Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1889-08-16
Hetty ogle, the Heroic Telegrapher of
Johnstown.

Hetty ogle, the Heroic TeIegrapher of
Johnstown.
From Harpers Bazar
Every one knows of the noble and
tragic death of Hetty Ogle, but few have
watched the consistent and well-orderod
course of her life.
Hetty Earl was born in the beautiful
mountain village of Somerset, Pennsl /
vania, and there she grew to be cheer
full, helpful, happy, pleasant-faced young
woman.
Her father was for many years Recorder
of the courts there He died a poor man.
There were few educational advantages in
Somerset, and though Hetty had a strong,
well-balanced mind, it had little school
training. After her faher's death she
married Charles Oglc, ayoung member of
the family so distinguished in Pennsyl-
vania politics. He WAS one of the first to
enlist AS a soldier in the civil war, and
was killed in the Wilderness at the battle
of Gaines Mill. His body was never re-
covered. Mrs. Ogle was left NTH three
little children TO support, and she went to
work calmly and bravely to do it. The
telegraph office iu Somerset WAS in
room also occupied as store, and where
The rough men of the town cougre-
gated TO gossip and quarrel but she un
dertook to learn that business, and she
did it thoroughly never getting disre-
spectfu word from anyone, tine hardest
part of her task being that she left her
babies at home to take care of each other
as best they could. She soon became
wonderfully proficient, and was given an
office of her own in Somerset. From that
she gained the conhdcnce of the Tele-
graph Company so entirely that at the
time of her death she had charge of
three telegraph lines in JohnStown. Her
two boys grew to be fuc fellows, shaped
by her strong will and good example.
Her daughter was always frail in health,
and was only kept alive hy The tender
care of her mother. Their home was
the most perfectly ordered that can he
imagined. 1t was seldom invaded 10y
servant, but was kept exquisitely neat by
the skillful and deft hands of
The mistress. Everything that
came upon her table was of
the dainticst, and she shared what she
had with rich and poor. Her friends al
ways said Helty's colree-pot was inexhuus-
tible. She taught scores OF boys and
girls telegraphy Tor nothing, and helped
them to find situations. At the time of
her death two young girls were gra-
tuitously sharing her home and earning
good wages In telegraph offices from the
benefit of her instruction. They died
with their blucfacrcss. She even found
time to do beautiful fancy-work with her
wonderful quick fingers. She was one of
the sort of whom people say, " How does
she find time to accomplish all she docs:"
She was Il member If the Christian
Church. Her religion was certainly
most practical. She embodied the golden
rule.
She had at one time TO endure terrible
iursicaI operation. After it was over,
and she was just regaining consciousness,
she saw her son, to wiitim she had taught
telegraphy, standing by her side. lie saw
her fingers move, although she could not
speak, and he undcrs God that she was
tccarnphing on the bed-spread sit is |
over; | am safe" 10 It distant and anA-
ious friend. She Wal entirely unseish