The evening times., 1896-10-07
PROF. MORsE's ASSISTANT
Samuel Lee Helped to Build
the First Telegraph Line.
HAS BEEN FIFTY YEARS WED
Tells About the Line Between BaIti-
more and wasliington-Start ted TO
Put Wires U nder Ground, But Aban-
doned the Idea. for the Poles-Early
Struggles OF the Inventor.


Mr.. Samuel Lee, tie only surviving man
who actually assisted Prof. Morse in the
building OF tie first telegraph line between
this city and Baltimore, yesterday cele-
braied his golden wedding anniversary.
He is We'll known In this city, and go is
Mrs. Lee, his wife. They are now living at
1896 North Barey street, Baltimore. and
have four surviving children.
Mr. Lee is seventy-two years old. He re-
calls infinitely every detail Connected with
the great event which linked Washington
by teiegraphic communication with Balt-
more. In speaking or tie construction of
the line, he says the first wire used from
Washington was copper. 1t was first pro-
posed 10 put the wires underground, and
trench was dug from the BaltInOre end to
Relay for thai purpose, but the project was
abandoned.
Then Mr.. Morse tried stringing wires on
poles. A slot at the top OF the pole re-
ccIved the piece OF glass which was used
for Insulation Each pole was supplied with
Il little roof to protect the insulation from
the rain. This first telegraph company was
known as tie Magnetic Telegraph Company.
Mr. Amos Kendall controlled the company.
and was it's moving spirit. 1t was through
his influence and aid that the line was after
ward extended through to Philadelphia
Tie first two operators ON the line from
Washington to Baltimore were Henry j.
Rogers, in Baltimore. and Alfred Vail. In
Washington. The line was run from Wash
ing;on into the Baltimore and Ohio depot,
on Pratt street. opposite the Malth! House.
year later, in 1s45. ii was moved to tie
corner of Fayette and North streets.
The first messenger boys were taken out
of the Baltimore Night School, OF which n.
&. Brooks was the principal. Old Mi Cleve-
land was the first contractor. and he en-
ployed me. He was Il native nf New York
II took four or five months to complete the
line to Washington. Considerable time was
taken up with experiments Digging the
trench for underground wires, and trying
10 utilize that plan, occupied a great deal
of time.
IRON INSTEAD OF COPPER.
Later we took down the copper wire, and
put up a three-piy iron wire. The first
copper wire we put up was wrapped COM
pletely with cotton, and 1t was then run
through coal tar TO preserve il, and to
insulate the wire. l was a principal wit
ness in the great case in which the West
for using a covered guttapercha wire.
We experimental with that in ls47.
I'm 1s4T built the telegraph line from
Baltimore to York, Pa. for the firm OF
Perryman Rogers. on this line we used
the first galvanized wire ever used in the
United states. 1t was imported by Phelps,
Dodge X Co. OF New York, there being no
galvanized wire made in this country at
taht time
Il built a number OF small lines Mr
Balm, OF England, came to Baltimore in
IS4s He had an English patent, bought
Professor Morse's patent, and finally re-
ceived patent here. Josiah Lee, a broker;
Genus Barnum, OF Barnum's Hotel, Baiti-
more, and Henry ] Rogers, bought Bain's
patent.
They built line from New York to
Washington, commencing to erectit in jan
uary, IS49 They used galvanized wire
on this line This company amalga mated
with the Magnetic Telegraph Company on
January l, 1852.
In 1858 built the House Printing Tele
graph Company's line from Washington
TO New YORK. Henry j. Rogers was the
superintendent Of that line. 1t was built
by the Maryland Lottery Company specially
for its own use, as well as for public sery
ice. After two or three years the Mag
netic Company also absorbed the House
Printing Telegraph Company.
President Folks last message, In the
fall OF ls 4S. was the first Presidents mes
sage which was wired all over the coul-
try, North and West. The message was
| brought over from Washington to Baiti-
more on the railway, special train of a
locomotive and one car being run for that
purpose.
This train made the run in forty five
minutes, which was unprecedented time
then. Bill Dougherty, who died IN fhilft-
delphia several years ago. was one of the
operators who forwarded President Folks
message. JOHN Thompson aud Philip Crook
were the Baltimore operators at that time.
John Whitman was the superintendent op-
orator OF the Baltimore office III 1919 and
Henry j. Rogers was superintendent of the