Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-07-20
TGHTNING HAIR CUT
FLASH OVER THE WIRES BURNS OFF
AN OPERATORS HAIR.

TINOI1 ONEh ! TIE VtnC0 DUNNO OF z
AN OPERATORS HAIR.
The Rare and Thrilling Experience of Al
Wandering TeIegrapher Who Was in
Sad Need of II BARRIERS Manipulations.
Rapid Work of u Thun,ierbolt.
Lightning and electricity have since
the days of William Penn always been
synonymous. To the uninitiated the
most dangerous spot during thunder
storm is telegraph office. but statistics
will substantiate the fact that no place
is safer. Many and varied are the
stories told of the freaks performed by
heavenly currents. but seldom is there a
fatality attached to the tale.
Between the manufactured and nat
ural electricity there appears from close
observation to be IL sort of affection, and
under cover of the slightest storm mu-
tual exchanges of confidence are usual
ly indulged in by them.
Modern devices, of course, have
brought about this state of affairs. but
the most persistent assurance cannot
convince the timid of this fact. Seldom
indeed will the veteran teleyrapher lift
his hand from the key upon which he is
spelling out the mystic signs of the
Morse alphabet upon the approach or
progress of the heaviest storms. while
the young aspirant for telegraphic fame
will sit through storm with beating
heart rather than show the white feather
to his companions by deserting his post
1t frequently occurs that the dense
humidity prevailing just previous to ii
storm, coupled with heavy downfall
of rain, will entice the strongest cleo
trical currents from the wires, and for
the time being kills" their usefulness
1t is during one of these storms that the
electric waves are felt, coming and
going, and what danger there is is then
most imminent. 1t was during one of
these lulls in business, up in the big
operating room of the Western Union
telegraph Office recently, that several ex-
pert telegraphers gathered around one
of the ''quad" tables and began exchang-
ing experiences with thunderbolts, fire.
balls and other electric phenomena too
numerous to mention.
One of the humorous stories told had
for its central figure telegrapher named
Bogardus. "Bogy," as he is called for
short, is known in the telegraph profess
sion from Boston to San Francisco and
from New Orleans to Toronto, Canada.
He possessed a rowing disposition and a
mind that was blank as to the value of
money. Although 'Bogy" at enc time
was one of the finest operators in the
business, these defects kept him always
on the tramp and from attaining any
position Of trust or prominence. Poor
"Bogy" is now in Chicago hospital,
rounding up a career that should have
been a bright one.
The following occurred in the days
when "Bogy" was in his prime He
had recently been fired" from the New
York offices, and for bread and butter
had drifted out to a railroad centering in
Pittsburg to get a new start. He was
always careful of his personal appear
ance, but, while he could shave himself
the cutting of his own hair was an i'm
possibility. Pittsburg, some thirty miles
from the little station he was at, was
the nearest place wherein he could have
the tonsorial feat performed. His hair
grew, the weather became hot and he
fretted and fulned. The comments of
the railroad men didn't add to his com
fort.
Late one afternoon after very hot
day thunderstorm of remarkable in
tensity came up and the ligh ming played
hide and seek among the relays, sound
ers and switchboard in "Bogy's" little
10 by 10 Office. Every minute the storm
increased in intensity and the electrical
display was grandly sublime. AS the
cracks of the bolts on the switchboard
became more frequent and the flashes
more luminous "Bogy," not bit fright
ened, concluded to put the cut out plug
in the switchboard and thereby save his
instruments from burning up in case the
lightning became too strong.
On the instant he applied the plug a
bolt of lightning struck telegraph pole
about fifty feet from the office and the
surplus electricity came in the switch
board over the wire and "Bogy's" head
was wrapped in fame The shock threw
him on the floor and for a moment
stunned him. Shaking himself together
he congratulated himself upon his lucky
escape. There was peculiar odor in
the room that 'Bogy" could not clearly
account far, but concluded it came from
the burned silk and wax that made up
the covering for the Office wires.
He had just succeeded in putting his
Office to rights and had returned to it.
after making a temporary connection
where the bolt had struck, when train
drew up for orders.
"Je-e-rusalem" shouted the conductor
as he caught sight of "Bogy." Where's
your hair?'
'Bogy," in alright, clapped hfs hands
to his head and with a startled ejacula-
tion rushed for the little mirror hanging
in rear corner of the office. One look
was enough. "'Bogy" hadn't as much
hair as one-month-old baby, and
strange to relate the electric flame had
not faxed his scalp in the slightest. The
knockdown blow old Jupiter had given
him had driven the thought of his hair
for the moment out of his mind. and un-
til the conductors surprised cry had
reached him ne thought his grair still
needed cutting Washington sj, ~,
70 Da