Chapter IV: Part 4

I had no sooner done this when an angry cry proceeded from the throat of Jean Baptiste, who held up his hands, and, with a look of terror in his face, told me in broken English that it was not for me, but for the priest at St. Hyacinthe. Had there not been a high counter between us, it might have gone hard with me.

I took in the situation, however, politely begged pardon, I had made a mistake, and put the contents in a fresh envelope, readdressed it and thrust the missive into a box under the counter, the receptacle for the paper from the recording instrument on which messages were received, and then gave the key a few taps, all this being within the purview of the anxious messenger.

I now told him it was all right, the message had gone. He then departed with a smile of satisfaction on his face and a courteous _remerci monsieur_.

Shortly after I resurrected the message and sent it over the wire in the orthodox fashion.

The little trick practiced and the ignorance shown may seem like romancing, but at that date even many well-informed persons on other subjects were quite as ignorant as this simple servant man of the _modus operandi_ of electric telegraphy at that period.

_Pirating a Press Despatch._

A certain well-known colonel of militia in Montreal, now deceased, who had been in the telegraph service in his boyhood and an expert operator, told me the story I am about to relate illustrative of primitive telegraph days.

We were swapping old-time telegraph stories when he exchanged the following: He was in the employ of the old British American Telegraph Company. One day, the wires down, which happened too often, unfortunately, Bob having nothing to occupy his time, sauntered over to the vicinity of the Montreal Telegraph Company, on St. Sacrament Street. It was with a feeling of envy he heard the busy ticking of the instruments there when those of his Company were dead as a door nail. He lingered for a moment or two beneath the office window, which was only a few feet above; it was in summer and the windows were all open and he could plainly deciper everything passing over the wire. One item of some importance attracted his attention when the idea struck him he had better take it down. He took his pencil and note-book, copied the item, went back to his office, had it manifolded and distributed to the press. Later on the same was sent out by the other Company, but in a more leisurely fashion; this was refused, on the ground that it was already received over the wires of the British American; this caused much mortification to the older Company to be beaten by their insignificant rival.

Reading by sound of the instrument was not a common occurrence then, and especially on the public highway.

The Montreal Company never became aware of the trick that was played upon them.

_The Queen’s Message._

When in August, 1858, the Atlantic cable had been successfully laid, uniting two continents telegraphically, there was universal rejoicing. The Queen sent a congratulatory message to “Her Good Friend,” the President of the United States, to which a suitable reply was returned.

The brevity of the Queen’s message was somewhat disappointing compared with the more lengthy reply of the President, and many unfavorable comments were made in the press and in conversation.

However, it was afterwards learned that only a portion of the communication had been received owing to a temporary interruption of the cable. When at last the completed message came there was no reason for disappointment, and general satisfaction was evinced.

Small pieces of the unused cable of about an inch to two or three inches in length mounted with brass or silver ferrules were sold on the street by speculators from 25 cents to a dollar each. The event was celebrated with great éclat on both sides of the Atlantic.

Banners were displayed with numerous devices and quotations from Scripture such as, “Their line is gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world,” and from Shakespeare, “I will put a girdle round the earth in forty minutes.”

There were torchlight processions, displays of fireworks, illuminations, etc., etc., together with addresses by distinguished men in honor of the event. I refer more particularly to Ogdensburg, N.Y., where I was then situated as operator and received the Queen’s message over the wire.

The rejoicing unfortunately was somewhat premature.

After working more or less imperfectly for three weeks, the cable gave out completely on the 1st of September after the transmission of 730 messages had been effected.

The cable operator at Heart’s Content, Newfoundland, named De Sauty, sent daily bulletins to the press holding out strong hopes for the restoration of the interrupted communication, but these hopes were not realized. The bulletins ceased and he disappeared and was never heard of again, at least by the public.

It is in allusion to this mysterious individual that Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote the following humorous lines, and in fine satirical vein thought that with a Latin tutor and a professor of chemistry the educated classes would understand it.

DE SAUTY.

An Electro-Chemical Eclogue.

_Professor._ _Blue Nose._

PROFESSOR.

“Tell me, O Provincial! speak ceruleo Nasal,
Lives there one De Sauty, extant now among you
Whispering Boanerges, son of silent thunder
Holding talk with nations.

“Is there a De Sauty, ambulant on Tellus
Bifed cleft-like mortals dormient in nightcap
Having sight, smell, hearing, food receiving feature
Three times daily patent.

“Breathes there such a being, O ceruleo Nasal
Or is he a mythus, ancient name for humbug
Such as Livy told about the wolf that wet-nursed
Romulus and Remus.

“Was he born of woman, this alleged De Sauty,
Or a living product of galvanic action
Like the _Acarus_ bred in Crosse’s flint solution
Speak thou Cyano Rhynal.”

BLUE NOSE.

“Many things thou askest, Jacknife-bearing stranger,
Much conjecturing mortal, pork and treacle waster
Pretermit thy whitling wheel thine earflap towards me
Thou shalt hear them answered.

“When the charge galvanic tingled through the cable
At the polar focus of the wire electric,
Suddenly appeared, a white faced man among us,
Called himself De Sauty.

“As the small opossum held in pouch maternal
Grasps the nutrient organ whence the term mammalia,
So the unknown stranger held the wire electric
Sucking in the current.

“When the current strengthened, bloomed the pale-faced stranger,
Took no food or victual, yet grew fat and rosy,
And, from time to time in sharp articulation
Said, ‘_All right_,’ De Sauty.

“From the lonely station passed the utterance spreading
Through the pines and hemlocks to the grove of steeples,
Till the land was filled with loud reverberations
Of ‘_All right_,’ De Sauty.

“When the current slackened drooped the mystic stranger,
Faded, Faded, Faded as the stream grew weaker
Wasted to a shadow with a hartshorn odor
Of disintegration.

“Drops of deliquescence glistened from his forehead
Whitened round his feet the dust of efflorescence,
Till one Monday morning when the flow suspended
There was no De Sauty.

“Nothing but a cloud of elements organic
C. O. H. N. Ferrum, Chor, Flu. Sil. Potassa
calc. Sod. Phosh mag. Sulphur Mang.? Alumin caprum
Such as man is made of.

“Born of stream galvanic with it he had perished
There is no De Sauty. Now there is no current
Give us a new cable, then again we’ll hear his cry,
‘_All right_,’ De Sauty.”

After a lapse of eight years another cable was laid in 1866 and communication across the Atlantic permanently established, but the mysterious De Sauty never appeared.

_Testing the Cable._

In the fall of 1856 the Montreal Telegraph Company laid a subaqueous cable across the St. Lawrence connecting Ogdensburg, N.Y., with its Canadian lines. Everything went well till the breaking up of the ice in the spring, when the American end of the cable was carried away from its moorings.

A man was sent from Montreal to effect the necessary repairs. When he arrived, I, then being in charge of the office there, decided to accompany him and render any assistance I could. A boat was hired to row over to the lighthouse where the cable terminated. The craft engaged was rather frail and shaky, with quite a heavy sea running. The Montreal man got safely seated, clutching the side of the boat with one hand and the testing instrument in the other. It was a cold day in March, a stiff north-wester was blowing. When all was ready the painter was untied, when I jumped, and in doing so lost my balance and went in headforemost. As I bobbed up the heels of my friend were just visible above the water. We succeeded in getting ashore safely, but the testing instrument had gone to the bottom, which we tried to recover, but failed, and the trip for the time was given up.

My companion in this adventure was the late Mr. Bowman, for many years the respected storekeeper for the Montreal Telegraph Company.

In meeting we often reverted to this episode in our telegraph experience and of our involuntary bath in the icy St. Lawrence.

_Cutting Down the Liberty Pole._

In 1857 the following amusing incident occurred and will be remembered by some of the older inhabitants of the pretty American city on the south bank of the St. Lawrence where I was then the agent of the Montreal Telegraph Company.

The villagers (it was a village at that period) had made every preparation for the due celebration of Independence Day with more than ordinary care, and all were looking forward to the event with eagerness, especially the more youthful element of the population. The first ceremony observed at sunrise was to raise old glory to the apex of the liberty pole, which stood at the corner of Ford and Water Streets, but, to the amazement of the party to whom this duty was assigned, there was no pole to be seen. On a close examination they found nothing remaining but the stump of the flag-staff. The question was: Who were the ruffians that dared to perpetuate the outrage? None other surely that some scoundrels from the opposite side of the river. In this surmise they were not far from the truth. After indulging in language more forcible than elegant, like practical Americans, they set to work, erected a temporary flag-staff and the ceremonies of the day were carried out without further incident. It was discovered to be a case of _lex talionis_ on the part of some young men from Prescott who rowed across the river during the night and performed this piece of vandalism in revenge for a foray made by some young fellows from Ogdensburg on the previous 24th of May (the Queen’s Birthday), when they removed the British flag flying on the old Windmill at Prescott, and substituted the Stars and Stripes. When this fact became known the Ogdensburg people had to acknowledge it was a case of tit for tat and served them right.

Fortunately these youthful pranks were condemned by all right thinking people on both sides of the border and were not repeated.

_The Burns Centenary._

On the 25th day of January, 1859, the birthday centenary of Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, was enthusiastically commemorated by his admirers on both sides of the Atlantic, and, in fact, everywhere throughout the Globe where Scotchmen were to the fore.

It was generally observed in the form of a banquet at which eminent literary and public men were the speakers who paid glowing tributes to the merits and genius of the peasant poet. Many of these addresses are still preserved.

In the town of Brockville, where I was located, a musical and literary entertainment was held in the Metropolitan Hall, the chairman being the Hon. James Morris. It was well attended by the leading people of the town. During the progress of the entertainment telegraphic congratulatory messages were interchanged between the chairmen of the different meetings then being held in Canada, and the United States, generally couched in lines and phrases from the poet’s works. The chairman gave an eloquent address; other speakers also contributed and the musical programme was excellent, but one gentleman had prepared with much care a paper on the Life and Character of Burns, which was admitted to be the gem of the evening by all who heard it, but unfortunately very few did.

The person referred to was a well-known M.D. who was afflicted with deafness; he spoke in a very low tone of voice, like many who suffer from a similar infirmity. The paper was long, the night was getting late; before he was through, the audience showed signs of weariness, which the chairman noticed, when he rose and begged the Doctor to kindly curtail his paper as the night was advancing and he had several other items on the programme but the chairman’s request was unheard and unconsciously ignored. The audience had to patiently endure the martyrdom to the end, a few meanwhile retiring in disgust.

When the end did come the people were so delighted at being relieved of the infliction that he was generously applauded, when with an amiable smile, and bowing right and left in acknowledgment, resumed his seat in happy ignorance that he had been a very tiresome bore indeed.

_The Prince of Wales at Brockville._

When in August, 1860, H. R. H. The Prince of Wales (now King Edward) and party had arranged to visit Brockville, the event was looked forward to with every manifestation of delight, and arrangements made to give them a hearty reception.

The route of the Royal party was from Ottawa, where a visit had been made, and recently named the capital city of Canada by Queen Victoria; there they embarked, sailing up the Ottawa River to Arnprior and thence by carriages to Almonte, and there entrained for Brockville. All the villages and hamlets passed were prettily decorated for the occasion, here and there evergreen arches were erected where the loyal denizens assembled and heartily cheered his Royal Highness in passing.

Brockville was reached about nine p.m. The Royal party was received by the Mayor, Warden of Leeds and Grenville and other officials. Addresses were presented and replied to by H.R.H. Carriages were in waiting to convey them to the steamer at the dock, by which they were to leave at daybreak for Kingston.

The Royal party were escorted from the railway station to the steamboat wharf by a guard of honour, followed by a procession of firemen and citizens carrying torches. All the buildings on the way were brightly illuminated, the church bells merrily ringing with a fine display of fireworks and the loud ovation of the people made it a memorable scene.

Instead of departing at daybreak, as had been arranged, it was about three in the afternoon before the steamer left. The detention was caused by difficulties which had arisen at Kingston. The Orange body there had erected an arch decorated with emblems of the order and which the Royal party would necessarily have to pass under. An address by the Orangemen was to be presented, to which the Duke of Newcastle was unable to assent. While the settlement of this was being arranged by telegraph wire, the Mayor, accompanied by many prominent citizens, waited on the Duke and invited the Royal party to a drive through the town, which was graciously accepted, thus giving the people an opportunity of seeing H. R. H. to better advantage. In appearance he was of medium height, pale complexion, modest in demeanor and dignified in manner.

He wore a tall white hat, a dark morning coat, light tweed trousers, patent leather boots and light tan coloured gloves. He bowed in acknowledgment to the cheers which greeted him and seemed to enjoy the drive.

It was said the Duke remarked he was not sorry at the detention as it had given the party the pleasure of seeing the pretty town by daylight.

There was a large entourage of pressmen reporting the Royal progress; one American correspondent when writing up his report asked me among other questions how many people were in the torchlight procession. I told him 500, that being the number of torches purchased by the town council. Oh! he said, I’ll make it 5,000, and sure enough he did and I sent this over the wire.

The whole population, men, women and children, at that period was a trifle over 4,000. This man afterwards became a famous correspondent during the American Civil War.

The fearful and wonderful reports received from the seat of war as to the extraordinary numbers of killed, wounded and captured, especially during the early stages of the trouble were something incredible; the experience narrated showed the need of a large discount being made.

The carriage the Prince of Wales drove through Brockville, and owned by a private gentlemen until his death, is now, or was until lately, doing duty as a public conveyance.

Should this meet the eye of some wealthy American, it might be a good thing for the cabby.

_The Trent Affair._

It was on November 8, 1861, that Admiral Wilkes, in command of the United States frigate _San Jacinto_ intercepted the British R. M. Steamer _Trent_ on her way from the West Indies to England and forcibly removed therefrom the two confederate States Commissioners Mason and Slidell. When the outrage became known there was a universal burst of indignation felt at the affront in Great Britain and all the British possessions. Every one believed that unless the men were given up and the act disavowed war between the two countries was inevitable. A large military contingent was despatched from England on the Steamship _Persia_ which arrived at Rimouski on Christmas day, Dec. 25, 1861. A Queen’s messenger was sent to Washington bearing an ultimatum from the British Government demanding that the men be at once released.

The American Government were in a dilemma. Several members of the Cabinet were in favor of resisting this demand, but President Lincoln, with his characteristic common sense said “One war at a time, gentlemen, one war at a time,” and the commissioners were surrendered and transferred to a British man-of-war at New York on January 1st, 1862, and _amende honorable_ made.

While the negotiations between the American and British Governments were in progress, the government and people of Canada were watching the trend of events with the keenest interest, and preparations were made for possible eventualities, flank companies at the respective military districts were ordered to prepare for active service.

When this order came by telegraph to the colonel of Brockville District, I delivered it personally and took occasion to inform him that if he would give me a commission in the company going on active service I was prepared to join at a moment’s notice. This request pleased the veteran (he was out in the rebellion) giving me a hearty grip. “You’re the right sort. I accept your services and shall have a commission for you within a week.”

A few days after I was much gratified when I received a large envelope containing my promised commission, the same being initialled by the Hon. James Morris, the speaker of the Legislative Council and resident of Brockville; a short time thereafter while visiting his home he entered the telegraph office to send a message. I took this opportunity of thanking him for the commission he sent me. He glared at me for a second or two and said, “The commission is not for you; it is for John Murray the butcher.” “Oh! indeed, I beg pardon. I was under the impression it was for J. M.---- gentleman.” I did not get this off in a resentful mood; it was merely repeating the language of the document. Of course I handed it over to my namesake, the rightful owner, a very respectable man of the town, when my military ambitions came to an end.

The services of the flank companies were not required after the _causes belle_ had been removed and Canada once more resumed her usual peace footing.

_The Old Soldier and the Parson._

About forty odd years ago when I was acting in the capacity of telegraph, express and steamship agent at Brockville, the following incident happened, which may be worth recalling: One day an old gentleman entered the office and desired me to furnish a steamship ticket to Liverpool. He informed me he was on his way to revisit his native land which he had not seen for many years. He was in the army previous to settling in one of the back townships. Although well on in years he looked hale and hearty, straight as an arrow and a remarkably handsome old fellow.

After completing his purchase and about to depart, he observed a pair of Fairbanks scales and requested me to weigh him, as he would like to see whether he lost or gained on the voyage. Whilst occupied in this, another old gentleman walked in attentively watching the operation; he also requested me to do a similar favor for him. He proved very much lighter and somewhat disappointed, and remarked: “Well, you are heavier than I, but I think I can beat you in length of years.” “How old are you?” brusquely querried the old soldier. “I am 84,” looking triumphantly at his questioner. “My young friend I am 85. I am heavier than you, older than you and (whispering in his ear) can look at the girls yet!”

Singular enough, the name of the latter was Mr. Young, the former the Rev. Wm. Smart, a well-known and respected clergyman, whose chief weakness was a certain vanity in his length of years, coupled with activity and good health on which he greatly prided himself. He was therefore, considerably humiliated at being thus so badly taken down and his dignity ruffled by the above remark.

_The Fenian Scare._

When in the summer of 1866 the Fenians invaded Canada and encountered the Canadian militia at Ridgeway, considerable alarm was felt all along the frontier. Cornwall, Prescott, Brockville and Kingston were strengthened with bodies of militia as being probable points of invasion.

For a time the Government took possession of the telegraph lines until all danger had passed.

Telegraph offices were kept open day and night by orders from Ottawa; this continued in force for several weeks. I was then at Brockville and found the long hours very irksome. No one believed in the likelihood of an attack here, but one night this belief was rather disturbed when a communication was received by the officer in command warning him to be on the alert as a body of Fenians had seized a steamer at Clayton, on the American side of the river, with the probability of attacking Brockville or Prescott.

Very soon the sound of the bugle was heard and the men formed in readiness to meet the enemy. They had been drilling for several weeks and were in splendid fighting trim, and under the command of an experienced officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Atcherley, D.A.G., who had seen service in the Crimea and India, in whom officers and men had the utmost confidence. A home guard was hastily organized to watch the river front and give timely notice should any suspicious craft appear. During the prevailing excitement some one rang the town alarm bell, when the citizens were aroused from their beds, and the streets were soon crowded with men, women and children eager to learn what was the cause of the alarm. Many amusing scenes were witnessed. A few timid souls procured teams, loaded them with household effects, and with their families started for safer quarters in the back country. Many old veterans of the Canadian rebellion were seen carrying weapons of defense, but appeared more likely to be offensive only to themselves.

One aged gentleman carried a sword with a rope in lieu of belt and minus the scabbard; he refused to waste time looking for such appendages at such a time; the naked sword was good enough for him. The night was dark and ominous; every one awaited coming events with anxiety and more or less nervousness, and dawn began to appear, but no signs of the enemy. Meanwhile some of the home guard got tired waiting for the Fenians, who declined to come, and they one by one segregated to enjoy the comforts of their own firesides or seek repose on their downy beds at home. In this action the officer commanding the home guard preceded his men and was the first to retire, but one of their number a sturdy Scot, having been placed on an eminence favorable to scan the movements of the craft on the river, he held on to his post, however. His family hunted him up and had much difficulty on prevailing upon him to come home.

The only fatality that occurred was the death of an old lady, who, nearing the end, collapsed suddenly when hearing the alarm bell and told the reason for its being rung.

Shortly after the Fenian fiasco became a thing of the past.

_Professor Morse’s Valedictory Message._

In 1870, when Mr. Morse had entered his eightieth year, it was felt by many telegraph men that some fitting recognition should be paid to the illustrious inventor before the close of his valuable life, which was now nearing the end.

In accordance with this general feeling action was taken and a committee formed, when after much thought had been given to the subject, it was at last decided the most appropriate memorial in its opinion would be to erect a statue and place it in Central Park, New York. This suggestion had the general approval of the telegraph fraternity. To carry this out subscriptions were invited; one of the first to contribute to the fund was Mr. John Horn, of Montreal, then in New York, and to complete the sum required Sir Hugh Allan was appealed to and promptly sent the desired amount.

The ceremony of unveiling the statue took place on June 10, 1871. Representative telegraph men from every State and territory, as well as the Dominion of Canada, were present, including many civic and State officials, and addresses were delivered by Governor Hoffman, Mayor Hall, the venerable poet, William Cullen Bryant and others.

In the evening a public reception of the delegates was held at the Academy of Music, which was filled to overflowing, the Hon. William Orton, President of the Western Union, presiding, by whom the delegates were cordially welcomed. On the platform was a table and a set of telegraph instruments connected with the main office of the Western Union Company. Punctually at 9 p.m., as previously arranged, Professor Morse, who was present, indited the following valedictory:

“Greeting and thanks to the telegraph fraternity throughout the
world. Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good-will
to men.”

S. F. B. MORSE.

The message was sent over the wires by a young lady operator and Mr. Morse transmitted the signature.

The writer was at Brockville, Ont., at the time and received this now historic message simultaneously with hundreds, perhaps thousands of others.

Mr. Morse did not long survive this dramatic event. It was his last public appearance but one previous to his death.

_O. S. Wood, Esq._

One of the most notable telegraph men in America, the first pupil of Professor Morse and the first to inaugurate an electric telegraph system in Canada on an extensive scale.

Born in 1817, near Ithaca, N.Y., after a grammar school and collegiate course, he studied and became a civil engineer, and was for some time employed in that capacity by the New York State Government.

When Mr. Morse was exhibiting his telegraph at Washington, in 1844, Mr. Wood was induced to join the inventor, and became his associate in constructing and working the experimental line between Washington and Baltimore, and the first to operate the line when opened for public business and afterwards engaged in constructing telegraph lines in other directions.

Early in 1847, when the Montreal Telegraph Company was formed, his services were sought, and he was appointed its first General Manager. By the end of this year a telegraph line was in operation between Montreal and Toronto, and to Quebec the following year, and in time extended throughout the whole country.

Owing to Mr. Wood’s able administration the Company became one of the most important institutions in Canada.

After a long and successful career Mr. Wood retired in 1865, carrying with him the good will of the public and the respect and esteem of the directors and employees of the Company.

He subsequently engaged in other telegraphic enterprises in the United States, in all of which he was equally fortunate.

After amassing a considerable fortune he retired from active business pursuits many years ago, and is now spending the evening of his days at a quiet suburb of New York.

He is a man of commanding presence, tall, dignified and face bearing a very striking resemblance to Washington.

He possesses a highly cultured mind, a humane and benevolent disposition, coupled with an agreeable and attractive manner.

He is, and was always, a patriotic American citizen. During his sojourn in Canada he never relinquished his birthright.

The name of Orrin S. Wood will be long remembered by telegraph men as the first telegraphist on the continent of America, a distinction worthy of record in the annals of telegraphy, and is the oldest telegraph man living at the present time in America.

Long may he be spared is the fervent hope of the telegraph fraternity.

_Sir Hugh Allan._

The name of this gentleman will be remembered in connection with the Montreal Telegraph Company. He was its President from 1851 until the day of his death.

It was largely through his efforts in conjunction with Mr. Wood that the telegraph system was extended to the most remote points in Canada.

It may not be generally known that, although a very busy man, he acquired a knowledge of telegraphy and became an expert telegraphist.

He had a private wire erected from his palatial residence, Ravenscrag, and connected with the general telegraph office, and by this means kept in constant touch with the inward and outward movements of his large steamship fleet.

He was for many years a director of the Western Union Telegraph Company, and one of the early contributors to the first Atlantic cable, and for a time one of its directors, but Sir Hugh Allan will be better known as the originator of the Montreal Ocean Steamship Company (now known as the Allan Line.)

There was no limit to his superabundant energy; no important enterprise was thought of unless his name and influence was sought. He was president or director in nearly every financial or industrial company in Montreal. No one before or since has occupied such a commanding position in business life in Canada.

He received the honor of knighthood from the late Queen personally in recognition of his great public services; this honor was never more worthily bestowed.

Sir Hugh Allan was a native of Scotland, born at Saltcoats, Ayrshire, Sept. 29, 1810. His death took place in Edinburgh while there on a visit Dec. 9, 1882.

The wonder is that some enduring mark of public appreciation has not been formulated to perpetuate the name of one who has done so much for the land of his adoption.

A statue on Dominion Square would be a fitting momento.

“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.”

_James Dakers, Esq._

Born in Forfar, Scotland, in 1811, on completing his studies at the parochial school, he served his apprenticeship in an attorney’s office in his native town, and came to Canada in 1840.

He entered the service of the Montreal Telegraph Company shortly after its organization as Secretary. When Mr. Wood separated from the Company in 1865, Mr. Dakers was appointed Manager of the Eastern division, acting as Secretary in addition. Owing to his faithful and energetic services the success of the company was greatly enhanced.

“Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might,” seemed to be his guiding principle. Like the restless sea, always moving, if not engaged at his own special work, he would repair to the operating department and give a helping hand, here and there, where most needed, then to the receiving counter attending to customers.

In the early telegraph days during a pressure of business, he not infrequently would take a handful of messages and deliver on his way to meals, and kept a vigilant eye on every department of the company’s operations.

When the Montreal Telegraph Company leased its business to the Great North Western Company, in 1881, he was not in accord with the directors in this move, and resigned, retaining, however, the good will of the shareholders, many of whom shared his views, and the respect of the business community by whom he was long and favourably known.

The following tribute to his worth by the late Rev. Dr. Ormiston in a letter to a friend is deserving a place here:

“James Dakers is in many respects a remarkable man. Notwithstanding many disadvantages, he has fairly earned the high position of influence, independence and usefulness which he now occupies. He is characterized by indomitable energy, great force of character, unyielding tenacity of purpose, his intellect is of a high order, and eminently practical, inflexibly upright in all his dealings, conscientiously faithful to all his obligations, punctual and thorough in the performance of all his duties, incapable of meanness, his word as good as his bond, he is a man universally trusted; his sympathies with the suffering and the struggling are wide and tender.

“Many bless him for his wise counsels and efficient aid; the extent and genuineness of his Christian charity is as manifest as the steadfastness of his religious life; as a true friend, he is one among a thousand.

“Were I asked by a young man for a model of a man, earnest and indefatigable, pure and firm in principle, exemplary and consistent in character, desirable and valuable in friendship, I would not hesitate to point him to James Dakers, of Montreal.”

This was a very high testimonial of the character of Mr. Dakers by one who knew him intimately for many years.

After giving up his connection with telegraph interests, with which he had been so long associated, he lived in retirement until his death, which occurred on April 15, 1887.

_H. P. Dwight, Esq._

For the long period of fifty-six years Mr. Dwight has been continuously engaged in the telegraph service, and only quite recently retired from the more active duties of his calling.

Born on December 23, 1828, at Belleville, Jefferson County, N.Y., he entered the service of the Montreal Telegraph Company in 1847, the year of its organization, and placed in charge of the Belleville, Ontario, Office, where he remained for a time, and afterwards employed at the Head Office, Montreal. When the wires connected Toronto he was appointed agent there and soon made superintendent of the Western Section. In 1881, when the Montreal Telegraph Company leased its business to the Great North Western Telegraph Company he was appointed general manager of the latter.

When Mr. Wiman resigned the presidency of that company, Mr. Dwight succeeded him and filled the dual positions until a few months ago, when he resigned the general managership, the duties being too onerous and exacting for one at his time of life.

Mr. Dwight is associated with many other enterprises. He is president of the Canadian General Electric Company and a director of the Toronto and London Electric Company, president of Birkbeck Investment Company and chairman of the Governors of the Royal Humane Society. He is a man of fine physique, has lived a regular and careful life, which accounts for the vigorous and evergreen appearance at his time of life.

He is a keen sportsman and a devoted disciple of Isaac Walton. Every year he finds time to spend a few weeks in the happy summer-time, in the wilds of Northern Ontario, in quest of the speckled beauties of that region, or in the lower St. Lawrence, seeking the haunts of the lordly salmon in the Restigouche or other famous streams. In closing we wish him long life and many years to indulge in this his favorite recreation.

_William Cassils, Esq._

Born in the village of Renton, Dunbartonshire, on June 25, 1832, after acquiring a rudimentary training in the parochial school, and equipped for a business career, he engaged in a commercial house for a time, but his prospects were not equal to his youthful ambition, and his attention was directed to Canada wherein he had relatives and was encouraged to join them. He arrived at Montreal in 1852. Shortly after his arrival he entered the service of the Montreal Telegraph Company; his abilities were soon recognized--within a short time he was appointed manager of the Quebec Office, the second in importance to Montreal, and later was made superintendent of the Eastern Division; while in this position he had the wires extended to Father Point, the extreme eastern limit of the Company’s system at that time.

In 1865 he left the telegraph service to engage in a wholesale business in Montreal, but his heart was never quite divorced from his first calling.

In 1876 he organized the Canadian District Telegraph Company and became its president.

When the telephone first made its appearance he foresaw its great possibilities, when he, in association with others, established in 1878 the first telephone exchange in Canada, which was afterwards merged with the Bell Telephone System.

He was a Director of the Montreal Telephone Company, President of the Canada Central Railway and administrator of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Railway, both of which are now linked to the Canadian Pacific Railway; he was also President of the Dominion Transport Company, but his interest and sympathies were always keenly directed to the progress and development of telegraphy. He himself was an expert telegraphist and always took a lively interest in the welfare and success of the telegraph fraternity. He was amiable in manner, kind in disposition and generous to a fault; his purse was ever open to the needy or unfortunate.

He possessed a fine tenor voice in his young days. When at social gatherings he rendered the songs of his native land with a sweetness and pathos few could equal. He took a great interest in young men, and many were indebted to him for advice and assistance in beginning the battle of life.

He passed away at a comparatively early age (in his fifty-ninth year) on December 25, 1891.

“Howe’er it be, it seems to me
’Tis only noble to be good
Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood.”

_James Poustie, Esq._

Born at Montrose, Scotland, in 1830. While yet an infant, his parents came to Canada in the historic brig “Favorite,” owned and commanded by the father of the late Sir Hugh Allan.

Mr. Poustie is the pioneer telegraph line builder of Canada. He was engaged by the Montreal Telegraph Company shortly after its organization.

After the contractors had finished the line between Montreal and Toronto, all line extensions thereafter were under his personal supervision.

He would start early in the spring with gangs of linemen, equipped with tools and provisions, live under canvas during the building season and return in the fall to prepare for the next year’s operations. This continued on from one year to another until the whole country was covered with a network of wires.

In purchasing material Mr. Poustie was a shrewd and careful buyer, getting the very best to be had at the lowest figure. In hiring labor, while paying liberal wages, he took good care to receive in return a fair day’s work for a fair day’s wage from his men. Though stern and exacting, he was not unkind. His gangs of men were chiefly French Canadians; he knew their language and could apply it forcibly, if not elegantly, when circumstances required it.

His men were devoted to him and worked like beavers. It is no exaggeration to say that owing to inherent shrewdness in handling his men and purchasing supplies the lines were constructed at half the cost of similar work in the United States; this fact the Company soon became cognizant of.

Finally the system became so extensive as to demand a division of labor and responsibility when foremen were placed in charge of important sections of the line, and Mr. Poustie directed operations from headquarters at Montreal and became General Superintendent of Construction.

This position he held for many years. At length he resigned to rest for a while. He is at present associated with R. G. Reid & Co., of Newfoundland, in their Montreal office.

Mr. Poustie is a man liberally endowed with good common sense, dislikes humbug or insincerity, a keen observer of men and possesses a retentive memory and a happy vein of dry caustic humor with a merry twinkle in his clear penetrating greyish blue eyes. He can relate many interesting tales generally, from a humorous point of view, in reference to his own varied experience, all of which are well worth listening to. He is still vigorous and hearty, and we hope has many years before him. Like Yorick, “A man of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.”

_Charles R. Hosmer, Esq._

“Some are born great. Some achieve greatness. Some have greatness thrust upon them.” It is no difficult task to determine to which class Mr. Hosmer belongs.

Born some fifty years ago in the little French Canadian village, Coteau Landing. On receiving an elementary training at the village school he turned his attention to telegraphy, and, instructed in its mysteries by the operator and agent at the railway station there, qualifying as an operator he secured a position with the Montreal Telegraph Company and was in its employ for some years.

When the Dominion Telegraph Company came into being he entered the service and rose step by step to the highest position attainable. When that Company merged with the Great North Western, Mr. Hosmer was offered and accepted the offices of President and General Manager of the Canada Mutual Telegraph Company, then recently organized. A few years later when the Canadian Pacific Railway Company were about to establish a commercial telegraph business, he was made General Manager, and held this for some thirteen or fourteen years, during which period he was very successful in organizing and carrying on this branch of the Company’s business. He was also a leading factor in exploiting the Commercial Cable and the Postal Telegraph Cable Companies; he is a Vice-President of the former and a director of the Canadian Pacific Railway, director of the Merchants’ Bank and many other financial concerns; President of the Ogilvie Milling Company, said to be the largest of the kind existing; a member of St. James’ Club and at one time President; he is also a member of Mount Royal (yclept the millionaires’ club).

Mr. Hosmer is a recognized leader in financial circles in Montreal; he is possessed of a cheery, bright and winning personality, affects no airs, gracious in manner with a pleasant word for all.

Although not actively connected with the Canadian Pacific Telegraph System, his guiding hand is always reached.

He is yet a young man, full of life and energy, there is no saying the number and kind of activities may further engage his busy and restless mind.

His motto seems to be:

“Still achieving, still pursuing,
And a heart for any fate.”

_Hon. George Albertus Cox._

Born at Colborne, Ont., May 7, 1840, he commenced business life there as an operator in the service of the Montreal Telegraph Company.

After two years spent in the office of his native town he was in May, 1858, placed in charge of the Peterboro office of the Company and in addition a few years later was made agent of the Canadian Express Company.

He took an active part in the municipal, educational and commercial interests of the town and was for seven years its mayor.

In 1888 he left Peterboro, and from that time has resided in Toronto where there is a wider scope for his energies.

He was appointed to the Senate in 1896 by Lord Aberdeen.

Mr. Cox is a strong temperance man and a warm supporter of the Methodist Church, of which he is a member; is Bursar of Victoria University and President of the Ladies’ College, Whitby; President of the Bank of Commerce, the Canada Life Insurance Company, the Western Fire Insurance and on the directorate of many other companies; is one of the leading financiers in the Dominion.

His name has been publicly mentioned as one likely to receive honors at the hands of the King at no distant date. As “coming events cast their shadows before,” this is not at all improbable.

Senator Cox was one of a syndicate to build the Canadian Pacific Railway in opposition to the syndicate formed at Montreal. His name is now prominently connected with the Grand Trunk Pacific project.

His success in life has been phenomenal when his humble beginning is considered, and is a tolerably fair model for young Canadians to imitate in the battle of life.

_Sir William Cornelius Van Horne._

Born near Joliette, Ill., February 3, 1843. On quitting school he began life as an office boy at the Railway Station there, and later became telegraph operator on the Illinois Central Railway. He was afterwards despatcher then superintendent of telegraph, and in a short time was made divisional superintendent of the Chicago and Alton Railway, and in 1872 general superintendent of the St. Louis and Kansas City and Northern Railway; from there he went, in 1874, to the Southern Minnesota Railway as its general manager.

In 1878 he returned to the Chicago and Alton Railway as general superintendent, but two years later he was called to the position of general superintendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, and in 1881 he was asked to take control of the Canadian Pacific Railway, then in process of construction. Under his vigorous and energetic direction the line was built in one-half of the time required by the contract between the government and the Company.

He has been successively Vice-President and President of the Company and is now Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The construction and successful management for years of this great enterprise has not impaired his wonderful energies. He has built a railway in the Island of Cuba some four hundred miles in length in the usual expeditious manner. This work being completed, he is now, it is said, turning his attention to the distant Philippines in order to provide Railway facilities for the people of that country.

He is a director of many companies, including the Postal Telegraph and Commercial Cable Company, and a member of St. James and Mount Royal Clubs.

Sir William Van Horne is not only a famous railway man, but possesses artistic talents of a high order. Had he followed art as a profession he would have taken high rank. He is looked upon as one of the best art connoisseurs in Canada.

He was created a K. C. M. G. by the late Queen in acknowledgment of his public services in connection with the Great Transcontinental Railway and Imperial Highway.

Sir William is a man of fine presence, wears his honors with ease and dignity, affable and courteous in manner, and approachable to all.

“Honour and shame, from no condition rise,
Act well your part, there all the honor lies.”

_Andrew Carnegie._

Born in the ancient Royal Burgh Dumfermline, Fifeshire, in 1837. His father and mother emigrated to the United States in 1848, settling in Alleghany, Pa.

The senior Carnegie was a master weaver and a man of exceptional intelligence, who was obliged to relinquish his business owing to the development of steam mills with which the handicraftsmen could not hope to compete.

At the age of fourteen young Carnegie began work as a messenger in the office of the Ohio telegraph company; in a short time he became an operator.

When the Pennsylvania Railway was carried to Pittsburgh he received an appointment as train despatcher and rose to be superintendent of the Pittsburgh division of the system.

At the outbreak of the American civil war Carnegie was made Superintendent of military roads.

After the war he went into numerous ventures, in all of which he was eminently successful.

His first big manufacturing venture was the organization of the Keystone Bridge Company. Iron bridges were coming into fashion, and he got the lead everywhere. He soon acquired other manufacturing plants in the iron line.

By 1888 he had control of the Homestead Steel Works and many other plants which were capitalized at about one hundred million dollars.

Some ten or fifteen years ago Mr. Carnegie began to feel the oppression of wealth and its responsibilities and made arrangements by which his employees became sharers in his profits. After getting free of the greater part of the personal care of the properties in which he was the chief owner, Mr. Carnegie has devoted himself largely to philanthropic objects, his gifts being chiefly in the line of building public libraries.

He takes a warm interest in everything relating to telegraphy and telegraph men, and is rather pleased to be remembered as an old-time telegraphist.

His chief place of residence is Skibo Castle, Scotland, but he pays frequent visits to the United States.

“Ring in the valiant man and free
The larger heart, the kindlier hand.
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.”

_Sir Sandford Fleming, C.E., LL.D._

Was born at Kircaldy, Fifeshire, Scotland, on the 7th day of January, 1827. He left school at the age of 14, and was immediately articled as a student of surveying and engineering. At the age of 18 he came to Canada.

In 1852 he was appointed one of the engineering staff of the Northern Railway then known as the Ontario and Lake Huron road.

In 1863 he went to England as a representative of the Red River settlement to invoke the aid of the Imperial Government toward the construction of a railway to connect with the Canadian railways, but the scheme was not carried out.

When the Intercolonial Railway was projected he was made Chief of Surveys and Construction. When nearing its completion he was called upon by the Government to undertake the survey of the proposed route to the Pacific.

After exhaustive surveys had been made and the construction of the Canadian Pacific had been well advanced and some six or eight hundred miles of the heaviest sections built, political exigencies arose, and in 1880 he resigned. In that year he was elected Chancellor of Queen’s University, and in 1882, while on a visit to Scotland, was presented with the freedom of Kircaldy Burghs, and in 1884 received the honorary degree of LL.D., from St. Andrew’s University.

In 1881 he went as a delegate from the Canadian Institute and the American Meteorological Society to the International Geographical Congress at Venice, and in 1884 he was appointed a delegate of Great Britain to represent the Dominion of Canada at the International Prime Meridian Conference at Washington, where he had the pleasure of finding his views which he had been pressing on the public for years with regard to Cosmic time and a prime meridian for all nations, accepted by the representatives of the civilized world.

As early as 1879 Sir Sandford submitted to the Canadian Government a scheme for spanning the Pacific Ocean by electric cables which would, in connection with existing land and cable wires, complete the electric girdle of the globe, and bring Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand in unbroken electric touch with each other without passing over foreign territory. The proposition was given due consideration and the subject was laid before successive parliaments, but, while much interest had been awakened, nothing practical was accomplished, owing to the many obstacles in the way, and the matter was, for a time, held in abeyance. Meanwhile its energetic projector did not despair. Year after year he took every favorable opportunity to bring it before the public men of Great Britain and the Colonies, travelling thousands of miles to attend Conferences at London, Brisbane, Ottawa and elsewhere, wherever the subject was under review. At length the reasons and arguments adduced on all these occasions in support of this scheme were found to be convincing, and its feasibility so apparent that it was finally accepted and practically applied.

On the 31st day of December, 1900, the Imperial and five Colonial governments joined in an interstate partnership to carry out the work so long and ably advocated by its originator and promoter. Exactly twenty-two months after the agreement, 8,272 miles of cable had been manufactured and safely embedded in the vast depths of the Pacific, nearly a third of the earth’s circumference, on the 31st day of October, 1902, electric communication was successfully established between Canada, New Zealand, Fiji and Australia, and has been uninterruptedly maintained ever since. The success of this great telegraph enterprise, the most stupendous ever taken, was a fitting prelude to the dawn of the new century and a splendid triumph to the genius and foresight of Sir Sandford Fleming.