph office in that place. W. J. Wallis, for a number of years the manager of the W.U. Telegraph office at Yreka, arrived here and spent a day with us this week. He was on his way to Portland at the time, but was called back to take a position on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad as operator and agent for Wells Fargo & Co. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 15, 1883, page 3 A new telegraph office has been opened at the toll house on the Siskiyou Mountains with Mrs. Pauline Rea of Ashland as operator. The tariff from here is twenty-five cents for ten words. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 22, 1883, page 3 And now daily there rideth by, gazing silently and with wonder-provoking interest at an unseen something apparently just above the horizon, ye man with the big irons strapped to his boots, divers warlike and incomprehensible implements in a leathern girdle at his waist, and a (perhaps) very useful, but conspicuously inconvenient, circle of wire about his shoulders, and to the little children we make answer. "That is the man who climbs the telegraph poles and fixes the wire." Edwin W. Hammond, "Railroad Notes," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 6, 1883, page 2 Interruptions still continue on the telegraph wires through this place, and there is hardly a day but some trouble exists either north of Rock Point or south of Ashland--all occasioned by the railroad construction now going on. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 6, 1883, page 3 Edgar Klippel is now employed in the O.R.&N. Co.'s telegraph office at Portland. Woodford & Colvig have opened a general merchandise store at Woodville. The junior member of the firm is our old-time telegraphic friend at Canyonville, who has concluded that this business would be more profitable than pounding brass. We wish the new firm success. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 13, 1883, page 3 Senator Edmunds has been investigating the prospects of successfully operating telegraph lines by the post office department, and will prepare and introduce in Congress a bill to equip and operate a postal telegraph system. It is thought that the President will also recommend the same plan. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 15, 1883, page 3 The trains are now bringing up bridge timbers from below. They are also distributing telegraph poles along the line. . . . The telegraph line is being changed through here this afternoon from the stage road to the railroad. New poles are being set and cross bars put with arrangements for four wires. "Woodville Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 15, 1883, page 3 When the telegraph line is completed to this place along the railroad, the wires following the stage road through the valley will probably be taken down, and a loop put in at Medford for Jacksonville. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, January 4, 1884, page 3 Mrs. Cawley of Rock Point has been offered a good telegraphic position at Port Townsend, W.T. but we have not heard of her acceptance. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 2, 1884, page 3 A railroad telegraph office has been opened at Phoenix. None has yet been established at Medford, but it is quite likely that one will be opened there soon. Telegraph line builders who are now in this section running the wires along the railroad track inform us that the company has decided on putting Jacksonville on a loop from here to the Van Dyke place near Phoenix. By this means the old line can be used, placing us on one of the main lines when there will be no necessity of a repeating office at the connecting point. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 9, 1884, page 3 Phoenix again boasts of a telegraph office, the railroad company having opened one there. Medford will soon have one also. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 15, 1884, page 3 T. P. Smith, foreman of the force of men who are building the telegraph lines along the railroad, was in town this week on business for the company. On Wednesday the Jacksonville telegraph office was put on a loop making connection with the main lines near Phoenix and the lines between here and Rock Point will be taken down in a few days. Mr. Smith has a force of ten men with him and is doing some good, substantial work. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, February 23, 1884, page 3 At Phoenix M. J. Green is the passenger and freight agent, and is assisted by L. H. Potter and T. L. Skaggs. All three are telegraph operators, and can take turns at the instrument. "Railroad Notes," Ashland Tidings, February 29, 1884, page 3 Mr. Cunningham, the agent and telegraph operator, has arrived and will be ready for business today. "Medford Notes," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 1, 1884, page 3 F. M. Overbeck has taken a position as assistant operator with the Western Union Telegraph Co. at Seattle. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 8, 1884, page 3 AN OLD TIMER.--We acknowledge a pleasant call this week from J. Waldo Thompson, who was one of the first telegraph operators in Jacksonville nearly twenty years ago and afterward the manager of the office at Yreka. Waldo looks as young and is as jovial as ever and his many friends here were pleased to meet him and talk over old times. He is now manager of the telegraph office at San Diego, Cal., and the object of his visit was to bring his wife--who is the daughter of J. C. Eubanks of Ashland--to this valley in the hopes of benefiting her health. Mr. Thompson starts for his home today. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 3, 1884, page 3 G. Q. Stewart has resigned the position of manager of [the] Portland telegraph office and is succeeded by Jeff Hayes. W. J. Wallis of Yreka has also taken a position in that office. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 3, 1884, page 3 INSPECTING LINES.--F. H. Lamb, Superintendent of the Western Union Telegraph Co. for this division, was in town yesterday accompanied by his wife. He is making a tour of inspection of the lines in this section with a view of putting them in good repair for winter use. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 28, 1884, page 3 A post office has been established at Gold Hill station, and a telegraph office is soon to be established there. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 26, 1884, page 3 Mrs. Affie Cawley is in charge of the W.U. Tel. Co. at Ashland during the absence of Mr. Whiting on a mountain trip. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 9, 1884, page 3 Two telegraph offices will be open all winter between Redding and Delta, to be used by the railroad company in case of slides, washouts or accidents. "General Notes and News," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 26, 1884, page 2 Mrs. Pauline Rea has been appointed telegraph manager of Ashland office in place of W. L. Whiting, resigned. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 26, 1884, page 3 W. A. Wright, the efficient postmaster at Linkville, is enlarging his place of business, one portion of which is used as the government telegraph office. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 26, 1884, page 3 Joe and Fred Overbeck are again employed on the night force in the Western Union telegraph office in Portland. W. J. Wallis, formerly of Yreka, is night chief in the same office and several others of the strikers are now employed there. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 4, 1884, page 3 TELEGRAPHERS' WAGES.
For some time
past the employees of the Western Union Telegraph Company have felt
that a reduction was about to be made in their salaries. The dispatches
told of reductions in certain Eastern cities, but these were spoken of
as merely local reductions. A few days since an order was received in
the office of the Western Union Telegraph Company in Portland cutting
off pay for all extra work except on Sunday. This will make a
difference in operators' salaries of from $25 to $45 per month. At the
great strike of the operators over a year ago certain privileges were
held out to induce members of the craft to go to work. This consisted
of extra pay for extra work. The concession has continued in force ever
since. The present order takes away all the fruits of the most
universal strike that ever took place in the United States. It is not
improbable that the strike will be repeated. Telegraphers claim that
they are in better condition today than when they went into the last
fight, and this time it will be conducted on a more aggressive plan. It
is also claimed that the last unpleasantness cost the company a large
sum of money, but that if another strike is inaugurated it will entail
a much larger loss.
Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 26, 1884, page 2 F. M. Overbeck, now one of the chief operators in the W.U. Telegraph Company's office at Portland, is back on a short visit. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 3, 1885, page 3 A telegraph line connecting the W.U.T. Co.'s office with several residences in town has been erected, and different parties are learning telegraphy by means of it. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 20, 1885, page 3 A NEW LINE.--Several young men and ladies of this place have formed a company and run telegraph wires to different portions of the town for the purpose of learning the art of telegraphy. There are offices at the residences of T. G. Reames, Henry Klippel, Max Muller, K. Kubli, Mrs. Bilger, Henry Weydemann, A. W. Pressley, Wm. M. Turner, N. K. Lytle, Will. Jackson. The scholars are making good progress, and a number of them will make good operators in a short time. Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 14, 1885, page 3 SUNDAY OFFICE HOURS.--The following order issued by Supt. Jaynes will take effect on the first day of August: "From and after August 1st, 1885, offices of the Western Union Telegraph Co. will be open for business on Sundays during the following hours, viz: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Principal offices and repeating stations will keep open as usual, but with such reductions in force as circumstances will permit." Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 18, 1885, page 3 A detachment of 31 soldiers, under command of Capt. Miller of Fort Klamath, have just finished putting the military telegraph line from Ashland in good repair. They were camped at Soda Springs last Sunday. For a model telegraph office, commend us to the one at Ashland under the management of Mrs. Pauline Rea. The neatness of the room and the affability of the manager makes it pleasant with all who have business to transact with the telegraph company. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 15, 1885, page 3 A couple of telegraph operators of Linkville, named Herbert Wilkinson and George Wilson, were married Aug. 26 to two ticking talkers on the wires, both sisters, named Atlanta and Cynthia Parker, at Parker's station near Linkville. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 5, 1885, page 3 Tom Turner is now employed in the railroad telegraph office at Medford as assistant to Mr. Fronk, the agent. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 26, 1885, page 3 Having leased new quarters, the Sentinel office after this week will be found in John Orth's brick in the rooms formerly occupied by our cotem. [i.e., the Democratic Times]. The telegraph office will also be moved to the same place, as it will be a better location for the patrons than the one now occupied. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 28, 1885, page 3 Central Point is to have a W.F. and Co.'s office at once, and a telegraph office has been applied for, which the Western Union will no doubt grant. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 19, 1885, page 3 The telegraph office has been moved back to its old quarters in the Sentinel building where you can get all the lightning you want at regulation price. "Jacksonville Items," Rogue River Courier, Grants Pass, September 10, 1886, page 2 The postal telegraph line is coming right along. A force of men are employed between Ashland and the Siskiyou Mountain putting up poles. The poles are red fir sawed at Glendale and shipped to Ashland. Dollarhide of Siskiyou Mountain House and Dave Horn of this county have contracts to furnish the co. with poles and are getting them out as fast as possible, and delivering them along the route of the line. The company propose to push the work along as fast as possible. They will be working on this side of the Siskiyou Mountain before many days.--[Yreka Union. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 23, 1886, page 3 Our clever railroad agent has been reinforced, a new telegraph operator having made his appearance at the family residence a few days since. [A birth announcement for C. K. Fronk.] "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 29, 1886, page 2 It is said that the Mackey-Bennett Telegraph Company will construct a telephone line between this place and Medford. "Local Items," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 20, 1886, page 3 It is said that the Postal Telegraph Co., which will soon complete its coast telegraph line, will have connection with Jacksonville by a telephone line from this place. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 26, 1886, page 2 The Telegraph in Oregon.
Rogue
River Courier, Grants Pass, December 17, 1886, page 1(Oregonian, Nov. 15)
Yesterday afternoon the Portland office of the Western Union Telegraph
Company was moved from the Newmarket Block to Kamm's Block, corner
First and Pine Street. This is the second time the Western Union has
moved in the twenty years it has served the Portland public. The
occasion gives an opportunity to relate some facts connected with the
early history in telegraphing in Oregon. The first line in this state
was built by Wm. (?) Johnson and associates in 1855. It ran from
Portland to Corvallis and was illy constructed. The Portland office was
located in A. M. and L. M. Starr's building, on the southeast corner of
Fourth and Stark, where the Oregonian
office
now stands. Warren Davis was the first operator. There was very little
business, and in a short time the line was abandoned. Many farmers and
merchants in the Willamette Valley had subscribed to the stock. In 1856
and '57 the wire, which had fallen from the poles, gave a great deal of
trouble to residents of the valley, and it was not uncommon for horses
to stumble over it. The failure of this enterprise worked one important
measure into the state constitution. Several prominent members of the
convention favored a clause making stockholders of a corporation
individually liable for its debts, but so many members were
stockholders of Johnson's telegraph line, and had lost enough without
paying salaries to employees still unpaid, that they succeeded in
passing a measure to the effect that stockholders should be liable only
for the amount of their stock. Johnson after a while deserted his
family here, and was lost sight of.
The next telegraph company was organized by J. E. Strong of Salem, and construction was commenced in the spring of 1863. W. S. Ladd, H. W. Corbett and other prominent business men of Portland subscribed liberally, as did the well-to-do men of the east side of the Willamette Valley. Strong's plan was to build from Portland to Yreka, the northern terminus of the California State Telegraph Company's line. Enough stock was subscribed to pay the cost of construction. Poles were erected as far south as Canyonville, Douglas County, and the wire stretched to Eugene or thereabouts. Owing to the loss of a large quantity of wire and other material on board the American ship Noonday from Boston, which was wrecked off the Farallones in the spring of 1863, the line could not be finished. It was operated in a very lame sort of way as far as Eugene. In the summer of 1863, Strong transferred the line to the California company, and the stockholders lost every cent they put in. They received a little in direct benefit the next year by securing telegraph communication with the outside world. In the fall and winter of 1863-4 the California company completed the gap between Yreka and the Willamette Valley. R. R. Haines, now manager of the Los Angeles office, was superintendent of construction and afterwards was district superintendent with headquarters here. Subsequently he built the line from Portland to The Dalles for the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, and the line from here to Victoria for the California company. Connection was made with California and the East in February 1864. This line served as the only medium of telegraphic communication with the East for more than nineteen years. On the 8th of September, 1883, the completion of the N.P.R.R. gave a second line. In March, 1884, Dr. O. P. S. Plummer, the well-known physician and druggist, arrived here from California and, on April 1st, assumed the duties of manager of the Portland office. For the first month or two he was manager, operator, messenger and line-repairer. Part of his duties was to keep the line in repair half way to Oregon City. The first office was a little corner 6x7 feet surrounded by a railing in the Pioneer Hotel, on the northeast corner of Front and Washington, owned by S. N. Arrigoni. This was the heart of the business section of Portland at that time. The Portland office "paid big" from the word go. There was a comparatively large business done, and not at low rates. It cost $3 for ten words to San Francisco, and $1.50 for the next five words, one word beyond ten counting as five. To New York the rate was $10 for ten words. Besides, the sender had to pay for the United States Internal Revenue stamp which was required to be affixed to each message, something like three cents for every dollar of toll. In 1865 the office was removed to the Arrigoni House, on the northeast corner Front and Stark, afterward the Cosmopolitan Hotel. The office was situate back of the hotel office. Business increased so rapidly that soon an independent office became necessary, and this was secured on Front Street, two doors north, in the same building with the Cosmopolitan. In 1866, the California State Telegraph Company was sold to the Western Union, the office remaining in the same place until 1872, when it was moved to the Newmarket Block, where it remained till yesterday. Of hundreds of interesting incidents connected with the service in Oregon, which space forbids publishing, one is worthy of mention. It was a case of transmitting a very important message before office "hours." About six o'clock on the morning of August 2, 1873, Dr. Plummer was awakened with the startling message that the town was burning. He dressed hastily and rushed outdoors. He was met by Mayor Henry Failing and others, who urged him to telegraph to Oregon City and Salem for help. Neither of these offices opened till 8 o'clock. That was an hour and a half away, and moments were precious. In the vain hope that he might receive an answer, he called up Salem and kept up the call for several minutes. E. A. Brown, now operator at Heron, Montana, was the station agent and operator at Salem. He was up, ready to sell tickets for the Portland express. Being sort of lonesome, and for want of anything better to do, he connected his instrument with the main wire and heard the Portland call, which he answered promptly. Dr. Plummer told him Portland was burning and urged him to send downtown for an engine. G. M. Stroud was conductor, and he was urged to hold his train a few minutes. In the meantime C. D. Failing, train dispatcher of the O.&C., was awakened and hurried to his office. He ordered the track cleared and the express to make Portland in the least possible time. Salem had responded with an engine and a hose cart, both well manned, which were loaded on a flatcar and attached to the express. It made the unparalleled time of fifty miles in fifty-six minutes. An incline had been prepared at L Street, East Portland, the apparatus quickly run down to the slip and thence across the river on the Stark Street ferry. It was given a position at Front and Morrison and saved the St. Charles Hotel and possibly a great part of the business district. The parties at work for the Postal Telegraph Co. were paid off a few days since and on Sunday had a lively time in this place, punishing a large amount of tarantula juice. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 24, 1886, page 3 The Postal Telegraph Co. will put in a line between Jacksonville and the main line before long, when we will have the best of telegraph service from two companies, as well as a branch railroad. Verily prosperous times are in store for our town. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 4, 1887, page 3 Representatives of the Postal Telegraph Company were here yesterday making arrangements for building a line from Medford to this place. They expect to open for business in about ten days. "Notes from Jacksonville," Morning Oregonian, Portland, April 4, 1887, page 4 Mr. Jenkins has returned from California and will probably take charge of the Postal Telegraph Company's office, which will be opened here at once. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 8, 1887, page 2 The Postal Telegraph Co. will not build a branch line to this place at present, and the Western Union Co.'s monopoly of our business will continue. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 8, 1887, page 3 The Postal Telegraph Co. have established an office here in the Riddle House, with C. S. Jenkins as agent. "Medford Melange," Ashland Tidings, April 8, 1887, page 3 Breaking the glasses on the Postal Telegraph poles had better be stopped, as the co. has posted bills everywhere offering $50 reward for information leading to the guilty parties. "Local and Personal," Rogue River Courier, Grants Pass, April 8, 1887, page 3 On account of being unable to get poles, the Postal Telegraph Co. have decided not to connect this place with their main line. "Notes from Jacksonville," Morning Oregonian, Portland, April 9, 1887, page 2 The Postal Telegraph Co. has an office in the Riddle House at Medford, with C. S. Jenkins as operator. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 15, 1887, page 3 The Postal Telegraph Co.'s office in this place is doing a good business. It is located in the Riddle House and is in charge of C. S. Jenkins, an excellent operator. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 29, 1887, page 2
W. J. Rogers, operator at this place for the Postal Telegraph Company,
informs us that his beat, or repair section, has been shortened about
ten miles by the placing of a man at Wolf Creek. The company has also
placed pocket instruments in the hands of all its operators for
examining and testing the line at any point.
"Local and Personal," Rogue River Courier, Grants Pass, July 1, 1887, page 3 There is a change in operators of the Postal Telegraph Co. in Medford, Bobby Riddle succeeding C. S. Jenkins. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 22, 1887, page 2 Mr. S. B. Whittle, foreman of the Postal Telegraph repair brigade, has a handy man in the person of Mr. A. Anderson. He is an expert thrower, and when a stream is to be measured he simply picks two stones, throws one across the river and the other, with the same force, upon level ground. By measuring the throw on the ground he has the river's breadth, and is said to seldom miss a very close approximation. The Rogue River, at Rock Point, here the company is putting instruments in Dr. Colvig's house, was found by this means to be 90 yards. "Local and Personal," Rogue River Courier, Grants Pass, July 29, 1887, page 3 The last spike connecting the Oregon & California with the California & Oregon railroad was driven at fifty-one minutes past 4 by Chas. Crocker, one of the original organizers of the Central and Southern Pacific railroad companies. Connection with the W.U. telegraph system had been made, and every stroke that Mr. C. made upon the golden spike was heard in nearly every town and city on the coast. The ceremony was delayed until dark by derailment of a construction train on the south slope of the Siskiyous. A crowd of 2000 or more gathered at the scene of junction and waited patiently from 2 o'clock until 4. There is no telegraph station between Siskiyou and Ashland, and the exact running time could not be learned. "California and Oregon Connected," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 23, 1887, page 2 The railroad station of Gold Hill shows growth and advancement. Among its new buildings is a fine new hotel owned by section superintendent Barlow and presided over by his accomplished lady while Andy continues to see that his section maintains its reputation of being the best on the line in Southern Oregon, though on as difficult a grade as any of them. Messrs. Ball and Bashow, two Linn County boys, have added another store to the number in the village and seem to be prospering. Jacobi Bros. run their store, the post office, express, telegraph and depot business and are busy. We had the pleasure of visiting the city of Medford, and found it a stirring, live place, with prospect of being second to none in Southern Oregon. Its growth is remarkable and withal solid. Several brick buildings of fine proportions, among them a neat and tasty church, are among its possessions, and others in course of construction. Among its progressive citizens are the Webb Bros. We met here also Ed. Phelps and family, who are engaged in the newspaper business, and Charles Fronk, depot and telegraph agent, formerly of Albany and Harrisburg. "Editorial Correspondence," Morning Daily Herald, Albany, May 2, 1888, page 1 J. B. Riddle of Medford and D. L. Curtis of this place have leased the Jackson County Telegraph Co.'s line and will put in Bell telephones at once. This will be a great convenience. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, May 18, 1888, page 3 Miss Mamie Judge of Ashland is in charge of the postal telegraph station at this place. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 13, 1888, page 3 Miss Katie Van Dyke has charge of the Postal Telegraph office in place of Miss Mamie Judge, who has gone to Chico to take an office there. "Medford Items," Ashland Tidings, November 16, 1888, page 3 Miss Kate Van Dyke is now in charge of the postal telegraph office at Medford. "Medford Items," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 29, 1888, page 3 Miss Kate Van Dyke, Postal Telegraph operator, visited Ashland friends on Friday. "Medford Doings," Valley Record, Ashland, March 14, 1889, page 3 Miss Jennie Jackson of Jacksonville officiated at the postal telegraph office during the absence of Miss Van Dyke. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 19, 1889, page 3 Military Telegraph Line Sold.
The U.S. military telegraph line from Ashland to Linkville and Ft.
Klamath was sold at auction at the head office in Ashland last
Saturday, pursuant to orders received by Lieut. Swift from Washington.
Sergeant G. W. Willson read the itemized bill of sale, when the bidding
commenced. The first bid was $50, after which it sent up to $240, where
it stopped, and Ira Johnson was declared the purchaser. The other
bidders were R. K. Sutton and W. H. Mowat, the latter bidding in the
interest of the Mackay-Bennett Co. Johnson was there to buy it without
fail, and his earnestness knocked the opposition out. Mr. Johnson
bought the outfit for Reames, Martin & Co., the enterprising
Linkville merchants, who want the ownership of the line so that Klamath
County can have telegraphic communication with the outside world
whether the line pays expenses or not. About six months ago that part
of the same line running from Ft. Klamath to Ft. Bidwell, Cal., via
Lakeview, was sold at auction to a farmer for $75, who used the wire on
his farm, and since that time the people of that district have begun to
know the need of telegraphic communication. The new owners have offered
to donate that part of the works from Linkville to Ft. Klamath if the
Lakeview people will build a connection with them.Since the above was in type, W. H. Mowat, electrician and manager of the Postal Telegraph line, has purchased the plant from the Linkville people, and will operate it as a private enterprise. In a few days he will take a trip of inspection over the line to investigate its needs. Valley Record, Ashland, November 7, 1889, page 3 Telegraph linemen on their velocipedes are about the only passersby on the railroad at present. Wm. Singleton of the Western Union line passed south from Grants Pass last Saturday, accompanied by C. W. Ayers. Ed Williams and S. B. Whittle of the Postal line went north as far as Riddle's last week, returning south on Friday. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 6, 1890, page 3 Several of the poles belonging to the Jackson County Telegraph Co.'s line, between this place and Medford, fell down during the forepart of the week, and the postal telegraph office at Jacksonville is closed for the present in consequence. Repairs are now in progress, however. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 20, 1890, page 1 Ashland and Medford are the only places within the blockaded region that have had daily papers with telegraphic news. "Brevities," Ashland Tidings, February 21, 1890, page 3 Miss Laura Harrison, our obliging telegraphic manager, is studying stenography under the direction of Miss Kate Lemburger and is making good progress. "Jacksonville Items," Ashland Tidings, January 9, 1891, page 2 It is probable that the W.U. telegraph office will be removed to the railroad depot in a few days. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, February 13, 1891, page 3 The Western Union Telegraph Office has removed to the depot building, where the efficient operator, Miss Laura Harrison, will also act as ticket seller for the Rogue River Valley Railroad. "Jacksonville Items," Ashland Tidings, March 6, 1891, page 2 The Postal telegraph system between here and the county seat is deserving of a share of the public patronage. Will Miller has control of the Jacksonville end of the line at his office in Dr. Jackson's old business place. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 13, 1891, page 3 Miss Laura Harrison is ensconced in cozy quarters at the depot, where she officiates in the dual capacity of W.U. telegraph operator and ticket agent for the R.R.V.R.R. "Here and There," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 13, 1891, page 3 W. L. Miller has purchased the telegraph line between this place and Medford and has an independent connection with the Mackey-Bennett line, for which he is now operator. He has also accepted the position of Associated Press correspondent and telegraphic and general correspondent of the Portland Telegram. He will attend to all the business promptly and acceptably. "Jacksonville Items," Ashland Tidings, March 27, 1891, page 3 Miss Irene Wiley intends studying telegraphy here during the next few months. Miss Lou Gibson, the Postal telegraph operator, was taken sick last week, and her place in the office was temporarily filled by Chas. Delashmutt. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 4, 1891, page 2 Miss Ella Drake has been manipulating the lightning for the Postal Telegraph Company during the illness of Miss Gibson. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 11, 1891, page 2 Miss Jennie Graham was temporarily in charge of the Postal telegraph office during the week, owing to the indisposition of Miss Gibson. Miss Ella Drake again officiates. "Medford
Squibs," Democratic
Times, Jacksonville, September 18, 1891, page 2
Miss Lulu Gibson found it impossible to resume her duties, and Miss Ella Drake is filling her place in the Postal telegraph office at this place. "Medford
Squibs," Democratic
Times, Jacksonville, September 25, 1891, page 2
Miss Ella Drake returned to Ashland last week, after officiating as telegraphist for the Postal at this place for a few months. Miss Lou Gibson, the accomplished manager of the Postal Telegraph office at Medford, is again at her post, after an illness of several months. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 9, 1891, page 2 F. S. Porter of Medford has been in Jacksonville for the purpose of organizing a class in telegraphy, etc. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 18, 1891, page 3 Chas. DeLashmutt, telegraph operator at Central Point, after visiting his sister, Mrs. Dr. E. B. Pickel for a few days in this city, will leave for East Portland to take charge of a station there. "Local News," Medford Mail, February 4, 1892, page 3 Miss Lulu Gibson, the clever operator at the telegraph office at this place, last week spent a day or two at Ashland. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 11, 1892, page 2 During the temporary absence of Miss Lulu Gibson from the Postal Telegraph office, Miss Rose Buckley has had charge of the instruments. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, April 29, 1892, page 2 Grace Foster was one of the youngest and best in the class. She was quite proficient in algebra, but in March she left school as she had an opportunity to learn telegraphy. J. C. Fielder, prize essay "Our Grade," Southern Oregon Mail, June 10, 1892, page 4 Our Southern Pacific depot is sporting the latest thing in train order signals. The signal is at the top of a long pole placed near the depot. Our readers can investigate for themselves better than we can describe it. All telegraph stations on the system are provided with the like apparatus. "Local and General," Southern Oregon Mail, July 1, 1892, page 3 Miss Rose Buckley of Uniontown precinct has been acting as operator for the Postal Telegraph Company at Medford, during the temporary absence of Miss Gibson. "Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, July 29, 1892, page 3 The departments now in operation are: Commercial or business department, Telegraphy, Shorthand, Typewriting, Penmanship, English and Normal departments. Any subject not named in the above with which the student wishes to become familiar will be taken up and thoroughly discussed. "Medford Business College," Ashland Tidings, July 29, 1892, page 3 Misses Lou Gibson and Hallie Hoyt of this place are away on a visit. Miss Buckley of Uniontown is supplying Miss Gibson's place in the telegraph office during her temporary absence. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 12, 1892, page 2 Miss Rose Buckley, who has been in charge of the Postal Telegraph office during the absence of Miss Gibson, returned to her home in Uniontown precinct last Saturday. The many patrons of the office were pleased with the manner in which she conducted the business thereof. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, August 19, 1892, page 2 Miss Lulu Gibson, of Medford, is telegraph operator at Tolman's Springs. "Personal and Social," Valley Record, Ashland, September 1, 1892, page 3 Miss Gibson is again indisposed, and the Postal Telegraph office is in charge of Miss Rose Buckley, who never fails to please. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 2, 1892, page 2 Miss Lulu Gibson is still operator at Tolman's and will remain until her health improves. Miss Rose Buckley's benign smile greets the patrons at the Postal Telegraph Office in the interim. "Medford Items," Valley Record, Ashland, September 8, 1892, page 3 Miss Lulu Gibson is still operator at Tolman's and will remain until her health improves. Miss Rose Buckley's benign smile greets the patrons of the Postal Telegraph office in the interim. "Medford Items," Valley Record, Ashland, September 8, 1892, page 3 Mrs. Max Muller, wife of our county clerk, and her daughter Bettie, who have been in San Francisco for some time past, returned home one evening this week. Miss Amelia and Willie remain in the bay city, the former to learn telegraphy and the latter the druggist's profession. "Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, September 30, 1892, page 3 Miss Lou Gibson, the postal telegraph operator who has taken several months' vacation, is back at her post in the Grand Central Hotel. Miss Rose Buckley, who has attended to the keys in the absence of Miss Gibson, will accept a position to teach in the business college. "Local and General," Southern Oregon Mail, October 7, 1892, page 3 Miss Lou Gibson last week returned to her station as Postal Telegraph operator, after several months spent in search of health. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 14, 1892, page 2 Will Merriman, the popular telegrapher, has been spending several days in the valley on important business. He is still located at Albany. "Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, October 21, 1892, page 3 Miss Rose Buckley, who manages the telegraphic department of the Medford Business College so cleverly, spent Sunday night in Jacksonville. "Personal Mention," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, November 18, 1892, page 3 Miss Rose Buckley has returned home to Applegate, after teaching telegraphy in the Medford business college for some time past. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 16, 1892, page 2 A. L. Eager of Oakland, Cal. has been on duty at the depot telegraph office while Mr. Beek was on his honeymoon. "Medford Squibs," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, December 30, 1892, page 2 Miss Mollie Soliss last week finished a course of telegraphy and bookkeeping at the Medford Business College and returned to her father's ranch. "Local Notes," Democratic Times, Jacksonville, March 24, 1893, page 3 U. M. Damon and Frank Bellinger are putting up a miniature telegraph line between Mr. Damon's shoe store and the Bellinger residence, corner Sixth and G streets. Miss Soliss, the teacher of telegraphy at the Medford Business College, is boarding with Mr. Bellinger's family and will give Frank instructions in dots and dashes. "All the Local News," Medford Mail, December 15, 1893, page 3 Classes in the English, preparatory, shorthand and telegraphy departments are all making rapid progress, and the school in general is in a very satisfactory condition. The college is now in its new building, which, for convenience, beauty and comfort is second to none on the coast, and the location is one of the most desirable in the state of Oregon. "Medford Business College," Medford Mail, December 22, 1893, page 2 Repairing Telegraph Line.
W. H. Mowat, manager of the Postal Telegraph line in this city, owns
the Ashland-Klamath Falls telegraph line, which he bought from the
government a number of years ago when the government telegraph line was
maintained from Ashland to Ft. Klamath and on to Ft. Bidwell, Cal., at
that time occupied by troops. Mr. Mowat has kept the line in operation
between here and Klamath Falls ever since for commercial business, and
for the past month has been engaged in making repairs for the winter
between here and Keno, and from Keno to Klamath Falls he has built a
new line. Next season the work of rebuilding the line from Ashland to
Keno will be commenced. He has also established an office at R. A.
Emmett's, now making seven offices connected with the system--Ashland,
Soda Springs, Tyler's, Parker's, Keno, Emmett's and Klamath Falls. The
line is a great convenience to Klamath County, an important section
without a railroad or other telegraph or telephone communication. Mr.
Mowat will return to Ashland the last of this week, accompanied by
Charley Roper, who was out with him.Valley Record, Ashland, November 3, 1898, page 3 Telegraph Line to Pelican Bay Permanent.
The telegraph line between Klamath Falls and Pelican Bay Lodge,
which was built for temporary service during Mr. Harriman's visit to
Klamath, is to remain permanently. The line is to be supplied with
telegraphones so that it can be used for either telephone or telegraph
purposes, and the necessary work is to be done this week. C. T. Day,
electrician of the Southern Pacific Company, who has been in charge of
affairs during Mr. Harriman's visit, will go up to the lodge as soon as
Mr. Harriman starts on his trip across the states, and make the
necessary charges. He has the Buena Vista
chartered, and will take an assistant with him. The necessary changes
can be made in a few hours, so far as the instruments are concerned,
although more or less work on the line will probably be necessary.Valley Record, Ashland, September 4, 1907, page 1 OREGON: IN EARLY DAYS
In the Oregon Spectator
for September, 1846, published at Oregon City, then the metropolis of
old Oregon, you may read that 16 newly arrived immigrants from the
States brought newspapers dated as late as April 23. This news, five
months old, was eagerly printed by the Spectator as "the
latest news" from the East. The immigrants also
brought the news by word of mouth that the United States Senate had
passed the bill giving Great Britain the required year's
notice of the termination of the joint occupancy of Oregon.By Fred Lockley In 1851 Todd & Co. started the first express company in Oregon. Dugan & Co., a branch of the Adams Express Company of the eastern states, started also in 1851. A year or so later W. G. T'Vault started "T'Vault's Oregon and Shasta Express." Soon Wells, Fargo & Co., whose oldest agent, C. C. Beekman, still lives at Jacksonville, in Southern Oregon, came into the field and put the others out of business. It was soon felt that there should be speedier communication, so Charles F. Johnson of the Alta-California Telegraph Company proposed a telegraph line to connect Portland with San Francisco. A company was organized and in 1855 poles were erected and wires strung from Portland to Oregon City. The first message to be sent over the wires was on November 16, 1855, from Oregon City to Portland. The construction was started southward from Oregon City via Lafayette, Dayton, Salem and Corvallis. The line finally reached Salem, but there it stayed, or, to be more exact, it didn't stay, for the farmers cut down the poles and their wires and used the wires for clotheslines. Fred Waymire, in talking in the constitutional convention at Salem in 1857 against allowing corporations to do business in Oregon, said he had been "fool enough to take stock in the lightnin'-usin' enterprise." The franchise and property were sold. The promoters had flitted to California, so the Oregon stockholders were held for the debts of the company. "Now came on our troubles," said Waymire. "The wire was down, giving trouble to loose stock and lying along the roads. We couldn't get rid of the thing. We were held liable for the debts of the corporation and the sheriff went into our pockets for what the schemers had stolen." When Judge George H. Williams rendered the decision against the stockholders, Fred Waymire, "full of indignation and Ad Starr's wheat whiskey," started for home. His horse stepped in a coil of wire and soon wound his rider and himself tightly to a tree by the side of the footpath. "That d----d telegraph wire was as tightly wound round us as the judgment of the court," said Fred Waymire to the delegates. "My best horse was ruined by the wire cutting his legs, and there I stayed in the dark cussin' the rascals who got me into the mess, and wishing in my soul that that wire was round their necks and I had the right to draw it. No sir; no corporations of any kind, sort or character for me." However, a few years later, in 1861, another effort was made to secure a telegraph line for Oregon. J. E. Strong organized the Oregon Telegraph Company to build a line from Portland to connect with the California line at Yreka. W. S. Ladd was elected president; S. G. Reed, secretary; H. W. Corbett, treasurer, and John McCracken, superintendent. The directors were W. S. Ladd, D. F. Bradford, A. G. Richardson, Chester N. Terry and A. L. Lovejoy. The line was completed in March, 1864. The next message was from Superintendent Haines at Portland and consisted of five words, "Glad to hear from you." In the San Francisco Bulletin the following letter from their Portland correspondent appears under the date of March 11, 1864: "Portland, Or., March 11, 1864.--At the close of my last letter I mentioned that the telegraph line between Portland and California had been completed. From some hitch or break in the wires, communication was not had over the line at once. The first dispatch that came through from San Francisco reached here at 4:30 p.m. of Saturday, the 5th instant. It was from our townsman, W. S. Ladd, of the firm of Ladd & Tilton, to his chief clerk, Frank Goodwin. I think it well to be particular about this event, and put it correctly upon the record of the Bulletin, while it is fresh. There is no telling the amount of learned controversy and critical disputation it may save our future antiquaries. The first steamboat, the first railroad, and the first telegraph in a country are events the dates and incidents of which are likely to become important when the genius of history shall admit our sayings and doings to a place upon their commemorative pages. "The first dispatches that passed between here and the Atlantic are the two following, between the mayors of Portland, down east, and Portland, out west. The one from Maine was received here at 1:30 p.m. of the 9th inst. "Portland, Or., March 1, 1864.--To the Mayor of the City of Portland, Maine--Portland of the Pacific to Portland of the Atlantic--the younger to the elder sister--one in name. May they ever be united in the preservation of our common country and its liberties. "DAVID LOGAN, Mayor."
"Portland, Maine, March 8, 1864.--(Received 9th,
1:30 p.m.)--David Logan, Mayor--Portland, Maine, to
Portland, Oregon--this morning greets her fair sister. The
floods clap their hands, the hills shout for joy! Let the sun in all
his course witness our undiminished love and sleepless vigilance, as we
keep the gates of the republic.
"JACOB McLELLAN,
Oregon
Journal, Portland, January 5, 1915, page 4"Mayor of Portland, Maine." TICKET CLERK AT LOCAL OFFICE OF
S.P. ABOLISHED
Just as the tourist and summer travel
season is about to open, the
public will learn with considerable surprise that the office of ticket
clerk at the local Southern Pacific depot, which has been in vogue for
the past two years, has been abolished and the telegraph operator on
duty in the office both day and night will hereafter, in addition to
his wire duties, have to sell tickets as in former years.No reason for the change, which will be a great surprise to the traveling public, could be learned today. Agent Montgomery when questioned admitted that the office had been abolished but professed to be ignorant of the reason. The installation of the special position of ticket clerk two years ago was hailed as a great convenience to the traveling public and was made necessary by the fast increasing travel due to the fact that Medford is one of the leading passenger offices on the Portland division of the Southern Pacific. R. J. Jepson, who had held the position of ticket clerk here for the past seven months, was recalled to the Portland S.P. headquarters two days ago. He had been on duty daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Medford Mail Tribune, April 9, 1924, page 1 "After a few years at school I went to work as lineman on the government telegraph line between Ashland and Fort Bidwell. I was stationed at Parker's station, midway between Ashland and Linkville, now Klamath Falls. This line served Fort Klamath, as well as Fort Bidwell. I practiced with the key and sounder till I could qualify as an operator, and in time I became manager of the Ashland office. I stayed in the service of the Western Union Telegraph Company for 17 years. When the Postal Telegraph Company was extended to Ashland I became the first manager of the Ashland office. I knew all the old-time operators, such as William Demars, Jeff Hayes and George F. Huesner. Huesner was superintendent of construction between Ashland and Portland." G. G. Eubanks, quoted by Fred Lockley, "Impressions and Observations of the Journal Man," Oregon Journal, Portland, August 24, 1924, page 8 POSTAL MERGES WITH WIRELESS
SACRAMENTO, Cal., Sept. 2.--(AP)--The MacKay Radio and Telegraph
Company, which will merge the services of the Federal and Postal
Telegraph companies, today filed articles of incorporation with the
secretary of state. The concern, a San Francisco enterprise, is
capitalized at $2,000,000.
Directors named in the documents include Willard P. Smith, Sanborn H. Smith, Max Thelen and John M. Cartwright, all of Berkeley, and A. B. Richards, San Francisco. In taking over the Federal operating plants, the new concern will assume control of stations at San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland, Tacoma and Seattle. Medford Mail Tribune, September 2, 1927, page 6 POSTAL TELEGRAPH TO HAVE LARGER OFFICE
Medford Mail Tribune, April 2, 1929, page 7
To provide for a steadily increasing business, plans have been
completed for the removal of the local branch of the Postal Telegraph
and Cable office to larger quarters afforded in the storeroom occupied
at the present Witham Music House store room on East Main Street.
The office will be open for business in the new location about May 1, according to Miss Bernice Cameron, manager. In connection with the change, the office will be equipped with new wire facilities and will experience a considerable expansion. It has been located in the Nash Hotel building for years and by the change will move one door east in the same building.
POSTAL PROVIDES FINE NEW OFFICE FOR LOCAL FORCE
Miss Bernice Cameron, blue-eyed, titian-haired
daughter of Jackson County, could write her own success story. She
could begin with her early school days in Jacksonville, and relate how,
from the first, she had had three wishes in the back of her pretty head.One of them came true--the others didn't really matter. She wanted, desperately, to become a telegraph operator. People with red hair generally get things their own way, and in 1907, Bernice was offered a position in the Postal Telegraph office in Medford. So fascinated was the Jacksonville girl with the work, and such efficiency did she display that, in spite of her youth, she was made manager of the local branch eight months later. Miss Carrie George, who was manager before her, left the office to get married, and N. L. McGraw continued on as operator. The Postal Telegraph Company, which was established as such in 1886, and which took over the old C.P. telegraph lines here in 1884, kept its eye on the local woman who through the years proved commendable capability in the work, and who built up a large business in the little "two-by-four" office next to the Nash Hotel. Three times she was rewarded by the company when her books showed the largest increase in business of any other branch in the states of Oregon, Washington and Montana. The first time was in 1923, when she was given a free trip to San Francisco, the second time in 1924, when the Postal Telegraph celebrated its 40th anniversary throughout the nation, and the third time in 1926, when she was given a trip to New York. This morning, Miss Cameron is being congratulated by her scores of Jackson County schoolmates and friends on her change and enlargement of business quarters. From the small office next the Nash, the local Postal Telegraph office is now located in the former space occupied by the Witham Music Company, giving the office force, now increased to eight employees, much-needed increase of space, and giving the city a thoroughly modern addition to the business section. The office fixtures and equipment are entirely new, the furniture being of an attractive light oak finish, and the decorative scheme being carried out in the Postal Telegraph colors of tan and brown. The installation of the new equipment, which will include, besides the old Morse system, a number of new "automatic" printer-telegraph machines, will not be completed before 10 days or two weeks, according to R. O. Obley and S. E. Bull, maintenance engineers from Seattle, who are doing this work. Practically all of the necessary equipment was moved into the new location during the night, and the operators were at their posts when the office opened at 7:30 today. Medford Mail Tribune, May 2, 1929, page 6 POSTAL TELEGRAPH CO. ACCEPTS TELEGRAMS FOR CHARGE TO PHONE
Subscribers in Medford today will be able to telephone their Postal
telegrams direct from home or office telephones to more than 78,000
points in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, the Orient
and to ships at sea, according to Miss Bernice Cameron, manager for the
Postal here.Miss Cameron explained that inauguration of the new service today virtually gives every telephone subscriber here the facilities of a Postal Telegraph office at his or her telephone and is part of the Postal Telegraph development in this section. Subscribers desiring to telephone their telegrams will ask the operator for Postal Telegraph and will then give the message to a Postal operator. The charge will appear on the monthly telephone bill. "Through its affiliation with the international system," Miss Cameron pointed out, "Postal Telegraph goes to Europe, Asia and the Orient over commercial cables, to the West Indies, Central America and South America over all American cables and to ships at sea via Mackay radio and the new system of 'telephoning your telegrams' permits persons to send telegrams, cablegrams or radiograms to any of these places." ROAD PROGRAM WAITS MOVING POSTAL'S POLE
Progress and the road oiling program of Jackson County is still
impeded by the inability of anybody this side of New York City to move
a Postal Telegraph Co. pole, situated in the geometrical center of a
spur the Southern Pacific railroad is building to the heating plant of
the county oiling station. As a result, County Engineer Paul Rynning is
unable to spread hot oil on the Ruch highway and the Sams Valley
highway.Railroad Spur to County Oil Heating Plant Held Up by Red Tape-- Engineer Aghast. No county official dreamed that the uprooting of the telegraph pole would be such a herculean task. So as a matter of courtesy, they requested the right to move the pole. Thereupon, the county discovered that telegraph poles are not shunted around like a davenport, and are wrapped around with miles of red tape. The Southern Pacific Company built the spur down to the pole and stopped abruptly, and that mighty corporation has apparently hit the same snag as the county. It seems that telegraph poles are erected on established rights of way, and are forever thereafter forbidden to be moved therefrom, in accordance with custom, tradition and fine points the layman never hears about. It also appears a right of way for the wires across the Richfield Oil Company is also involved, and further complicates the situation. It is hoped that the tangle will be untangled in time to oil the roads before winter sets in. No question of such outstanding magnitude has confronted County Engineer Paul Rynning during his tenure of office, and his calm has been upset, causing him to say "Doggone it!" frequently. Medford Mail Tribune, July 2, 1930, page B6 POSTAL TEL. CO. NOT AT FAULT IN POLE MOVE
The Postal Telegraph Company is as anxious to settle difficulties
surrounding the removal of a telegraph pole that has been barring the
entrance to the county oil heating plant south of Medford as the county
engineer's office, a telegram from H. E. Patton, Seattle,
superintendent of the Pacific Coast division, declared yesterday.The telegraph company states it has been ready to move the pole since June 26, and it would have been moved on that date if the company had had the legal right to relocate it. A portion of the telegram is as follows: "The Postal company does not stand in the way of progress. In fact we are anxious to do everything possible to assist the county and your city in all matters that are for the public good." As soon as the pole is moved, activities will be underway to begin oiling country roads in keeping with one of the most extensive road oiling programs ever planned locally. The moving of the pole necessarily involves relocation, with a certain amount of red tape, which takes time to unravel. |
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