USA > Massachusetts > Tracing the telephone in western Massachusetts, 1877-1930 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
In July of 1881, soon after Mr. Cary's resignation, the stock of the Western Mass. Tel. Co. was selling from $105 to $107, and the directors declared a 4% dividend.
Lenox was favored with some outside construction in July, which received mention in the Republican: "The telephone company are running an additional wire to Lenox making three in all, and double cross arms have had to be put on the poles. A number of summer residents rent telephones only for the season."
63
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
On July 11th the poles had been set for the Lee extension and the wires were to be strung two days later: "There will be 20 subscribers at Lee, which is to be a part of the Pittsfield exchange."
In Aug., 1881, the telephone company had all the operators in their exchanges keep account of the calls and connections made for three days. (Now called a 'peg count'.)
There was mention now and then of the damage done to telephones by lightning: "About 20 telephones were burned out in the local exchange by Thursday night's thunder storm."
When the Pittsfield exchange was first started, a generator, furnishing power for ringing, was located in the near-by Pitts- field Coal Gas Co. plant; and when trouble developed the "trouble shooter" had to rush down to the generator room and kick the belt off to avoid getting a shock.
In Sept., 1881, the line to East Lee was completed, and the Telephone Company extended their wire to Curtisville via West Stockbridge, which became a part of the Pittsfield ex- change.
There had been talk of opening an exchange in Great Bar- rington, which would include Egremont, Sheffield, and Ash- ley Falls; but it was decided to postpone action on this project till spring. In its July 22, 1880, issue, the Republican spoke of a private line which had just been finished between Great Barrington and South Egremont.
The annual meeting of the Western Mass. Tel. Co. was held at Pittsfield on April 12, 1882, and, as reported by the Repub- lican, "elected these officers: President, George H. Bliss; sec- retary and treasurer, C. C. Francis; directors, George H. Bliss, John T. Power, Gardner T. Barker, S. N. Russell, A. B. Whipple, of Pittsfield; Wellington Smith of Lee and T. A. Mole of Adams. Wellington Smith declined re-election to the vice-presidency. The company passed its dividend, the con- struction account having been heavier than was expected the past year, and the capital stock was increased from $50,000 to $85,000. R. H. W. Dwight is continued as General Manager."
On April 15, 1882, J. D. Foote, for 18 months local manager of the Pittsfield exchange, resigned; and Charles Raymond was appointed manager in his place.
64
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
About this time, Mr. Bliss was quite busily engaged, in his capacity as President of the Telephone Co., conducting nego- tiations for the sale of the Western Mass. Tel. Co. to the Bay State Tel. Co., but the proceedings which took place in the North Adams and Adams exchanges must be recounted at this point.
NORTH ADAMS EXCHANGE
The affairs of the North Adams exchange seemed to pro- gress peacefully during the agitation attendant upon the or- ganization of the Western Mass. Tel. Co. George C. Millard had sold the exchange to George H. Cary on Feb. 16, 1880, and the latter transferred it to the new company April 14th, the date of its incorporation. Mr. Millard agreed to continue as local manager and Mr. Orr decided to remain the manager of the Western Union Telegraph Co. Later he advanced to District Supt. of the Commercial Union Telegraph Co. at North Adams and continued to serve in that capacity after it had been absorbed by the Postal Telegraph Co. Mr. Cary, who was instrumental in forming the Western Mass. Tel. Co., became the General Manager. He now set about expanding the system, and the first object on the agenda was the exten- sion of the lines from North Adams to Adams and Williams- town.
Another project was soon undertaken,-that of building a telephone line between North Adams and Pittsfield, which according to the Transcript of May 27th progressed so rapidly that communication between the towns was expected to be established in a few weeks.
The telephone line between North Adams and Williams- town was completed about the first of June, 1880, and the students of Williams College were undoubtedly pleased at the prospect of trying out this new means of communication,- particularly to Northampton and South Hadley.
A news item in the Transcript of June 10, 1880, was in con- nection with the Republican National Convention, where General Garfield received the presidential nomination: "Man- ager Orr of the Western Union telegraph office is deserving
65
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
the thanks of those interested in the Chicago Convention for his promptness in posting bulletins of the balloting and for sending copies to the telephone office that the news might be sent over the town as fast as received."
Considerable information is included in the Adams Tran- script of July 15, 1880: "The line between North Adams and Pittsfield was completed last Thursday (July 8) and a great amount of business is transacted over the line every day, 25 cents for 3 minutes, the telegraph would be more. A local line has been completed to Adams, where a system of some 20 subscribers is being established with headquarters over Dean's store. In a week or two an independent line is to be run to South Williamstown where there is no telegraph office. The advantages of the telephone system will be shown particu- larly in the isolated towns like Savoy and Florida which have no telegraphic communication with the rest of the world. The North Adams system has now some 90 subscribers and it is expected that the number will soon reach over 100. The cen- tral office is to be remodeled, two new and very large switch- boards being among the needed improvements. All through the county magneto bells are being substituted for those first in use and it is intended eventually to have only four stations on a circuit."
About the middle of August, 1880, a branch exchange was opened at Adams with some 20 subscribers, with the head- quarters over Dean's store.
The business situation appeared to be improving, if hotel trade was any criterion. The Transcript of Nov. 3, 1880, de- scribed a new hostelry under construction: "The new hotel being built on State St. by Owen Welch will probably be called the "American House". It is to be four stories high, and will contain 60 rooms. The office will be in the middle of the lower floor, leaving one store one either side. The dining-room will be on the second floor."
About the time of the completion of this hotel, which be- came famous for its cuisine and hospitality à la American plan, the following sample of Vermont humor was, no doubt, re- counted here by some traveling salesman:
A Middlebury man milked his cow, set the pail in front of
66
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
the animal, took up the milking stool and carefully placed it on the pantry shelf. The cow drank up the milk and at last accounts no cream had risen on the milking stool.
Prof. George M. Mowbray, after the completion of the Hoosac Tunnel, remained in North Adams and started a fac- tory of his own for the manufacture of nitro glycerine. It was Nov. 11, 1880, when this ingenious individual was again men- tioned in the Transcript: "Prof. Mowbray started up on Tues- day his works for manufacturing his new insulated wire. He began on the order from the state for wire to be used in the Hoosac Tunnel. There is every indication of complete success in this new invention."
A person not familiar with textile terms might be rather startled upon reading the following: "The Williamstown Mfg. Co. are running their mules till nine o'clock in the evening to keep up with their looms."
Information was provided by the Transcript of Nov. 18, 1880, regarding several subjects of moment: "The telephone line was completed to South Williamstown Nov. 6, with a single station, that at Greylock Institute, the flourishing and excellent boarding school of the Millses. The Williamstown circuit at present has three stations: at the Williamstown Mfg. Co.'s mill office, at the coal office of T. W. Richmond & Co., and at the livery office of Thomas McMahon, which is at present a public station. The North Adams office has just re- ceived 20 magneto bells, with boards of new design support- ing battery and bell, with connecting wires let into the back, for the first time furnished by the company. These have been put in place of the battery bell first used, so that 9 only of these now remain on the circuit. It is thought that carpenters and others have at times, to facilitate their work, interfered with the attachment of telephone wires to buildings, in ignor- ance of the fact that the law imposes a fine of $500 or imprison- ment for two years for such offence."
A personal note, which were not too frequent, appeared in the Nov. 24, 1880, Republican: "M. J. Connors, who super- intended the building of the Central and Southern Berkshire lines, has recently been given charge of the repairs for the North Adams exchange."
67
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
The next day the Transcript published another personal note, which disclosed that Manager Millard had been pursuing a phase of electrical work which was referred to in those days as "sparking." "Mr. George C. Millard, Manager of the West- ern Mass. Tel. Co. for Western Berkshire, and Miss Jennie Campbell of Williamstown, were married at the groom's resi- dence on Center St., Wednesday evening week. Numerous and valuable presents were left with the happy couple, and a very pleasant wedding banquet is reported. Mr. and Mrs. Millard will reside at the groom's new house on Center St."
Christmas not being far away, the spirit of the season seemed to take hold of the telephone officials, judging from this item in the Transcript: "The telephone central office is to be painted and papered, and the annunciators are to be lowered and placed in stands so that the operators can sit, instead of being obliged to stand as now. The floor is to be carpeted, and a railing put up between the operators and the space for the public."
Quite a sizeable increase to the list of subscribers occurred, which were listed in the Transcript of Jan. 13, 1881: "The following new connections have been made to the telephone exchange not included in the published list: Adams-L. L. Brown Paper Co., B. F. Phillips' residence, Colony and Bowen, Ainsley and Isabel, Smith, Mole & Co., Allen Iron Works, A. B. Mole's residence. South Williamstown-Greylock Insti- tute. Cheshire-Burgett office and residence, Bowen's store and Post Office, Darby's drug store, Dean and Martin, Dr. Thayer's office and residence. North Adams-P. J. Boland's store, Billings Brothers' store, Boston, Hoosac Tunnel and Western abstract office, Brigham's store, Chace & Co.'s meat market, M. J. Holbrook's shop, Parkhurst and Alford law office, A. H. Jones' residence, Richardson and Flagg's Coal office, Troy and Boston Railroad general office."
During December a few events transpired to show that the Tunnel City was still making progress. F. E. Swift, who con- ducted the Wilson House for some years and made it a noted resort for travelers and guests, bought the entire Wilson House block. It was decided to double track the Hoosac tunnel as soon as possible and to illuminate it, providing the engine
68
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
ordered for the experiment with electric lighting proved satis- factory.
The prospect of furnishing the state with nitro glycerine for this extensive work was, no doubt, pleasing to Prof. Mowbray. A further reference to his cable project appeared in the Dec. 16, 1880, Transcript: "It has been decided to put 4 or more wires in the cable which Prof. Mowbray is making to lay in the tunnel, and one of them will be for the Western Union. Prof. Mowbray's new inveition in insulated wire is said to do away with induction so that the wires may be placed nearly side by side."
A new and complete telephone directory of the subscribers on the "Western Mass. line" was printed by C. M. Ward of the Springfield Printing Co., and delivered early in May, in which there were 125 names in North Adams and Williamstown, and 35 in Adams.
Further telephone progress was recorded in the Transcript of June 16, 1881. "The local telephone exchange has com- menced the use of the electric clock, by which all unnecessary disturbance from the ringing of bells is avoided. About 60 of these clocks are now in use here. (The Bliss telephone signal clocks made in Pittsfield.) The exchange here is in a very good condition now, and is well conducted, about an average of 600 calls a day being answered. The Wilson House drug store, H. A. Smith & Son, Chief Engineer Hubbell, A. B. Wright & Co., John Bracewell and the town farm have been connected recently. George M. Dyke succeeds Joseph Wood as night operator."
A demand for telephone service had arisen in several com- munities in Southern Vermont. Readsboro was about 17 miles from North Adams, by a north east road through Stamford and Hartwellville, thence south east to Readsboro, thus pass- ing around the northern end of Hoosac Range. Jacksonville was about 8 miles east of Readsboro, and Wilmington 7 miles north of Jacksonville.
The idea of anyone so far away from North Adams expect- ing telephone service seemed rather fanciful, but here it was, reported in the Republican of April 8, 1881: "A line is to be
69
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
built by private parties from North Adams to Readsboro, Vt., and from there to Wilmington."
The Transcript on Oct. 6th reported that the private parties were now contemplating a stock company with a capital of $1,200. The plan was to connect this line to the switchboard of the North Adams exchange and pay the Western Mass. Co. a suitable sum for operating their stations.
The final arrangement was described in the Transcript of Nov. 3, 1881: "The telephone from Jacksonville to this town (North Adams) is assured, and is to be known as the Jackson- ville and North Adams Telephone Co. with a capital stock of $1,500. It is expected it will be in running order within three weeks. The organization was completed at Readsboro last week, with the following officers: President, James Bullock, Readsboro; Vice-president, George S. Goodnough, Sadawga; Secretary, W. P. Jones, Jacksonville; Treasurer, Abed Hall, Stamford; Auditors N. L. Stetson, Jacksonville; A. H. Tucker, Appolis Bailey, Readsboro; directors, E. J. Bullock, Reads- boro; R. H. W. Dwight, Pittsfield; H. C. Millington, Sa- dawga; R. Q. Wilcox, Jacksonville; C. E. Winchell, Stamford; M. Davidson, Hartwellville; John T. Carrier, Readsboro Falls; Committee on by-laws, H. N. Hix, Sadawga; A. A. Butterfield, Jacksonville; A. H. Tucker, Readsboro. The meeting ad- journed to meet at Readsboro at 10 o'clock this morning."
It does not appear that many of the prospective customers of this company were slighted in the selection of officers and directors, 14 parties being thus honored, all of whom resided along the route to Jacksonville, except Mr. Dwight.
It seems rather incredible that on Thursday Dec. 8th the Transcript reported this swift progress: "The telephone line of the Jacksonville and North Adams Telephone Co. will be in running order this week, and the rates for messages to subscribers of the Western Mass. Co. have been established. They are: to Stamford, 15 cents; to Hartwellville, Readsboro Falls, and Readsboro, 20 cents; to Sadawga and Jacksonville 25 cents. The operators at the different stations are Jackson- ville, Stetson and Jones; Sadawga, Millington and Goodnow; Readsboro, James Bullock & Son; Readsboro Falls, J. T. Car- rier; Hartwellville, M. Davidson; North Stamford, Fred Para-
70
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
dise; Stamford, C. E. Winchell." The "operators at the differ- ent stations" were presumably business proprietors, whose telephones were available to the public, and who had people summoned to the phone-in consideration of a small fee.
In viewing the way telephone lines sprang into existence, it must be remembered that only one iron wire, grounded at the ends, was the practice; and that trees, in most instances, served as telephone poles. The magneto call bells were in series, and their coils of wire impeded the electric speaking current, so that it seems quite miraculous that the subscribers could hear anything at all.
In the meantime, the Brattleboro Telephone exchange had erected a line through Marlboro and Wilmington and thence to Jacksonville, so that it was not surprising to read the fol- lowing in the Dec. 20th Republican: "Conversation between North Adams and Brattleboro, Vt., via Jacksonville, was dis- tinctly carried on Saturday, and Pittsfield was also connected, making 70 miles."
A financial item, pleasing to the stockholders of the new company, was given in the Transcript March 2, 1882: "The Jacksonville and North Adams Telephone Co's receipts last month were $80 and the capital stock is worth but $1,500, so that the dividends will probably be large." On August 15th, the directors of this company met at the Paradise Hotel, Stam- ford, and declared a dividend of $1 a share from the first six months' business, which was about 15% a year.
The new line of the North River Telephone Co. from Jack- sonville, Vt., to Shelburne Falls, was now in operation. The directors of the Jacksonville and North Adams Telephone Co., at their meeting Aug. 15th, voted to connect with this North River Co., which gave Berkshire County communication with Shelburne Falls and towns north of it.
An important step was now taken by the Jacksonville and North Adams Telephone Co. which was disclosed by the Transcript of Aug. 31, 1882: "A new switchboard has been placed at Jacksonville by the Telephone Co. Hereafter no messages will be sent from our North Adams central office. They will be sent from Morse and Orrs book store." The com- pany now had a switchboard of their own.
71
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
The following news item is of special interest to many tele- phone people, who have had the privilege of knowing the gentleman referred to because of the many years he served as Manager of the North Adams exchange. This article appeared in the Sept. 9, 1882, Republican: "A change in the local man- agement of the telephone exchange is talked of, and W. H. Stedman, for some time with Prof. Mowbray and an excellent electrician, is recommended by a number of the business men for the place."
Several references to Mr. Stedman's activities have appeared in the papers prior to this, which afford glimpses of his earlier life. As far back as 1872 the business directory showed him conducting a crockery, jewelry and silverware store with D. A. Atkins, and a little later he became sole owner, specializing in watches and jewelry. Then the Transcript of Feb. 20, 1879, told of an expansion: "Stedman, the jeweler, has very con- venient arrangements in his new store in Fisher's block for the prosecution of his silver and gold plating business. He has several rooms devoted especially to the work of plating and has added new and important apparatus. His new Amber Polish is meeting with a remarkable sale in this vicinity, and a well known cutlery company has ordered 2,880 bottles, 20 gross."
Williams College, at Williamstown, was the Alma Mater of General Garfield, and the following article in the Transcript of Feb. 17, 1881, must have created quite a pleasurable flurry in this small college town: "The inauguration of a new presi- dent of Williams College and the presence of General Gar- field, who will return to the Silver Anniversary of his class as President of the United States, must make an interesting commencement week at Williamstown."
The inauguration of President Elect Carter was to take place July 6th, and President Garfield had consented to speak for the college trustees. Unfortunately, however, the joy of welcoming the President of the United States to this happy ceremony was not to be realized. The Transcript of July 7, 1881, thus conveyed the sad news: "The country was startled on Saturday (July 2) by the news that President Garfield had been fatally shot in the railroad depot at Washington, as he, accompanied by Secretary Blane, was entering the depot of the
72
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
Baltimore and Potomac railroad to take the train for New York. The presidential party was to leave Washington for an extended journey through New England. On Monday morn- ing they were to go to Williamstown to attend the commence- ment exercises of Williams College, then on Thursday noon to St. Albans, Vt. and to White Mountains."
The Western Mass. Tel. Co. was acquired by the Bay State Telephone Co. Sept. 13, 1882, and an account of what trans- pired in the North Adams exchange under the jurisdiction of this larger company will be found in Chapter 12.
ADAMS EXCHANGE
Soon after the opening of the North Adams Exchange, the thought of providing Adams with similar benefits seemed to be uppermost in people's minds. The form of service talked of was that of a branch exchange, which would be a switchboard connected to the one at North Adams, and which would per- mit a free interchange of calls.
The first definite information to this effect appeared in the Transcript of Sept. 4, 1879: "The telephone line will prob- ably be extended to Adams, as a branch system is being organ- ized there. The advantages of becoming a subscriber to the North Adams Telephone Co., of which the system in Adams will be a part, are increasing constantly."
A later report was given by the Transcript of Dec. 18th: "The business men are anxious to have the telephone system introduced, especially if it can be connected with the central office at North Adams. A canvass was recently made and 17 subscribers obtained, and it is thought that as soon as the system can be put in successful operation that nearly as many more can be obtained. There are 2 or 3 private lines about town."
Undoubtedly, the results of the canvass were not such as to cause any precipitate action, as generally 50 applicants were considered necessary to warrant the opening of an exchange.
However, time was passing and the business men were wait- ing rather impatiently for the extension of the telephone sys- tem to Adams. The number of subscribers, who were ready as soon as the wires were put up, had increased to 20.
73
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
The organization of the Western Mass. Tel. Co. at Pittsfield on April 15, 1880, brought the part of Mass. west of the Conn. river under its jurisdiction, and the next day this encouraging news was printed in the Transcript: "The work of extending the system will begin at once. The first thing on the pro- gramme is the extension of the line from North Adams to Adams and Williamstown." Then on May 13th it was an- nounced that General Manager Cary was to put a large force on work in Adams in a few weeks.
The sight of this large force of men at work in their streets must have occasioned this June 3rd article: "The business men are pleased that the telephone system is to be introduced, and a score or more are ready to put in the 'machines'. It has been decided to put the central office in the telegraph room at the depot. Telegraph Operator Faure, by the way, intends to go back to France next fall to introduce the telephone." Those who thought that the people in France talked mostly with their hands were of the opinion that this mission was a case of "Love's Labour's Lost," but others adhered to the sentiment expressed in that stirring ballad, "Hands Across the Sea."
The Transcript, the middle of July, was able to report something more tangible. "A local line has been completed to Adams, where a system of some 20 subscribers is being established with headquarters over Dean's store.
On August 5th Messers Robinson & Son, publishers of the Transcript, again reviewed the situation: "The telephone exchange is not yet in working order, but is being put into condition as rapidly as circumstances will allow. The new style key-board has been put in the central office and the lines are now nearly all up. There has been considerable vexatious delays owing to the company's inability to secure magneto bells."
The next reference was Aug. 26th, when it recorded the fact that the telephone company had lately put in 15 stations, among which were the mill offices of H. S. Millard and Adams Bros. and the store of Anthony & Burlingame.
It would appear from the above that the central office was
74
Tracing the Telephone in Western Massachusetts
opened sometime between Aug. 5th and the 26th, 1880, it being conjectured that the date was about August 21st.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.