The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-23
Enormous Capital.

After the establishment OF the RlcnfnOnd
exchange, the lines of the company were
gradually extended throughout the seven
states included in its territory. The work
and capital involved were enormous, inn
provements coming In so rapidly that
practically new exchanges became obsolete
within few months after their compile
ton. The progress and development of
the Southern Bell company has been ldent-
zeal with that of the south.
One of the most important features OF
telephone development is that known as
Farmers Lines. This class of service.
which is particularly adapted for use by
| farmers. has been of great advantage in
rural districts. and has placed the farmer
In close touch with the markets and news
centers. The entire south is covered with
lines Of this kind and they are being rapid
ly extended by the Southern Bell COM
pany.
Georgia leads in the number of Bell
telephones, there being 1861 stations in
this state. Atlanta has more telephones
than any other city in Southern Bell ter
ritory, the number being 1O,731. Savannah
is the second city in Georgia, with 344T
subscribers and Macon third, with 1852.
Birmingham Leads.
1t Is seen that Alabama is second to
Georgia, with 22033 Bell telephones. Biz
mingham leads all Alabama cities, with
CLOG stations. and is second only to Atlanta
and Richmond in point of numbers. Mont
gomery, Ala, has 3164 stations, and Mobile
Is third with 3106
Virginia is third In telephone develop
ment, having 1885 Bell stations. Rich
mond is second only to Atlanta, and leads
all Virginia cities with 1868 subscribers
Norfolk has 55S5 stations
South Carolina Is fourth in development,
with 10,64s subscribers, and Charleston
with 2S6S stations leads the other South
Carolina cities. Columbia Is second with
1894 stations.
North Carolina is fifth, with S7SS sta
tions. Charlotte leads the cities of North
Carolina. with 1743 stations. Wilmington
has 1887 and Greensboro 1852 stations
Florida is sixth, having 5145 stations.
There are 26S5 Bell telephones in Jackson
Vile and 1894 in Pensacola.
In West Virginia the Southern Bell COM
pany operates in only small portion of
the state. and while there are more Bell
telephones in West Virginia than in Geor-
gia, only 1871 are operated by the Southern
Bell company.
Thirty years ago, when Professor Bell
was making experiments with the tele-
phone Thomas f. Edison declared that
there would be 100000 telephones in use in
the United States In 1900. Later he felt
that he had been carried away by his en-
thusiasm. and reduced his figures. The
possibilities of the telephone had not, at
that time. dawned upon those who were
most interested in its success.
The telephone has become a necessity
during the past ten years. and within
that period its development has been mar
velous, and its use has extended into all
fields of endeavor.
take place that night. When Thober had
recovered his equilibrium he said he
guessed so too, never suspecting the trap.
The preacher got ready and Thober's
best man led him to the altar but Miss
Macdonald did not meet him there. Miss
Viola Glover had taken her place Thober
was too fiahbergated to protest and the
minister performed the ceremony without
Interruption.
The secret of this strange affair was
that Thober had paid court to Miss Clio
yer, a Newark, N j., girl, long before
he met Miss Macdonald. In fact he
had been engaged to her from childhood.
At a time when 1t was most embarrassing
to her he deserted her and announced his
engagement to Miss Macdonald. Fiance
No, 2 hearing of this and being a plucky
girl, determined that justice should be
done. Hence the sequel.
This is the story that the newspapers
tell 1t is certain that there was a mar
rage under odd circumstances 1t is a
good romance, too good to fall a victim to
the blue pencil so what's the use of GO
| ipsr hah ind hA