South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-27


the first local history subscriber able
If he can get Central-to get into communication with
40 other stations
such service possible by merging Of
two local telephone systems months ago-con-
summated midnight night by cutting over"
OF into organization.
Fifty thousand telephones How much different it is
in 1919 what n March, 1880. when 20 tee-
phones began operation in South Bend. Now Misha-
waka merely exchange in the system; then.
was compelled call long distance" and pay toll
charge 20 cents. allowed Far
away city"
Six exchanges-A1ain Lincoln County Harrison. Gar
field and Mishawaka-may incline South Benders
up q little bit the thought of having big
town" system. But back in the SOS there four
exchanges-Nain Cherry. Red Black-only
exchanges about ike party lines" today.
FIRST PHONES 1880.
South Bend citizens first experienced the thrill OF
hearing word Number" n March. 1880,
when Frank Brown started things as manager OF the
South Bend Telephone and Exchange company. Mr..
Brown wire chief. toll operator. phone girl and
boy. History state whether citizens then
got under the collar delayed
perhaps they didn't, because telephones then were
novelties luxuries-not things And,
it a cumbersome and unwieldy system Of oper-
alton which then used
The first telephone Office above the Ellsworth
store. then located where Sailor is now
Mr. Brown, the lone operator. mad trouble In
manipulating the exchange having than
does the girl today who handles hundreds calls in
hour. The wires the telephone system CEN
tered in the roof OF the old Oliver house
where the oliver hotel tower was en-
cased in tin. to make weather proof had
modationa wires for telephones
Come .tions were not made through switchboard
like those OF the present day The plug boards were
high a man. reaching from the to the top
OF head. the operators up and walked
about making the connections
WHEN TELEPHONES WE'RE NOVELTIES
For time after telephones Installed here
they were looked upon distinct novelty They
considered luxuries rather than necessities we
consider them today Merchants extensively
clear public orders received over
telephone just the same as
orders brought into the store by messenger.
The first list subscribers published contained is
names. about quarter Of column in the telephone
directory which takes effect this morning The original
list included the Singer Manufacturing company which
had telephone l. D. W. Co. Michigan Central
railroad freight and telegraph office
Grand Trunk railway. Marvin Campbell store Oliver
Plow works, Ssudebaker Wagon worAs. j. T. Knoblock
and Co. Reghter Office. oliver house. Grand Central
hotel George W. Reynolds livery barn, Marvin
Campbells residence.
Perhaps South citizens are inclined to charge
sraft petty politics they look upon the per-
franchise granted TO the first telephone ex-
change in South Bend which franchise. through the
purchase OF holdings. held by the Central Union
But history. this case. the poll
ticans OF that time.
such novelty the telephone. and such an ad-
it considered. that the public was enthus-
aStic t>.rsle. franchise matter came
the councilmen inclined hesitate over the
almost blanc grant. instead OF winning the
their constituents they looked upon
hndrances the progress path the city. With
public opinion strongly for the franchise,
Telephone rates 1SSO-the first year-were 81
month This the subscriber privilege of con
nection with slightly than a score Of telephones
Mishawaka the only toll point. a charge OF 20
cents elI-pius messenger charges. if anyways.
charged addition o the rental
CENTRAL UNION Is FORMED.
In 1881 the local telephone system was taken over
by the Western Telephone company. and more toll
points added. years later the present Cen
stunned control gradually widening scope until long
distance" really il.
In the telephone line between Chicago and
New York opened. South Bend was on the
In the present day York TO san Fran
cisco service New York TO London wireless
telephony. the achievement doesn't loom very start
lingy was considered almost miraculous
For lo years the Central Union company operated
without opposition; 1885, however Citizens TeIe
phone company organized. and then began a fight
patronage. with price cutting and mud throwing
IN plentiful evidence For a time looked though
one company must surely give up. but eventualy-inI
Central Union purchased holdings Of the other con
or something over year. the Central Union held
undisputed South n December OF
1901 the franchise Of the South Bend Telephone
company granted. Again competition every