The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1871-06-17
From the Corirne Reporter. June 1871
Professor. NIcr.

| From the Corirue Reporter. June ISL
Professor Morse.
On last Saturday, n broLze statue was I'M
yelled in Central Park, New York CITY in
honor of Professor Morse, the inventor of tel
! egraphing. She statue was east ut the Ma
| tonal Art Foundry, in accordance with a de-
| sigh by Pickles, and the cost Of the work was
$1,000, contributed chiefly by operators in
this cououy. It would be wasting words to
say that their money is we'll invested. A glance
! at the life and invention Of the venerable man
must be of interest at this tiure.
Samuel Finley Breeze Morse was born in
Charlestown, Mass, April %, 1871. and was
the son of Rev. Jedediah Morse, a noted divine
a the Congregational Church. The subject of
tins sketch went to school first at Andover
when seven years Of age, but at fourteen en-.
tered Yale College, from which he graduated
In 1910. His early destinations led him to be-
come an artist, and he went to England where
he studied painting under Washington Allston
lie subquently pursued the art for many wears
travelled much in Europe and acquired con.
siderable distinction for his portraits and his
torical pieces. The National Academy of De-
sign was founded by Prof. Morse, and he was
Its first PTesident.
But he was designed for greater things and
a more permanent fame. When in college,
Morse showed some interest in scientific mat
tiers, and afterwards, while Professor Of Art, he
gave considerable attention to the subject Of
electro-magnetism; but his investigations in
this direction did not interfere with his profess
sSoD. He bad already devoted seventeen years
TO d. and when, In 1882, he embarked on his
second voyage home after three years study
abroad he felt that his future success AS an
artist in his native country was assured. But
1t was on this very voyage that the whole cur
rent OF bis hfe and thoughts became changed.
1t happened that one day in October, at the
midday meal on board the ship lthe ''Sully')
the conversation turned on the then recent dis
cOverles in INSTRUMENTATION. One of the
Passengers, III explaining certain experiments
that had been made, stated that electricity
could pass instantaneously over any known
length OF wire. Morse. deeply interested, then
remarked. This being 80, / see no reason
why intelligence might not be transmitted in
simultaneously by electricity" The conversa-
ton was not diverted by this remark, but the
idea took deep root in the artists mind. He
pondered over II ON deck and in his berth
drew diagrams in his sketch book of signs and
devices tor regulating the passage OF cleo
triclty, and became so entirely absorbed in the
whole subject, that before the voyage WAS over
he had completed the general plan of his in
vention. and had become firmly convinced of
its ultimate success. After reaching the Uni
ted States Aorse opened studio, but devo-
ted his spare time to developing and expert
menting upon his discovery. After much dis
enlargement and great difficulties, his meane
being limited, he satisfied himself in 1895 Of
the merits Of the invention, and in 1887 dem
onstrated its prscticabilty to hundreds Of per-
sons at she University building, the whole ap-
paratus, except clock, having been made by
himself. With the wires stretched around his
room, he sent messages for the wondering
spectators, and exhibited for the first time in
miniature, What subsequently was to be real
lied on vast scale all over the world.
The SeSt step was TO have the invention in
trnfiTlpp1 and a1npiaI for ,,,hlio
and his friends brought the subject before Con-
gress, but it would require volumes to describe
the doubts, discouragements, DELAYS, and even
ridicule he experienced in his endeavors TO in
duce the National Legislature to appropriate n
sum Of money foT an experimental telegraph
line. The Congress Of 1888 failed to help
him, ard he accordingly went to England and
France with his invention, bnt TO no purpose
Disheartened but still inspired with the Rrea,
idea Of his inveniion. he again besieged Con
eress in lS43, and sTiumphsd. Nothing ia more
int aresting than the account of his experience
in the 6nal attempt. He had despaired of sue.
cess us tho last day of the session arrived and
WAS preparing to leave the city, When nj mid
night word was brought to him that his t.le-
graph bill had passed.. This was the dawn he
had long been waiting for. In tho following
year the first telegraph line vas established be.
tween Washington and Baltimo-e, and tho first
message, "Whnt hath God wrought" was
flashed from one city to the other.
Phus was tho telegraph invented and astab-
lshed by the genius, faith and patience Of our
cosntryman. How truly in his case are the
words Of Sidney Smith verified, that "IIe is
not the true inventor who first says tho thing
merely, but ho who calls 30 long, 30 loud so
slearly that he conpels tho attention Of man
kindF' Did apnee permit, II would DO n pleas
ure TO mention the distinguished honors con-
terred on Mr.. Morse by she crowned heads OF
Europe for his valuable invention. and more
over 10 speak at the great esteem in which lac
Christian character, There Is also IN interest-
ng history eonneoted with the atteApt OF other
persons TO West ffoR him his undoubte6 and
proven claim Of being The original inventor of |
he present recording telegraph; bat these sup !
Elementary facts must DO sough, In moVe ex-
ended Biographies Of Mr.. Morse.