History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 84

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408

USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio > Part 84

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The Telegraph column of the paper was headed as follows:

THE FIRST STREAK !

BY TELEGRAPH FROM BUFFALO.

For the Toledo Bladte.

TELEGRAPH OFFICE, TOLEDO, February 14, 1848, 9 P. M .- The Telegraph has just commenced operations at the Toledo Office, and through the politeness of Mr. H. B. Ely, Manager, we are enabled to lay before our readers the Buffalo and New York markets in advance of all other means of communication.

Following the above were the Market reports of Buffalo, dated February 12, 3 p. M., and the New York report, dated February 11, 7 P. M.

The first item of current " News by Tele- graph to the Blade," was published February 16th, and consisted of the report of the murder of a colored man in New York.

February 18th, appeared the first " Steamer News " (by the Hibernia), the intelligence leaving New York at 10:30 A. M. of the 17th.

The following explanations given in the Telegraph columns of the Blade, of the dates stated, will show something of the experiences, both of the Press and the Telegraph Com- pany, at the outset of their connection :

February 21st. "No report to-day. The Tele- graph won't work to Buffalo."

February 23d, 3 P. M. " No report by Telegraph to day from Buffalo and New York. Wires broken."

March 9th, 11th and 21st. " No Telegraph report to-day."

March 234. " Our neighbors at Cleveland having ordered the daily report by Telegraph to be stopped, we shall be unable to furnish it until we can make arrangements with a Buffalo reporter."

March 28th, reports wore received.

April Ist. " The Telegraph wires are broken be- tween this place and Sandusky City. consequently we have no report to-day."

April 11th. " Arrival of the ' Hibernia.' Nothing startling-everything quiet. When we got this far. the Telegraph gave out."

April 16th, the Blade had a new trouble, to wit : "The frequent use the Sandusky operator made of his ' ground-wire.' We received the report at to p. M., some four hours after our publication hour, and were put to the trouble of issuing an extra. Reason- able forbearance is a virtue, but there is a point where it ceases, and we are on the verge of that point."

April 19th. " Lines not working, in consequence of the wet weather."

April 24th. "The report of the operator is to-day, that there is no circuit East of Eric.""

April 27th. " We regret that the transmission of our report should be delayed. But accidents will happen. The line is down somewhere."

May Ist. " A heavy storm prevents communica- tion by Telegraph East of Cleveland to-day."

May 2d. "" No Telegraphic report this afternoon." Same, May 4th, 5th and 6th.

May 10th. "No report from New York to-day. Line down East of Rochester."

May 12th. " No report, and no explanation."

May 15th. "Some of onr readers may be sur- prised at the absence of Telegraphic reports from our paper. We will explain. We made an arrangement with the Cleveland publishers to procure the services of a reporter at Buffalo, but our Cleveland neighbors having discontinued their reports, we are also obliged to do so. We are now trying to make arrangements for regular reports, and if we can do so and live, we shall ; otherwise, we shall discontinue altogether."

May 17th, 18th and 19tb. "No report."

May 20th. "No report when we go to press -- there being electricity in the air."

May 23d. " No Buffalo report at the time of going to press-because of electricity in the atmosphere."

May 31st, June 5th. 7th, 10th and 17th. "No report."

June 19th. " No New York report-lightning in the State of New York."

June 2Ist-" New York line down."

During the next IS days, the report failed six times, and then (July 11th) eame this : "The nat- ural lightning played a freak with the Telegraph to- day, which will probably prevent us from having re- ports for a week longer. It struck the wires, broke the machine, upset the operator, and kicked up a fuss generally."

To add, if possible, to the annoyance, on the 31st of May the Blade received a joint letter from P. Evans & Son, R. Evans, J. C. Woodward, W. R. Evans & Co., and Moore & Henry, subscribers at Defiance, asking " to have their money refunded and the paper discontinued, unless they could have it regularly," they frequently getting two or three copies at a time. The editor explained the trouble and said: "Our subscribers would not blame ns, did they know all. The meager reports we now re- ceive, whether they come daily or weekly, cost about $8.00 per week."

The facts given in this connection, indicate something of the trials to which the pioneer Telegraph managers, far more, even, than the Press, were subjected. The distance between the meager and unreliable reports of those days and the page after page of Telegraphic news now daily and reliably transmitted, seems like the separation of two worlds. It should be borne in mind, that at the time named, but a single wire was stretched by imperfect fastenings, in many cases to insufficient poles, along the pub- lie highway-there then being no Railroad be- tween Buffalo and Toledo-the only means of examining and repairing the line being by pri- vate conveyance, and much of the time over roads hardly passable. There were then no connecting lines, over which communication could be had. Hence, the " line down " at any point between Toledo and New York, was a complete suspension of business until the break could be found and repaired, which work, in many cases, was then devolved upon the local operators.

435

THE TELEGRAPH.

The conditions, in this respect, are greatly changed. It is now almost impossible com- pletely to sever telegraphic communication be- tween the principal Cities, the numerous lines which center in them from every direction af- fording outlet even when the most direct routes are crippled or cut off. A sleet-storm, which may temporarily disable the entire local plant at any given point, is, perhaps, the only thing that could cause a complete suspension of com- munication.

The character of the service performed for the Press, shows no less improvement. For- merly, it was the custom for representatives of the newspapers taking reports, to copy them as the Operator read from the paper on the instrument. In the Autumn of 1854, how- ever, the services of these amanuenses were dis- pensed with at Toledo, and the Operator, read- ing by the sound of the instrument, copied the report in duplicate for the two papers which received and published it. Within the last two years the type-writer has been introduced into this service, and in nearly all the principal Cities, these instruments are now used in copy- ing Press reports, the Operator receiving from the instrument "by sound," and sending to the compositor the printed sheets from bis type-writer. The insulation of old-time wires was very imperfect. Those running into and through the various offices, were devoid of protecting or insulating covering ; while ont- side, especially during the Summer months, much trouble was caused by the rank growth of trees and underbrush. This, coming in con- tact with the wires, opened numerous channels for the escape of the current to the earth; so that, even when the wires were intact, they did their work much of the time slowly and only with the exercise of much perseverance and painstaking by the Operator. Business was, of course, greatly delayed in consequence, and the patron of the Telegraph thought nothing of waiting a whole day for a reply to a message sent by bim to New York. Now, it is a fre- qnent occurrence for the sender of a message from the floor of the Toledo Produce Exchange to his correspondent "on 'Change " at New York, to receive his answer in one minute.

A well-authenticated case like this is given of early days : A Telegraph Operator furnished a Cleveland daily paper with news which he stole from the wire while it was being trans- mitted to other papers. The operator's pay for such service was $4.00 per week. Not getting his pay, he " stopped the reports."

Two Press organizations-the Western Asso- ciated and the United Press Association-now lease and control their own separate Telegraphic facilities, employing their own Operators and maintaining offices, distinct from those of the Telegraph Company. Should the wire over which their report is passing at any time be- come disabled, a perfect wire is instantly sup-

plied, and the work proceeds without delay. The announcement, " No report to-day-Line down," which was once kept standing in most newspaper offices, ready for use, has disap- peared and will probably be seen no more. The advance made in this connection within the past 30 years, will be seen when it is stated, that the time occupied in the transmission of the annual message of President Pierce, in Devem- ber, 1854, was 14 hours, the entire document having been sent on one wire, and received in Toledo by Charles O. Brigham, then 16 years of age. Now, for similar service, five or more wires are used, and the time occupied in the transmission is usually about three hours.

In this connection, a brief review of the many Telegraph ventures with which Toledo has been connected, will not be out of place. As already stated, the Erie and Michigan, and the Atlantic, Lake and Mississippi Telegraph Companies-the former commonly known as the "Speed Line," and the latter as the " O'Reilly Line"-opened offices in Toledo some time during the year 1848. About 1854, the New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company obtained control of the O'Reilly plant, adding to its facilities. In 1855, all the above mentioned passed into and beeamo part of the newly organized Western Union system.

This Company occupied the field unopposed until 1864, when the United States Telegraph Company opened an office in Toledo, occupying the room now used by the United Lines Tele- graph Company, in Hartford Block, Madison Street, as its main office. In March, 1866, the property and franchises of the United States Company were purchased by the Western Union, and the former, as a competing organi- zation, ceased to exist.

The next candidate for favor, was the Atlan- tic and Pacific Telegraph Company, which opened an office in Toledo in the rooms vacated by the United States Company. The Atlantic and Pacific, under an energetic local manage- ment, proved to be a very lively competi- tor, remaining in the field until it was merged in the Western Union. Its first manager in Toledo was Mr. William M. Coon, and its last was Mr. J. M. McNamar, both still residents of Toledo.

In the Spring of 1880, the American Union Telegraph Company opened an office in the First National Bank building on Summit Street, which was maintained one year, when that Company also became a part of the Western Union system. Their Superintendent and Manager at this point was Mr. Charles Selden.

In the Spring of 1882, the wires of the Mu- tual Union Telegraph Company reached Toledo and an office was opened in the Poag Block, corner Summit and Madison Streets, with Mr. C. D. Meserve as Manager. At the expiration of one year, this Company likewise became, by

136

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

virtue of a lease of its property and franchises, practically a part of the Western Union system.

In 188-1, early in the year, the Postal Tele- graph and Cable Company opened an office "at the old stand," on Madison Street. Mr. J. A. Hawley was its first manager, who afterwards was succeeded by Mr. J. M. Wright, the pres- ent inenmbent. The Postal, shortly after its establishment, was joined by the Bankers' and Merchants', a kindred organization, and the two are now doing business under the name of the " United Lines Telegraph Company."

A new candidate for business in the tele- graphic field has just appeared (February, 1887) in the Inter-State Telegraph Company, and is building a line from Detroit, on the North, to a connection with the Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Company at Fostoria, or some other point on the South. This Company, since the date named, bas opened an office at No. 40 Madison Street, R. A. Shipman as Manager.

Mr. William A. Beach, the well-known Man- ager of the Western Union interests in this City, came to Toledo in September, 1854, as Manager of the Erie and Michigan or " Speed " office. Upon the organization of the Western Union Company, which took place the ensuing vear, he became its local Manager, a position which, for 32 years, he has continued to fill with credit to himself and satisfaction to the Company. When he took charge of the Toledo office in 1854, its facilities for the trans- mission of business consisted of two wires, and his only assistants were one operator and a messenger. Now, the office which stands as the successor of the one originally managed by him, has connected with it 113 wires, and (with its branches) employs 30 operators, together with a corresponding force of clerks. messengers, line men and battery men. The receipts of the office for the month of Oc- tober, 1854, amounted to $417.25. For the corresponding month in 1886, the amount was $3.900. The number of messages handled in 1854, was about 3,000, in October, 1886, it was 80,988.

With Manager Beach have been associated the following named employees of the Company:

Mr. Charles O. Brigham, Chief Operator, began bis connection with the business, in May, 1852, as messenger of the Atlantic and Lake Erie (Speed; line, being then 13 years old. Ambitious for promotion, he at once sought every opportunity for learning the art and skill of operating, and for want of better facil- ities, practiced with a pencil over his jack-knife and with door-latches. In November, 1853, he attained the coveted position of Operator in the O'Reilly office. In February, 1854, he changed to the Speed line, and for a time was in its Cleveland office. with Mr. Beach, the two together coming to Toledo in September of that year, Mr. Beach as Manager, and Mr. Brigham as Operator. In 1861, the business of the Toledo office required an enlarged force, when Mr. Brigham became the first Chief Operator, the position which he yet holds. From June, 1869, until 1877, he was Superintendent of the City Fire Alarm. In Septem- ber, 1866, he was appointed as the local Agent of the Western Associated Press, serving as such until March, 1886, when he was sueceeded by S. S. Kna- benshuc.

Mr. George M. Brigham became an operator in the Western Union office in February, 1870, and sinee 1875 has acted as Night Chief Operator.

Mr. Joseph T. Church commenced as Messenger, in July, 1870; began as Operator, in October, 1877 ; and has served as Assistant Chief on day force sinee June, 1879.

Frank M. Green became Cashier and Book-keeper of the Office in May, 1866, and yet holds the position.

Until 1874, the service of the line was per- formed wholly at one office. At that time the business in connection with the Produce Ex- change had assumed proportions demanding more ready and more ample facilities, when a branch, known as " Exchange Office," was opened on the floor of that organization. Its first Manager was Mr. W W. Wells who, in 1882, was succeeded by the present incumbent, Mr. John M. Cronenberg. His staff consists of eight operators.

The department of Construction and Repairs constitutes an important part of the Telegraph system. In 1863 this service was placed in the hands of Mr. Joseph Keenan, as Foreman, who since that time has had charge of that service for the District of Toledo and vicinity, and to whose skill and industry the excellent condi- tion of the lines is largely due.

Among the early operators in Toledo, were Messrs. Maurice A. Scott, Charles E. Bliven, and others.

CHAPTER V.

THE TELEPIIONE.

THE transmission of sounds through the agency of electricity, was discovered many years sinee. Conversation has been carried on by such means for a distance of 300 miles, al- though 75 miles is as far as it can be satisfac- torily done. It is more readily done in cold than in warm weather. A telephonic concert was given in Steinway Hall, New York, in 1877, in which all the music, vocal and instrumental, was executed by performers in Philadelphia, 88 miles distant, and transmitted over the or- dinary telegraph wires. Various inventors took part in the development of this remarkable in- vention, including Professor C. G. Page, of Washington, D. C .; De la Rive, of Geneva ; Charles Bourseulle, of Auch, France ; Phillip Reis. of Germany ; and Elisha Gray, of Chicago. The name now most prominently identified with the Telephone, is that of Alex. Graham Bell, of Boston, who exhibited at the Centen- nial Exposition, Philadelphia, in 1876, an appa- ratus which reproduced human speech with all its modulations. Others have made improve- ments of greater or less importance, among whom are Thomas A. Edison, Professor A. E. Dolbear and G. M. Phelps.

The Telephone was first tested in Toledo, Jan- uary 20, 1878, when the Railway Ticket Office of Wm. Gates, in the Boody House, and the Western Union Telegraph Office, corner Sum- mit and Adams streets, were thus successfully connected. For nearly a year previous to that time, simple Acoustic Telephones, consisting of a cord or a wire, with tin cups or other vessels answering the double purpose of transmitters and receivers, were operated to a limited ex- tent, some of them covering distances of several blocks. The one named was the first used here which employed a battery and other complete appliances. The next Telephone introduced, and believed to be the first one regularly fixed,

connected two stores of F. W. Preston, one on Monroe street, and the other 323 Summit, cor- ner of Walnut. The distance is about three- fourths of a mile. The use of the instrument was successful, and did much toward the ex- tension of the same in the City.

In 1878 the rival systems of Bell and Edison Telephones were simultaneously introduced in Toledo by the establishment of separate and competing Exchanges-the former under the management of S. C. Schenck and John M. Wheeler; and the latter under that of James M. M.cNamar. These had been in operation but a few months, when the two systems were consolidated, and the Toledo organizations passed into the hands of the Midland Telephone Company. Subsequently, the Toledo Exchange became the property of the Central Union Tel. ephone Company, which still owns and man- ages it. The manager of the Toledo Exchange now (1887) is Mr. John W. Cherry, the entire force of employees being 27 in number. The number of telephones embraced in the Ex- change is 1,005, and is extending rapidly. The telephone most distant is that of the Cedar Point Club, 12 miles from the Central Office, corner Adams and Huron streets. The rates now charged are : For business purposes-860 per annum for one-half mile of wire; $66 for three-fourths of a mile : 872 for one mile ; and $6.00 for each fourth mile additional. For res- idences-$42, 845, 848, and $6, respectively. The Exchange is connected with all Cities and Towus in Northwestern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan having Telephone facilities. The man- agement of the Toledo Exchange has been, from the first, exceptionally satisfactory to customers, whereby the introduction of that great agency for every department of neighborhood inter. course, has been and is yet, very rapid. Its utiliza- tion seems now only beginning in development.

[437]

CHAPTER VI.

THE MAUMEE RIVER MARINE.

"THE carlier Custom-House records of this District are not to be found, and for infor- mation as to the first crafts navigating or built upon the Maumee River, we are dependent upon the memory of those most familiar there- with. Fortunately, this source is exceptionally good, and with the official evidence available, the facts are no doubt substantially reached. The first craft regularly trading on the River, so far as known, was the Schooner Black Snake, Captain Jacob Wilkison, in May, 1815, on board which was the Captain's nephew, David Wilki- son, afterward so prominent in River and Lake navigation. In Angust, 1868, Willard V. Way, Esq., an old and intelligent resident of Perrys- burg furnished a statement of the life and work of the latter gentleman, together with a list of crafts built on the River, from the earliest date to 1854, according to the Captain's recollection. Mr. Way said :

Captain Wilkison states that he first came to the Manmee in the latter part of May, 1815, on the Schooner Black Snake, of about 25 tons. He was then about 15 years of age, and was a hand on the Vessel, his father and his unele (Jacob Wilkison) being the owners, and the latter the Master. She sailed from Cleveland, her load being chietly immi- grant families and their effects. Part of these were landed at the River Raisin, and part at Fort Meigs. Among those stopping at the Raisin, were Mr. Mul- holland and family-the same gentleman who after- wards became noted as a hotel-keeper at Vienna (Erie) on the road to Monroe from Toledo. On the Vessel's return, she took for cargo ordnance and military stores from Fort Meigs to Detroit. Captain Jacob Wilkison continued to run this Vessel, occa- sionally making trips to the Manmee, until Septem- ber, 1816, when he moved his family and made his residence at Orleans, a Village laid out between Fort Meigs and the River. In ISIS, Captain Daniel Hub- bell bought a controlling interest in the Schooner Pilot, built at Cleveland, and David took command and sailed her between Fort Meigs and Buffalo during the seasons 1818 and '19. Hle continued to sail up the Maumee every season from 1815 until 1850, when he retired from navigation, at that time being the Captain of the Steamboat Superior. Between the years 1818 and 1828, he was Master at different times of the Schooners Black Snake, Pilot, Sancy Jane, Prudent, Superior and Guerriere. In 1828, he and John Hollister built at Swan Creek (now Toledo) the Schooner Eagle, of 60 tons. That year he moved to Perrysburg, and took command of the Schooner Eagle, and sailed her until the Steamboat Commo- lore Perry came out in 1835, when he took command of her. The Eagle cost $3,000. During the seven years that he sailed her, she paid for herself five times, clear of all expenses; or, in other words, earned for her owners $15,000 of profits. Captain Wilkison then sold her in Buffalo for $800. All the old settlers appreciate his high reputation for practical

skill and gentlemanly deportment, as the commander of the Perry. He honored his calling in every respect.

As shown in the notes of the Baldwin family, elsewhere given, the Schooner Leopard (a 28- ton craft), Captain John T. Baldwin, was among the earliest Vessels trading on the Maumee River. Captain Baldwin came here with the Leopard in April, 1818, bringing his family and stopping at Orleans or Fort Meigs, and re- maining until July following, when they went to Put-in Bay, and thence to Portage County.

Following is the list of Vessels furnished by Captain Wilkison wholly from memory, and will be found to contain some facts given else- where :

1812-At Perrysburg; Schr. Miami, 25 tons ; Capt. Anderson Martin, for the Captain.

1826-At Perrysburg; Schr. Guerriere, 50 fons ; Capt. D. Wilkison, for Wilkison and Hollister.

1828-At Swan Creek ; Schr. Eagle, 60 tons ; Capf. D. Wilkison, for Wilkison and Hollister.

1829-At Miami; Sehr. Antelope, 60 tons; Capt. Amos Pratt, for Pratt and Hubbell.

1832-At Miami; Schr. Maria, 100 tons; Capt. Amos Pratt, for Barker and Ilolt.

1833-At Delaware Flats; Schr. Merchant, 70 tons ; Capt. Amos Pratt, for Barker and Ilolt.

1834-At Delaware Flats; Sehr. Gazelle, 70 tons ; Capt. Amos Pratt, for Barker and Holt.

1834-At Perrysburg; Steamboat Commodore Perry, 350 tons; Capt. D. Wilkison, for Perrysburg Steamboat Company.

1835-At Perrysburg; Schr. Caroline, 60 tons ; Capt. E. K. Forbes, for Wilkison and Hollister.

1835-At Maumee ; Schr. Maria, 80 tons. Capt. C. V. Jennison says this Vessel was built by Mr. Burd- sill, for - - Williams, of Maumee.

1836-At Perrysburg; Schr. John Hollister, 80 fons; for J. J. Bingham and others.

1836-At Perrysburg; Schr. Walter Joy, 75 tons ; Capt. D. P. Nickerson, for Wilkison and Hollister.

1837-At Perrysburg ; Steamboat Gen. Wayne, 400 tons ; Capt. Amos Pratt, for Jolin Hollister and others.

1837-At Perrysburg; Schr. Favorite, 170 tons; Capt. E. K. Forbes, for Wilkison and Forbes.

1837-At Oregon ; Schr. Oregon, 170 tons ; Capt. Jesse Bailey, for R. A. Forsyth.

1837-At Swan Creek (Toledo) ; Sehr. Maj. Oliver, 170 tons; Capt. ('has. G. Keeler, for Toledo Naviga- tion Company.

1838-At Perrysburg ; Steamboat John Marshall, 80 tons ; for Doane and Earl.

1838-At Perrysburg ; Steamboat Gov. Vance, 100 tons ; Capt. Shibnah Spink, for Hollister & Co.

1838-At Miami; Steamboat Chesapeake, 350 tons ; Capt. D. Howe, for Jesse Smith and others,

1839-At Maumee; Steamboat Gen. Harrison, 250 tons ; Capt. I. T. Pheatt, for James Walcott & Co.

1841-At Toledo; Steamboat Indiana, 400 tons ; Capt. I. T. Pheatt, for Peckham and others.

1843-At Perrysburg; Prop. Sampson, 250 tons; Capt. Amos P'ratt, for John Hollister and others.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 84

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company Number of Pages: 1408

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408