A UNIQUE TELEGRAPH LINE.

Waikato Times, Volume XL, Issue 3257, 13 May 1893, Page 2 (Supplement)

A UNIQUE TELEGRAPH LINE.

From a Chicago paper just to band we got particulars of whnt must be termed the most unique telegraph lino in tho world, It seems that about ten years ago four farmers' boys one of whom had been a (olograph operator, put up a fhort line between the four farm houses. They soon wanted to extend its usefulness, and_ after a year or two concluded to run it to a village three miles distant, From this humble beginning tho system has been rapidly extended until at the present time there are nearly one hundred miles of wire and 170 telegraph irstraments in u j o on the line. The company was incorporated under the state law several years ago wit a capital stock of o.OOOdol, divided in 10 dol shares. The electric bond connects at the present timo no less than fifteen towns and villages, and has instruments in the bouses or offices of 95 farmers, 19 stores, 10 physicians, 7 railroad offices, G postoffices, 7 mechanics, 7 factories and mills, 3 newspapers, 2 clerks, 2 grain dealers, 2 teachers and a pleasure resort at Sand Lake. The system is now known as the Commercial telegraph company and elects a full staff of officers each year. There are probably at least three hundred persons along the lino who are able to read and rcceivo messages. Telegraphing was supposed to bo a difiicult thing to learn, but experience has shown that farmers' boys and girls without any previous knowledge of the art learn it rapidly, and with in a few mouths become quite expert. Quito a number have gone from this line into railroad ofliccs and now have good positions as operators, This is tho only lino of Ihe kind in tho world that has attained such large proportions, Among the benefits derived from tho line are the sending of weather reports, news of importance, ordering goods from town, inquiring for mail, sending for tho dootor in caso of sudden sickness or acoidont. Evenings or rainy days the line is used for social visiting, Stock is often bought and sold, bargains made, appointments for business or pleasure made; in fact tho uses and conveniences can hardly bo numbored.