The Monday After: When Canton got its first telephone exchange

Monday
Jan 8, 2018 at 10:20 AM

Canton was among Ohio cities opening first telephone exchanges in 1880.

Gary Brown CantonRep.com Writing Editor-at-large @gbrownREP

"Number please."

Those first words likely were uttered by a telephone operator in Canton almost 140 years ago.

They began an era in communication history that fostered such other familiar terms as area codes, party lines, pay phones, dial tones, cellphones and, most recently, telephone apps.

Still, when Canton officials authorized the opening of the city's first telephone exchange in 1880 -- one of several cities in Ohio to do so about that time -- it was an inauspicious start.

The go-ahead had been given by city officials. Subscribers had been obtained by the businessmen who came to town to start Canton's telephone exchange. Poles had begun to be erected to support telephone wires. And a site for the exchange center had been selected, so operators knew where they would be working to connect callers to other telephone customers they were trying to reach.

The latter ladies just didn't have working equipment yet.

"Two car loads of poles have arrived for the Telephone Exchange, and are being distributed throughout the city, where they are to be used," reported The Canton Daily Repository on April 19, 1880, in a column called "Telephone Notes." "The switchboard has not yet arrived, but has been on its way for some time."

Members of the crew constructing the telephone lines "keep on putting up the telephone poles," the newspaper reported three days later, "without regard to whether the switchboard comes or not."

Had a history

The telephone was in use on a minor scale in Canton even before the city's telephone exchange was suggested.

Notes in the Repository show that a telephone connected the Stark County Courthouse and the office of the prosecuting attorney as early as Oct. 14, 1878. That same month, a telephone was installed in the J.B. McCrea furniture company, so communications could be established between lower and upper floors of the business.

But, those were direct lines, managed by their owners, and used mostly for internal communication.

It was Akron businessmen -- the same ones who not long before had begun the Akron Telephone Exchange -- who came to Canton to inaugurate a similar service.

"As soon as the Canton Telephone Exchange is established," the Repository reported, via the Akron Tribune, "the people of that city are promised direct communication with Akron."

Supported exchange

The Repository was an enthusiastic supporter of the exchange in Canton.

In March 1880, the newspaper reported that the owner of the St. Cloud Hotel had "bargained" with the developers of the telephone exchange to have the first telephone equipment in his hotel.

"He is bound to be in the fashion and have some style about him," said the Repository in an editorial in which it publicly lobbied for the second phone. "Repository to the Central office: Connect us with the St. Cloud."

After officially signing up for a phone, the Repository simply stated its support in an editorial. "Let us have the telephone exchange by all means." And the newspaper reported the growth of the new form of communication in its news columns. ""Many Ohio cities are putting up telephone lines."

And, the Repository let its readers know the details of the plans of the Akron businessmen -- O.C. Barber, A.L. Conger, W.G. Robinson, George G. Baker, and N. Hodge -- when they submitted the project for the approval of City Council.

"All they ask is the right of way through our streets and alleys to enable them to erect their telegraph (sic) poles and stretch their wires, (all of which they propose to do at their own expense), and give us a well regulated telephone exchange, without costing us a cent until our citizens feel disposed to become subscribers, and in that event each subscriber is amply repaid for the outlay."

Rates to be charged to customers -- divided into business, professional, and private classes -- ranged from $3 to $6.50 a month, depending upon the distance from the central office of the telephone exchange. That central office was to be set up in an upper floor of the Trump Building at Tuscarawas Street W and Court Avenue.

"Each subscriber will be furnished with a Hand Telephone and a Transmitter, and will also be furnished with a Magneto Call Bell, or Push Button Secrecy Switch Bell, according to the class which the subscriber may choose," reported the Repository. "Two dollars will be charged for setting instruments."

Rates would be calculated as the crow flew from subscribers to the telephone company, the newspaper noted.

"Distances from central office will be air lines. ... Special rates will be made for distances beyond the fourth half mile."

The ordinance approving the plan was passed by City Council almost immediately.

"Now comes the telephone," a Repository editorial predicted.

Customer list

The telephone exchange would start operations with 25 customers and expect to double that number within only a few weeks.

"The first pole for the telephone exchange was planted this morning, on Court Street, between the St. Cloud and the Court House," the newspaper reported on April 20, 1880.

The newspaper marveled at the erection of poles and wires, and was in awe of at least one of the workers.

"Did you ever see Miller the 'wire puller' of the exchange climb a telephone pole?" the newspaper asked in a "Telephone Notes" column on April 22, 1880. "If not, keep your eye on him when he has his 'spurs' on ready for business. Such a 'getting up stairs' you never did see."

Nevertheless, the newspaper also reflected on the continuing pressing problem.

"The long looked for switchboard has not arrived yet, but may come along any minute."

Even the officials at the telephone exchange apparently were getting testy over the delay.

"The switchboard for the Telephone Exchange has not yet arrived," reported the Repository on May 7, 1880. "We make this announcement for the benefit of community at large, because it is risky business to ask anyone connected with the Telephone Exchange concerning the whereabouts of said switchboard."

Up and running

Eventually, the switchboard arrived and the Canton Telephone Exchange was running by the middle of the year.

The Repository reported on some of the uses of this newfangled device called "the phone."

"The St. Cloud sells cigars by telephone now," one report said.

"Dr. Catlin received the first professional call through the telephone exchange last evening," said the Repository on May 12, 1880. "It's a handy arrangement to have in the house."

The newspaper noted on May 29, 1880, that subscribers to Canton Telephone Exchange "had the pleasure of listening to a concert at the residence of Captain Hodge, of Akron, by means of the telephone. ... The tones and modulations of the instruments and vocalists were heard quite distinctly."

Telephone service made Sundays more pleasurable for home-bound people of faith, according to an Akron Beacon article re-published in the Repository.

"The popularity of the plan of hearing sermons at home by means of a telephone is increasing," said the article on April 20, 1880. "Last Sunday morning 13 different persons listened to Rev. T.E. Monroe at the Congregational Church. ... A nominal charge of ten cents a service is made upon each subscriber for extra trouble in connecting."

Even the newspapers were making increased use of telephone communication. The "news line" was being born.

"The Daily Repository wants to publish all the news of the city -- small events, accidents, movement of persons, etc. -- and that this end may be attained (it) invites the citizens to co-operate," the newspaper published on May 28, 1880. "Send in your news by messenger or telephone."

'How It's Done'

An article in the Repository on July 21, 1880, explained to readers exactly how the new system worked. The story spoke about subscribers to the Canton Telephone Exchange and introduced readers to employees -- telephone operators that it called 'Hello' Ladies."

"All the railroad depots, the Central Engine House, various manufacturing establishments -- in fact, nearly every branch of business is represented on the list of subscribers who respond to the tinkling of bells and the ensuing 'hello.'

"Telephone poles and general lines are now erected on West Fifth street, Court street, north and south, and East Seventh street, and from these lines running in the direction of the cardinal points, other special lines have been constructed," reported the newspaper. "For instance, the Meyers Lake line running from the Fifth street line, and the Valley depot line, running from the South Court street line, a distance of nearly a half a mile to the Valley (railroad) depot."

Wind during severe weather had caused outages to service. The solution was simple: Show some patience.

"It is quite wonderful when one thinks of it. It is possible to hear through the lake line with distinctness, if the person at the other end understands his business. There has been some trouble with the lake line, on account of the falling of the wires from the trees when they have been swayed by the late violent storms. The other wires have been always ready to respond, unless talking with some other subscriber, in which case one has to wait."

A final observation -- a mild caution, really -- was offered by the Repository about the lack of security concerning calls of a personal nature.

"The majority of subscribers have a line to themselves, but there are cases where several subscribers are on the same line. The objection to them lies in the fact that each subscriber can hear what the other says. If B sends ham home for dinner, his neighbor, Mrs. C, knows all about it, and of course talks.

"With the exception of a few secrecy lines, the young lady operators have the confidential conversation of the whole subscription list at their command. They said they never listened, and the guileless newspaper man, looking into their great blue eyes, implicitly believed them."

Monday
Jan 8, 2018 at 10:20 AM

Canton was among Ohio cities opening first telephone exchanges in 1880.

Gary Brown CantonRep.com Writing Editor-at-large @gbrownREP

"Number please."

Those first words likely were uttered by a telephone operator in Canton almost 140 years ago.

They began an era in communication history that fostered such other familiar terms as area codes, party lines, pay phones, dial tones, cellphones and, most recently, telephone apps.

Still, when Canton officials authorized the opening of the city's first telephone exchange in 1880 -- one of several cities in Ohio to do so about that time -- it was an inauspicious start.

The go-ahead had been given by city officials. Subscribers had been obtained by the businessmen who came to town to start Canton's telephone exchange. Poles had begun to be erected to support telephone wires. And a site for the exchange center had been selected, so operators knew where they would be working to connect callers to other telephone customers they were trying to reach.

The latter ladies just didn't have working equipment yet.

"Two car loads of poles have arrived for the Telephone Exchange, and are being distributed throughout the city, where they are to be used," reported The Canton Daily Repository on April 19, 1880, in a column called "Telephone Notes." "The switchboard has not yet arrived, but has been on its way for some time."

Members of the crew constructing the telephone lines "keep on putting up the telephone poles," the newspaper reported three days later, "without regard to whether the switchboard comes or not."

Had a history

The telephone was in use on a minor scale in Canton even before the city's telephone exchange was suggested.

Notes in the Repository show that a telephone connected the Stark County Courthouse and the office of the prosecuting attorney as early as Oct. 14, 1878. That same month, a telephone was installed in the J.B. McCrea furniture company, so communications could be established between lower and upper floors of the business.

But, those were direct lines, managed by their owners, and used mostly for internal communication.

It was Akron businessmen -- the same ones who not long before had begun the Akron Telephone Exchange -- who came to Canton to inaugurate a similar service.

"As soon as the Canton Telephone Exchange is established," the Repository reported, via the Akron Tribune, "the people of that city are promised direct communication with Akron."

Supported exchange

The Repository was an enthusiastic supporter of the exchange in Canton.

In March 1880, the newspaper reported that the owner of the St. Cloud Hotel had "bargained" with the developers of the telephone exchange to have the first telephone equipment in his hotel.

"He is bound to be in the fashion and have some style about him," said the Repository in an editorial in which it publicly lobbied for the second phone. "Repository to the Central office: Connect us with the St. Cloud."

After officially signing up for a phone, the Repository simply stated its support in an editorial. "Let us have the telephone exchange by all means." And the newspaper reported the growth of the new form of communication in its news columns. ""Many Ohio cities are putting up telephone lines."

And, the Repository let its readers know the details of the plans of the Akron businessmen -- O.C. Barber, A.L. Conger, W.G. Robinson, George G. Baker, and N. Hodge -- when they submitted the project for the approval of City Council.

"All they ask is the right of way through our streets and alleys to enable them to erect their telegraph (sic) poles and stretch their wires, (all of which they propose to do at their own expense), and give us a well regulated telephone exchange, without costing us a cent until our citizens feel disposed to become subscribers, and in that event each subscriber is amply repaid for the outlay."

Rates to be charged to customers -- divided into business, professional, and private classes -- ranged from $3 to $6.50 a month, depending upon the distance from the central office of the telephone exchange. That central office was to be set up in an upper floor of the Trump Building at Tuscarawas Street W and Court Avenue.

"Each subscriber will be furnished with a Hand Telephone and a Transmitter, and will also be furnished with a Magneto Call Bell, or Push Button Secrecy Switch Bell, according to the class which the subscriber may choose," reported the Repository. "Two dollars will be charged for setting instruments."

Rates would be calculated as the crow flew from subscribers to the telephone company, the newspaper noted.

"Distances from central office will be air lines. ... Special rates will be made for distances beyond the fourth half mile."

The ordinance approving the plan was passed by City Council almost immediately.

"Now comes the telephone," a Repository editorial predicted.

Customer list

The telephone exchange would start operations with 25 customers and expect to double that number within only a few weeks.

"The first pole for the telephone exchange was planted this morning, on Court Street, between the St. Cloud and the Court House," the newspaper reported on April 20, 1880.

The newspaper marveled at the erection of poles and wires, and was in awe of at least one of the workers.

"Did you ever see Miller the 'wire puller' of the exchange climb a telephone pole?" the newspaper asked in a "Telephone Notes" column on April 22, 1880. "If not, keep your eye on him when he has his 'spurs' on ready for business. Such a 'getting up stairs' you never did see."

Nevertheless, the newspaper also reflected on the continuing pressing problem.

"The long looked for switchboard has not arrived yet, but may come along any minute."

Even the officials at the telephone exchange apparently were getting testy over the delay.

"The switchboard for the Telephone Exchange has not yet arrived," reported the Repository on May 7, 1880. "We make this announcement for the benefit of community at large, because it is risky business to ask anyone connected with the Telephone Exchange concerning the whereabouts of said switchboard."

Up and running

Eventually, the switchboard arrived and the Canton Telephone Exchange was running by the middle of the year.

The Repository reported on some of the uses of this newfangled device called "the phone."

"The St. Cloud sells cigars by telephone now," one report said.

"Dr. Catlin received the first professional call through the telephone exchange last evening," said the Repository on May 12, 1880. "It's a handy arrangement to have in the house."

The newspaper noted on May 29, 1880, that subscribers to Canton Telephone Exchange "had the pleasure of listening to a concert at the residence of Captain Hodge, of Akron, by means of the telephone. ... The tones and modulations of the instruments and vocalists were heard quite distinctly."

Telephone service made Sundays more pleasurable for home-bound people of faith, according to an Akron Beacon article re-published in the Repository.

"The popularity of the plan of hearing sermons at home by means of a telephone is increasing," said the article on April 20, 1880. "Last Sunday morning 13 different persons listened to Rev. T.E. Monroe at the Congregational Church. ... A nominal charge of ten cents a service is made upon each subscriber for extra trouble in connecting."

Even the newspapers were making increased use of telephone communication. The "news line" was being born.

"The Daily Repository wants to publish all the news of the city -- small events, accidents, movement of persons, etc. -- and that this end may be attained (it) invites the citizens to co-operate," the newspaper published on May 28, 1880. "Send in your news by messenger or telephone."

'How It's Done'

An article in the Repository on July 21, 1880, explained to readers exactly how the new system worked. The story spoke about subscribers to the Canton Telephone Exchange and introduced readers to employees -- telephone operators that it called 'Hello' Ladies."

"All the railroad depots, the Central Engine House, various manufacturing establishments -- in fact, nearly every branch of business is represented on the list of subscribers who respond to the tinkling of bells and the ensuing 'hello.'

"Telephone poles and general lines are now erected on West Fifth street, Court street, north and south, and East Seventh street, and from these lines running in the direction of the cardinal points, other special lines have been constructed," reported the newspaper. "For instance, the Meyers Lake line running from the Fifth street line, and the Valley depot line, running from the South Court street line, a distance of nearly a half a mile to the Valley (railroad) depot."

Wind during severe weather had caused outages to service. The solution was simple: Show some patience.

"It is quite wonderful when one thinks of it. It is possible to hear through the lake line with distinctness, if the person at the other end understands his business. There has been some trouble with the lake line, on account of the falling of the wires from the trees when they have been swayed by the late violent storms. The other wires have been always ready to respond, unless talking with some other subscriber, in which case one has to wait."

A final observation -- a mild caution, really -- was offered by the Repository about the lack of security concerning calls of a personal nature.

"The majority of subscribers have a line to themselves, but there are cases where several subscribers are on the same line. The objection to them lies in the fact that each subscriber can hear what the other says. If B sends ham home for dinner, his neighbor, Mrs. C, knows all about it, and of course talks.

"With the exception of a few secrecy lines, the young lady operators have the confidential conversation of the whole subscription list at their command. They said they never listened, and the guileless newspaper man, looking into their great blue eyes, implicitly believed them."

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