Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1909-04-01
v. ]. ARMES
WILL Retire

On April 1st W. J. Armes, Western
Union Telegraph operator in this city,
will retire after forty-two years faith
full service. His place will be filled
by William Dyer of the south side.
Mr.. Armes' record is remarkable not
only because of long term of service
but also by reason of the fidelity with
which he adhered to his post. This
VIII become plain when il is stated
that during his long service Mr.. Armes
never had vacation in the usual
| sense of that term. AS matter Of
fact with the exception OF few
weeks illness lie was absent from his
post only one day.
Mr. Armes was one OF the pioneers
in telegraphy. He learned operating
under B. Il. Ges,hart Mt the old Phil
adelphia and Reading station The
first position he held was under the
Susquehanua Telegraph company,
whose liue extended from Harrisburg
to Dauvilie. He entered the employ
inent Of this company June II, 1868,
aui had charge Of the offine in Dan
vile until he was drafted, on Novem-
ber /, 1864. On December ii, 1864. he
entered the army as member OF the
United States telegraph corps. He re-
mained in the army until October 80,
1868.
One of Mr.. Armes' most valued pos
sessions is handsomely engraved
document, issued by the government,
showing his honorable discharge. Mr..
Armes is q member of the Society of
the United States Military Telegraph
corps, of which Andrew Carnegie and
ether prominent men of our count y
are honorary members. The certificate
of membership relating to this organ
ization, which is very handsome, is
another possession which Mr. Armes
values highly.
After the war Mr.. Armes came home
and obtained position at the p. & r.
depot He remained there six months
working at nights. He was next cali
ed to wiIliamsport, " here he remained
eichs months.
On February II, 1867, lie returned
to Danville, entering the Office of the
Western Union Telegraph company,
which was then new concern. The
Office was in the Conkling building.
which occupied the present site of the
Danville National bank. In 1872 the
Western Union Office was moved over
to the eastern side of Mil street in the
building now occupied by A. Il.
Grone. 10 1874 it was moved to Allie
bach's jewelry store, now the Baldy
house. In 1880 the office was establish
ed at the present quarters, No 2C9 Mill
street
During all this time. over forty.two
years Mr.. Armes was continuously in
charge He received no vacation
neither did he ask for ore, As a mat.
ter OF fact he was absent only one day
on pleasure. Fourth o. July, which
some years ago he spent in Williams
port as guest of the telephone conf
pany that had its exchange in the
Western Union office here.
On December A, 1908. Mr. Armes was
taken i'll. He resumed lis post Feb
ruary /, 1904, This period of less than
two months together with the day
spent in Williamsport represents the
entire time he was OFF duty while in
the Western Union i employ. During
the year or more that Mr.. Armes was
employed in Danville before entering
the army he was absent from his post
only two days, occupied by business
"trip to Philadelphia
NJ. Armes was very expert operst
or in his time, but long service has
begun to tell upon him. His general
health is good, however, and he no
loubt has many years before him aud
/ i'll enjoy life in his retirement.
( william Dyer, WHO will succeed Mr..
/ Asmes ia the Western Union office
1 here, IS al present in the employ Of
the Pennsylvania Railroad company
and has charge of tie telegraph office
at WoIverton.