davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23
Prof. Morse Persuaded to Adopt Plan
Suggested by Alfred Vail as Sub
stitute for Too Expensive
Subway.
BY e. j. EDWARDS,


In these days of almost instantane-
Gus world communication, the tele-
graph pole, like the bad boy is ubiqui-
tous. To the lay mind it is as much
an essential part of the telegraph as
the Morse key itself. Yet in the orig
inal plans of the inventor of the tele-
graph the telegraph pole did not fig
ure by SO much as fleeing thought.
How the telegraph pole did come
into existence was told to me a short
time before his death by one of the
two men who were associated with
Prof. Morse in building the first ex-
perimental telegraph line between
Baltimore and Washington.
My informant was Gen. Edward
Wellman Serrell, who died about three
years ago; and while it may have
been stated before that the original
plan was to place the first CONNER
cial telegraph line in a subway, but
that poles were used instead, | hard
ly believe that the full story of how
this came about has been told.
The late Alfred Vail, whose various
suggestions led to great improvements
in. Prof. Morse's invention, and myself
were closely associated with Prof.
Morse in establishing the first operat-
ing telegraph plant between Baltimore
and Washington" the general said, as
we sat in the library of his home.
"Mr. Vail, who afterwards became
one of the great leaders in American
telegraphing, had some money, and
was willing to back Prof. Morse as far
as he could. But Prof. Morse had the
idea that, if the telegraph was going
to be commercially successful, it
would have to be carried through
pipes, laid in trenches, exactly as the
telegraph and telephone wires are
wires are not allowed by law. Vail,
who was a practical inventor, and /,
who was a civil engineer, realized
that to dig trench from Baltimore to
Washington, put hollow pipes in 1t,
and haul telegraph wires through the
pipes would cost great deal more
money than Vail had to put back of
Morse, or than Morse could obtain
from other sources. So the situation
looked dubious for days. and Prof.
Morse, naturally, was much discour-
aged.
Finally, there came a day when
Mr. Vail, who had been thinking al
most constantly over the grave prob
lem confronting us, said to Morse in
my presence:
al wonder how 1t would do to
string the wires on sticks?'
at wouldn't do at ALL Morse re-
piled. The wires would constantly be
broken, or otherwise interfered with.
"Al Vail was man who always
spoke his mind.
az don't believe It, he said. blunt
ly to Morse. I have made several ex-
periments stringing wires upon sticks.
At the sticks / have run the wires
through the necks of broken bottles
to insulate them, and they work all
right. Now, If we get tall enough
sticks, and utilize trees wherever we
find them along the route, / am sure
that we can string our wires at very
small cost, and nothing short of big
windstorm or heavy snowstorm would
do them any damage
Il took sides with "a Vail at once,
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23
Origin of Telegraph Poles

the venerable engineer continued, with
a reminiscent smile. You see, my
engineering experience served me. l
told Prof. Morse that Wallis plan was
perfectly feasible.
"At last we persuaded Prof. Morse
to put aside the trench, or buried wire
idea, and to turn to sticks, or poles.
In the meantime. however. Vail had
set up some clothes poles and strung
telegraph wire along them, and thus
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23
CLAY STATUE IS DESIGNED
Chicagoan Makes Shaft of the Great
Statesman to Be Unveiled
Next April.

Chicago.-A statue of Henry Clay
for the monument erected at Licking
ton, KY, so years ago, has been de-
signed by Charles ]. Mulligan, the Chi
cago sculptor. 1t will be set in place
April 70, the birthday anniversary of
the statesman.
The original was designed by an
English architect, but a year ago light
ming struck the statue, which was 16
feet high, surrounding shaft of 125
feet, and the head fell to the ground.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23
NEW IL VS.
OF 1ESIlE Z,! 3! ]ly!(Z'll,

indexed, as now. Casting about for .
suitable defense to make before the
convention, he recalled that during
one of his searches among the chaos
of state department papers he had
accidentally come across and casually
read some official document in which,
it seemed to him, as he recalled 1t,
Mexico had waived her Indian claims
against this government, in consider
alton of the fact that the United States
had paid to Mexico $10,000,000 for
what is commonly known as the Gads-
den purchase. BY this purchase made
in 1853, this country obtained terri
tory that now lies in Arizona and part
ly in New Mexico.
Hundreds, thousands of papers
were examined by Mr.. Ashton. Then,
finally, there came day when he
pulled some loose papers from a dirty
envelope-his task was over For
among these papers, whose very exist
ence had been forgotten by everybody
except the man who accidentally STUN
bled upon them long before when
about other business, and glanced cas-
ually over them, was found note
from Gen. Almonte, written when he
was the Mexican minister at Washing
ton, in which it was officially stated
that in view of the terms of the Gads-
den purchase, Mexico waived all
claims for depredations committed by
our Indians on her territory.
Tbara remained inst ono thing e.
do. When the convention met, with
Gen. Caleb and his client cocksure of
victory, Mr.. Ashton quietly produced
the Mexican waiver. The brilliant
Cushing and the Mexicans were utter
ly confounded; Sir Edward Thornton,
as umpire, gave judgment for the
United States-an infallible memory
had saved the Country fortune.
Copyright. 1909. by E. J. Edwards.)
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23
CritiCiSe
French
System OF
Criminal
Law
By CHARLES M BARRONNE
New Orleans Attorney

persons in this country arrested and brought Jail charge
of having What is it that often
respectable the old English must supposed
innocent until their guilt is established?
many infamous outages have been perpeaed and
confines of small rooms IN police stations through
the racking torture Of the "third degree
had rather open court by peudced judge
he nut through the horrors of a police sweating
The one is done openly hundreds of spectators
niouy and the actors go the limits of insult and vile
persecution with indignant bysanders to call halt
The third degree applied in this country disgrace
of the brutal days Of the nqusin and should
no longer be tolerated Of freedom and fair play
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23
How Far
Free
Speech
Can Go
with Safety
By LAFAYETTE C. BLAIR

welfare Viewed from this latter
with due reference and respect the rights of the
In other words, it conform rule of conduct
If could imagine country in which each individual
unto himself where there restriction
do should have anarcha land of chaos where regulations
"fa like life itself the living
country that is really free must be government
if of equal application
to everything that affects its people whole
If this be conceded follow the the day." that
both spoken and wrinhat lever by which
powerfully movedhoud operated controlled bv law
In free republic such ours whose laws bv the
most" enlightened public opinion is our sheet
anchor and education is most widely
difused very large of lib kssz.<< = ssEzzN
ery might be permitted u
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23

How far can free speech safely go in a
free country? 1t depends. If by free
speech is meant the irresponsible and idle
utterances of unbridled tongues; if its evil
dent purpose is to harm the individual, or
work mischief in the community; if in
itself it can be seen to be venomous and
hurtful; then, like all noxious things, it
should be suppressed.
If, however, it is merely the honest ex-
preston of individual opinion, however
widely it may differ from established views
or preconceived notions, it should be given
the widest latitude consistent with the COM
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23

notice that the press of this country
is heaping violent condemnation on the
French system of criminal law, apropos OF
the trial of Nine. Steinheil 1t is true
that the French plan of having the Judge
who is trying the case act as public prose
cutor is open to grave objections
l greatly prefer our practice, which
puts the judge in the dignifed and impair
tial attitude of striving to ascertain only
the truth and secure the ends of justice.
Let us stop moment, though, before
we get through applauding our American
superiority and reflect on the treatment Of
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23
Tact.

Dear me, Mrs. Smithers, what is
that noise / heard yesterday over your
way? Was that bowling your dog
in fit?"
mo, Mrs. Queerit, that was my
daughter taking her singing lesson
from, Signor Yelerino."
mo, no, Mrs. Smithers. 1 was told
1t was your daughter singing when
asked what bird you had there trill.
ing more beautifully than knew your
canary could"
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23

proved by ocular demonstration that
his plan was feasible. At that time
we got the idea of having the tele-
graph sticks about the height of the
ordinary clothes pole, but before we
began the work of securing and pla-
cling the poles, we all three decided
that higher pole would be better
it would keep the wires out of reach
of people and vehicles. out of harms
way So pole about the height CT
the present telegraph pole was de-
cided on. Vail, l believe, determining
the height"
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23
The Clay Statue.

This was not greatly damaged, and it
was used as a measurement for the
new statue, which Mr.. Mulligan has
recently made.
An appropriation of $4,000 was made
by the state of Kentucky for the new
statue.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23

III tape anu again IfalScTIDed from a tape at the
receiving end
Long distance Morse wires due to improved Gre
peang" devices, displaced the Wheatstone to large
extent in the latter part of the nneties Since then
the companies have experimental with various auto
matte printing systems, nearly all of which dis
carded the old patents being taken up and applied to
machines, the printing telegraph machines result
ing.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23
MAY BE BRITISH ENVOY
Sir Maurice De Bunsen Spoken of as
New Ambassador TO the
l United States.

New York.-Sir Maurice De Runsen,
British ambassador at Madrid, who,
according to report received in Lon
don from the Spanish capital, may
succeed Ambassador Bryce as Great
Britain's representative, at Washing
ton, will, if he comes to the United
States, return to the scene of his first
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23
The Little DARLING,

Little Willie was missed by his
mother one day for some time. and
when he reappeared she asked:
where have you been, my pet?"
playing postman,' replied her
pet" Il gave letter to all the
houses in our block. Real letters.
too"
where on earth did you get them?"
questioned his mother, in amazement.
"They were those old ones in your
wardrobe drawer, tied up with rib
bon," was the innocent reply.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23
Telegraph
|()pera tOr
Hard to DiSplace
Them
with Machines
By P. EVAN JONES

HE MORSE teegrapher who operates key and picks dots and
dashes from earpecng little rattle and whom nven-
tors and electrical engineers have been training their guns
IN efforts OF determination for quarter of century more
seems to have just at least partial victory machine
teegrahping and has declared hmselfor hersefsti
duty, if you please.
On October Is last big company boxed up its print
ing machines which it had installed several of its heavy
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23

during The big strike Of 1907
sounder workers to the The known
but the tapers was because the work of the machines
was not up to the demand.
Photographers that machine tegraphng unsatisfactory
The machine at the receiving end has the brains OPERATOR
and cannot correct the mistakes by bkng having
confirmed without heavy delay to the message.
The machines be delicate and will not work
ing storms and electrical disturbances which necessary keep
large force of Morse operators
insulation and heavy induction another telegraph
sad satisfaction key
and sounder method.
Probably the first machine gain recognition any
the keys and saunders began be
ported the Weatstone England years
worked extensively for number of and worked between
Chicago and San Francisco.
1t rapid system Of egaphy and indispensable
where there shortage
united by the Wheatsone they had to be prepared by punching holes
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-12-23

Many bachelor has had narrow
escape from Cupid's bow.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17
TRADE PROBLEMS UP
National Board Will Consider
important Subjects.
C0NVENES TUESDAY NEXT
Washington Will Submit Two Big
Resolutions.
WATERWAYS APPROPRIATIONS
Uniform Bill of Lading-Seventy-
Eight Matters to Be Presented
for Expression of Opinion.
APPROPRIATIONS

The thirtynnth annual meeting of the
National Board of Trade will convene at
noon Tuesday at the New Willard Ho-
tel Among subjects to be considered
and acted upon are the American mer-
chant marine. diplomatic and consular
service. federal grain inspection. forestry
and irrigation. interstate commerce law,
parcels post, postal savings bank, river
and harbor Improvement and uniform
bill of lading. These questions and many
others will be discussed by delegates
from trades and commercial bodies of the
principal cities of the United States
Opinions Garry Weight.
The resolutions passed by the National
Board of Trade are expressive of the
best sentiment and business judgment
Of the country. These opinions are given
great weight in determining the ques-
tons acted upon.
Among the trades bodies represented
will be the New York Produce Exchange.
Philadelphia Board of Trade, Scranton
Board of Trade. Washington Board of
Trade, Boston Chamber of Commerce.
Baltimore Chamber of Commerce. Nash
vile Grain Exchange, National Irrigation
Association, National Hardware Associa-
ton, Italian Chamber of Commerce of
New York city and American Ware
houseman's Association. All have SUBJ
mltted resolutions to be considered.
The sessions will be held Tuesday We'd
nesday and Thursday of the comtng
week on the top floor of the New Will
lard Hotel. Headquarters will be in room
93S.
The president of the board is Frank
manufacturer of Philadelphia. The sec
rotary Is William r. Tucker.
Seventy eight resolutions, racing
twenty-five subjects. are to be presented
for consideration. Those adopted are
to be forwarded to the secretaries of
Resolution offered by Washington.
Resolution proposed by the Washing
ton Board of Trade is as follows:
Whereas the increasing productions
of our country and ITS enlarged domestic
and foreign commerce demand all posi-
BILE facilities of transportation-the free
natural lines of transportation are it's
rivers and harbors-all such avaia BILE
waters for water-borne commerce should
be kept open and in condition for trans
portation; therefore
Resolved. That the National Board
of Trade urges upon Congress adequate
yearly appropriations for that purpose
Another resolution reads
Whereas the commerce of the cOun-
try is hampered and retarded in it's move
ments by the restrictions placed upon it
by the common carriers through variously
worded and carelessly expressed shipping
receipts; and
Whereas the restrictions, etc. tend
to make the movement of merchandise
more expensive through larger interest
charges: therefore be it
Resolved. That the National Board
of Trade favors the requirement of a
uniform bill of lading to be used by all
common carriers, and such regulation of
the transportation of merchandise as will
enforce it's use and cause the said car
riers to assume proper responsibility
Hereunder
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17
HAD EXHAUSTED THE SUBJECT
Why A. F. of L. Failed to Get House
Judiciary Committee Hearing.

Samuel GomperS reported to the execu-
tive council of the American Federation
of Labor yesterday afternoon that he had
failed in his effort to get a hearing for
the representatives of the council before
the judiciary committee of the House OF
Representatives that they might present
reasons for amending the Sherman anti
trust law, and reasons for a bill regulaf-
ing the issuance of injunctions.
The matter was given to the committee
in the form of copies of all the CORE
spondence between Samuel Gompers and
the various members of the judiciary COM
mittee. The reason for the request Is sue
cinctly stated in Mr.. Gompers' letter to
Representative Jenkins, chairman of the
committee.
After several delays Mr. Gompers re-
ceived a letter from Representative Hen
ry regretting the inability of the commit
tee to grant a hearing at this time
Representative Jenkins said last night
that Mr.. GomperS and his associates had
virtually exhausted the subject by many
appearances before the committee that he
had already explained the whole situa-
ton to Mr.. Gompers' representatives who
had called upon him. and added that
scores of other interests who deserve to
be respected much as Gompers are also
clamoring to appear before the commit
tee"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17
DECIDES ON MATCHES.
Officers Revolver Association, N. G.
D. c.. Arranges Program.

The executive committee of the Officers
Revolver Association of the National
Guard District of Columbia met last
evening in the rifle gallery, Capt. George
L. TAFT president presiding.
The report of the committee on the reg
ulation of matches, Maj. G. b. Young.
chairman. was received After debate the
following matches were decided upon:
Company match teams of two officers
from each company; battalion match,
teams of five officers. the staff and each
company to be represented; regimental
match. team of six officers. each battal-
ion to be represented. The company
match to be shot at ten yards, the bat
talon match at fifteen and the regimental
competitions in each class, one each in
February. March and April.
challenge has been received from the
Louisville, KY, Revolver Club through
Capt. jackson Morris, formerly of the
n. CT. d. c.. and negotiations are under
will also be arranged with the Capital
City Revolver Club. of which Capt Sher-
idan Ferree is president.
The executive committee decided to rec
ommend that a championship match be
arranged for the next fall meet to be
national pistol match
The following were some of the best
scores recorded last evening: Ten yards,
Lieut.. Heidenreich, %; Lieut.. Putnam 93;
Lieut.. Burton, 50; Lieut.. Weir, 81; Lieut.
Holt, so; Capt. O'Halloran, rs; Capt
Heap, 80; Lieut. Sullivan. 90; Lieut.
Sherwood, 81; Lieut.. Bomar, 80. Fifteen
yards. Lieut.. Holt. 90; Lieut.. Putnam, 50:
Lieut.. Heidenreich. 81; Lieut.. Smoot, 60
Twenty yards. Lieut. Heidenreich, 81;
Lieut.. Col. Reichelderfer, 81, IS, rs;
Lieut.. Holt. "a.
The practice was the first of the season.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17
TEAM MAKES LONG RUN.
Horses Belonging to Maj. Edie in an
Exciting Runaway.

While George Odrick of 2723 Dumbarton
avenue northwest employed as driver
for Maj. Guy l.. Edie, attending surgeon
of the United States Army, was talking
to his employer at the front door of the
latter's home, 1907 S street northwest
shortly before o'clock last night, two
horses attached to family carriage
which he had left standing at the curb
suddenly became frightened and ran
away.
The animals dashed along S street, down
to Goth street and then turned south to
Pennsylvania avenue, thence to 9TH street
and on to the Mall, where they were
caught near the Fish Commission build
ing. The flight of the horses was stopped
because of a collision with tree, in
which the carriage was almost completely
demolished.
The horses were caught by Philip Nc
Council of 93a Virginia avenue southeast
and William Woodson of l1111s Sth street
The damage to the carriage and harness is
estimated at $500.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17
NEW OFFICERS CHOSEN.
Mississippi Society Holds Election
and Entertainment

The election of officers for the coming
year took place last night at the regular
monthly meeting of the Mississippi So
ciety, held in its quarters at the Pythian
Temple. There was but one ticket placed
in the field. the nominations being made
by committee appointed for the purpose.
Those who will have charge of the af
fairs of the society for the next twelve
months are: President, Charles NJ. Clark;
first vice president. B. G. Humphreys;
second vice president. Mrs. c. v. Petteye;
third vice president. Miss May Blackmon;
treasurer. Walter P. Ramsey: secretary,
Miss Bonnie e. Nabers, and historian,
Miss Alice Lusk. A new office, under the
title of reporter, was created by the NOM
mating committee, Miss Zalie Brinker
being elected to serve the society in this
capacity along with the other officers
Following the election a musical pro-
gram prepared by the committee on en-
tertainments was rendered
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17
The Lincoln Collection.
the Editor of The Star:


fhe stirring appeal in Thursdays Star
concerning The Lincoln Centenary and
YOUR fine tribute to Lincoln encourage
me TO hope, if not 10 suggest, that you
may make, an equally touching and eff
fective plea to Congress TO make some
provision for the immediate and perma-
feFtS protection of the Lincoln memorials
which Mr.. OldroyG. with sacrifcial
patriotism. has thus far safely guarded.
The building in which Lincoln died and
now: ntaining over 5000 practically all
of the precious relics, is far from being
a freproof structure and is surrounded
10y equally doubtful fire risks Indeed,
there have been several fires during the
past year IN close proximity. The Ma
tionai. Museum contains relics associated
with men and women of various grades
Of -meritorIous claim, not one of whom
can be surer of the highest paeans of the
coming centuries than tie lowly born
Abraham Lincoln.
II seems almost criminal to thus neglect
to Care for rightful heritage of the fu-
ttTe. n. B. SHERMAN.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17
Death of John A. Power.

John y. Power, whose death occurred
recently was in business continuously in
this city for more than forty-five years
and had a wide circle of friends here.
He was formerly in the plumbing bust
ness at 40 10th street. but retired several
years ago owing to i'll health following
a stroke of paralysis. He was seventy
two years of age. His death occurred at
the home of his daughter. Mrs. j. 3.
Waters. Riverdale. Nd. His wife and
six children survive HIM. The funar"'
was from st. Matthews Church, and
member of the Master Plumb is -Asso1 Ia
ton served as pallbearers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-17
ASTHMA EASILY CURED
Readily Conquered by Recent Scientific
Discovery.

In spite of the fact that the majority OF asih.
mia sufferers are inclined toward the belief that
aekhma is incurable. the statement Is mace
WITHOUT qualification that the only positive anu
pernlanent cure for this distressing disease
the celebrated specific. known TO the medica
profession as ascatco. and dispensed since It's
discovery g. short time ago by the Austrian
Labora tory Chronic cases Of asthma In al parts
of. the country have been permanently cured p'
this wonderful preparation. which is taken by the
pattent in bis or her home, without necessita'-
ing change OF climate. which is foolishly sup
posed 10 be Necessarily.
;!Fbe demand for ascatco in Washington mas
caused the directors Of the Laboratory to supply
Thos. f. Ogram. the druggist, with quantity OF
the prepa ration--a ffty-cent size for mild cases
and the So size. sufficient for one months treat
menf and which will chronic cases with
rapidity that win simply astonish the patent.
The way for any one to become SATISFIED that
asatco is a really wonderful remedy Is, simply
10 write to the Austrian Laboratory, 81 West @otn
street, New York city, and ask for an eApefi-
mental treatment which they will be glad 10
send by mail without any charge whatever.