Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-07-14

WOrk ih the Telegraph once, BegIu-
ming in 1851.
James II. Capen, II, lifelong resident
of Brattleboro, died at his home about two
miles west of this village shortly before
midnight Wednesday. He was stricken
with paralysis about four years ago and
had been in poor health since then.
Mr.. Capen was born in Brattleboro Feb.
y, 1928, being one of the three children of
james IL. and Phoebe (Platts) Capen. His
boyhood was spent on his fathers farm.
and he was educated in the Brattleboro
schools. When young man he entered
the printing office of @. w. Nichols. who
was at that time editor of the Democrat.
Mr.. Capen learned his trade in the Demo-
crat office, and later worked in The Pno-
nix office when the late w. E. Ryther was
proprietor.
la 1851, when thetelegraph was first in
troduced into Vermont, Mr.. Capep was
given the position of operator and manager
Of The Bratteooro office, which was run in
connection with his job printing office.
The telegraph line began at Springfield.
Mass, and followed the Connecticut as
far as White River Junction, reaching from
there to Montreal. The local office was at
first located in the business block at the
corner of Main and High streets. The
office was soon moved across the street,
however, the occupants of the block. head
ed by the lessee, the wellremembered Jo-
seph Steen, being opposed to having the
telegraph Instruments in the building, as
they were afraid of the mysterious fluid"
Mr. Capen used to relate how he sent
the first message for esquire" Bradley. It
was to Boston, asking the names of the
IU-aIn szF 4
and Massachusetts railroad. The message
was sent at o'clock in the evening and
thereby came the next day. "Had IL come
the next week." said Mr.. Capen in de-
scribing the event, "it would probably
have been just as satisfactory to Mr.. Brad
ley"
What was known as the Balm system
was then in use. A metal disk about ten
inches in diameter was covered with seal
ing wax, on the top of which was a small
brass grooved disk. From its centre pro-
truded post sustaining a brass arm with
wire pen which followed the grooves as
the plate revolved.
The telegraph wire was connected with
the part underneath the table, contributing
the current to the pen, which threw off a
little of the metal and left the characters
on the paper covering the disk. The key
was similar to those now in use. Mr.. Ca
penis salary-S150 a year-exceeded for
several years the profits of the office. The
tariff for 10 words was 81 to New York,
80 cents TO Boston, and 40 cents to Spring
field and Greenfield.
1t was Mr.. Capen's honor during his ca
reer as operator TO receive several messages
from President Lincoln to Governor Hol-
brook. The longest of these was $500
words, received during the summer of 1862
in answer to letter from the governor
recommending the president TO call for
800, 900 volunteers.
1t was in the dark days of '62 and the
governor suggested that the loyal govern
ors pledge themselves to favor the call,
Gov. Holbrook adding that Vermont
would quickly respond. This resulted in
the call for 100000 three years men and
30O,OOO nine months men.
Gen. Draper came to Brattleboro to con-
fer with Gov. Holbrook and the paper was
prepared here for the signatures of the
governors. 1t is a matter of history that
Gov. HOlbrook was given credit for the
plan so quickly approved by Lincoln.
After the long despatch had been received
and read by the governor young Capen
had another hard task, as the message had
to be repeated to Peter T. Washburn, ad-
jutant general, who had gone from Brat
tleboro to his home in Woodstock. 1t took
hours TO get this message off the wire.
Many other messages came from President
Lincoln, but this was the longest one.
During the war Brattleboro people were
accustomed to "chip inn and get news
from the front. Several times the news
was somewhat previous" and the cap
ture of Richmond was celebrated by the
people at least twice before that event act
ually occurred One occasion when a des-
patch was received to that effect W. G,
Perry, the old landlord, got out his cannon
and fired it several times in the hotel ward
in the rear of the house, although the day
was Sunday. S. NJ Waite bolted for the
churches to inform the congregations of
the news. He rushed to the Congregation
al and Unitarian churches and the clergy
men made announcements from the pull
pits. Mr.. Capen was so carried away
with enthusiasm that when he reached the
church at West Brattleboro he forgot to
remove the cigar from his mouth, and he
marched down the broad aisle smoking to
give the news to the pastor. A big cee-
bration was being planned when second
despatch came saying the news was a hoax.
Mr.. Capen was lineman as well as opera
lOI duu udu charge Ol lu6 line ~ miles
each side of Brattleboro. Among those
who learned the art of telegraphy in Mr..
Capen's Office were the late Ex-Governor
Fuller and Mr.. Capen's older son.
Mr.. Capen held the position of operator
in the local Office until 1876, when he
went into the employ of the Estey Organ
company. He remained there until 1894,
when on account of failing health, he re-
tired from active work and had since lived
| on his farm in Centerville which is carried
on by his younger son.
Mr.. Capen married Maria T. Livermore
of Groton, Mass, June 10, 1852. To
them was born one son, W. 1. Capen, who
is now superintendent of the Postal Tele-
graph COmpany's office in Chicago, Ill.
Mr.. Capen's second wife was Marie D..
Pellerin of St. Gregory, Canada, whom he
married Sept. 10, 1852 She survives him
with one son, Moriiz P. Capen. Mr.. Capen
was one of the Oldest members of Beau
seant Commandry, Knights Templar, and
also member of the First Baptist church
of this town.
The funeral will be held from the house
tomorrow afternoon at O'Clock. IL will
he in charge of Beauseant eOmmandery,
Knights Templar.