Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1915-08-27
DEATH OF A. H. COPELAND.

| Word was received in Middlebury Sat-
turday which announced the death of
Albert H. Copeland at the home of his
son, G. E. Copeland, in Milwaukee, Wis.
The body was brought to Chenoa, ILL.,,
and the funeral services were held at the
Presbyterian church Saturday, August
Ia, with burial in the Chenoa cemetery.
The ediice was filled to overlooking by
sympathizing friends who came to pay
their final tribute. The Masonic fra
ternity had charge Of the services at
the grave.
Mr.. Copeland was born in Middlebury
VT, June 7, 1880. He was married to
Miss Frances L. Copeland November
IL, 1856. The latter died in 1904. Since
that time Mr.. Copeland has lived with
his daughter, Mrs. J. R. Kayte, in Oak
Park, ILL.,, and with his son in Mil
waukee.
He went to Chenoa in 1868 and for
many years was agent and operator
for the T., P. & w. and c. & A. rail
roads in that city. He was the first
man to suggest the movement of trains
by telegraph. While working as an
operator at Middlebury, VT, train on
the Rutland & Burlington road was
greatly delayed and Mr.. Copeland
learning of its whereabouts, made ar
rangement by telegraph for the train to
wait at certain station. This method
was soon adopted by all the railroads.
The passing of Mr.. Copeland was
noted at some length in the Blooming
ton Qll.) Paragraph of Saturday morn
ing, and it was then noted that his chief
distinction was due to the fact that he
originated the custom of the railroads
moving their trains by Geographic
orders. The detailed story of the origin
of this custom is of special interest just
now, and it came about in this way:
In the winter of 1852 Mr. Copeland
worked in the postoffice at Middlebury
VT, and was also telegraph op-
orator, the telegraph offices in those
days being generally located in the
post Offices and not in depots. Rail
roads had no telegraph service of their
own; the trains were operated wholly
by me-card rules, which provided that
one train would wait at a certain
station until the other train had passed.
If one train was late at the meeting
point the other was required to wait
twelve hours or until the other SHOWED
up. Such a condition existed on the
winter morning in February, 1852, wher
the first telegraphic train order FLASHED
over the wires. The north bound train
4 due to meet the south abound train a.
l Middlebury was in snow bank in the
4 Green Mountains south of Rutland.
4 The conductor of the south bounC
. train was, of course, unaware of this
i and only knew that he and his passen
i gers had before them a wait at Middle
bury anywhere from twelve minute
: to twelve hours, when at the eXpira
\ ton of the latter time his train regard
7 ed its right to proceed south to Rut
land. AS the length of delay increased
the restless, irritated passengers grey
bold and wandered uptown from tn
depot Some of them struggled int
the post Office and happened to te
Copeland of the delay. The operate
thought moment. Then he said: "Yo
bring the conductor up here and per
haps we can fix it so that you can G
on to Rutland without waiting for tn
north-bound train" The conductor de
INJURED but finally acceded to the de
mand of his irate passengers.
Upon arrival at the post Office Nh
4 Copeland handed him message fror
his superintendent at Rutland. 1t rea
something like this: North boun
train in snowbank south of here. 70
come on down to Rutland and / wi
n not let any train go north until 20
arrive" Mr.. Conductor read his order
looked Copeland straight in the eye an
said. Il am afraid to do this.
might be taking a chance. How do
know its genuine?" Copeland quietl
replied: ON ride on the engine to Ru
land. That settled. it and the train wer
on its way, the passengers rejoicing an
heartily thanking the operator, VIII
kept up wonderful amount of think
ing while quietly sitting in the ca
from Mddlebury to Rutland.
n Mr.. Copeland was a resident of Mic
. dlebury for many years and at tha
time member of Union lodge, No.
r. F. & A. M, and of Lake Dunmore lodg
of Odd Fellows.