Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-02-15
Trying the Telephone.
BALTIMORE, February II. 1877

BALTIMORE, February IL, 1873.
Dear Sentinel Among the many things 10
which this progressive ageis interested, there
looms up into quite conspicuous view the tele-
phone and as such things, and their names
even, convey TO us country folk a ra her vague
idea, long after they have become practically
familiar to the Inhabitants Of the large cities,
and as we have had an excellent opportunity
for observation Of the subject here we think
possibly some account of the same may not
prove undressing to the readers of your
popular journal. The telephone is a scientific
device for communicating messages, and is de-
signed in the present state of its progress to
supercede for short distances the more tedious
and uncertain mode of communication by TEL
graph, which purpose it promises TO answer
to IA degree most wonderful and astonishing
Calling this morning al the Office of Major
Peer, Of the Bay Line Transportation Co.,
.Union Dock, our attention was drawn by the
genial and intelligent Mr.. R. b Cooke, Chief
of Major Poors office, to the telephone appa-
ratus connecting the main office with their
branch offices in other parts of the city. The
visible apparatus consists OF two highly fin
ished black walnut cases, one about l8 inches
long, wide and thick, the other 8 inches
long, placed in perpendicular position
against the wall ard close together, with the
The case to the left has q tube, such as are
used with ordinary speaking trumpet, to which
the wire for conveying the sound from the lips
is connected tie one at the right and being
furnished with medium resembling nicely
finished ch sel handle, for instance which is
is hung by flexible wire, the wire OF commu-
nication and which is held br the haad 10 the
ear. This case being furnished with small
galvanic battery for the purpose Of calling the
attention of the distant object of communica-
tion The person desiring to convey a mes
age has simply to charge the wire by rapidly
turning small crank which is connected with
the battery, and this conveys the shock to
small alarm gong on one of the duplicate
cases at the opposite end of the wire, thus
opening communication. And now the per-
son desiring to speak is warned by his own
gong that every thing is ready, and then in
distinct, perfectly arliculate manner, expressed
in the ordinary tone, be conveys the message,
which is received in exactly the same manner
and in the same time as if the persons were
side by side as in ordinary conversation.
The points Of communication were Union
Dock aud No. 8, South street, distance of
quite three quarters of a mile. At Cookies
suggestion we placed the medium to the ear.
He then requested the opposite party TO send
man down to the dock TO look after one of
tne wires Wnlcn ne salu was nttle out OF
order. Now it is true that this isa wonderful
age, but it is impossible to describe the won
derful effect upon our mind, caused by the
immediate response to the message, which
came in a clear and distinct tone, saying 81
will send man down, but be sure to have
some one 10 meet him, in the event of yonr
absence when he calls" II affords your cor
respondent pleasure to mention Mr. Cookies
kindness in offering every facility for ohserv-
ing the operation of this wonderful machine.
The sound though perfectly audible 10 the
immediate ear is not heard by one standing in
direct proximity.