The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-06-25

One Of the most novel or unique or
CARNATIONS in Brooklyn is one that has
recently gained a new lease Of life
through the infusion of new and Wig
orous blood and by Il thorough reorgan.
%ization. 1t is called the Phenix Morse
Telegraph club, and is perhaps the only
n of its kind in the United States.
the old organization vas formed in
1879 and started in life under the name
Of the Phenix club. 1t was inaugurated
by Il number Of Young people. some of
whom were engaged in occupation as
telegraphers. and others of different vo-
cations, who took pleasure in studying
he mysterious language of dots and
dashes. A private telegraph line was
established and connected with the res
licences of the members A busy wire
it was too. The hum Of conversation
if it can be termed such, was constant
throughout the evening. Stories were
passed over the electrical current. tests
and jokes banded. chess and checkers
played by individuals who liked this
scrt OF recreation, and i'll fact as good
a time was usually passed as if the mem-
beers were brought in contact with each
other by person in one room.
Jokes of an innocent character were
also carried on oven the ~circnit. which
had the advantage in so far as to allow
the perpetrator to remain unknown or
making it unnecessary to flee from the
wrath of the person upon whom it was
inflicted. Quite Il number of these are
stock property among the old members.
who relate them TO friends with as much
Susto and enjoyment as il they had oc-
CURED only yesterday. One of these j,
10 the effect that two members after
practicing with another in the early
evening. during which the sender trans
mittcd the Morse characters as fast as
be could, or AS ~tclcgraphers would say
''rushed' the receiver, Notwithstanding
the protests Of this unfortunate disciple
OF America noted inventor. The latter
promised himself thai Il speedy revenge
would follow. and sought to 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 IN
earthly hour of the morning. when he
supposed his victim had gone to bed and
when the click of ii sounder would strike
the gloom and quiet with the distinct
ness of IA blow from a trip hammer. At
about 3 o'clock in the morning he went
to the instrument and began to call his
victim in a manner which would indi-
cate that a fire had perhaps broken out
or that the transmittcr 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 out of
bed and went to the instrument. ex-
pecting 10 hear that something dreadful
had happened. He answered the call
quakingly. His indignation can be i'm
agine1 when the query came slowly and
distinctly:
will You please tell me the time; my
clock has run down"
His answer is moi recorded, but it is
safe to assume that the immediate vicin-
lty became AS warm as IA hot box Of al
overheated wheel.
The organization Went on III the even
tenor of its way until two or three wear,
ago. when it began To lansuisli. partly
on account of a detection of members
who moved away from the city or be-
cause the remaining persons would not
shoulder III the prupero or EeceSSarv man.
ner the worry and expense of conduct
ing such and organization. Then came
another club which was purelv social
III its character and which was also
the PhrniX club. 1t may have
been thar the similarity of names caused
IA bond of friendship To he established
or that some of the member, of this
body Were calabl" of handling IA KEY
and working nh" electrical current.
this may be. the two organ
We're analgainated and new
of affairs brought about thereby.
The name vas changed 10 the present
one. and under which il started ont with
ana prosperous auspices.
A fiat. corncr Of Marcy avenue AMI
Fulton street. has been made the mead
quarters of the club. and which may be-
ermed the main office of this amateur
telegraph COMPANY. Here are located
he battery room. which furnishes the
powerful fluid by which the wire is
worked. and another. which is called the
operating room. in which are placed four
of instruments and Il double practic-
NJ outfit. A galvononeter. whereby
he wire is measured. So that the where
of any trouble ON the line can be-
is also included in this space.
and social gatherings are held
n Il larger room running off from this
ne. Eighty cell, of battery work the
'ircuit, which covers "A distance of
y eighteen miles III this city. mainly in
he upper residence section.
The old string" was overloaded by
IL experienced hneman recently and
in sufficiently substantial shape i'll
rider To- enable II to more readily resist
he wear and tear of a line in a large
nd busy city. The circuit is placed
lorg the hcusetois on the route. and
Of any kind or. ~ an operator
-.x ..l,,r-' M. ,,,Al,- ,,, .-..L