Improvements in Telephony and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 6th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Telephony and in Apparatus therefor.
I, MILO GIFFORD KELLOGG, of 135, 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois, United
States, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
:-
My invention is a metallic circuit multiple switch board telephone exchange
system, in which each line has a cord and a plug attached to it, to which the line
is normally connected. The said plug rests normally in a switching device, and
when it is desired to connect the line with another line for conversation the plug is
removed from its normal position and placed in the switch of the line wanted.
This system is called the "Single Cord System.'
"
My invention includes a system of testing and apparatus, circuits and connections
for each line, whereby the operator may quickly and with few motions connect her
telephone to the circuit of the calling line, may ascertain by a test whether the line
wanted is already in use at another switchboard, may connect the two lines together,
may send signalling currents over the lines, may receive a signal for disconnection,
may connect her telephone into the circuit to determine whether the two
subscribers have finished talking, and may disconnect the lines and place the line
apparatus in readiness for receiving a new call.
This system I claim to be superior to other telephone exchange systems in
simplicity and in speed of operation.
Each switchboard has a springjack or similar switch for each line. Each switch
has a contact spring which is normally in contact with a contact point, but is
separated and insulated from the point when a plug is inserted into it, and a
contact piece which is normally insulated from the spring, and which is connected
with one contact piece of the plug when the plug is inserted into the switch. The
contact piece of the switch is adapted to have a test plug applied to it for testing.
The switch plugs are loop plugs adapted to be inserted into the switch holes.
When a plug is inserted into a switch, its two contact pieces form connection with
the spring and contact piece respectively of the switch. In order to operate the
disconnecting system, as hereafter described, the plug should preferably be
inserted into the switches so that their pieces form connection with the switch
spring.
Each line has a plug switching device and an operators switching device both at
the same switchboard as the plug and cord of the line, where the calls of the line
are answered. This plug switching device is operated by the switch plug and the
operator's switching device is manipulated by the operator. The construction
operation and manipulation of these switching devices will be hereafter explained
in detail.
In the plug switching devices is a piece which receives and guides the plug and
furnishes support for the contact springs and points. I will call the contact springs
1, 3 and 6 and the contact points 2, 4, 5 and 7 they operate as follows: When the
switch plug is in the device it presses or forces spring 1 out of contact with point
2 and spring 1 carries spring 3 out of contact with point 4, while spring 6 is
pressed into contact with point 7. When the plug is taken from the device
springs 1 and 3 pass into contact with points 2 and 4 respectively, and spring 6
into contact with point 5.
The operator's switching devices are carried by a frame which supports and
insulates the parts there are two contact springs, three contact points which I will
call 8, 9 and 10 and a moveable rod terminating at one end in the knob and at the
other end in an irregularly shaped ebonite piece. The rod with the knob and
the ebonite piece move together as one piece, and may be called the movable

page_text: commutator piece of the switch. The knob and the piece furnish stops which limit the
inner and outer motions of the commutator piece. The parts of the switching
device are constructed, shaped and mounted so as to obtain the following switching
connections. When the commutator piece is in its outer position, the springs
are in contact with points 9 and 10 respectively. When it is moved to its central
position one spring is forced into contact with point 8. When it is moved to its
inner position the springs are not in contact with any of the switch points.
There is a two point key, having a lever normally in contact with a contact point
but separated from the point when pressed by the operator, an operator's
telephone, a calling generator or battery and line annunciators one for each line.
The connections of the lines and the central office apparatus are as follows:
One side or branch of the line passes normally in succession through the spring and
contact point of its switches on the several boards, passing in each case first to the
spring. It then passes through the line annunciator, and thence to contacts 2 and 6
of its plug switching device. Before passing through the annunciator the circuit
branches to one of the contact pieces of the loop plug of the line.
The other side or branch of the line is connected to the contact pieces of the
switches of the line and to points 3 and 5 of the plug switching device, and also
to the other contact piece of the plug. Contact point 7 is connected to earth.
The contact springs of the operator's switching device of the line are connected
to 1 and 4 respectively of its plug switching device. One side of the operator's
telephone is connected to point 9, and the other side to point 10. Point 8 is
connected through the operator's calling generator or battery, and the contact
points of the key, to point 10. The junction wire between the two coils of the
telephone is connected to earth.
When the lines are not in use their plugs rest in their plug switching devices, and
the commutator pieces of the operator's switching devices are in their outer
positions.
In the subscribers station apparatus there is a telephone switch, a subscriber's
battery, his signal receiving bell, his hand telephone, his telephone transmitter, the
secondary and the primary of the transmitter induction coil, and his calling key or
switch.
The subscriber's calling key is a two point key or switch, having points or
contacts normally open or disconnected from each other but brought into contact
by the subscriber while he operates the key to send in a call. The various parts
of the apparatus may be of any usual form for the purpose indicated.
The battery is normally, or when the telephone is not switched for use in the
circuit of the line. The circuit connections and contact at the subscriber's station
are such that when the telephone is on the switch (or not switched for use) the
calling bell is in the line circuit and the hand telephone and secondary of the
induction coil are switched or shunted from the circuit, and when the telephone
is off the switch (or switched for use) the calling bell is switched or shunted from
the circuit, the hand telephone and the secondary of the induction coil are in the
line circuit and the battery the primary of the induction coil and the telephone
transmitter are in the line circuit but are shunted or bridged by a circuit of
comparatively small resistance so as to be in a local closed circuit at the subscribers
station. One of the contact points of the subscribers calling key is connected to
the ground and the other point of the key is connected to his line with-his-battery
between the connection and the normal ground connection of the line at the central
office. All of-the- subscribers station batteries are connected into their line circuits
so that the same poles of the batteries are connected to the sides or branches of the
lines which are normally grounded at the central office.
The operation of the system is as follows. When a subscriber desires to call he
depresses his calling key which establishes a closed circuit from his earth
connection through his battery and one branch of his line and his annunciator at
the central office, thereby operating his annunciator. The operator sees the signal
and takes the line plug from its normal position thus connecting her telephone

page_text: to the two branches of the line by the closing of the two pairs of contact 1, 2 and
3, 4. At the same time the connection of line to earth is broken by the opening of
the pair of contacts 5, 7. On learning which line is wanted, the operator tests that
line, as will be described hereafter, and, on finding it free or unswitched, places the
plug in the switch of that line, thus disconnecting it from its earth connection and
connecting the two lines of the calling and called subscribers into a metallic circuit
which is bridged or cross-connected at the central office by a circuit which includes
the operators telephone. The operator then presses the communicator piece of
the switching device to its inner position. While this is passing from one position
to another and while the spring rests on part of the ebonized piece, the spring is in
contact with point 8, and the calling generator or battery is connected in a bridge
or cross connection to the circuit of the two lines. A split current therefore
passes to both lines ringing the bell of the subscriber wanted as well as that of the
calling subscriber if he has replaced his telephone on its switch.
When the communicator piece is in its inner position neither the telephone nor
the calling generator or battery is connected to the circuit of the two lines.
When the lines are connected as described their circuit is bridged or cross
connected by a circuit containing the annunciator of the calling subscriber. This
is effected by the connections described and by the closing of the contacts 5 and 6
caused by the withdrawal of the plug from its normal position. This annunciator
will therefore indicate any disconnection signal from either subscriber.
annunciator is preferably of high resistance and constructed so as to offer consider-
able retardation to telephone currents.
The
If the operator desires to determine whether the subscribers have finished talking
he depresses the key and, while its contacts are open, moves the commutator piece
to its outer position. This connects to the lines in a bridge circuit the telephone of
the operator, who can hear whether the conversation is finished or not. The
opening of the key contact points prevents any false signal being sent from the
calling generator or battery in case the subscribers have already placed their
telephone on their switches.
When the subscribers have finished talking they will replace their telephones on
their telephone switches and by so doing the shunt or short circuits of their
respective batteries will be open and the full battery current will go to the line
circuit and cooperate to cause the annunciator which bridges their circuit at the
central office to indicate a disconnecting signal. The disconnecting signal is there-
fore automatically made to the central office by the act of the subscribers replacing
their telephones on their switches when they are through conversation.
The operation of the test system is as follows: The operator places one of the
contact pieces of the plug of the calling line on the contact piece of the switch of
the line wanted. If the line tested is free or unswitched a closed circuit will be
established from earth through a portion of the telephone coil to the line tested and
through the line to its normal earth at the central office including the subscribers
station battery and the operator will hear a sound or click in the telephone. If the
line tested is already switched at any board, this test circuit will be open and the
operator hears nothing. The test therefore shows whether the line is in use at any
board.
The operations of making a connection are; (1) To remove the line plug from
its switching device. (2) To test with the same plug the line wanted. (3) To
insert the plug in the switch of the line wanted. (4) To depress the commutator
piece to its inner position.
To disconnect two lines the operator merely removes the plug from its switch
and replaces it in its normal position and withdraws the commutator piece of the
calling line to its normal or outer position.
This system requires the minimum of labor and of time to perform all the
operations involved in obtaining a telephonic communication in a large exchange.
Dated this 8th day of April 1890.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Telephony and in Apparatus therefor.
I, MILO GIFFORD KELLOGG of 135 Forty-Seventh Street, Chicago, Illinois,
United States, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention is a metallic circuit multiple switch board telephone exchange
system, in which each line has a cord and a plug attached to it, to which the line is
normally connected. The said plug rests normally in a switching device, and when
it is desired to connect the line with another line for conversation the plug is
removed from its normal position and placed in the switch of the line wanted.
This system is called the "Single Cord System."
My invention includes a system of testing and apparatus, circuits and connections
for each line, whereby the operator may quickly and with few motions connect her
telephone to the circuit of the calling line, may ascertain by a test whether the line
wanted is already in use at another switch board, may connect the two lines together,
may send signalling currents over the lines, may receive a signal for disconnection,
may connect her telephone into the circuit to determine whether the two subscribers
have finished talking, and may disconnect the lines and place the line apparatus in
readiness for receiving a new call.
This system I claim to be superior to other telephone exchange systems in
simplicity and in speed of operation.
In the accompanying drawing, illustrating my invention, Figure 1 represents
sections of two multiple switch-boards at the central office of the exchange, and
Figure 2 represents a subscriber's instrument.
Each switch-board has a spring jack or similar switch for each line. Each
switch has a contact spring which is normally in contact with a contact point, but
is separated and insulated from the point when a plug is inserted into it, and a
contact piece which is normally insulated from the spring, and which is connected
with one contact piece of the plug when the plug is inserted into the switch. The
contact piece of the switch is adapted to have a test plug applied to it for
testing.
The contact springs are shown at gg, while hh are the contact points, jj the
insulated contact pieces, 11 the plug holes, and a bare ebonite strips of the
shape substantially as shown, on which the metal parts of the switch are mounted.
The switch plugs are loop plugs adapted to be inserted into the switch holes.
When a plug is inserted into a switch, its two contact pieces form connection
with the spring and contact piece respectively of the switch. One of the
contact pieces of each plug is markeds and the other is s'. In order to operate
the disconnecting system, as hereafter described, the plug should preferably be
inserted into the switches so that their pieces s form connection with the switch
spring.
Each line has a plug switching device and an operator's switching device, both
at the same switch-board as the plug and cord of the line, where the calls of the
line are answered. This plug switching device-is-operated by the switch plug
and the operator's switching device is manipulated by the operator. The con-
struction, operation and manipulation of these switching devices will be hereafter
explained in detail.
Two lines and their switches on the boards, their plugs and cords, their
answering switches, their annunciators and their plug and operator's switching
devices are shown in Figure 1. The drawing shows the answering apparatus of
one of the lines as located at one of the boards, and that of the other line as located
at the other board.

page_text: A. A represent the two plug switching devices, and D D the two switch plugs
of the lines, to which double conductor flexible cords are attached, and which are
adapted to be inserted into any springless switch at the board where they may be
located. One plug is shown in its switching device, and one plug is shown out of
its device ready to be inserted into the switch of any line.
In the plug switching devices m is a piece which receives and guides the plug
and furnishes support for the contact springs and points. 1, 3 and 6 are contact
springs, and 2, 4, 5 and 7 are contact points, all constructed and insulated
substantially as shown, and operating as follows:-When the switch plug is in
the device it presses or forces spring 1 out of contact with point 2, and spring 1
carries spring 3 out of contact with point 4, while spring 6 is pressed into
contact with point 7. When the plug is taken from the device, springs 1
and 3 pass into contact with points 2 and 4 respectively, and spring 6 into con-
tact with point 5.
i
The operator's switching devices are marked B, B; d is a frame which supports
and insulates the parts, f are contact springs, and 8, 9 and 10 are contact points,
while is a movable rod terminating at one end in the knob e and at the other end
in the irregularly shaped ebonite piece pur. The rod with the knob e and the
ebonite piece pur move together as one piece, and may be called the movable
commutator piece of the switch. The knob e and the piece p furnish stops which
limit the inner and outer motions of the commutator piece. The parts of the
switching device are constructed, shaped and mounted substantially as shown, and
so as to obtain the following switching connections. When the commutator piece is
in its outer position, springs and f₁ are in contact with points 9 and 10 respectively.
When it is moved to its central position, spring is forced into contact with point 8 ;
when it is moved to its inner position the springs are not in contact with any
of the switch points.
K is a two-point key, having a lever normally in contact with a contact point,
but separated from the point when pressed by the operator, t is the operator's
telephone, B' the calling generator or battery. T in all the drawings is an earth
connection, and w w are line annunciators, one for each line.
The connections of the lines and the central office apparatus are substantially as
shown, and as follows:-One side or branch of the line passes normally in succession
through the spring and contact point of its switches on the several boards,
passing in each case first to the spring. It then passes through the line annunciator,
and thence to contacts 2 and 6 of its plug switching device. Before passing through
the annunciator the circuit branches to one of the contact pieces s of the loop plug
of the line.
The other side or branch of the line is connected to contact pieces jj of the
switches of the line and to points 3 and 5 of the plug switching device, and also to
the other contact piece of the plug. Contact point 7 is connected to earth.
Contact springs f and f¹ of the operator's switching device of the line are con-
nected to 1 and 4 respectively of its plug switching device. One side of the
operator's telephone is connected to point 9, and the other side to point 10. Point 8
is connected through the operator's calling generator or battery, and the contact
points of the key, to point 10. The junction wire between the two coils of the
telephone is connected to earth.
When the lines are not in use their plugs rest in their plug switching devices, and
the commutator pieces of the operator's switching devices are in their outer
positions.
In the subscriber's station apparatus shown in Figure 2, 1 is the telephone switch,
2 is the subscriber's battery, 3 is his signal receiving bell, 4 is his hand telephone,
5 his telephone transmitter, 6 the secondary and 7 the primary of the transmitter
induction coil, and his calling key or switch.
The subscriber's calling key is a two-point key or switch, having two points or
contacts normally open or disconnected from each other but brought into contact by

page_text: the subscriber while he operates the key to send in a call. The various parts of the
apparatus may be of any usual form for the purpose indicated.
The battery is normally, or when the telephone is not switched for use, in the
circuit of the line. The circuit connections and contacts at the subscriber's station
are such that when the telephone is on the switch (or not switched for use) the
calling bell is in the line circuit and the hand telephone and secondary of the
induction coil are switched or shunted from the circuit, and when the telephone is
off the switch (or switched for use) the calling hell is switched or shunted from the
circuit, the hand telephone and the secondary of the induction coil are in the line
circuit, and the battery, the primary of the induction coil and the telephone trans-
mitter are in the line circuit, but are shunted or bridged by a circuit of com-
paratively small resistance so as to be in a local closed circuit at the subscribers
station. One of the contact points of the subscriber's calling key is connected to
the ground and the other point of the key is connected to his line with his battery
between the connection and the normal ground connection of the line at the central
office. All of the subscriber's station batteries are connected into their line circuits,
so that the same poles of the batteries are connected to the sides or branches of the
lines which are normally grounded at the central office.
The operation of the system is as follows:-When a subscriber desires
to call he depresses his calling key, which establishes a closed circuit from
his earth connection through his battery and one branch of his line
and his annunciator at the central office thereby operating his annunciator. The
operator sees the signal and takes the line plug from its normal position, thus
connecting her telephone to the two branches of the line by the closing of the two
pairs of contacts 1, 2 and 3, 4. At the same time the connection of line to earth
is broken by the opening of the pair of contacts 6, 7. On learning which line is
wanted, the operator tests that line, as will be described hereafter, and, on finding
it free or unswitched, places the plug in the switch of that line, thus disconnecting
it from its earth connection and connecting the two lines of the calling and called
subscribers into a metallic circuit which is bridged or cross-connected at the central
office by a circuit which includes the operator's telephone. The operator then
presses the commutator piece of the switching device to its inner position. While
this is passing from one position to another, and while spring rests on part u of
the ebonite piece, the spring is in contact with point 8, and the calling generator or
battery is connected in a bridge or cross connection to the circuit of the two lines.
A split current therefore passes to both lines, ringing the bell of the subscriber
wanted, as well as that of the calling subscriber if he has replaced his telephone on
its switch.
When the commutator piece is in its inner position neither the telephone nor the
calling generator or battery is connected to the circuit of the two lines.
When the lines are connected as described their circuit is bridged or cross con-
nected by a circuit containing the annunciator of the calling subscriber. This
is effected by the connections described and by the closing of the contacts 5 and 6
caused by the withdrawal of the plug from its normal position. This annunciator
will therefore indicate any disconnection signal from either subscriber. The
annunciator is preferably of high resistance and constructed so as to offer considerable
retardation to telephone currents.
If the operator desires to determine whether the subscribers have finished talking,
he depresses the key K, and, while its contacts are open, moves the commutator
piece to its outer position. This connects to the lines in a bridge circuit the
-telephone of the operator, who can hear whether the conversation is finished or not.
The opening of the key contact points prevents any false signal being sent from the
calling generator or battery in case the subscribers have already placed their
telephone on their switches.
When the subscribers have finished talking they will replace their telephones on
their telephone switches, and by so doing the shunt or short circuits of their
respective batteries will be open and the full battery current will go to the line

page_text: circuit and co-operate to cause the annunciator which bridges their circuit at the
central office to indicate a disconnecting signal. The disconnecting signal is
therefore automatically made to the central office by the act of the subscribers
replacing their telephones on their switches when they are through conversation.
The operation of the test system is as follows:-The operator places one of the
contact pieces of the plug of the calling line on the contact piece of the switch of
the line wanted. If the line tested is free or unswitched, a closed circuit will be
established from earth through a portion of the telephone coil to the line tested,
and through the line to its normal earth, at the central office including the subscribers
station battery, and the operator will hear a sound or click in the telephone. If the
line tested is already switched at any board, this test circuit will be open and the
operator hears nothing. The test therefore shows whether the line is in use at
any board.
The operations of making a connection are:-(1) To remove the line plug from
its switching device. (2) To test with the same plug the line wanted. (3) To
insert the plug in the switch of the line wanted. (4) To depress the commutator
piece to its inner position.
To disconnect two lines the operator merely removes the plug from its switch
and replaces it in its normal position, and withdraws the commutator piece of the
calling line to its normal or outer position.
This system requires the minimum of labor and of time to perform all the
operations involved in obtaining a telephonic communication in a large exchange.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a telephone exchange system, a metallic circuit telephone line, in combina-
tion with a switch plug for the line, and a plug switching device, in which the plug
is normally placed, having contact pieces and circuit connections by which when
the plug is withdrawn from its normal position, the operator's telephone is bridged
across the two sides or branches of the line.
2. In a telephone exchange system, a metallic circuit telephone line, the two
sides or branches of which are normally open to each other at the central office, in
combination with a switch plug for the line and a plug switching device, into which
the plug is normally placed and which has contact pieces and circuit connections by
which when the plug is withdrawn by the operator from its normal position the
operator's telephone is automatically bridged across the two sides or branches of
the line substantially as set forth.
3. In a telephone exchange system, a metallic circuit telephone line, the two sides
or branches of which are normally open to each other at the central office and one
of which is normally grounded at the central office, in combination with a switch
plug for the line and a plug switching device into which the plug is normally placed
and which has contact pieces and circuit connections by which when the plug is
withdrawn by the operator from its normal position both the line is automatically
disconnected from its normal ground connection at the central office and the
operator's telephone is automatically bridged across the two sides or branches of
the line substantially as set forth.
4. In a telephone exchange system a metallic circuit telephone line, the two sides
or branches of which are normally open to each other at the central office, in com-
bination with a switch plug for the line, a plug-switching device into which the
plug is normally placed and which has contact pieces and circuit connections by
which when the plug is withdrawn by the operator from its normal position, the
operator's telephone is automatically bridged across the two sides or branches of
the line, and a commutator piece moved at the will of the operator which disconnects
his telephone from such bridge connection across the two sides or branches of the
line substantially as set forth.

page_text: 5. In a telephone exchange system, a metallic circuit telephone line, the two
sides or branches of which are normally open to each other at the central office and
one of which is normally grounded at the central office, in combination with a switch
plug for the line, a plug switching device into which the plug is normally placed
and which has contact pieces and circuit connections by which when the plug is
withdrawn by the operator from its normal position both the line is automatically
disconnected from its normal ground connection at the central office and the
operator's telephone is bridged across the two sides or branches of the line and
commutator piece moved at the will of the operator which disconnects his telephone
from such bridge connection across the two sides or branches of the line substantially
as set forth.
6. In a telephone exchange system, a metallic circuit telephone line and switch
plug normally connected therewith in combination with operator's switch devices
for the said line by which the operator may at will bridge either his telephone or
his calling generator or battery across the two sides or branches of the line or leave
the line unbridged by either.
7. In a telephone exchange system, a metallic circuit telephone line, in com-
bination with a switch plug for the line, a plug switching device into which the plug
is normally placed and which has contact pieces and connections by which when
the plug is withdrawn from its normal position, the operator's telephone is auto-
matically bridged across the two sides or branches of the line, and an operator's
switching device with contact pieces and connections by which the operator may at
will disconnect his telephone from such bridge or cross connection substantially as
set forth.
8. In a telephone exchange system, a metallic circuit telephone line, in com-
bination with a switch plug for the line, a plug switching device, in which the plug
is normally placed, having contact pieces and circuit connections, by which, when
the plug is removed from its normal position, the operator's telephone is bridged
across the two sides or branches of the line, a calling generator, and an operator's
switching device having contact pieces and connections by which the operator may
at will disconnect the telephone, from such bridge or cross connection and include
the generator therein.
9. In a telephone exchange system, a metallic circuit telephone line, in com-
bination with a switch plug for the line, a plug switching device, in which the plug
is normally placed, having contact pieces and circuit connections by which when
the plug is removed from its normal position the operator's telephone is bridged
across the two sides or branches of the line, a calling generator, an annunciator, and
an operator's switching device with contact pieces and circuit connections by which
the operator may at will include either the telephone or the generator or the
annunciator in such bridge or cross connection.
10. In a telephone exchange system, the combination of two metallic circuit lines,
their central office annunciators, switching devices at the central office for connecting
them in metallic circuit for conversation, and circuit connections whereby one of
said annunciators may be included in a bridge or cross connection between the two
sides of the combined metallic circuit of the two lines.
11. In a telephone system, the combination of two metallic circuit lines, their
central office annunciators, switching or connecting devices at the central office for
connecting them in metallic circuit for conversation, an operator's telephone and
calling battery or generator, and operator's switching_devices- whereby either the
telephone, the calling battery or one of the line annunciators may be bridged, or
cross-connected between the two sides of the combined metallic circuit two of the
lines.
12. In a telephone exchange system, two metallic circuit lines temporarily con-
nected together for conversation and with an annunciator at the central office
bridged across their circuit, in combination with a battery at one of the subscriber's
stations and switch contacts and connections by which the current of the battery is

page_text: automatically directed to the circuit of his line when he replaces or switches his
telephone out of use substantially as set forth.
13. In a telephone exchange system, two metallic circuit lines temporarily con-
nected together for conversation and with an annunciator at the central office
bridged across their circuit, in combination with batteries at each of the subscriber's
stations and contact points and connections by which the current of each battery is
automatically directed to the circuit of its line when the subscriber replaces or
switches his telephone out of use and current from the batteries pass in the same
direction through the circuit of the annunciator, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 17th day of December 1890.