Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-02-25
HISTORY OF THE ELECTRIC


Is owned in the United States,
1T was Franklin's hand that caught the horse
It was harnessed BY Professor Morse
The New York Herald of January 29th
contains a map which gives in a con-
densed form g the present condition of the
Telegraphic enterprise in North Amer
ica,' accompanied by a history of the
rise and progress of Morse's Telegraph
IN the United States, from which we
gather the following interesting facts -
" Sixteen years since, lin Octobe7, 1882
Professor Morse was returning from Eu-
rope on board the packet ship Sully, and
while in conversation with some gentle
men upon scientific subjects, the expert
ment of DR.. Franklin ON the Schuylkill
river, 70 test the velocity of Electricity,
was alluded TO. The thought at once
occurred to Professor Morse, that if cleo
tricity travelled a distance OF three miles
instantaneously, and could be made visI-
bic in any desired part Of its course, a
system of signs might be devised, by which
intelligence might be sent, and before the
close of the voyage, the invention thus
conceived had assumed substantially the
character which marks it at the present
day; tor, says the Herald, cit is cir
cumstance to be noted in M0rse's inven-
ton, that it was conceived in all its es-
sential characteristics, as he has person.
ally informed Us, in the first half hour
after the thought had occurred. 4 spe-
cics of type was made during the first
week after his arrival in New GoTk, for
recording at a distance upon paper signs
of intelligence, but in consequence OF
very limited means, and the pressure OF
professional duties, he did not construct
his instrument complete until several
wears after. This was done. however, IN
the latter part Of the year 1889, N the
New York City University; and carly 10
the year 1897, and frequently during the
summer and autumn of that year, lis oP-
Grafton was Witnessed by thousands IN our
community, who are living witnesses to
the fact.
"These undeniable facts prove neon
testiblv that the American telegraph holds
nrccedencc in time to all others. vi us
superioritv, every day is furnishing evI-
donco. both at home and abroad. Let the
daily work which it performs testify
While the telegraphing Of the Queen $
speech, Of 200 words, in two and nan
bonrs after much rehearsing and labor
ions abbreviation, is blazonod throughout
BRITAIN as a most marvellous feat, the
skiIful operators of the American te!e-
oranh in the United States are in the dali
" habit of transmitting four times the a
,,,ount in the same time The Governors
message from Albany, consisting OF 50Oo
words. was sent to this paper in two and
\ half hours, making the difference as
5000 TO 700 in favor of the Morse sys-
TEN.
The great Southern Alnntic line from
New-York to New Orleans is 1920 miles
in length.
The Northwestern line, from Newly ok
70 RuaaIo, and from Buffalo TO Montreal,
n Canada, by the north shore Of Lake
Ontario. is 1920 miles IN length FROM
Montreal TO Quebec $50 miles; the New
York and Boston line 237 from PhIla-
doInbia to ST. Louis, soc; from Buffalo to
Milwaukee 700; from New Orleans TO
baltimore, 1850, with numerous other
routes, in operation or IN progress OF eX-
tension. making an aggre gate Of lO.e0o
miles.
The total number of stations. or Offices
on the routes already finished, amount to
l55. each giving employment to three
persons,
The following are The characters used
in connection with this wonderful ma
chine. To give our readers some idea OF
the amount ofintelligenco communicated
thereby. we may add, that during the
first week in january, the New-lork
Herald. received from various sources
lmaking an aggregate distance OF 5000
miles) $4,000 words, or sufficient for o
yer is columns closely printed matter IN
that paper.
b c D E G
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