The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-06-23
TELEPHONE ON THE FARM.
North Dakota Farmer First to Realize
Its Advantages.

,OdkOld FARMERS are among IL6 WOSL
progressive on earth in the adoption of
time-saving Devices" said a man re-
Gently, who has given considerable
time to the observation of farm meth
DDS throughout the Western states,
There was a period, not so far back,
either, when this section was known
as a land of magnificent distances.
That was more particularly during the
days when the big bonanza farms
were common, and when it was long
stretch between neighbors. I do not
know whether that had anything to
do with bringing about the fact which
I have observed, but l am satisfied
that statistics would show that there
is no state in the Union where the
adoption and use Of farm telephones
is more common than right here.
There is another point of interest,"
said the speaker, (which may not be
generally understood. have it upon
what l consider to be reliable authors
ty that the first party line telephone
ever installed by farmers was used in
Dakota territory in what is now a part
of this state. A Trail county tele-
phone official made this statement in
paper before a body of telephone
managers 6. few years ago, and have
not yet heard the claim disputed.
Telephones were first brought before
general public attention about the
time of the Philadelphia Centennial ex.
position in 1876, and it was, in the year
following that, as remember, that the
first farm line was installed in Trail
county"
The value of the telephone to the
farmer is incalculable. AS times saw
ing device it's usefulness is almost
proportionately greater on the farm
than in the city, as the distances to be
traversed are greater in the one case
than in the other. In these days almost
any neighborhood can have line il
to see how generally these party lines
are being used by farmers throughout
this entire state. l have been reading
an article upon farm telephones in one
of the state papers this week, which
though quoted from a paper in another
state, ought to be of interest to the
readers of this paper, as we'll as to
farmers all over the state. Speaking
of the advantages of the phone on the
tarm, the writer says:
1T saves time, horse flesh and mon,
ey, making many trips to the village
| unnecessary.
1T gives the 1rmer all the advan
tage of his neighbor, by placing him
in communication and easy access OF
all.
ut calls the doctor night or day
saving the time that may often mean
life or death.
ut orders supplies from his hard
ware or implement dealer sent out
by parties coming in Us direction, and
in urgent cases by special messenger
saving the time which 10 the farmer
in seed time and harvest means many
dollars.
1T gives him the daily weather re
port whenever he cares to inquire
enabling him to avoid loss of crops b.
storm, and the opportunity of planning
his work accordingly. ..
| 1T enables MIN to take advantage o,
the market in the sale of his grain
and his grain buyer is ever ready tt
keep him informed. In this alone he
can save more than the cost of hi:
telephone every year.
ut enables him to call up his gro
Ger and sell his butter, eggs and vege
tables before they leave the farm, re
ceiving therefor an average price fal
in excess of what he would receive
were he compelled to accept what is
offered in congested market.
at places him in direct contact with
the postoffice in the event of impor
tant mail, forming an important ad
junct to his rural delivery privileges.
ut sells his stock to the local ship
per for more than the market price
in order to fill up the car and ena
bles him to deliver it in prime con
dition, with the least possible shrink
age.
at enables him to plan his worn
during harvest and threshing when
exchange work is necessary, and
many delays from breakdowns IN Sc.
curing supplies are prevented.
1T places him in direct communica.
ton with his town and county officials
whose representative capacity ena.
bles them to more fully serve his in
terests.
1T gives him the important daily
news, and keeps his local newspaper
fully informed Of the social happen.
'Dgs in his neighborhood.
1T oversteps storms and snowdrifts
and brings him assistance in time OF
need.
KIT renders fire protection, and is
the best thief catcher in the world.
"It is protection 10 wife and daugh
ter against the opportunities of tramps
and vagabonds and gives a security
nothing else can.
ut finds the strayed cattle. returns
the lambkins to the fold and becomes
the shepherd of the neighborhood.