Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-10-11
THE FIRST TELEGRAPH,


graph operator, Il won't swear to the
details of my story, but l got it pretty
close from Prof Morse himself and ii
ought to be true. Here's how | have
always understood 1t: Prof. Morse, hav-
ing returned from Europe, went at once
to Washington, where he renewed his
efforts to get his bill passed appropri-
ating 100000 for the purpose of his new
telegraph. Toward the close Of the
session of 1874, the House took it up
and passed it by a large majority and it
only remained for the action Of the SEN
ate. It's progress, as might be imagin-
ed, was awaited by Prof Morse with
the most intense interest and anxiety.
There were only two days before the
close Of the session, and it was found,
on examination of the calendar, that no
less than 143 bills had precedence of 1t.
The inventor had nearly reached the
bottom of his purse; his hard-earned
savings were almost spent, and, al
though he had struggled on with un-
dying hope for many years, it Is hardly
to be wondered at that he felt discour-
aged and disguised with the statesman
ship of the country as he had known it.
''On the last night of the session he
remained till o'clock and then left
without the slightest hope that the
bill would be passed. He returned to
his hotel, counted his money, and
found that after paying his expenses
to New York he would have 70 cents
left. That night he went to bed sad,
but not entirely hopeless, for, not
withstanding all his trials and disap-
pointments, confidence in his ultimate
success never deserted him. In other
words. he knew good thing when lie
saw it. The next morning, as he was
going to breakfast 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 Ellsworth,
daughter Of the commissioner OF pat
ents, who had been his most steadfast
friend while in Washington.
81 come to congratulate you, Pro-
fessor,' she said with sparkling eyes.
For what, my dear?' replied he
professor.
"'On the passage of your bill. Didn't
you know?'
"'Oh, you must be mistaken, said
he. I stayed in the Senate till late last
night and came away because there
wasn't any prospect of its passage.
Gam / the first, them she exclaim-
ed joyfully, to tell your
"'You are, If it Is really So and Prof.
Morse seemed almost afraid to believe
the good news.
well she continued, father re-
NAMED until after adjournment and
heard it passed He told me only a few
minutes ago, and / asked him IL !
could not run over and tell you
"'Annie,' said the Professor, his feel.
ings nearly choking his utterance. the
first message that is sent from WASH
ington to Baltimore shall be sent BY
you
"Well,' she replied, ! shall keep you }
to your word
while the line was in process OF com
pletion. Prof. Morse was in New York;
and upon receiving intelligence that it
was in working order, he wrote 10 those
i'm charge telling them not to transmit
any message over until his arrival. He
then came on to Washington and sent
note to Miss Ellsworth. informing her
that he was now ready to fulfil his
promise and asking her what message
he should send. To this she replied;
What hath God wrought? words that
I'm sure any lady ought to be proud of
The message was twice repeated. and
each time with the greatest. success. AZ
soon as the result of the experiment waA
made known, Governor Seymour. %
Connecticut called upon Prof. Morsl
and claimed the first message for HI
State. on the ground that Miss Ellswortn
was native OF Hartford OF course hi
claim was admitted. and understand
that the Historical society Of ConnecticuN
has the legend displayed among IT.
archives y letters y &