Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-31
PRESENTED WITH A CANE
Employees Of The Dessert Telegraph Company
Make a Gin,
AZ a Token OF Affection and Esteem,
superintendent Dougai, II Given
a Gold.Headed Cane.

Superintendent w. b. Dougall Of the
late Deseret Telegraph company, was
today presented with gold headed
cane from the employees Of the com
pany. This token OF the regard In
which Mr.. Dougall has been held by the
operators and other attaches OF the line
came as a complete surprise. The head
OF the cane Is fashioned in the shape OF
an eagles head. and on one side Is en-
graved Mr. Douglas name and the date
OF presentation. The following letter
accompanied the cane. which was hand.
ed TO Mr.. Dougall by Alex Carr
Salt Lake City. Utah,
March 81 1900,
William b. Dougall, supt. Deseret Tele-
graph company.
Dear Brother;-This being the day
decided upon TO make the transfer or
the lines OF the Deseret Telegraph COM
pany, which Will hereafter be managed
by the Western Union Telegraph COM
pany. we all, having labored for the
company under your supervision, wish
TO show 10 you tour worthy superin-
tendenD as well as 10 each other, our
good will and best wishes. We all take
pleasure. and unite In presenting you
with this cane as a mark OF respect and
esteem which we hold toward you. Not
that you may have need for the use
OF the same, but that II may bring
back In the future years fond remem-
brance OF the past, Wishing you many
years OF health and happiness. and ask
ing Gods choicest blessings TO attend
you In the future. In behalf OF the en-
ployes of the company,
Very truly yours,
ALMA NELSON.
Manager Salt Lake Office.
supt. Dougall was one Of those who
were called by President Brigham
Young, In 1865. and 1866. to learn teleg-
raphy, so as to take position In the
Home Line" as II was called, and In
December, 1856. when the line was built,
and being equipped with operators, he
was sent 10 Parowan, Utah, where he
remained till May 1866. when, having
taught q young man the business. he
was released by President Young and
returned to Salt Lake City In company
with President Young and party, VINO
were at the time on a vlsr TO Southern
Utah. on July a. 1867, he was appoint
ed by President Young 10 take the po-
sition Of operator In his Office and later
also to act as secretary OF the company.
Since that time. now nearly SO years,
he has been with the company, serving
as secretary since November. 1873, ana
as secretary and superintendent since
October. 1876. Mr.. Dougall was one OF
those who heard the frst message sent
over the Deseret wires, which was on
Dec. /. 1866
There are two ladies, Mrs. Il. $,
Swlms, operator al Provo, and Mrs. {,
Olsen, at Ephraim, who have been with
the Deseret company over 80 years, ana
who had made up their minds To end
their days with II had II continued,
one lady operator. Mrs. Lorena ALI
red, OF Spring City. has been with the
company since she was a girl, and has
now three daughters, each In an office.
Alexander Carr. the chief foreman OF
repairs, has been in its employ nearly
"a years.
a number Of It's operators began In
their youth and have been with II till
they became grandfathers or grand.
mothers. This all shows that there has
been a certain attachment TO the In
stltutlon on their part outside OF any
pecuniary advantage, and they felt, as
a whole. that they were Of some SER
vice In helping the cause though APP
parently in an indirect way. The con-
sequence Is feeling OF regret among
all at the breaking off OF old assocla-
tons.
TRANSFER OF SYSTEM.
Regarding the absorption OF the Des-
eret Telegraph system by the Western
Union Telegraph company, Superinten-
dent w. y. Dougal said this afternoon
that a formal transfer OF the property
would not take place until the fourth
or fifth instant.