Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-05-15
AN ODD KIND OF CLUB.
IT RESEMBLES A FULL PLEDGED
TELEGRAPH COMPANY.

of which Have Their Houses Connect
ed by wires, So That They May Com
munIcato with Each other by Telegraph.
One Of the most novel or unique or
CARNATIONS in Brooklyn is one that has
recently gained new lease of life
through the infusion Of new and Wig
orous blood and by thorough reorgan-
ization. 1t is called the Phenix Morse
Telegraph club, and is perhaps the only
one Of its kind in the United States.
The old organization was formed in
1879 and started in life under the name
Of the Phenix club. u was inaugurated
by number of young people, some OF
whom were engaged in occupation as
telegrapbers, and others Of different yo-
cations, who took pleasure in studying
the mysterious language Of dots and
dashes. A private telegraph line was
established and connected with the res
licences Of the members. A busy wire
il was too. The hum Of conversation,
If it can be termed such, was constant
throughout the evening. Stories were
passed over the electrical current, jests
and jokes banded, chess and checkers
played by individuals who liked this
sort Of recreation. and in fact as good
a time was usually passed as if the mem
bers We're brought in contact with each
other by person in one room.
Jokes Of an innocent character were
also carried on over the circuit, which
had the advantage in 50 far rs 10 allow
the perpetrator TO remain unknown or
making it unnecessary TO flee from the
wrath Of the person upon whom it was
inflicted. Quite n number of these are
stock property among the old members
who relate them 30 friends with as mnch
gusto and enjoyment as if they had oc-
CURED only yesterday. One Of these is
10 the effect that two members after
practicing with another in the early
evening, during which the sender trans
mitted the Morse characters as fast as
he could, or as telegraphers would say
rushed the receiver, Notwithstanding
the protests Of this unfortunate disciple
Of Americas noted inventor. The latter
promised himself that u speedy revenge
would follow. and sought 10 find some
means whereby he could make the
''rusher" as uncomfortable as he had
been previously.
The practicing finally came to an end,
and the receiver waited until an I'M
earthly hour Of the morning, when he
supposed his victim had gone TO bed and
when the click Of a sounder would strike
the gloom and quiet with the distinct
ness Of blow from trip hammer. At
about 3 o'clock in the morning he went
10 the instrument and began 10 call his
victim in n manner which would indi-
cate that fire had perhaps broken out
or that the transmitter had serious need
OF aid in some dire calamity. He called
in this furious style until he had awak-
ened the sleeper, who jumped mp ont Of
bed and went 10 the instrument, ex-
pecting 20 hear that something dreadful
had happened. He answered the call
qualSingly. His Indignation can be inn
agined when the query came slowly and
distinctly;
"Will you please tell me the time; my
clock has run down"
His answer is not recorded but IL is
safe 10 assume that the immediate vicin-
ity became rs warm as hot box OF an
oyerheated wheel.
Tho organization went ON in the even
tenor Of it's way until two or three yearo
ago, when IL began TO langnish, partly
on account Of n detection Of members
who moved away from the city or be-
cause the remaining persons would not
shoulder In the proper or necessary man
ner the worry and expense of conduct
ing such and organization. Then came
another club which was purely social
In its character and which was also
called the phonix club. II may have
been that the similarity Of names caused
n bond Of friendship 60 be established
or that some of the members Of this
body were capable Of handling key
md, working the electrical current.
However this may he, the two organ
iEations were amalgamated and new
order Of affairs brought about thereby.
Tho name was changed 10 the present
one, and under which it started out with
bright and prosperous auspices.
A fiat, corner OF Marcy avenue and
Fulton street. has been made the head
quarters Of the club. and which may be
termed the main office of this amateur
telegraph company. Here are located
the battery nom, which furnishes the
powerful fluid by which the wire is
worked. and another, which is called the
operating nom, Ia which are placed four
sets Of instruments and a double practic-
ing outfit A galvonometer. whereby
the wire is measured. 50 that the where
AhontS Of any trouble on the line can h.
dstectsSi. Is also included in this space.
Meetings and sccial gatherings are held
in n larger nom running of from this
one Eighty cells 81 battery work the
circuit. which covers a distance Of near.
" eighteen miles in this city. mainly in
TIE uVYsr residence section.
N "a ..siring@ was overhaulei BY