USA > Massachusetts > Tracing the telephone in western Massachusetts, 1877-1930 > Part 18
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Dec., 1911, Topics reported that underground cable was being placed on Housatonic Street, at Lee, and, at its com- pletion, the heavy pole line on this street would be abolished.
In March, 1912, the following was reported: "Louis Bud- row, of the Springfield Cable Dept., is at Great Barrington splicing cable on Maple Street. Horace E. Roby, Traffic In- spector, has been making service tests at Great Barrington. Thomas Cleary and W. E. Fahey have taken positions in the Plant Dept. at Great Barrington. A supervisor's turret has been installed for traffic observances."
April, 1912, Topics-Work has been started by the Western Electric Company on the new switchboard at Great Barring- ton, and the Commercial Dept. will move into new quarters on the ground floor of the Post Office building. This Com- mercial Office is to be a joint office for the Western Union Telegraph Co. after June 1st. The office is centrally located on the Main Street, and newly equipped with office furniture and is an excellent addition to the new commercial offices now being opened in other cities.
The chief event, however, happened about two months later. "The Great Barrington Exchange was "cut over" to Common Battery on July 20, 1912, without a hitch. The old magneto switchboard was left behind in the Berkshire Block. The board is the No. 10 type and was installed in a most ex- cellent manner by the Western Electric Co. under Foreman Rooney. Miss Bessie Dovey has taken the position of Western Union Clerk in the No. 10 commercial office at Great Bar- rington."
The passing of the "night boy" occurred soon afterwards- being replaced by two lady operators, Miss Mae Wells of Great Barrington on full time and Miss Mary Flynn of Canaan, Conn., on half time.
As if to celebrate the installation of the latest type switch- board, the telephone "stars," made up of Plant men, led in a
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four-team baseball league in the town. Also, all the female employees of the Exchange were given tickets to the fair grounds and grand-stand by the secretary of the Housatonic Agricultural Society, as an appreciation of good service ren- dered to the Society.
A story about the agricultural business appeared in Topics: A salesman sold an old colored farmer a tractor. A few days after the machine was delivered, the salesman called on his customer for pay:
"Can you pay me for the tractor, Uncle Jim?"
"Pay fo' de tractor?" he asked in astonishment and wrath. "Why man, yo' done tole me dat in free weeks de tractor would pay fo' hisself."
In March, 1913, Topics reported-"Mr. A. M. Little, Shef- field Class F Agent, is erecting a new building which is fast nearing completion. When completed the Central Office will be moved into the larger quarters, modern in every way. The old building was recently damaged by fire."
It is with regret that the following item in Topics was read: "After a very short illness, Mary A. Budrow, Chief Operator at Lee, passed away Feb. 8, 1914. The sudden termination of her life ended a promising career which started December, 1903, when she became a student operator. She was steadily promoted, being made Chief Operator on April 21, 1907, and in December, 1911, she also was given charge of the Stock- bridge and Otis Exchanges. She had been offered the position of Chief Operator of one of the large offices, but owing to the condition of her health, she felt it advisable to decline. The Pittsfield District loses a most efficient Chief and the Company, an earnest worker and loyal employee.
"Four other members of her family are in the employ of the Company: William A., Head Installer at Pittsfield; Louis H., Cable Splicer; Stephen D., Lineman; and Lillian H., an Operator at Lee."
In Jan., 1914, a new 100-line village board was installed at Otis, replacing the 20-line wall board partially destroyed by fire some time ago. The new equipment improved the service
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greatly and many favorable comments were given by sub- scribers.
The West Stockbridge Exchange was purchased from the State Line Telephone Company on Oct. 1, 1915.
Robert D. Fuller was appointed Manager at Great Bar- rington in March, 1916. "Bob" was first employed March 17, 1912, in Worcester as Contract Agent, and was made Collector there in April, 1914. "Bob's" varied experiences, while Man- ager in Great Barrington, were terminated in early 1918 by his joining the army in the First World War.
April, 1918, Topics introduced the next Manager: "Man- ager John F. Shaw, recently appointed in charge of Great Barrington, has always been a Commercial man in our Com- pany. He began work in 1916 as a Collector, Adjuster, and general all-round Commercial man at Worcester. Commercial problems have no terrors for him in his new job. His favorite sport is hunting-just what, he doesn't say,-but perhaps it will be for subscribers after a final bill has been rendered."
Topics reported a Commercial change: "David B. Dunham has been appointed Manager at Great Barrington, succeeding John F. Shaw, who has been transferred to Westfield. The change was effective Dec. 28, 1918.
"Mr. Dunham became a Collector at North Adams in Oc- tober, 1907. When the practice of collecting was abolished, he became a Contract Agent and subsequently worked on special collections, pay-station work, toll development, obsolete serv- ice, and other special work."
On September 21, Miss Julia F. Killfoile, Chief Operator at Stockbridge, resigned to be married. Miss Killfoile had been in the employ of the Company since 1907, and the twelve years of service always found her loyal and faithful.
"The Snobinses claim to be connected with some of the best families in town."
"Yes, I understand they've just put in a telephone."
Miss Katherine G. Finn was given the position of Chief Operator of the Stockbridge Exchange in place of Miss Kill- foile.
About 1919 the Housatonic Central Office was moved to the
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corner of Main and Pleasant Streets. Here a separate room was available for the switchboard. .
In November, 1920, W. F. Crittendon, Agent at Otis, re- ceived compliments for the ingenuity shown in restoring a shattered pole.
Feb., 1924, Topics-Harold B. Ransehousen was appointed Manager at Great Barrington Dec. 31, 1923, succeeding David B. Dunham who is on a six months leave of absence in Cali- fornia.
Mr. Ransehousen entered the employ of the Company on Oct. 23, 1911, as a Collector at Pittsfield. He was engaged in canvassing work at North Adams from May 6 to Sept. 4, 1912, and then for a short period at Greenfield, after which he re- turned to Pittsfield.
After serving in the war, he was re-employed at Pittsfield as Commercial Representative on June 2, 1919. He has been very successful in lecture work, having given many talks before different bodies in the Pittsfield area. Recently he has substi- tuted as Manager at Great Barrington, Palmer, and Westfield.
Frank D. Henderson was appointed Wire Chief at Great Barrington in 1924. He worked his way up from Night Opera- tor at Athol, where he started in April, 1912, becoming In- staller, Class "A" Testman, and then was called to the Division Staff at Springfield. He was Wire Chief at Greenfield before coming to Great Barrington.
April, 1924, Topics-Mrs. Tillinghast Awarded Vail Medal.
Mrs. C. S. Tillinghast is what is known as Class F Agent at Housatonic, a little town in Western Massachusetts. In other words, she's pretty nearly "the whole works." She runs the telephone business of the town by arrangement with the Com- pany, and sees that service is ready day or night.
Shortly before 1 o'clock in the morning of April 21, 1923, Mrs. Tillinghast was awakened by the cry of "Fire" by some- one outside. Diagonally across the street from her house she saw a large wooden general store and residential block in flames. She realized that this danger threatened not only her own home, but the entire heart of the village, including some mills. She called the members of the local volunteer hose company, other town officials and the mill watchmen so that
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the mill fire departments might bring to the scene the available mill hose and start the mill water pumps.
Noticing the headway the fire was gaining and realizing that outside help would also be needed, she notified the fire departments of Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox and Pittsfield, all of which responded with detachments of fire fighters and powerful fire fighting apparatus.
The fire destroyed the general store building and six houses and would have swept the town but for the arrival of the out- side help, called by Mrs. Tillinghast.
She remained at her post until the fire had burned the out- side cables and had completely cut off communication for the time being. The heat was so intense and the sparks so numer- ous that the roof of her own house caught fire and was saved from complete destruction only by the efforts of her husband and son, who operated the office fire extinguisher.
When the switchboard "went dead" and she could no longer operate it, then, and not until then, did Mrs. Tilling- hast leave her post, taking with her the office records and other office property of the Company.
The presentation by Vice President Driver, Chairman of the Company's Vail Medal Committee of Award, was accom- panied by a silver medal and a check for $250. The presenta- tion was informal in character and took place in the sitting room of Mrs. Tillinghast's home. Among those present were her husband, son, sister and a score or so of her friends and neighbors, among them, Manager Ransehousen and Wire Chief Henderson of Great Barrington.
Mrs. Tillinghast retired in September, 1942, after 32 years of service. The Company conferred the Agency upon her daughter, Mrs. Edith T. Gregory, who had worked at the board since her mother took the Agency, and who continued to carry on the traditions of the family. The Company inau- gurated Dial service in Housatonic, March 27, 1957, which marked the end of the Central Office Magneto 'switchboards in Mass.
Nov., 1925, saw Byron K. Way come to Great Barrington as Manager. "Ken" joined the Company in June, 1923. He worked a short time in the Accounting and Engineering
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Departments and then took a course of training in the Central Division. In January, 1924, he was assigned to the Manager's staff at Springfield. After a brief stay, "Ken" was transferred to Newport, Rhode Island, as Manager.
Charles H. Bauer was then appointed Manager of the Great Barrington Area May 3, 1926. "Bucky" was a native of Pitts- field and was inducted into the telephone business on Oct. 13, 1924. He served as Collector, at Pittsfield, and soon rose to Commercial Representative. "Bucky" earned quite a name in Pittsfield as a salesman.
In September, 1926, Frank D. Henderson was transferred from Wire Chief at Great Barrington to Wire Chief at Pitts- field.
Raymond R. Snow was promoted from the Methods De- partment to Wire Chief at Great Barrington, when Mr. Hen- derson moved to Pittsfield, according to Topics. "Ray" re- ceived his training in Worcester and Springfield, where he made his reputation in the Telephone Company Bowling League. In Great Barrington he captained a team of bowlers known as "The Snowballs" and in the winter of 1927 "Ray's" team topped the list and was given a banquet at a local hostelry. They presented him a medal proclaiming his prowess.
Charles H. Bauer was transferred from Manager at Great Barrington to Manager at North Adams on Oct. 1, 1928, suc- ceeding Robert M. Hodgson.
Carroll S. Parker was appointed Manager at Great Barring- ton, taking Mr. Bauer's place. He was formerly a Commercial Representative at Springfield.
In October, 1929, John M. Dick succeeded C. S. Parker as Manager at Great Barrington. "Jack" joined the Company in October, 1925, his first assignment being that of Collector in Greenfield. Early the following year he was transferred to a similar position in Pittsfield and later in the same year was made Commercial Representative. Then followed similar service in Burlington, Vermont, and in Worcester.
CHAPTER 18
Greenfield Exchange Area
SOON after the organization of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. on Oct. 19, 1883, the Greenfield Tele- phone Exchange became a part of the Northern Division with headquarters at Greenfield, under the charge of J. B. Hunt. The Northern Division included Northern Worcester County and Franklin County in Massachusetts, and the states of Ver- mont and New Hampshire (excepting Nashua and Concord, which went into the Worcester Division). There were 22 ex- changes with about 1600 subscribers, according to the Green- field Gazette and Courier. Frank E. Bowker was appointed local Manager of the Greenfield exchange. On Nov. 15, 1883, a new telephone directory contained the names of about 75 Greenfield subscribers.
Owing to the increasing business, the Company was obliged to put in another switchboard, and to "stretch" an extra wire to Turners Falls. It was also announced on Dec. 31, 1883, that the Exchange would hereafter keep open all day on Sunday.
Heath was mentioned in the Republican of Nov. 19, 1883, as being a likely prospect for a telephone extension, but the terms probably seemed disproportionate to their needs. The requirements were that Heath shall furnish and set 128 poles between Adamsville, in Coleraine, and the "city" (Shelburne Falls), a distance of seven miles, and guarantee the sum of $40.00 yearly per subscriber. The Company was to wire the poles and furnish the office,-a telephone in a store for the use of the public.
At the same time, the Republican held out hope for the
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
benefits of the telephone to other communities: "A telephone line from Shelburne Falls to Charlemont village will probably be in working order soon and one from "Slab City" in Rowe to the Zoar Depot at Charlemont is under consideration."
It was increasingly evident that Shelburne Falls was be- coming a telephone center for that scenic section between Greenfield and North Adams, and it is not surprising to read in the Republican of May 27, 1884, plans for an exchange there: "The increase in the telephone business has necessitated the fitting up of two rooms over Jenk's Shoe Store for the office, which will require the attendance of a day and a night operator. New posts have been put up in the streets to accom- modate the increasing number of wires."
The opening of the Shelburne Falls Exchange was described in the Gazette and Courier of June 2, 1884: "On the second floor of G. W. Jenk's Store, rear room, the New England Tele- phone Co. has placed its apparatus and made everything pleas- ant for those who wish to communicate by 'word of mouth,' and where the listening ear can receive full satisfaction. Master Charles Jenks has the charge. He is a very correct, gentlemanly operator. The office is kept open day and night."
An item in the Republican of Oct. 7, 1884, indicated that Heath was still in a lonely condition, but, like "Barkus," it was willing: "There is a prospect that the telephone will be extended from the 'grist-mill' station, near the Coleraine cemetery, to Adamsville (about three miles west of Coleraine) and the Heath line. Arrangements are being made to string the wires from Heath Center to the Coleraine line and thus secure to Heath telephone communication with the outside world."
Four linemen, who were working near Greenfield in 1888 on what was known later as the Barre Plains and Troy line, were mentioned in a later Topics: "These blazers of trails were George Lester, who later drove an iron horse on the B. & M. R.R. for many years; Alexander Proctor, who became the trusted Manager of the Northampton Exchange; Patrick Butler, one of the best linemen who ever wore spurs and who was also quite 'handy with his dukes' in case of trouble; Her- bert or 'Bud' Robbins, who later held forth in the storeroom at Burlington, Vermont."
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Manager Bowker was transferred to Fitchburg the latter part of 1889.
Wallace A. Parker was the first of the four Parker brothers to enter the telephone service in Greenfield. He started with the usual job of Night Operator in May, 1890, when J. F. Hy- land was Manager. In 1893 he went to Fitchburg as a combina- tion worker under Frank Bowker.
George F. Parker went to work for the company at Green- field in 1891. He also started as Night Operator and his pay was 50 cents a night. He continued in the Plant Dept. in vari- ous capacities.
"Sam" Parker, the third brother, started his telephone career in March, 1891, as Manager at Greenfield and later made his mark in the Traffic Dept.
Clement Parker did not get started until the summer of 1900. "Clem" followed the example of two of his brothers by becoming a Night Operator. That fall he got a chance to join the Construction Dept. as a Timekeeper for N. J. Fleming, Foreman. Telephone Topics recounts that in his early career as a cableman his boss was none other than his brother Wal- lace. They say "Clem" always worked hard and faithfully, until he heard that "Wally" was coming to inspect the job. Then he would invariably drop his tools, run towards the boss and demand a raise in pay. "Wally" would return a cold stare and comment that he was already getting more than he was worth. "Clem" would then return to the job and the fun was over until "Wally's" next visit.
A sister of the Parker brothers also was an Operator in the Greenfield Exchange for a number of years, and another sister was a Western Union Telegraph Operator.
Frank Bonneville's service with the Company began in 1895 under Manager Samuel Parker, when the Greenfield telephone quarters were in the Pond Block.
Frank E. Bowker returned to Greenfield when Manager Sam Parker was transferred.
In 1899 Manager F. E. Bowker left Greenfield to take up the installation of a switchboard in Keene, N.H., of a type with which but few of our present employees are familiar, accord- ing to Topics. It was commonly termed the "Williams Bar
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Switch" and the operator depended upon extension bells as line signals.
Harold E. Hughes, Manager of the Holyoke Exchange, was transferred to Greenfield to take Mr. Bowker's place.
In 1899 Harry E. Oakes came to Greenfield to be Night Op- erator and do some collecting during the day. Harry's tele- phone career began at Orange in 1894, as Relief Operator, and in two years he received his first promotion-Night Op- erator.
Elwin A. (Tommy) Coates started his long telephone career in November, 1899, working for the Plant Dept.
Leslie H. Streeter was employed by the Company Sept. 26, 1901, and went to work for Manager Harold E. Hughes at Greenfield as an Installer.
It was reported by the Recorder-Gazette that the Deerfield Valley Telephone Co. was organized in 1906, being financed and controlled by the New England Telephone Co. The New England Co. transferred to the Deerfield Valley Co. its Shel- burne Falls, Conway, and Ashfield Exchanges on May 2, 1906, and on January 28, 1907, its Colrain Exchange.
A Republican item of Aug. 21 1905, gives the following: "The New England Telephone Co. has continuous service at Conway now, an Operator being in attendance day and night, Sundays and holidays. Fourteen new subscribers have been added in Conway. At Greenfield, Manager Sherry Baldwin announces that 57 new instruments have been installed. There has been a steady growth locally and in various parts of the county since Mr. Baldwin became Manager."
Frank Bonneville was transferred from Lowell to Greenfield in 1907, when Sherry Baldwin was local Manager. Frank started in Greenfield in 1895 and in 1897 went to work in the Springfield Maintenance Dept. and then took a try in several cities of the Southern New England territory, finally winding up with the New York-New Jersey Telephone Co. in 1905. He then returned to the New England Company at Lowell in 1906.
The Telephone Topics, which made its bow to the em- ployees in May, 1907, contained two Greenfield items in its September, 1907, issue: "Considerable underground con-
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duits are being installed in Greenfield under the supervision of Foreman Jack De Coursey, in preparation for the new Ex- change, which will probably be cut over early in 1908. Green- field now has over 1,000 subscribers and business looks good for the balance of the year."
"Charles H. Lawrence, who has been connected with the Greenfield Exchange for the past 8 years, has been made fore- man of the loop team and will have charge of light construc- tion and repair work in the Greenfield District. Leslie H. Streeter succeeds him on trunk line work."
The Topics of Oct., 1907, reports that recent issues of the Gazette and Recorder have had excellent write ups of the new Central Office and also refer to the efficient management of Manager Baldwin and his assistants.
March, 1908, Topics-A very pretty invitation party was given in Grinnell Hall, Greenfield, Thursday evening, Feb- ruary 20, under the auspices of the Operators of the Green- field Exchange. The hall was very prettily decorated with potted plants, bunting and blue bells. The patronesses, Mrs. Wm. P. Gorey, Miss E. M. O'Keefe and Miss Lydia Triebel, received the guests under an arch of evergreens. The floor was in charge of E. F. Shay, assisted by Miss Katherine Grogan, Miss Katherine Woodlock, Miss Mary Slagenhauf, Miss Abbie Sullivan, Miss Irene Pfefferle and Miss Florence Worthley. Music was furnished by Allen's orchestra.
June, 1908, Topics-Greenfield's New Building
The Greenfield Exchange was cut over to a Common Bat- tery system on the night of May 23rd. The operators had been well trained, and service went on uninterruptedly. A large number of Greenfield business men gathered at the Exchange and were much interested in the proceedings.
The new Exchange is in the new building on School Street, just completed for the Company. The main floor contains, first, the Manager's office, with quarters for the Pay Station, attendant, and bookkeeper. Adjoining this are retiring rooms and operating rooms, all with room for any reasonable growth for fifteen years. The switchboard equipment comprises a No. 10 local of six positions, and a No. 1 toll of 12 positions, Chief Operator's desk, etc.
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The work of installing the Greenfield plant has been under the direct supervision of Foreman E. J. Ames, of the General Construction Dept. Mr. Ames has had a competent force of help, and has rigidly insisted upon their living up to his motto, "Do it well."
Engineer Nicholson and Assistant Osborne made the test of the apparatus. Division Chief Operator, Samuel F. Parker, and Charles M. Bigelow of the Traffic Dept., instructed the operating force and looked after the details of their part of the change.
Leslie D. Fisher was appointed night operator and combina- tionman of the South Deerfield Exchange in May, 1908, in place of Charles H. Sabin, resigned.
A telephone romance was announced in Topics: "Miss May Rose Harrington, who has been employed in the Greenfield Exchange for several years as Cashier, resigned May 31, 1908. Miss Harrington and Eugene S. Henderson, Test-man at the Greenfield Exchange, were married June 10, 1908. The hearty good wishes of the entire District are extended to the happy pair."
August 1, 1908, there occurred the Operating Reorganiza- tion, by which three departments were established,-Commer- cial, Plant and Traffic. The following appointments were made in the Greenfield District: F. P. Langmaid, District Manager; W. T. Durfee, District Plant Chief; S. F. Parker, District Traffic Chief.
Frederic P. Langmaid also took upon himself the manage- ment of the Greenfield Exchange, when Sherry Baldwin went to Vermont in December, 1908. Mr. Langmaid started his tele- phone career as messenger boy in 1888 and progressed to Night Operator, Travelling Inspector and finally Manager at Beverly, Concord, N.H., and Holyoke.
Harry A. Noyes was appointed Chief Clerk to W. T. Durfee, District Plant Chief, Aug. 1, 1908. Harry joined the Company in December, 1900, as Timekeeper and Stock Clerk and then became a Special Contract Agent in New Hampshire.
Nov., 1908, Topics-V. K. Redman has been appointed Auditor's Chief Clerk and will have charge of the Accounting Office located in Greenfield. Mr. Redman has assumed his new
FIRST THREE GREENFIELD DISTRICT DEPARTMENT HEADS-AUG. 1, 1908. Left to right: W. T. Durfee, Plant Chief; F. P. Langmaid, Manager; S. F. Parker, Traffic Chief.
WIRES CONVERGING AT THE GREENFIELD OFFICE IN 1895. FRANK WYATT HAS PLACED A FLAG AT THE TOP OF THE POLE!
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