The Republican journal., 1897-08-12
Early TeIegraphy.
The Maine Telegraph COmpany's First Line.
Interesting Incidents of Fifty Years Ago.


Mr.. Charles E. Bliss, at present Mama
ger of the W. I. Telegraph Office in Ban
gor, informs the News that the Old Maine
Telegraph Company built its lines in 1913
from Portland to Calais, via Bath and the
coast towns In 1875 the line was built
along the railroad from Portland to Ban
gor. In the early tiftes the Maine Tele
graph Company acquired the line from
Portland to Boston and now own the lines
over both divisions of the railroad. In
1853 the entire line was leased to the
American Telegraph Company for fifty
years. Subsequently the Western Union
Telegraph Company purchased all the
property of the American Telegraph
Company, including the lease of the Maine
Company.
Samue f. B. Morse, the inventor Of
the electric telegraph was one OF the
original incorporators of the Maine Tele-
graph Company and the line was built by
James Eddy of Ithaca, n. L. Mr.. Eddy
and Hiram 0. Alden, a Belfast lawyer,
were the pioneers not only in the Maine
line but in the overland route to the Pa
citic and in laying the first Atlantic cable,
They were the parties who interested
Peter Cooper, Cyrus W. Field and Wilson
G. Hunt in the enterprise.
In those days the ocean steamers en-
closed manuscripts in sealed zinc casks
which were thrown overheard off Cape
Race, New Foundland. These casks
hoated with flag attached to attract the
attention of fishermen who took them to
the telegraph station and the news from
Europe was then flashed over this country.
fbiS Tn reached tho
offices at Cape Race and Halifax, if it
happened any time during the day, all
business along the line had to be com
pletely suspended till the three thousand
words were transmitted. Now the facili-
ties are such that the enormous amount
of press matter is easily taken care of
with no interference with business mes
sages The daily papers of Maine alone
now average more than 20, 900 words, be-
sides special work.
George A. Hanscom was the original
operator at Bath. At Wiscasset Miss
Mary Averill manipulated the key for
years. At Damariscotta the operator
was George @. H. Putnam, a jeweler,
who afterwards moved to Dexter. In
Waldoboro Thomas D. Currier was man
ager of the Office which was in his jewel
ry store in the Clark building. Charles
E. Bliss went into Currier store to learn
the jewelry business and was fascinated
with telegraphy. He readily acquired the
art which has been his profession to this
time. After three years in Cleveland and
Toledo, Ohio, in July 1875 Mr.. Bliss went
to the Bangor Office and in 1865 became
manager. He has been identified with
the Bangor office ever since. At the pres
ent time he is the popular postmaster of
the city.
David J. Starrett was the first operator
at Thomaston and DR.. A. D. Nichols had
, the Office at Rockland.
| At Belfast the old operator was William
H. Simpson, who afterwards achieved
success and fame as journalist.
| Mr. Bliss is the only one now on the old
| Maine line who started with it, but F. J.
Moore of Machias, who is still an opera
tor, began on this line.
| The late Joseph Clark was one of the
promoters of this line and was for many
years director of the company. He was
the largest stakeholder in Lincoln county.
More stock has been owned in Waldoboro
| than in any other town or city in Maine,
except Bangor.
| The line originally crossed the Kennebec
river about two miles above Bath, sus-
| pended from poles, two hundred feet
above the water. Some twenty years ago
the line was built up river and crossed the
Kennebec ON the bridge at Gardiner
After the line was built a man named
Raymond came from New York and taught
all the operators along the line.
| One of the incidents Mr.. Bliss recalls
very wildly, is the message he heard 60
ing over the wires, announcing the loss of
the steamer Arctic with several hundred
people. The firing upon the flag at Fort
Sumter and the more joyous announcement
of the surrender of Lee, were thrilling
moments in the telegraphers experience.
The inventor and the promoters of the
electric telegraph little dreamed Of the
possibilities of electricity, or the progress
the science of telegraphy would show in
fifty years. Lincoln County News.