Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-12-18

T0E PACfPtC TEEU0UAtHs
a. sAs lsss Was Carried Across the
(froa ~ RochstesN. ~ Union, Dec. .
Oh Thanksgiving Day-the 9TH
49, ,,nrtv ri the vorkmen IN.

ulee-A Io&Re lily " snS
paoed in constructing the Pacific Tele-
graph from the western borders TO Salt
Lake City, under the direction Of Mr..
Cieipbton, arrived at Omaha on their
return. Among them was Samuel L.
Starr, of this city, who reached home on
Thursday last. Mr.. Starr was engaged
in the practical work Of construction in
the different branches, and he gives an
Interesting account Of the manner N
which the enterprise was conducted.
The line had been constructed previous
to July last as far west AS Julesbnrgh,
which is on the Platte river, 500 miles
east Of Denver. From that point to
Fort Bridger, about 700 miles, the line
was constructed by the party Of which
Mr.. Starr was one. Mr.. Creighton had
from seyenty-five to eighty men EN-.
ployed, and they divided into three
trains. The men of one train dug the
holes, those OF another cut down the
poles and vt them, and the third put
up the wire. In the three trains there
were about seventy five wagons and
scuen hundred cattle, including few
mich cows, to furnish milk for the men.
The wagons contained from thirty-five
to forty-five hundred pounds each
cons istlng Of wire, insulators, tools,
camp equipsge and provisions. The
trains were said to be the best that ever
started over the plains-the cattle being
excellent, the wagons good, aud all that
pertained to the comfort Of the men was
in keeping with the rest. Good tents
we're provided; also cooking stoves and
all the necessary utensils for providing
meals, and, what was quite in keeping
with these the best food that could be
conveyed over the plains and noun
tains.
The first pole was set on the 4th OF
July at Julesbnrg, and the last on this
section at Fort Bridger, about one hun
dred miles this side Of Salt Lake City,o
the 18th of Oct. The diggers' train
went ahead, and got along at the rate Of
about twelve miles per day, digging
twenty four holes for each mile. The
train which put up the poles made only
about ten miles per day, and was abou,
one hundred and fifty behind the dig.
gers when the latter reached the end
of the route. On the plains the digging
was easy, and the work went rapidly on;
in tho mountains it was slow, owing to
the rocky soil.
The poles were selected, cut, strip.
ped of bark by the men, and were then
drawn out by the cattle and distributed
along the line. In some localities excel
lent timber was found in great abnn.
dance, hard pine being most plenty,tho'
some cedar was obtained. Dead or dry
pines we're often found in large quanti-
ties, some of which would make three
poles each OF suitable size. In some To-
calties the poles had to be cut in the
mountains, and hauled over one hmm.
dred miles. Each pole is twenty feet
in length, and is buried four feet in the
ground. Through the Rocky Mountain
Pass, where the line runs, there are points
where the snow is known to cover the
ground to the depth Of eleven feet.
The line is well put up, and is as sub
stantial as such line can be. 1t has a
single wire, not exposed to damage by
the falling of trees, as care was taken to
avoid everything ofthat kind.
The route adopted was mainly along
the road across the plains and through
the mountains. To shorten distances,
where the road ran in serpentine form,
the telegraph takes direct line, follow
ing the general course of the road. The
track pursued by the western trains
over the plains is very crooked, often
made so by cattle dying in the path.
When an animal falls its carcass is sell.
dom removed from the track-except as
the wolves carry it away piecemeal-and
trains which follow turn out to avoid it
thus making a crooked track, for the
bones of thousands of animals lie bleach.
ing along the great paths that lead from
Missouri to the Pacific.
The constructors of this telegraph
line met with no hostile Indians, though
they saw many of the natives along the
way, and sometimes suffered by their
thieving depredations. The Indian agen,
at Deer Creek, G5 miles above Fl. Lar
annie, told Mr.. Starr that one of the
Sioux chiefs conversed with him about
the telegraph project before the poles
we're set. and said that he understood
that the poles were to be set sixteen feet
high, and then strung with wires closely
from top to bottom. As this would
make wire fence, all the buffaloes and
other game would be kept from coming
down to the south. He looked upon
the project with disfavor, but when he
understood that there was to be but one
wire, and that sixteen feet above the
ground, he was quito relieved Of his
fears, and appeared to be satisfied
Speaking of the manner in which the
animals regard the telegraph, Mr.. Starr
says the antelopes were timid and dis
trustful. Herds of them crossing the
plains, would stop when they came tc
the telegraph, and cautiously examine
the poles, before venturing to pass be.
tween them.
The stations OF the telegraph opera.
tors are chiefly at the stations of the
mail company, from fifty to one hundred
miles apart. There are usually two 0,
three persons at each station, taking
care of the mules Of the stage company
and these are all the society the operator
has. The work Of repairing the line
must, for the present at least, be per.