The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-03

Mr.. Joseph W. Hates, superintendent OF
the First southern district OF the Western
Union Telegraph Company, and agent for
the Gold and Stock Telegraph Company.
and Mr.. II. NJ. j. Paynter, manager OF the
Western Union Telegraph Company's
Office here, have resigned their positions in
order to give their entire attention to the
conduct OF their electrical supply business.
Both OF these gentlemen are so well
known and so popular In Richmond that a
brief sketch OF their labors in the telegraph
world will be very apt to find many read
ers.
Mr.. Hates Is q native OF Wilmington.
Del, and has been in the telegraph busi-
ness for nearly thirty years. He came to
Virginia in 1853 and took charge OF the old
Washington Line to New Orleans i'm Pc
tersburg. In 1859 he came to Richmond,
and in 1860 was sent to Alexandra, where
he remained until that city was evacuated
by the Confederate soldiers. He fell
back with the army to Manassas.
when he was placed in charge OF the only
telegraph office there, having for his help
but one assistant. 1t was his hand that
wired the stirring order to General Joseph
Johnston at Strasburg asking his advance
to Beauregard's assistance at Manassas.
IL took Mr.. Hates two hours to send this
message, the wire being very bad. He
had charge here OF the military, commercial,
and railroad telegrnphing, and was taxed
to his utmost to attend the numberless
calls made upon him.
From Manassas he was sent to Column
bus, Ky, and was subject TO the orders OF
General Leonidas Polk i'm the Kentucky
campaign. lie Joined General Beauregard
on the evacuation OF Kentucky, and took
charge Of the telegraph Office ut Humboldt,
Tenn, and Corinth. Miss. lie flashed the
news OF the death OF Albert Sidney John
ston and the result OF the battle OF COrinth to
the Confederate authorities at Richmond,
and received the orders Of President Davis
in relation thereto. The remainder OF the
campaign he was attached to Beauregard' :
headquarters, and was severely wounded
while taking down Il telegraph line by or
der OF Beaurcgard. This caused his re-
turn to Virginia, and upon his recovery he
was ordered to Charleston, S. c., where he
was placed in charge OF the Confederate
military telegraph around Charleston hal'-
Dor, the greater portion OF which line he
built.
In keeping up communication between
Fort Johnston and Fort Sumter Mr.. kate-
distinguished himself. The cable had been
cut by shell, and one night, while the
lights from the enemy's battery were glar-
ing directly upon the fort, Mr.. Hates went
out in boat and reGstablished the cOnnec.
ton without being hurt. He was engaged
in this work from dark until nearly day.
break.
Since the war Mr.. Hates has been super
intendent OF the First southern district OF
the Western Union Telegraph Company
and agent for the Sold and Stock Telegraph
Company, with headquarters in Richmond
and Lynchburg. This district is one OF
the largest in the United States. 1t eX
tends south to Atlanta, southwest to Chat
tanooga, and takes in part OF West Nir
ginia, and has 5000 miles OF poles, 1900
miles OF wire, and nearly $50 offices.
Mr.. X. VI. j. Paynter, who resigns will
Mr.. Hates, is IN Englishman by birth, but
lived short time in Wilmington, Del
He came to Virginia about the time that
Mr.. Hates did, and has always shown ;
fondness and aptness for electricity. II
was under his auspices that the present
fire-alarm and police telegraph was built
and much OF the valuable service Of thi,
effective line is due to his efforts. lie is ;
first-cIass electrician and valuable tele
graph man.
MIR. :. MEG. Fisher, chief clerk to Mr.
Hates, has also resigned, and has accepted
a clerkship with the Virginia Fire and Ma
rine Association. His place has been TEN
porarily filed by Mr.. George II. Pace.
Mr. Kates. has been succeeded by Mr.. j
B. Tree, recently in charge OF the Nashville
district. Mr.. Tree is said to be a flrst-rat'
official, and will worthily fill his prcdeccs
sor's place.