The San Francisco call., 1897-10-20
THE FIRST TELEGRAPH.
New York -un.


''Of course" remarked the old telegraph
operator, 'I 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 l have always understood it: Professor
Morse, having returned from Europe, went at
once TO Washington, where he renewed his
efforts to get his bill passed appropriating
$50. 900 for the purposes of his new telegraph.
Toward the close OF the session of 1874 the
House took it up and passed it by large
majority and it only remained for the action
OF the Senate. Its progress, as might be
imagined, was awaited by Professor Morse with
the most intense interest and anxiety. There
were only two days before the close oil the
session, and it found, eXami O tion of
the calendar. that no less than 143 bills had
precedence over it, 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 undying
hope for many years, 1t is hardly to be Won
dered at that he felt discouraged and dis
gusted with the statesmanship OF the country
as he had known 1t.
"Ou the last night of the session he remained
till o'clock and then lett without the slight
est hope thai the bill would be passed. He re-
turned 10 his hotel, counted his money and
found that after paying his expenses 10 New
York he would have 20 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 IL. The next
morning as ne was going 10 breakfast one OF
the walters informed him that young lady
was in the pArlor waiting 10 see him. He
went in Immediately and found that the
young lady was Miss Ellsworth, daughter of
the Commissioner Of Patents, who had been
his most steadfast friend while in Washington.
81 come to congratulate you, professor,
she said. with sparkling eyes.
For what, my dear7' replied the pro-
fessor
"'on the passage of your bill. Didn't you
know
Ion, you must be mistaken said he. Il
stayed the Senate till late last night and
came away because there wasn't any prospect
OF its passage.
4" Am the first then,' she exclaimed JOY
fully, 'to tell your
"'You are, if it is really so,' and Professor
Morse seemed almost afraid to believe the
good news.
We'll, she continued, father remained
until after adjournment and heard ii passed.
He told me only few minutes ago, and l
asked him if l could not run over and tell
you.'
Annie, said the professor, his feelings
nearly choking his utteranee, the first mes
sage that is sent from Washington TO Balti-
more shall be sent by you.'
word
"While the line was in process of compile
ton Professor Morse was In New Bork, and
upon receiving intelligence that it was In
working order he wrote to those in charge
telling them not TO transmit any message
over IL until his arrival. He then came on 10
Washington and sent note to Miss Els
worth, informing her tn at he was now ready
to fulfill his promise and asking her what
message he should send. To this she replied,
What hath God wrought words that Pm
sure any young lady ought to be proud of.
time with the greatest success. AS soon as
the result of the experiment was made known
Governor Seymour OF Connecticut called upon
Professor Morse and claimed the first message
for his State on the ground that Miss Els
worth was native of Hartford. OF course.
his claim was admitted. and / understand
hat ha list ino1 iatv Of COo
the legend displayed among its archives in
letters of gold"