Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-05-24

momentous tidings from the front. Every
1 war-throb that shook { he anxious soul o.
/ Lincoln, thrilled first he alert and wait
ing ear OF this patient, skillful operator
de was the cipher expert in the tele,
/ graph division OF the war department.
This same famous master OF the wires
I sat this morning in the Office of the man :
| ager OF the Postal Telegraph Cal BILE COM
! pany in Denver and talked of those laird
crucial days OF the repu blic's history.
Colonel Albert y. Chandler, president OF
the Postal Telegraph Gable company, Is
the able, fnrceful man Of affairs who has
developed from that precise and diligent
young cipher operator who won the es-
TEEN and warm personal friendship of the
martyred president.
the trim youth OF chat day is now
ad-shouidered and OF thickset, massive
frame, but his eyes are none the less bright
and his heavy, wavy, mane.like hair,
though tinged with gray, is as luxuriant
OF growth as it was in his boyhood days.
man OF mind, of energy and construct
I've force Is he. The sturdy set OF his
head, the firm, square chin, the calm
straightforward look he gives one, his very
manner in taxing the proffered hand show
what decisive, resolute, manly soul
quickens these outward sem blances and
controls his lightest act
Colonel Chandler was born at Randolph,
Vermont in lS40. He has devoted almost
his whole hfe to the telegraph service.
Fifteen years ago he laid the plans for the
formation OF the Postal Telegraph Cable
company. Then be perfected the organi-
cation, threw himself wholly into the
work OF building II up, gave 1t its initial
momentum and has now lived to see il
grow into marvellous success.
But the long years of almost ceaseless
labor told on him physically, and on Feb.
Colonel Chandler was compelled to sus-
pend his work and take the rest and recre-
alton OF which he had so long stood in
need. Accompanied by his wife, he went
to California, where his health rapidly
improved. He is now on his way back to
dition.
"If / live till next October" said Col.
Chandler, when asked a question about
his wonderfully interesting career, 81 will
have been in the business forty-twO years
read messages first on a metal disc; then
came the Morse system, and afterward
operators learned to read by sound, but il
was several years before this method was
allowed, II not being regarded as safe to
depend on the sound alone
Eyes, sustained close relations with
President Lincoln and Mr.. Stanton
throughout the war My position as ci-
pher operator In the department neces-
sarily kept me closely in touch with beth. |
Mr.. Stanton / was with half dozen times
a day or oftener, and scarcely day pass
ed without a visit from Mr.. Lincoln. |
They we're both keenly appreciative OF the |
value Of the telegraph and made great and |
constant use OF Ii.
SIN sending orders of reprieve IL was |
Mr. Lineoln's habit to visit the office in |
person and himself deliver the message l
which was to bring Joy and new lease OF |
life to some poor fellow condemned to die. |
do not remember one OF these that was
not delivered by his own hand.
"My memory is full OF pictures OF this
great man as | saw him in his moods OF
hope, OF anxiety, of anguish, but perhaps
my most vivid recollection OF him was
" hen, right in the midst OF the battle OF
and Immediately afterward, he
was so anxious to have Lee followed up
md the war thus speedily terminated, as
be fully believed it could be.
"He sent many kilograms and urged in
he strongest terms that the advantage
gained be promptly followed up and that
Lee be prevented from crossing the river
Most OF these messages went to General
Meade.
81 remem Der we'll the actions and the
words OF Mr.. Lincoln on receiving the re-
BORT from Meade that, under certain con-
iitions W hich be detailed, and after call
ng his corps commanders to a council OF
var, he would renew the attack upon Lee.
Mr.. Lincoln paced the floor and wrung
lis hands in his realization OF the great
opportunity lost. Then he halted, and,
fitting his eyes from the message he had
)een reading, shook his head and said ia
tone OF mingled sadness and irony, HE
will be ready to fight magnificent battle
when there isn't any enemy to fight
"And this" concluded Col Chandler,
proved indeed to be the case"