The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-17
THE FIRST TELEGRAPH.
How Annie Ellsworth Told Joyful
News to Professor Morse.
New York Sun.

New 1Ork sun.
"Of course" remarked the old telegraph
operator, Il won't swear to the details of
my story but / got it pretty close from
Professor Morse himself and it ought TO
be true. Here's how / have always under
stood it, Professor Morse, having returned
from Europe, went at once to Washington,
where he renewed his efforts to get his Dill
passed appropriating $4,000 for the pur-
poses of his new telegraph. Toward the
close of the session of 1914 the House took
it up and passed it by a large majority,
Senate. It's progress, as might be mag
ned, was awaited by Professor Morse with
There were only two days before the close
of the session, and it was found on ex-
animation of the calendar that no less
than 143 bills had precedence of it. The
inventor had nearly reached the bottom of
his purse; his hard-earned savings were
almost spent and. although he had strug-
gled on with undying hope for many years,
1t is hardly to be wondered at that he felt
discouraged and Disguised with the states
manship OF the country as he had known 1t.
''On the last night of the session he re-
manned till o'clock, and then left with
out the slightest hope that the bill would
be passed He returned to his hotel count
ed his money, and found that, after pay
ing his expenses to New York, he would
have rs cents left That night he went to
bed sad, but not entirely hopeless, for,
Notwithstanding all his trials and disap-
pointments, confidence in his ultimate sue
cess never deserted him. In other words,
he knew a good thing when he saw it. The
next morning, as he was going to break
fast one of the walters informed him that
young lady was in the parlor waiting to
see him. He went in Immediately, and
found that the young lady was Miss Ellis
worth, daughter of the commissioner of
patents, who had been his most Steadfast
friend while in Washington.
g L come to congratulate you, professor
she said, with sparkling eyes.
I" For what, my dear? replied the pro-
on the passage of your bill. Didn't
you know?'
a. snl, va, ,ous+ I,o ,,o;cto1yoy, coid bo or
stayed in the Senate till late last night, and
came away because there wasn't any pros
pect of it's passage
Am l the first. then she exclaimed,
You are if it is really so,'' and Prof.
Morse seemed almost afraid to believe the
good news.
We'll, she continued, father remained
until after adjournment and heard it
ago. and [ asked him if / could not run
'/Annie,' said the professor. his feelings
nearly choking his utterance, the first
message that is sent from Washington to
Baltimore shall be sent by you.
Well she replied, / shah keep you to
while the line was in process of compile
ton Professor Morse was in New York,
in working order he wrote to those in
charge, telling them not to transmit any
message over it until his arrival. He then
came on to Washington and sent a n )te to
Miss Ellsworth. informing her that he was
now ready to fulfill his promise. and ask
ing her what message he should send. To
this she replied: What hath God
wrought" words that I'm sure any young
lady ought to be proud Of The message
was twice repeated and each time with
the greatest success. AS soon the result
of the experiment was made known Gov
Seymour of Connecticut, called upon Prof
Morse and claimed the first message for
worth was a native of Hartford. OF
course his claim was admitted, and I I'M
derstand that the Historical Society of
Connecticut has the legend displayed
among it's archives in letters of gold"