The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-07-04
"Ox.Team Telegraphs.''

We appreciate the kindly spirit Of the wri-
ter Of the following letter, but he forgot to
state when our telegram was received by
him. It left AbbevIlle little after three
O'Clock, and we are still at O loss to know
why 1t takes so long to get an answer from
Lowndesville. II 1t Is impossible to receive
an answer to a telegram from Lowndesville
in less than five hours. then the public should
be put on their guard, and the telegraph
company should not take our money for ser.
vice which the operators know they cannot
perform In due time.
LowNDEsvILLE, S. c., June 2s, 1855.
Editor Press and Banner:
This is indeed, a red-hot Summer, even for
the least OF those holding public offices.
Experts" reformers. and chronic grumblers,
editorial. headed the "Ox Team Telegraph" }"
of last week, you make grave and unjust
charges, against the telegraph system now ex-
listing between this point and Abbeyile-ex-
named place-Abbevllle. AS the editorial in
question, involes myself and other operators
Of the Up. r. & W. c. Telegraph Line" we
presume you will do us Justice to publish our
caused so much anxiety and trouble. We be-
lieve that we can prove that the company
employs efficient operators" and that they
do not conduct business on principle by
Editors" !" and other customers, without rem
dering valid service" We presume Mr.. Edi-
tor, that you have system in your Office, and
we must insist, that all telegraph lines have
their peculiar systems, and so has the
Lowndesville telegraph office. Perhaps 1t
does not suit our county journals, but MIR:
Editor you would not insist on even the rapid
transit OF messages, by "ox teams II the oxen
were required to do duty night and day, and
ut an outcome OF probably two dollars a
month to be divided among the stockholders.
drivers, etc. You see, Dir. Editor, we do not
favor this new substitute OF yours for carry
Ing telesraphic communications. Mr.. Baker
saw me on the streets here on the evening Of
the 25th when all the offices were closed fol-
the night. ! plainly told Mr.. Baker that the
message could not be sent, that night as all
The offices had been closed ono hour previous
but TO fully satisfy him, that was not afraid
OF duty. went 10 my office and oy accident
found our (relay office) Mccormick open.
sent the message, and requested that II be for
wnrded II possible. The operator there is an
accommodating and proficient EN- ployee. and
informs me that he remained in his Office
two hours, hoping that some one might come
into the Augusta office to receive the mes
sage, but without success.
Now, Mr.. Editor, you see we were on duty g.
hours after VIC had been dismissed, trying 10
accommodate belated editor who got into a
hurry when 1t was too late, and for our three
hours night watch for the editor, we are
ON "ox team.' Our office hours from 4. NJ
to8 p. NJ. are sufficient, If the public would
only send their messages during business
hours.
You say the distance by wire is about sixty
miles, when it Is nearly four times that dis
tance, and six operators must take and re
send the message, 10 the next relay office
Abbeville kilograms 90 through the following
offices, viz: Mccormick, Augusta, Columb bio
and Hodges. The message in question was
sent as quickly as possible under the circum
stances and Mr.. Baker is alone responsible as
he did not bring it to this Office in time to get
our connections before offices were closed
In conclusion, we wish to say that we dom
usually get such a reward as you have given
.ls, for three hours of good work, just for ac
.commodation sake. "Ox team" messages So
Sicted.
Respectfully,
J. EDWARD FOX,