The Daily Texarkanian., 1898-10-09
TALKING MANY MILES APART.
The Long Distance Connec-
ton Made With lmmed-
late Texas Points.
A VERY NOVEL BANQUET.
While the Guests Ate They Were
Treated to Music Made Hundreds
of Miles Away.


Long Distance Telephone connec-
tion with Texas cities, having been
connected by wire with Arkansas
points for half month,
Superintendent Farnsworth had
promised that when the connection
was made he would give banquet
and have our representative busl-
ness men present to show them the
use and possibilities of the long
distance phone ds factor in busi-
ness methods of communication.
He issued his invitations and the
time was appointed for Friday
night.
The Huckins House was selected
as the place for the banquet, and
Mr.. Joe Huckins, Jr, was given or
ders to have a spread that would
please the guests, it mattered not
what it cost, and the young hotel
manager and proprietor did the
right thing by the guests. in ad-
dltlon to the well laden tables there
were many telephone receivers
placed about the tables and each
guest was provided with re.
ceiver.
Mr.. Farnsworth made an explain
atory talk detailing the possibilities
of the telephone in the future, and
telling what the company had done
he was now representing, and why
he had given the banquet which
was IN order to show the business
men how easy it was to carry on a
conversation, even across great
state like Texas.
He then called up Little Rock,
and the guests were treated to a
banjo solo. After this Paris, Tex,
was called up and Mr.. Farnsworth,
in an Introductory said to talk to
Paris now, we must talk oyer the
wires that run through Marshall,
Texas, on to Dallas and back down
in this direction until Paris is
reached, making the distance quite
three times, it is via the T-C rail
road. Our people listened to a
chat going on between Dallas
man and one at Paris.
Houston and Little Rock were
next connected, the distance being
CSC miles. Every word spoken was
distinctly heard. After this Hous-
ton gave a brass band serenade.
Galveston then furnished a quar-
tette of singers which was enjoyed
Yoakum, Texas, was connected and
conversation was heard, and then
Yoakum and Little Rock aston
ished the guests by conversation
Waco after giving a brass band
serenade told the news that all the
striking mortormen had been dis
charged and that men from Kan
sas was expected there to operate
the cars.
After this the long distance tests
were brought to a close by Mr..
Farnsworth delivering talk eX-
planning all about the lines and
distances now covered by the miles
of copper wire in Texas and Arkan.
sas. He paid high tribute to our
city and was glad to meet its repre-
sentative business men, and hoped
that the cordial support now given
the company would always abide
with them.
He stepped aside from his own
company aud called attention to
the fact that Mr.. W. M. Freeman
the owner and general manager Of
line running out of this city to
several points in Little River coun-
tY, was present and he was glad to
hear from him that his line was
giving good se-yice and was ac.
corded splendid patronage.
Col, Henry Moore was called
upon to respond on behalf of our
people, and after a brief address
said he would give away to Secre-
tary Hays of the Board OF Trade,
whom he believed could respond to
the gentleman more satisfactory
than himself, Mr.. Hays was loudly
called for, arose and made
good speech He complmented
MIR, Farnsworth highly for the
splendid entertainment furnished
aud expressed the hope that the
most cordial of feelings would al.
ways exist between our city and
the telephone company.
Mr. Farnsworth then called up
Dallas again and some colored mu-
sicians sang "hot time in the old
town tonight Yankee Doodle aud
that soul stirring air, Dixie"
A lady in Sherman then sang the
"I,ast Rose of Summer and the