Although the electric telegraph system of Cooke and Wheatstone had been established as early as 1837 in England, yet no move was made to adopt it in Canada.

After the Morse experimental line between Baltimore and Washington had proved a success and was thrown open for public business and wires were being carried to the leading business centres in the United States and a line of telegraph was projected connecting New York City with Buffalo, public interest was aroused in Canada, more especially in the Western section.

Mr. Morse had failed, or probably thought Canada at that time not important enough, to take out a patent for his invention, hence it was open to any or all who chose to use it.

In 1846 the first Canadian Telegraph Company was formed with a capital of $16,000; its object was to connect Toronto and Hamilton with the American lines at Buffalo. The corporate name of the Company was the “Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara & St. Catharines Electro-Magnetic Company.”

A line was speedily erected and the desired connection made.

At the end of this year action was taken at Montreal to organize a telegraph company.

The Origin of the Montreal Telegraph Company

At a meeting of the Council of the Montreal Board of Trade, held on Dec. 26, 1846, a Committee was appointed to enquire into the best means of extending the use of the electric telegraph system into Canada. The Committee reported favorably of the project.

After giving the subject full and earnest consideration, on December 29, three days afterwards, a general meeting was convened for the purpose of forming a company to connect Montreal and Toronto by a line of electro-magnetic telegraph, the capital to be £12,500 in 1,250 shares of £10 each.

Among those present were L.H. Holton, D.L. Macpherson, Fred A. Wilson, John Glass, T.W. Middleton, Thos. Tait, Henry Starnes, John Young, Henry Joseph, I. Taylor, William Murray, Andrew Shaw, George Elder, jun., and Henry Chapman.

On motion of L.H. Holton, seconded by D.L. Macpherson, Mr. Young took the chair.

The Chairman stated the object of the meeting to be the organization of a company by parties in favor of connecting Montreal and Toronto by electro-magnetic telegraph, and who had proposed to take stock in the company to be formed for that purpose in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Trade. It was moved by Mr. Elder and seconded by Mr. Starnes, that the meeting do organize itself into a company to be entitled the Montreal & Toronto Magnetic Telegraph Company. This was carried.

It was then moved by Mr. Chapman, seconded by Mr. Tait, that Messrs. Shaw, Glass, Elder and Young be a Provisional Committee to conduct the affairs of the Company.

Moved by Mr. Holton, seconded by Mr. Macpherson, that the Provisional Committee be empowered to enter into all necessary arrangements for the early construction of the proposed line of telegraph, the whole of the shares having been taken up.

At a meeting held on January 22, 1847, it was moved by Mr. Lindsay that Andrew Shaw, John Young, John Glass, George Elder, jun., and Henry Chapman be directors for the ensuing year—Carried.

On the 6th of March, 1847, Mr. O.S. Wood was appointed Superintendent of the Company, and immediately took charge of the Company’s operations.

The charter was obtained on July 28, 1847, under the amended title of the Montreal Telegraph Company.

Andrew Shaw was elected its first President, Mr. James Dakers, Secretary.

In securing the services of Mr. Wood the new Company was exceedingly fortunate. He had been associated with Professor Morse, was his first pupil, and undoubtedly the most experienced telegraph man of that day in America, a man of great ability and of the highest personal character.

Proceedings were immediately begun in construction work.

The construction of the line between Montreal and Toronto and Montreal and Quebec was awarded to Livingston & Wells, the well-known express forwarders, and by them pushed on with the utmost vigor under Mr. Wood’s supervision and direction. When the work was completed it was found to be satisfactory in every particular, both in material and workmanship, and became a model for future work of the kind.

At the close of 1847, 540 miles of line had been erected, 9 offices opened and 33,000 messages transmitted.

In 1851 Sir Hugh Allan, who had early interested himself in the fortunes of the Montreal Telegraph Company, became its President. This office he held uninterruptedly until his death in 1882.

Immediately on assuming office, Sir Hugh Allan, in concert with Mr. Wood, projected important extensions of the lines of the Company, and in a short time the most remote towns and villages were placed in telegraphic connection with the chief business centres of the country.

The Montreal Telegraph Company became one of the leading institutions in Canada. Many companies were started to compete in the same line of business, but in no long time were doomed to failure, as they neither had the skill, the men nor the money to enable them to succeed in opposing their more formidable rival. After placing the Company on a high pedestal of efficiency, and after 18 years of strenuous exertions on its behalf, Mr. O.S. Wood retired from the management in 1865, carrying with him the esteem and respect of the Company and the business community generally.

Mr. James Dakers was then placed in charge of the eastern, and Mr. Dwight of the western section of the Company’s territory.

The advance and prosperity of the Company continued, as the foundation had been well and truly laid by a capable workman.

In 1875 it had in operation 20,000 miles of wire, 1,400 offices and 2,000 employees.

During the preceding year some 2,000,000 messages were transmitted in addition to millions of words in press despatches, and the capital increased to $2,000,000, at which figure it still remains.

In 1881 this splendid old Company was forced by circumstances which confronted them to lease their business to another company.

The names of Sir Hugh Allan, O.S. Wood and James Dakers will always be inseparably associated with the history of the Montreal Telegraph Company.

The first company to compete against the Montreal Telegraph Company was the Grand Trunk Telegraph Company in 1852–3, lines were erected from Buffalo to Quebec, following the lines of the older Company.

After some years of an unprofitable business they sold out lock, stock and barrel to the Montreal Telegraph Company for $11,000.

The next venture was by the Provincial Telegraph Company, the Canadian ally of the United States Telegraph Company, which was then spreading its lines over the United States; but was in 1866 absorbed by the Western Union; this ended the career of the Provincial, and its plant was purchased and transferred to the Montreal Company for a nominal sum.

Some two years later the Dominion Telegraph Company took form with a capital of $700,000. This Company proved the most serious opponent of the Montreal Telegraph Company, but was never a financial success. In 1878 it was leased by the American Union Telegraph Company, an opponent of the Western Union. Both Companies were acquired by the latter Company, which was busily occupied in securing a monopoly of the telegraph business, and succeeded, in a great measure, in accomplishing its object.

The Dominion Telegraph Company was transferred to the Great North Western Telegraph Company of Canada, a subsidiary concern of the American Company in 1881. In the lower provinces a move for telegraphic facilities were made almost concurrent with those of Western Canada.

During 1847–48 the Press Association ran a steamer between Digby, N.S., and Portland, Me., to carry news received by the steamships touching at Halifax, and from thence sent overland by express riders to Digby, 149 miles, and was sometimes accomplished in less than eight hours and a half, or at the rate of 17½ miles an hour, to be despatched from thence by steamer to Portland and telegraphed to New York from there in advance of the Cunard steamers at Boston.

This service was managed with great vigor. The express rider was the great event of the day as he flew past Annapolis, his horse white with foam and the whole population lining the road. A gun was fired to announce his arrival to the captain of the steamer immediately anchors were weighed. Steam raised, the pilot took his place at the wheel and the small boat manned by athletic seamen was sent ashore to receive the bag of the express rider, as at full speed he arrived at the dock.

This process, though full of Éclat and splendidly performed, was expensive, and the Associated Express agents, offered to guarantee the payment of a liberal subsidy to any company who would construct a line of telegraph between Calais, Me., and Halifax, which could be available for press matter. The Nova Scotia Government came to the rescue and erected a line of 125 miles in length from Halifax to Amherst to meet the American and New Brunswick lines. This line was completed on Nov. 9, 1849, and Halifax was for the first time connected telegraphically with New York.

On Oct. 4, 1847, a telegraph company was formed in New Brunswick with $40,000 capital. Lines connecting St. John and intervening points with Calais and Portland were completed Jan. 1, 1849, and connection with the Nova Scotian Government line at Amherst was made.

The lines in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia were acquired by the American Telegraph Company and later by the Western Union Telegraph Company, by whom they are now operated.

In 1847 the British North American Telegraph Company was organized for the purpose of connecting Quebec and the lower provinces by wire, but the wire got no further than River du Loup, where it terminated for a time.

A second company, bearing a similar name, erected a line between Montreal and Quebec; both properties were afterwards transferred to the Montreal Telegraph Company.

In 1849 the Montreal & Troy Company built a line from Montreal to the Canadian frontier, and thence to Whitehall, and Troy, after working independently for a couple years, were purchased by the Montreal Company. In 1850 a line from Bytown (now Ottawa) by a company organized by Joseph Aumond; it also after a few years became the property of the Montreal Company.

In the West about the same period the Hon. Malcolm Cameron interested himself in a telegraph line to connect Hamilton and London, but, after some 18 months of unprofitable labor, was abandoned.

Coming down to a later date the People’s Telegraph Company was organized and a line erected between Montreal and Quebec, which proved a financial failure to the promoters, and served as a warning to others to avoid going into isolated telegraph ventures.

In 1881 the Canada Mutual and the Union Mutual Telegraph Companies worked in conjunction for a short period in the States and Canada; both were eventually absorbed by the Western Union.

The Great North-Western Telegraph Company

This Company was incorporated on May 7, 1880, for the purpose of establishing and working telegraph lines in the Northwest Territory in the district of Keewatin, Manitoba, and to connect with lines in the Province of Ontario.

The capital stock, $400,000 in shares of $100 each, with power to increase the capital from time to time as necessity required, by a resolution of the Directors, with authority to establish, construct, purchase, lease or work lines in the Dominion of Canada by land or water, etc. The head office at the City of Winnipeg.

At a meeting of the Company held on June 10, 1881, Mr. Erastus Wiman was elected President.

At this meeting Mr. Wiman as President was empowered to enter into negotiation with the Montreal, Dominion and Western Union Telegraph Companies as shall harmonize the interest of the several named companies subject to confirmation of the Directors.

Mr. Wiman thus empowered lost no time in effecting his object.

The resolution quoted is amusing. The Western Union owned the Dominion Telegraph Company, or at least controlled it. There was no discord between the Western Union and the Montreal Telegraph Company.

A close and intimate business relationship had been maintained between these companies for years and nothing had arisen hitherto to disturb this good understanding. The Dominion Telegraph Company had been acquired as an asset of the American Union Telegraph Company which had been purchased by the Western Union and was a white elephant on its hands and of which they naturally enough were anxious to get rid of.

It was offered to the Montreal Company, but the offer was not entertained as the wires of the Dominion Company merely paralleled its own, and its own wires were sufficient for its own business at that time. Mr. Wiman, being familiar with the position of affairs, saw a chance for a deal and the future monopoly of the telegraph business of Canada.

He got the refusal of the lease of the Dominion Company and to some extent his plans were approved by the Western Union and of which they were more or less informed. He then made his purpose known to the Directorate of the Montreal Telegraph Company, that they should hand over their business to his company on a 99 years’ lease and a compensation of 8 per cent. per annum on the paid-up capital stock of $2,000,000 would be paid, guaranteed by the Western Union Telegraph Company. The Directors, as a matter of course, were aghast with astonishment at the audacity of the proposal.

A company with a nominal capital, recently formed, with no one of standing in its make up to suggest the idea, was too preposterous. However, Mr. Wiman coolly told them they had better think it over, that unless his terms were accepted his Company, the Dominion and the Western Union, behind them, would go into competition with them for Canadian business. A meeting of shareholders decided, after a stormy and exciting discussion, to accept the terms offered.

The transfer was made on July 1, 1881.

The big fish swallow the smaller usually, but in this case it was the extraordinary feat of a small fish swallowing a bigger one.

When the agreement took effect Mr. James Dakers resigned and was succeeded as Secretary by Mr. D. Ross Ross.

Mr. Dwight was appointed General Manager of the Great North-Western Company and most of the officials and employees of the Montreal Telegraph Company were retained by him. Owing to his able management the Company has been successful in every way; all its obligations have been met with punctuality and regularity.

Mr. Wiman resigned the Presidency some ten years ago and Mr. Dwight succeeded him. In 1902 it had 17,838 miles of line, 35,721 miles of wire, over 2,000 offices and transmitted 2,795,278 messages, not including press despatches.

Recently Mr. Dwight resigned the management and was succeeded by Mr. I. McMichael.

Canadian Pacific Railway Telegraph

In the charter of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company it had power to carry on a commercial telegraph business throughout the Dominion of Canada.

The telegraph lines of this company were constructed concurrently with the railway which was begun in 1880 and completed in 1885.

The following year the company inaugurated the commercial telegraph business and Mr. C.R. Hosmer was appointed General Manager of this branch of the company’s business; this selection was recognized as a fortunate one for the company; no better qualified man could have been found in Canada than he to properly fill this important position. It was no light task he had undertaken, to equip and man the numerous stations as they were opened up for business, covering such a vast extent of territory as well as to enter into competition with a long established telegraph system through the more populous sections in the East. About this time the Postal Telegraph Cable Company was reorganized in the United States, and the Commercial Cable established, and a working arrangement made between these companies and the Canadian Pacific Telegraph for interchange of traffic, which has proven mutually beneficial to each company concerned.

The lines of the Canadian Pacific System traverse from Halifax to Vancouver, including numerous branch lines.

The Postal Telegraph Cable Company cover nearly every state and territory in the United States. A direct connection is made with the Government Cable to Australia at Vancouver and with the Commercial Cable Company at Canso, N.S.

In 1902 the Canadian Pacific Telegraph System had in operation 9,736 miles of line and 41,354 miles of wire, 1,022 offices and transmitted during that year 2,053,000 messages, not including press matter or railway messages.

The Company has two number six copper wires extending from Montreal to Vancouver.

About four years ago Mr. Hosmer resigned; he was succeeded by Mr. James Kent, formerly Superintendent of the Eastern division. Under him there are five divisional Superintendents, namely:—

W. J. Camp is electrician and Joseph Townsley Construction Superintendent. Recently the Company erected on the former site of its Head Offices in Montreal a handsome fire-proof structure of white brick with Ohio stone facings, seven stories in height, combining in its interior every comfort and convenience for the large staff of employees.

The operating room is spacious, well lighted from three sides, and furnished with the latest designs of office fittings and electrical appliances.

The telegraph service of the Company is admirably conducted and doubtless is not the least profitable of the many enterprises in which it has engaged in.

The Government Telegraphs.

It was through the continued and persistent urging of the late Capt. Fortin, member for GaspÉ, that the Dominion Government was at length aroused to the necessity of providing efficient telegraph facilities in the Gulf and the lower St. Lawrence.

The splendid telegraph system, now in operation, forms a fitting monument to his memory and is alike creditable to the Government which created it and carried it out.

During the past twenty years since it was first initiated, there has been erected 5,481 miles of land wire lines, and 225 miles of submarine cables laid.

One line on the north shore from Murray Bay to Belle Isle is over 1,000 miles in length and there are over 200 miles on the Island of Anticosti connecting the various lighthouses. Extensions are constantly being made as necessity arises.

In the Northwest territory 607 miles of line connect Selkirk with Edmonton with intermediate stations and from Ashcroft to Dawson 1,826 miles, from Hazleton to Port Sampson, B.C., 200 miles.

At the end of 1902 there were 222 Government Telegraph Stations, 89,400 messages transmitted and a revenue of $114,266 derived. The expenditure was $208,968. All signal and meteorological messages are sent without charge.

The Government Telegraph System is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works.

Remarks.

The commercial telegraph business of the Dominion is carried on, and has been for many years, by the Great North-Western, the Canadian Pacific and the Western Union Telegraph Companies—the latter in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

The Anglo-American Telegraph Company has the monopoly in Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

The Canadian Government Telegraphs operate in territory where it would not be profitable for commercial telegraph companies to enter. The competing companies each get a fair share of patronage by exercising care and promptitude in handling the business placed in their hands. The Canadian public have every reason to feel satisfied with the telegraphic facilities provided by these companies and can take pride in the fact that no better exists anywhere, or in any country.

The rates are reasonable when the great distances covered are taken into account.

It is gratifying to know that they are doing a thriving business, every year showing better results, all sharing in the universal prosperity felt throughout the country now and for years gone by.

The following sketches of prominent and well-known telegraph men, some of whom are living, and others who have passed away, will be of interest to many Canadian readers.

Preceding these brief portraitures are a few reminiscent tales recalled at random, chiefly Canadian incidents of “days that are gone.”

The Fall of Sebastopol.

I was in the service of the Montreal Telegraph Company at the head office in Montreal. One day the Superintendent summoned me to his presence. He directed me to proceed at once to Sherbrooke as the operator in charge there was very sick and unable to discharge his duties.

I left by the first train and reached my destination the same evening. On arrival I noticed a great crowd of people awaiting the train. Something unusual must have happened surely.

I immediately reported myself to the station master, and was considerably astonished when he seized me by the shoulder, rushed me across the passage to the telegraph office, ordered me to call up Montreal and enquire if the rumored fall of Sebastopol was true. This I did and found the report confirmed. This was on the 20th day of September, 1855. A Cunard steamer arrived at Halifax that afternoon bringing the news which was flashed over the wires by the Associated Press.

Montreal sent a full report, which came in on the old style recording instrument. A newspaper man came in and volunteered to write it down as I read it off the paper reel. Each sheet when finished was read aloud to the crowd outside. The despatch ended and the people dispersed.

Next evening the event was celebrated by illuminations, bonfires, feu de joies, etc. The local militia turned out en masse, headed by Captain Ibbotson, loyal and patriotic songs sung, and universal joy was manifested by all.

At that period the town was largely populated by English railway men and mechanics who had been brought here by the Grand Trunk Railway Company when the road opened up a short time before. There was also a considerable number of retired naval and military veterans in the town and neighborhood, some of whom had fought under Nelson and Wellington. All of these took a keen interest in the fate of the British army in the Crimea, and were naturally overjoyed at the defeat of the enemy and of the victory achieved.

Sebastopol fell on Sept. 8, 1855, and the war was virtually ended.

Montreal, Toronto and every town and village in Canada celebrated the event with the greatest delight, but it is safe to say that nowhere was there more hearty rejoicing than in the capital city of the Eastern Townships on the occasion referred to.

How a Duel was Prevented.

One day during the winter 1856 I received a telegram from Richmond, a station on the Grand Trunk Railway, about 25 miles distant, addressed to the High Constable at Sherbrooke to the effect that a party of gentlemen were on the southbound train with the object of fighting a duel when the American frontier was reached, the party consisting of the principals, seconds and surgeons, and to have the whole party arrested.

Seeing the importance of the message due measures were taken to have it delivered promptly. The minions of the law were duly on hand and secured their prey on the arrival of the train. The party were much surprised, as they had taken every precaution to keep the affair a profound secret and were ignorant as to how the matter had leaked out. All were placed under arrest and escorted to the Magog House. They had come from Quebec. The nature of the quarrel I am unable to say.

They were brought before a magistrate and admitted the object of their journey, when each and severally were released on their own recognances. All promised to abandon their evil intentions and return to the ancient capital forthwith. Having nothing special to interest them for a time they adjourned to the bar-room of that famous hostlery, then carried on by Mr. Cheney, the flowing bowl passed round with the result that a reconcilation was effected, and the rest of the evening spent in harmony and good feeling.

The only one who refused to come to terms of amity was one of the sawbones of the party! He would have none of it.

They departed from Sherbrooke the following day, if not sadder, at least, wiser men.

Reading by Sound.

In the early days of telegraphy I was employed at an important station on the Grand Trunk Railway as commercial and railway operator. One night, after a busy day’s labor, I was preparing to leave when I overheard the office call sounded from the relay, the local battery having been disconnected, as was then the custom when leaving for the night, for economical reasons. I answered the call and ventured to receive the message from the sound of the relay, and in this found no difficulty whatever.

Whilst thus engaged the locomotive foreman stepped in. Singular enough, the communication was for him. He was rather astonished at my receiving a message in this fashion and expressed his surprise. He spoke to others about it, and the affair in time reached the ears of the Railway Telegraph Superintendent, who, thereupon, called me up on the wire and gave me a severe reprimand. A “23” or circular was sent immediately thereafter to the effect that it had come to his knowledge that certain operators were in the habit of reading by sound instead of from the register, with which all stations were provided, and warning all to desist from this dangerous practice. The modern operator will be inclined to smile at this bit of ancient history.

In no very long time, after the custom became general in both railway and commercial telegraphy, the Recording instrument, upon the perfecting of which Professor Morse had spent so much time and labor, was abandoned, and the more convenient method of reading by sound substituted.

A Cheeky Operator.

My predecessor at a certain station on the Grand Trunk Railway vacated his position rather suddenly by reason of the following colloquy, and against whom many and frequent complaints had been made.

On one occasion the General Manager happened to step off the train to interview the station master. Amongst other subjects spoken of was the troublesome operator. He immediately stepped across the passage to have audience with the obnoxious telegrapher.

In a very impressive tone he said, “Young man, I hear a great many complaints against you. You had better be careful or I shall have you discharged.”

The operator not knowing the General Manager from Adam, never having seen him before, looked at him in surprise, and said, “Who in the blank are you, anyway?”

“I am Mr. Bidder. Be careful, sir.”

“I don’t care a blank whether you are Mr. Bidder or Mr. Auctioneer,” turned on his heel and walked away.

It may be explained that, although doing railway telegraph work, he was actually employed by the telegraph company, and believed the railway company had nothing to do with him, in this he was mistaken. This interview more than confirmed the numerous complaints, and the services of the youth were immediately dispensed with.

Mr. S. P. Bidder was the first General Manager of the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada.

All Fools’ Day Incident.

In the year 1855, when the Government of Canada was located at Quebec, a Militia Bill was passed, dividing the militia into active and sedentary, the first to consist of volunteer troops of various grades and classes. Provision was made for dividing the country into military districts, regimental divisions and battalion divisions, with officers for each. This was the first step towards the organization of a regular volunteer force in Canada.

At Sherbrooke there was considerable political wire-pulling on behalf of those who were ambitious of being appointed as officers of the company to be raised at that place. One individual claimed that he was certain of getting command of the new company and ridiculed the idea of any one else having the slightest chance of getting the appointment. This rather nettled one or two who were equally ambitious for the honor, and a conspiracy was entered into to perpetrate a practical joke at his expense.

A certain gentleman called at the telegraph office and requested the favor of a telegraph blank and envelope, explaining the purpose for which they were intended. I hesitated over the matter, but was assured he would be responsible should any trouble arise. I reluctantly consented. The result was a message was concocted as coming from the Militia Department at Quebec to the effect that the Department were pleased to inform the recipient that he had been appointed to the command of the company at Sherbrooke and that his commission for same would be duly forwarded by mail.

The victim was elated over the psuedo despatch and took special pains to show it to those who doubted his success.

One person, to whom he confided the contents to and who was one of the conspirators, doubted its being genuine, remarking, the Militia Department was not likely to inform appointees by telegraph. He thought it a joke, and come to think of it, this was April Fool Day. This led the irate individual to me, when he desired to be informed, when the message was received, handing to me the bogus telegram. I, of course, felt in a very awkward position. I scanned it over for a minute and told him the message had not come through my office. He thereupon went off like a shot in a very dangerous mood.

He wrote the Superintendent enclosing the alleged telegram and threatened an immediate action against the Company for allowing its property to be the medium of such a trick as was the one complained of.

I was in a rather bad fix. I explained the whole matter as it occurred. The instigator of the hoax came to my rescue and assumed all responsibility; the threatened action was not taken and the matter was soon forgotten, but a new rule was embodied in the Company’s instruction book to agents and operators forbidding inside blanks to be allowed to go out of the office under any pretense whatever, except on the business of the Company. This rule is still in force.

The one actually appointed to command the Company was the originator of the joke herein related.

An Angry Frenchman.

One day the hired man of the village curÉ handed me a sealed letter and twenty-five cents, upon receiving which I tore open the envelope in order to count the words in the message before transmission.

I had no sooner done this when an angry cry proceeded from the throat of Jean Baptiste, who held up his hands, and, with a look of terror in his face, told me in broken English that it was not for me, but for the priest at St. Hyacinthe. Had there not been a high counter between us, it might have gone hard with me.

I took in the situation, however, politely begged pardon, I had made a mistake, and put the contents in a fresh envelope, readdressed it and thrust the missive into a box under the counter, the receptacle for the paper from the recording instrument on which messages were received, and then gave the key a few taps, all this being within the purview of the anxious messenger.

I now told him it was all right, the message had gone. He then departed with a smile of satisfaction on his face and a courteous remerci monsieur.

Shortly after I resurrected the message and sent it over the wire in the orthodox fashion. The little trick practiced and the ignorance shown may seem like romancing, but at that date even many well-informed persons on other subjects were quite as ignorant as this simple servant man of the modus operandi of electric telegraphy at that period.

Pirating a Press Despatch.

A certain well-known colonel of militia in Montreal, now deceased, who had been in the telegraph service in his boyhood and an expert operator, told me the story I am about to relate illustrative of primitive telegraph days.

We were swapping old-time telegraph stories when he exchanged the following: He was in the employ of the old British American Telegraph Company. One day, the wires down, which happened too often, unfortunately, Bob having nothing to occupy his time, sauntered over to the vicinity of the Montreal Telegraph Company, on St. Sacrament Street. It was with a feeling of envy he heard the busy ticking of the instruments there when those of his Company were dead as a door nail. He lingered for a moment or two beneath the office window, which was only a few feet above; it was in summer and the windows were all open and he could plainly deciper everything passing over the wire. One item of some importance attracted his attention when the idea struck him he had better take it down. He took his pencil and note-book, copied the item, went back to his office, had it manifolded and distributed to the press. Later on the same was sent out by the other Company, but in a more leisurely fashion; this was refused, on the ground that it was already received over the wires of the British American; this caused much mortification to the older Company to be beaten by their insignificant rival.

Reading by sound of the instrument was not a common occurrence then, and especially on the public highway.

The Montreal Company never became aware of the trick that was played upon them.

The Queen’s Message.

When in August, 1858, the Atlantic cable had been successfully laid, uniting two continents telegraphically, there was universal rejoicing. The Queen sent a congratulatory message to “Her Good Friend,” the President of the United States, to which a suitable reply was returned.

The brevity of the Queen’s message was somewhat disappointing compared with the more lengthy reply of the President, and many unfavorable comments were made in the press and in conversation.

However, it was afterwards learned that only a portion of the communication had been received owing to a temporary interruption of the cable. When at last the completed message came there was no reason for disappointment, and general satisfaction was evinced.

Small pieces of the unused cable of about an inch to two or three inches in length mounted with brass or silver ferrules were sold on the street by speculators from 25 cents to a dollar each. The event was celebrated with great Éclat on both sides of the Atlantic.

Banners were displayed with numerous devices and quotations from Scripture such as, “Their line is gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world,” and from Shakespeare, “I will put a girdle round the earth in forty minutes.”

There were torchlight processions, displays of fireworks, illuminations, etc., etc., together with addresses by distinguished men in honor of the event. I refer more particularly to Ogdensburg, N.Y., where I was then situated as operator and received the Queen’s message over the wire.

The rejoicing unfortunately was somewhat premature.

After working more or less imperfectly for three weeks, the cable gave out completely on the 1st of September after the transmission of 730 messages had been effected.

The cable operator at Heart’s Content, Newfoundland, named De Sauty, sent daily bulletins to the press holding out strong hopes for the restoration of the interrupted communication, but these hopes were not realized. The bulletins ceased and he disappeared and was never heard of again, at least by the public.

It is in allusion to this mysterious individual that Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote the following humorous lines, and in fine satirical vein thought that with a Latin tutor and a professor of chemistry the educated classes would understand it.

De Sauty.

An Electro-Chemical Eclogue.

Professor. Blue Nose.

After a lapse of eight years another cable was laid in 1866 and communication across the Atlantic permanently established, but the mysterious De Sauty never appeared.

Testing the Cable.

In the fall of 1856 the Montreal Telegraph Company laid a subaqueous cable across the St. Lawrence connecting Ogdensburg, N.Y., with its Canadian lines. Everything went well till the breaking up of the ice in the spring, when the American end of the cable was carried away from its moorings.

A man was sent from Montreal to effect the necessary repairs. When he arrived, I, then being in charge of the office there, decided to accompany him and render any assistance I could. A boat was hired to row over to the lighthouse where the cable terminated. The craft engaged was rather frail and shaky, with quite a heavy sea running. The Montreal man got safely seated, clutching the side of the boat with one hand and the testing instrument in the other. It was a cold day in March, a stiff north-wester was blowing. When all was ready the painter was untied, when I jumped, and in doing so lost my balance and went in headforemost. As I bobbed up the heels of my friend were just visible above the water. We succeeded in getting ashore safely, but the testing instrument had gone to the bottom, which we tried to recover, but failed, and the trip for the time was given up.

My companion in this adventure was the late Mr. Bowman, for many years the respected storekeeper for the Montreal Telegraph Company.

In meeting we often reverted to this episode in our telegraph experience and of our involuntary bath in the icy St. Lawrence.

Cutting Down the Liberty Pole.

In 1857 the following amusing incident occurred and will be remembered by some of the older inhabitants of the pretty American city on the south bank of the St. Lawrence where I was then the agent of the Montreal Telegraph Company.

The villagers (it was a village at that period) had made every preparation for the due celebration of Independence Day with more than ordinary care, and all were looking forward to the event with eagerness, especially the more youthful element of the population. The first ceremony observed at sunrise was to raise old glory to the apex of the liberty pole, which stood at the corner of Ford and Water Streets, but, to the amazement of the party to whom this duty was assigned, there was no pole to be seen. On a close examination they found nothing remaining but the stump of the flag-staff. The question was: Who were the ruffians that dared to perpetuate the outrage? None other surely that some scoundrels from the opposite side of the river. In this surmise they were not far from the truth. After indulging in language more forcible than elegant, like practical Americans, they set to work, erected a temporary flag-staff and the ceremonies of the day were carried out without further incident. It was discovered to be a case of lex talionis on the part of some young men from Prescott who rowed across the river during the night and performed this piece of vandalism in revenge for a foray made by some young fellows from Ogdensburg on the previous 24th of May (the Queen’s Birthday), when they removed the British flag flying on the old Windmill at Prescott, and substituted the Stars and Stripes. When this fact became known the Ogdensburg people had to acknowledge it was a case of tit for tat and served them right.

Fortunately these youthful pranks were condemned by all right thinking people on both sides of the border and were not repeated.

The Burns Centenary.

On the 25th day of January, 1859, the birthday centenary of Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, was enthusiastically commemorated by his admirers on both sides of the Atlantic, and, in fact, everywhere throughout the Globe where Scotchmen were to the fore.

It was generally observed in the form of a banquet at which eminent literary and public men were the speakers who paid glowing tributes to the merits and genius of the peasant poet. Many of these addresses are still preserved.

In the town of Brockville, where I was located, a musical and literary entertainment was held in the Metropolitan Hall, the chairman being the Hon. James Morris. It was well attended by the leading people of the town. During the progress of the entertainment telegraphic congratulatory messages were interchanged between the chairmen of the different meetings then being held in Canada, and the United States, generally couched in lines and phrases from the poet’s works. The chairman gave an eloquent address; other speakers also contributed and the musical programme was excellent, but one gentleman had prepared with much care a paper on the Life and Character of Burns, which was admitted to be the gem of the evening by all who heard it, but unfortunately very few did.

The person referred to was a well-known M.D. who was afflicted with deafness; he spoke in a very low tone of voice, like many who suffer from a similar infirmity. The paper was long, the night was getting late; before he was through, the audience showed signs of weariness, which the chairman noticed, when he rose and begged the Doctor to kindly curtail his paper as the night was advancing and he had several other items on the programme but the chairman’s request was unheard and unconsciously ignored. The audience had to patiently endure the martyrdom to the end, a few meanwhile retiring in disgust.

When the end did come the people were so delighted at being relieved of the infliction that he was generously applauded, when with an amiable smile, and bowing right and left in acknowledgment, resumed his seat in happy ignorance that he had been a very tiresome bore indeed.

The Prince of Wales at Brockville.

When in August, 1860, H.R.H. The Prince of Wales (now King Edward) and party had arranged to visit Brockville, the event was looked forward to with every manifestation of delight, and arrangements made to give them a hearty reception.

The route of the Royal party was from Ottawa, where a visit had been made, and recently named the capital city of Canada by Queen Victoria; there they embarked, sailing up the Ottawa River to Arnprior and thence by carriages to Almonte, and there entrained for Brockville. All the villages and hamlets passed were prettily decorated for the occasion, here and there evergreen arches were erected where the loyal denizens assembled and heartily cheered his Royal Highness in passing.

Brockville was reached about nine p.m. The Royal party was received by the Mayor, Warden of Leeds and Grenville and other officials. Addresses were presented and replied to by H.R.H. Carriages were in waiting to convey them to the steamer at the dock, by which they were to leave at daybreak for Kingston.

The Royal party were escorted from the railway station to the steamboat wharf by a guard of honour, followed by a procession of firemen and citizens carrying torches. All the buildings on the way were brightly illuminated, the church bells merrily ringing with a fine display of fireworks and the loud ovation of the people made it a memorable scene.

Instead of departing at daybreak, as had been arranged, it was about three in the afternoon before the steamer left. The detention was caused by difficulties which had arisen at Kingston. The Orange body there had erected an arch decorated with emblems of the order and which the Royal party would necessarily have to pass under. An address by the Orangemen was to be presented, to which the Duke of Newcastle was unable to assent. While the settlement of this was being arranged by telegraph wire, the Mayor, accompanied by many prominent citizens, waited on the Duke and invited the Royal party to a drive through the town, which was graciously accepted, thus giving the people an opportunity of seeing H.R.H. to better advantage. In appearance he was of medium height, pale complexion, modest in demeanor and dignified in manner.

He wore a tall white hat, a dark morning coat, light tweed trousers, patent leather boots and light tan coloured gloves. He bowed in acknowledgment to the cheers which greeted him and seemed to enjoy the drive.

It was said the Duke remarked he was not sorry at the detention as it had given the party the pleasure of seeing the pretty town by daylight. There was a large entourage of pressmen reporting the Royal progress; one American correspondent when writing up his report asked me among other questions how many people were in the torchlight procession. I told him 500, that being the number of torches purchased by the town council. Oh! he said, I’ll make it 5,000, and sure enough he did and I sent this over the wire.

The whole population, men, women and children, at that period was a trifle over 4,000. This man afterwards became a famous correspondent during the American Civil War.

The fearful and wonderful reports received from the seat of war as to the extraordinary numbers of killed, wounded and captured, especially during the early stages of the trouble were something incredible; the experience narrated showed the need of a large discount being made.

The carriage the Prince of Wales drove through Brockville, and owned by a private gentlemen until his death, is now, or was until lately, doing duty as a public conveyance.

Should this meet the eye of some wealthy American, it might be a good thing for the cabby.

The Trent Affair.

It was on November 8, 1861, that Admiral Wilkes, in command of the United States frigate San Jacinto intercepted the British R.M. Steamer Trent on her way from the West Indies to England and forcibly removed therefrom the two confederate States Commissioners Mason and Slidell. When the outrage became known there was a universal burst of indignation felt at the affront in Great Britain and all the British possessions. Every one believed that unless the men were given up and the act disavowed war between the two countries was inevitable. A large military contingent was despatched from England on the Steamship Persia which arrived at Rimouski on Christmas day, Dec. 25, 1861. A Queen’s messenger was sent to Washington bearing an ultimatum from the British Government demanding that the men be at once released.

The American Government were in a dilemma. Several members of the Cabinet were in favor of resisting this demand, but President Lincoln, with his characteristic common sense said “One war at a time, gentlemen, one war at a time,” and the commissioners were surrendered and transferred to a British man-of-war at New York on January 1st, 1862, and amende honorable made. While the negotiations between the American and British Governments were in progress, the government and people of Canada were watching the trend of events with the keenest interest, and preparations were made for possible eventualities, flank companies at the respective military districts were ordered to prepare for active service.

When this order came by telegraph to the colonel of Brockville District, I delivered it personally and took occasion to inform him that if he would give me a commission in the company going on active service I was prepared to join at a moment’s notice. This request pleased the veteran (he was out in the rebellion) giving me a hearty grip. “You’re the right sort. I accept your services and shall have a commission for you within a week.”

A few days after I was much gratified when I received a large envelope containing my promised commission, the same being initialled by the Hon. James Morris, the speaker of the Legislative Council and resident of Brockville; a short time thereafter while visiting his home he entered the telegraph office to send a message. I took this opportunity of thanking him for the commission he sent me. He glared at me for a second or two and said, “The commission is not for you; it is for John Murray the butcher.” “Oh! indeed, I beg pardon. I was under the impression it was for J.M.—— gentleman.” I did not get this off in a resentful mood; it was merely repeating the language of the document. Of course I handed it over to my namesake, the rightful owner, a very respectable man of the town, when my military ambitions came to an end.

The services of the flank companies were not required after the causes belle had been removed and Canada once more resumed her usual peace footing.

The Old Soldier and the Parson.

About forty odd years ago when I was acting in the capacity of telegraph, express and steamship agent at Brockville, the following incident happened, which may be worth recalling: One day an old gentleman entered the office and desired me to furnish a steamship ticket to Liverpool. He informed me he was on his way to revisit his native land which he had not seen for many years. He was in the army previous to settling in one of the back townships. Although well on in years he looked hale and hearty, straight as an arrow and a remarkably handsome old fellow.

After completing his purchase and about to depart, he observed a pair of Fairbanks scales and requested me to weigh him, as he would like to see whether he lost or gained on the voyage. Whilst occupied in this, another old gentleman walked in attentively watching the operation; he also requested me to do a similar favor for him. He proved very much lighter and somewhat disappointed, and remarked: “Well, you are heavier than I, but I think I can beat you in length of years.” “How old are you?” brusquely querried the old soldier. “I am 84,” looking triumphantly at his questioner. “My young friend I am 85. I am heavier than you, older than you and (whispering in his ear) can look at the girls yet!”

Singular enough, the name of the latter was Mr. Young, the former the Rev. Wm. Smart, a well-known and respected clergyman, whose chief weakness was a certain vanity in his length of years, coupled with activity and good health on which he greatly prided himself. He was therefore, considerably humiliated at being thus so badly taken down and his dignity ruffled by the above remark.

The Fenian Scare.

When in the summer of 1866 the Fenians invaded Canada and encountered the Canadian militia at Ridgeway, considerable alarm was felt all along the frontier. Cornwall, Prescott, Brockville and Kingston were strengthened with bodies of militia as being probable points of invasion.

For a time the Government took possession of the telegraph lines until all danger had passed.

Telegraph offices were kept open day and night by orders from Ottawa; this continued in force for several weeks. I was then at Brockville and found the long hours very irksome. No one believed in the likelihood of an attack here, but one night this belief was rather disturbed when a communication was received by the officer in command warning him to be on the alert as a body of Fenians had seized a steamer at Clayton, on the American side of the river, with the probability of attacking Brockville or Prescott.

Very soon the sound of the bugle was heard and the men formed in readiness to meet the enemy. They had been drilling for several weeks and were in splendid fighting trim, and under the command of an experienced officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Atcherley, D.A.G., who had seen service in the Crimea and India, in whom officers and men had the utmost confidence. A home guard was hastily organized to watch the river front and give timely notice should any suspicious craft appear. During the prevailing excitement some one rang the town alarm bell, when the citizens were aroused from their beds, and the streets were soon crowded with men, women and children eager to learn what was the cause of the alarm. Many amusing scenes were witnessed. A few timid souls procured teams, loaded them with household effects, and with their families started for safer quarters in the back country. Many old veterans of the Canadian rebellion were seen carrying weapons of defense, but appeared more likely to be offensive only to themselves.

One aged gentleman carried a sword with a rope in lieu of belt and minus the scabbard; he refused to waste time looking for such appendages at such a time; the naked sword was good enough for him. The night was dark and ominous; every one awaited coming events with anxiety and more or less nervousness, and dawn began to appear, but no signs of the enemy. Meanwhile some of the home guard got tired waiting for the Fenians, who declined to come, and they one by one segregated to enjoy the comforts of their own firesides or seek repose on their downy beds at home. In this action the officer commanding the home guard preceded his men and was the first to retire, but one of their number a sturdy Scot, having been placed on an eminence favorable to scan the movements of the craft on the river, he held on to his post, however. His family hunted him up and had much difficulty on prevailing upon him to come home.

The only fatality that occurred was the death of an old lady, who, nearing the end, collapsed suddenly when hearing the alarm bell and told the reason for its being rung.

Shortly after the Fenian fiasco became a thing of the past.

Professor Morse’s Valedictory Message.

In 1870, when Mr. Morse had entered his eightieth year, it was felt by many telegraph men that some fitting recognition should be paid to the illustrious inventor before the close of his valuable life, which was now nearing the end.

In accordance with this general feeling action was taken and a committee formed, when after much thought had been given to the subject, it was at last decided the most appropriate memorial in its opinion would be to erect a statue and place it in Central Park, New York. This suggestion had the general approval of the telegraph fraternity. To carry this out subscriptions were invited; one of the first to contribute to the fund was Mr. John Horn, of Montreal, then in New York, and to complete the sum required Sir Hugh Allan was appealed to and promptly sent the desired amount.

The ceremony of unveiling the statue took place on June 10, 1871. Representative telegraph men from every State and territory, as well as the Dominion of Canada, were present, including many civic and State officials, and addresses were delivered by Governor Hoffman, Mayor Hall, the venerable poet, William Cullen Bryant and others.

In the evening a public reception of the delegates was held at the Academy of Music, which was filled to overflowing, the Hon. William Orton, President of the Western Union, presiding, by whom the delegates were cordially welcomed. On the platform was a table and a set of telegraph instruments connected with the main office of the Western Union Company. Punctually at 9 p.m., as previously arranged, Professor Morse, who was present, indited the following valedictory:

“Greeting and thanks to the telegraph fraternity throughout the world. Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good-will to men.”

S.F.B. Morse.

The message was sent over the wires by a young lady operator and Mr. Morse transmitted the signature.

The writer was at Brockville, Ont., at the time and received this now historic message simultaneously with hundreds, perhaps thousands of others.

Mr. Morse did not long survive this dramatic event. It was his last public appearance but one previous to his death.