USA > Massachusetts > Tracing the telephone in western Massachusetts, 1877-1930 > Part 20
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The Millers Falls Exchange was purchased from the Mil- lers Falls Telephone Co. by the New England Co. June 1, 1930.
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
Most of the construction consisted of the ring type attached to houses.
The July, 1930, Topics displayed a small picture of the new Greenfield telephone building which was just started and which was to house the new step by step dial office.
CHAPTER 19
Independent Telephone Companies
Granby Telephone and Telegraph Company-Heath Tel- ephone Company-Highland Telephone Company-Rich- mond Telephone Company
GRANBY TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY
The first telephone service provided in the town of Granby was a Holyoke pay station. It was first shown in the Holyoke business directory of 1899. A prominent business man of Granby said, "I believe the telephone in the store of Oramel L. Davis was the first in town."
Soon afterwards, Dr. Dickson, who lived and practiced in Granby and also conducted an office in Belchertown, suc- ceeded in having a private line run to his Belchertown office. It was not long, however, before a more comprehensive sys- tem was needed.
Thanks are due Alston D. Mugnier for the privilege of using the minutes of the stockholders' meetings. Several Granby people of early telephone days also have been most helpful.
The Agreement of Association was signed February 16, 1903, by the following: Richard E. Dickson, M.D., George L. Witt, George F. Eastman, Clifford W. Ferry, Willard A. Tay- lor, Dwight C. Nutting, and Carl M. Pihl.
Capital stock $1200, 48 shares of the par value of $25. The
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Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
largest stockholder was James J. Bateson, who bought 4 shares the others contenting themselves with 1 or 2 shares.
Dr. Dickson was elected permanent Clerk by ballot. The men who signed the Agreement of Association were elected to serve as the board of directors. The directors, thereupon, elected James J. Bateson their President and chose the follow- ing officers of the Company: Willard A. Taylor, President; Dr. Richard E. Dickson, Treasurer; Carl M. Pihl, Engineer; George F. Eastman, Clerk.
It was voted that an annual rental of $12 with rebate of $4 be charged for each outfit along present proposed line, rental paid quarterly in advance, tolls quarterly in arrears.
An estimate of the cost of construction of the proposed tele- phone line was submitted at a hearing before the Commis- sioner of Corporations, State House, Boston, by C. M. Pihl March 31, 1903. The total cost came to $1200, some of the more important items being estimated as follows:
380 poles-$475; 3000 ft. paired rubber covered copper wire for connection from pole line to subscribers' residences- $50; 20 miles iron wire #12 for lines on poles-$100; cost of labor setting 380 poles-$115; cost of labor running wire on poles and to houses-$165; cost of labor in wiring and install- ing 25 telephones-$75; stationery and general expenses- $72.
There is no mention of a switchboard; this article was rented from Carl Pihl, who was the Manager of the Holyoke exchange. The telephone instruments also were rented at first.
Austin Carver, a stockholder, did much towards building the pole lines, and he was chosen to be the Construction Man, Installer, Repairer, etc., which he did for many years to the satisfaction of all. George L. Carver worked with his father while attending high school, and then joined the Company. They constituted a capable construction crew.
George F. Bell, owner of the Granby general store and Town Postmaster, was chosen to manage the switchboard, which was placed in his store. He had a line run to his house, next door, so that in case of emergency, when the office was
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closed, an incoming call sounded a bell, and he could put through the out-call to Holyoke. Mr. Bell was ably assisted at the switchboard by Winfred F. Forward, who in later years became State Representative, and by Miss Bertha O'Neill, who became teacher in the Granby Grade School.
The former Holyoke pay station line was used to connect the Granby switchboard to the Holyoke central office for toll calls.
A number of families dwelling in the Turkey Hill Section of Belchertown-southwest corner, adjoining Granby-re- quested to have service, which was approved by the board of directors August 26, 1903. The terms for the extension of one line were: "They to furnish poles similar in dimensions to our own, set, from their territory to the home of G. L. Witt, the same to become the property of the Granby Telephone and Telegraph Co., and that they pay for use of the phones at the rate of twelve dollars per annum."
At the January 18, 1904, meeting, it was voted to charge subscribers $12 per year for rent of the telephone instruments -no rebate. Also to have Dwight C. Nutting act as Manager. It was voted to have Mr. Pihl's Holyoke night operator answer calls from 10 P.M. to 7 A.M. for a charge of 30 cents per call. Also to petition Mr. Pihl for a reduction in toll from 15 to 10 cents to Holyoke and South Hadley.
January 16, 1905, at a meeting of the directors, George L. Witt was chosen President of the Company, and Dwight C. Nutting, Manager.
January 15, 1906, George F. Eastman was chosen President and Clifford W. Ferry Manager. It was voted to increase the charge for rental of telephones to $13 a year, in anticipation of losing the subscribers in the Turkey Hill Section. (The New England Co. offered to buy the business in this corner of Belchertown in order to add it to its Belchertown exchange. The price asked by the Granby Company was $500. The deal was consummated in April, 1906.)
January 18, 1909, it was voted to raise telephone rates to $16, in consideration of 24 hour service. Directors chose George R. Smith President and Manager of the Company.
It was known that Mr. Bell had a duplicate switchboard
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put in his house, and this was probably the occasion for it. Besides having these duties, he was also a member of the board of directors.
January 27, 1914, it was voted that A. P. Smith be charged $20 per year for his private line,-probably the first subscriber to have one party exchange service.
January 15, 1917, bills paid within 3 months of date to re- ceive a discount of 25 cents.
January 25, 1919, directors voted to place central station with Roy F. Hobart. Mrs. Myrtie Hobart, who later became Town Clerk, was appointed Chief Operator and was ably as- sisted by Mrs. Herbert Durant. During this period two more Holyoke trunk lines were added.
In 1920 George F. Eastman secured additional stock, giving him 22 shares out of the 48 total, and the next year his holdings increased to 26 shares, which made him the first majority stockholder.
About 1924 the Hobarts felt obliged to give up the switch- board, and it was moved to the home of Rutherford H. Ferry, Mrs. Ferry taking charge of the board.
April 23, 1924, George Eastman resigned as Manager. R. H. Ferry was elected Manager; Mrs. Maud C. Eastman was chosen Auditor in place of C. W. Ball, resigned; Treasurer, Sadie T. Ferry; President, George Eastman.
In 1925 the Ferrys moved to Feeding Hills and rented their Granby home to Glenn I. Snow. Mrs. Snow operated the switchboard for the Ferrys, with the help of her daughter, Elizabeth, and an occasional turn by Mrs. Hobart.
In 1927 "Rud" Ferry bought most of George Eastman's stock for an investment, obtaining 34 shares,-a majority.
The Company paid dividends intermittently, averaging for the years when there were payments, about 8% or $2 per year.
At a meeting June 1, 1928, the stock ownership was shown as follows: Glenn I. Snow, 25 shares; Mrs. Martha R. Snow, 15; Elizabeth W. Snow, 7; George F. Eastman, 1. The ad- journed meeting June 2nd continued Mr. Eastman as Presi- dent, and elected Mr. Snow Manager, and Mrs. Snow Auditor. The Snows then conducted the business at the same location.
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November 1, 1931, George F. Eastman resigned as Presi- dent to be followed by Glenn I. Snow.
The Ferrys had decided to sell their home, so the Snows bought a lot on a knoll, on route 202, and built an attractive house, which had a special room to house the telephone opera- tions. It was occupied by them in December, 1931.
The January 1, 1933, meeting showed that Mr. Eastman's one share had been transferred to Elizabeth Snow, giving the Snow family complete ownership.
At the January, 1933, meeting, the following officers and directors were elected: President and Manager, Glenn I. Snow; Treasurer, Martha Snow; Clerk, Elizabeth Snow. Direc- tors: Glenn I. Snow, Martha and Elizabeth Snow. (All op- position candidates were snowed under-so to speak.)
There were no other minutes recorded until March 18, 1946, when it was voted to transfer 5 shares of stock to Alston D. Mugnier and 5 to Elliot Gould. Glenn I. Snow resigned as President and Director, and Robert E. Bacon was elected President, pro tem.
Alston D. Mugnier was a civil engineer, who was active in the design of hydro electric, flood control, and other large construction projects. Like many people, he was looking for a house in the spring of 1946, when he was attracted by the Snows' residence. Mr. Mugnier expressed the transaction in this way, "I bought the home of Snow in the spring of 1946, with no intention of carrying on the telephone business; simply looking for a house; but like the man, who caught the bear by the tail, I had to hang on."
Three friends of Mr. Mugnier were interested in the tele- phone project and offered to join him in buying control of the Company. They were: Robert E. Bacon, Vernon A. Luce and Elliot Gould.
The Snow Family were reported to have operated the Com- pany in a very satisfactory manner. Among the operators em- ployed by them were: Miss O'Neill, who first gained her experience on the original board; Mrs. Rosanna Ruel, later Postmaster of the Town; Mrs. Viola Lyman Hatch; Miss Bar- bara Merrill; Mrs. Barbara Cole Wesniak; and Mrs. Mar- guerite Houle, who is still with the Company.
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March 3, 1949, Alston D. Mugnier was chosen President and Manager, and Robert E. Bacon was retained as Special Consultant; Pauline E. Mugnier, Clerk. The directors were Robert E. Bacon, Pauline E. Mugnier, and Alston D. Mugnier.
About this time, Mr. Mugnier bought the stock of Mr. Bacon and that of Mr. Luce, the latter serving as technical advisor, and later as director.
The Mugnier family were well adapted for the telephone business. Mr. Mugnier was a Consulting Engineer, progres- sive, and industrious. Mrs. Mugnier was a good bookkeeper, and soon learned the art of operating a switchboard. Alston, Jr., and George were soon taught the work of linemen. Mary Joanna, the youngest, had charge of telegrams, sorted toll tickets, and learned the switchboard; while Paul, the youngest boy, took over the duties of Night Operator. The boys later became Engineers, and Mary a Graduate Nurse.
Granby was formerly a farming town, but in the middle of the 1940's, due to autos and good roads, people moved to the country; which changed this town to a suburban com- munity. There were 175 subscribers in 1947, and in April, 1958, 800.
The Exchange was converted to modern automatic dial operation August 16, 1956, which necessitated rebuilding the outside plant,-costly improvements. Now, on top of his other duties, Mr. Mugnier has the pleasure of seeing that the Com- pany's interest charges and installment payments reach the Rural Electrification Administration-on time.
HEATH TELEPHONE COMPANY
The Greenfield Recorder-Gazette delved into its past pages and emerged with an interesting account of this enterprising Company, which appeared in its Feb. 23, 1942, edition as fol- lows: "In 1891 Walter E. Kinsman and Isaac W. Stetson de- cided they wanted to telephone their grocery orders to the general store rather than walk there every day or two. Their neighbors soon arranged to have their homes connected to the same wire, and by 1898 the idea had become so popular that the Heath Telephone Co. was organized with a capital of $66,000.
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"While the Heath concern was still only a collection of phones around a central office in the general grocery store, there was a similar movement in Rowe, where storekeeper B. T. Henry and Dr. Samuel Bowker organized early in the 90's the Rowe Telephone Association. It, too, grew and with the Heath concern began to spread beyond its town's borders.
"On August, 1905, the Heath firm purchased the assets and lines of the Rowe firm. As early as 1901 it had established its headquarters in Shelburne Falls where it collided with the New England Telephone Co. Many a farmer and storekeeper for years kept both the New England and Heath phones available to enable him to reach all his acquaintances, since neither concern would furnish inter-company connections."
The Heath Telephone Co. continued to expand, according to an item in the Republican of Aug. 2, 1905: "The Heath Telephone Co. has been busy since spring with extensions, and has enough work ahead to last until snow flies. The con- struction gang lives in a tent, which can be easily moved, and has a cook along. Today work begins on the conduit from the central office across Bridge Street (Shelburne Falls) to the rear of the bank block.
"The cable will contain 50 pairs of wires. The wires will be carried up River Street in an aerial cable. The Company has 96 machines to install west of Shelburne Falls, including Col- rain. Three new lines have been strung to Colrain and 2 to Buckland. The Company has a franchise in Hawley, and that town will be liberally sown with telephones. The extension into New Boston and Spruce Corner in Ashfield will be made by way of Hawley. A switchboard is to be placed in Charle- mont."
In January, 1906, the Heath Telephone Co. secured a fran- chise from the Selectmen of Whately and was reputed to be a close competitor of the New England Telephone Co. in many of the surrounding towns.
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. It took over what was left of the Readsboro and Wilmington Tele- phone Co. (which had been organized in 1895 by a Mr. Beemis
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts 245
but had run into financial difficulties) and also acquired from the New England Telephone Co. the exchanges of Shelburne Falls, Conway and Ashfield May 2, 1906, and Colrain Jan. 28, 1907.
The Northampton Hampshire Gazette of April 10, 1906, gave the following news: "Heath Telephone Co. announced an increase of rates from $12.00 to $18.00 a year for business. Report comes from Shelburne Falls that many subscribers of the Heath Company feel aggrieved. Many subscribers were having the instruments of that Company taken out and the ap- paratus of the Deerfield Valley Telephone Co. installed, rather than pay the increased rate for business telephones. It is under- stood to be one of the plans of the Citizens Independent Tele- phone Co. of Williamsburg to connect with the lines of the Heath Company at a point between Williamsburg and Whate- ly."
Negotiations between the Heath and the New England Companies at last brought about the connection of the two companies' exchanges, effective Jan. 1, 1909, which permitted the Heath's customers to make calls to far-away cities for the first time, as well as to most any other exchange.
The Heath Company absorbed the Deerfield Valley Co. Jan. 1, 1909, but in so doing it had to submit to an exchange of stock, which gave the New England Telephone Co. a strong minority control of 32.43 percent of their stock, according to the Recorder-Gazette.
As a result of this transaction, the following exchanges were purchased by the Heath Telephone Co. on Jan. 1, 1909: Ash- field, Colrain, Conway and Shelburne Falls.
March, 1909, Topics-The work of connecting the Deer- field Valley Telephone Co.'s lines with the Heath Telephone Co.'s lines in Shelburne Falls, has been progressing rapidly under the direction of the Greenfield Plant District. It was necessary to place an extra 30 pair cable on Main Street, and a new switchboard is being installed by Mr. Meyers of the Equip- ment Department.
Oct., 1918, Topics-On September 1, Herbert Newell, who has been Treasurer of the Heath Telephone Co. since October, 1901, and its General Manager since October, 1914, turned
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over his duties to Frank L. Reed, his successor, and assumed the duties of Treasurer of the Shelburne Falls Savings Bank.
The Company had about 250 stations in use when Mr. Newell became connected with it (October 1901), which have increased to 1771 stations in use.
December, 1922, Topics-The executive committee of the Heath Telephone Company, Shelburne Falls, met Monday afternoon October 30, and elected Guy W. Hutchins of Laconia, N.H., General Manager to succeed Mr. Frank L. Reed who resigned to take an executive position in the lum- ber business.
Mr. Hutchins was first employed by the New England Tele- phone Co. February, 1901, as a Night Operator and Collector at Laconia. After two years, he was transferred to the Central Division as General Inspector. After promotions to Combina- tion Man, Testman, Plant Foreman, he received his present offer.
M. Hutchins is a man of even temperament, of a very pleas- ing personality and will be greatly missed by the employees and public alike throughout Central New Hampshire.
Norma S. Behr, who has been Head Bookkeeper of the Heath Telephone Co. for some time past, has been elected Treasurer and Secretary of the Company. She began her new duties Nov. 1, 1922.
April, 1924, Topics-A delightful and unusual dinner party was given in the office of the Heath Telephone Co. recently when the young women employees were hostesses to the men employees and their wives. The table was laid for 24 and sweet peas formed a beautiful center piece, the other decorations be- ing in green and white. Each guest received a favor. Special guests of the occasion were the Manager, G. W. Hutchins and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Lang, Mr. and Mrs. Ashton, Mr. and Mrs. Harris, Charles Burton, John Sullivan and Louis Stone.
The committee in charge was made up of Misses Nellie O'Brien, Margaret O'Brien, Isabel Booker, Vivian Booker and Edna Sommers.
Sept., 1924, Topics-Mrs. Lois Dyer of Ashfield, seventy six years young, a valued employee of the Heath Telephone Co., has for years faithfully, courteously and efficiently attended
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the telephone needs of the people of Ashfield as well as zeal- ously guarded the interests of the Company she represents.
A few years ago she attempted to retire, the substantial gifts of her subscribers bearing witness to the fact of their regrets, but after a short time, like all loyal members of our Telephone family, the urge proved too strong, and once again at the Ash- field switchboard we found her, smiling with pride, over an exchange recently reconstructed to Al efficiency.
The Recorder-Gazette of Feb. 23, 1942, published the fol- lowing past history: "The final defeat of the Heath concern, whose revenues had steadily been shrinking during the pros- perous 1920's, was heralded Dec. 17, 1928, when the concern voted to change its name to the Western New England Tele- phone Co. This change of name was effected in the case of Ashfield, Colrain, Conway and Shelburne Falls Exchanges Feb. 21, 1929, and May 21, 1929, in the case of the Charlemont Exchange. The Heath Exchange was purchased by the West- ern New England Co. Oct. 7, 1930.
"In September, 1929, the New England Telephone Co. as- sumed control with purchase of additional stock, giving it 63.5 percent control. On Aug. 12, 1932, the old Heath concern was discontinued."
HIGHLAND TELEPHONE COMPANY
Hiram Moore, of Millington, was credited with having made an electric speaking telephone in the late 80's. He was quite ingenious and liked to study things of this nature. Sewall King, who used to visit him with his father, described a few of its features: The transmitter was a wooden box, about 4 inches square, having a mouthpiece and a thin White Cedar dia- phragm, 21/2 inches in diameter. A carbon button, about 1/2 inch in diameter, was fastened to the inside of the diaphragm, against which pressed another carbon, with a rounded head (the pressure being adjustable), which was attached to one end of a metal L shaped arm. The long side of this arm ex- tended to the rear of the box, where it was hinged loosely, so as not to impede the vibrations. An induction coil, battery, etc., enabled the instrument to produce synchronous vibra- tions. A single pole magnet receiver also was produced. This
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telephonic device was used between Mr. Moore's house and workshop; and it is believed that a line was run to the depot, over a mile away.
Nothing further happened in the scientific field until about 1898, when Rawson King, Sewall's father, had Sewall build a private line to his daughter's home, about a quarter of a mile away, using a couple of electric telephones. Rawson King, who owned a small farm and was a painter by trade, was quite im- pressed by this means of communication and envisioned its possibilities-calling friends, the doctor, stores, depot, grist- mill, creamery, etc.
He succeeded in interesting Willard Putnam, a large-scale lumberman, and Dr. Fearl, the local physician. In 1901, these three men put up enough money to build a neighborhood telephone line. They called it the "Highland Telephone Com- pany," although a mere understanding existed between them.
Sewall V. King was delegated to build the line from Cooley- ville, in the southwest part of New Salem, to Millington, southeast part, with a branch line north to New Salem Center. A few subscribers were added, who were desired for social and business reasons. They were able to ring one another by turning the generator crank. About ten Deveau telephones, made in Boston, and a few made by Couch and Seely were purchased.
A few people in the West Street section (about a mile west of New Salem Center) asked for service, but Mr. Putnam thought they had enough subscribers to start with; so the ap- plicants decided to build a line of their own. It was called the "Crescent Telephone Company" and was under the direc- tion of Levi Flagg.
In about a year there were 25 parties on the Highland Company line, and it was decided to divide it. The 2 lines were then joined together at the home of Rawson King, and a switching arrangement was made by Sewall, which he and other members of the family operated.
About 1905 Sewall obtained permission to extend the lines to Shutesbury, Locks Village, and Wendell. This increase in business necessitated a change to a 6 line switchboard, which had plugs, cords and jacks.
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About this time Dr. Fearl sold his interest in the Company to Mrs. King and Mrs. Putnam.
The communication spirit spread to North Leverett, where a group of men headed by Gus V. Bowen formed a co-opera- tive telephone society, called the "Valley Telephone Com- pany." It served North Leverett and Moores Corner but had no night or Sunday service. It was not long before they sold out to the Highland Company. When the men called to con- nect the subscribers to their lines, the usual exclamation was, "How can we call operator way over in Cooleyville!" The Highland Company acquired about 30 subscribers and a toll line to Greenfield.
About 1905 the Company began to grow faster, and soon it was realized that a more up-to-date organization was needed. Consequently, a change in its legal status was effected, the first part of the document reading as follows:
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Be it known that whereas Willard Putnam-Rawson King
- Harriet B. Putnam and Martha E. King have associated themselves with the intention of forming a corporation under the name of
THE HIGHLAND TELEPHONE COMPANY,
for the purpose of the transmission of intelligence by electric- ity with a capital of five thousand dollars, common stock, and have complied with the provisions
(Signed)
Wm. M. Olin Secretary of the Com- monwealth
The new Company voted to purchase a larger switchboard, and a contract was entered into with the New England Tele- phone Company whereby a trunk line was run to the Athol exchange to provide outside service. Also the Highland Com- pany agreed to cease buying the Seely transmitters and to lease telephones from the New England Company,-to insure uniformity.
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Sewall King had been appointed Manager of the Com- pany. The King home, where the switchboard was located, was on the old road to Millington, just west of the present Daniel Shays Highway, near the present Kings Hill Cabins.
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