Thanks to the generous donation of Ron Souza, Citrus Heights, California, Crown Jewels of the Wire is now in the possession of a wonderful piece of telegraph history. The Corporate History of the Western Union Telegraph Company is a 353 page typewritten document that, in its own words, "gives descriptions of or makes references to five hundred and thirty five corporations and properties which have been merged in, purchased by, leased to or are now controlled by the Western Union Telegraph Company."

Our hope is that by sharing this information, we will be able to encourage collectors to initiate further research and uncover even more information about this amazing hobby of insulator collecting. You will be introduced to some new company names or individuals who were part of early telegraph history. In addition, we will be providing information from this text regarding the location of many of the early telegraph lines that may or may not have been identified, located, walked or dug up to this point. This should provide many collectors around the country with the opportunity to do just what Ron has been doing in the foothills and mountains of California for the past 25+ years -- walk some old lines and find a part of history . This month we will begin with the origin of the Western Union Telegraph Company.

The New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company was incorporated in the state of New York on April 1, 1851. The articles of Association and Incorporation stated: "Whereas Sanford J. Smith and Isaac Butts under and by virtue of a contract between them of the one part and Freeman M. Edison and Samuel L. Seldon of the other part are entitled to the exclusive right of establishing and constructing a line of telegraph to be operated by the instrument known and patented under the name of 'House's Printing Telegraph', between Buffalo in the state of New York and St. Louis in the state of Missouri and whereas the said Sanford J. Smith and Isaac Butts are now engaged in constructing a line of telegraph between the places and for the purposes above mentioned."

"The route of the said telegraph line shall pass through this state from the city of Buffalo to the state of Pennsylvania along the south side of Lake Erie. This company shall own and operate the residue of the said telegraph line from the boundary of the state of New York through the seven states to the city of St. Louis touching at Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati and thence to St. Louis by such route as shall be designated by the directors." 

On February 21, 1854, the NY & MVPT Co. reincorporated. The new charter provided "that the general route of the said line of telegraph is from a point in the city of Buffalo in the state of New York to the city of Louisville in the state of Kentucky, passing through Dunkirk in the state of New York, through Erie in the state of Pennsylvania, through Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati in the state of Ohio and through Covington, Georgetown and Frankfort in the state of Kentucky to the city of Louisville aforesaid, including a branch circuit to Lexington in the last mentioned state."

The Erie and Michigan Telegraph Company was formed as a voluntary association on November 2, 1846, for the purpose of constructing and operating a line of telegraph from the city of Buffalo, NY to Milwaukee, WI by Dunkirk, Erie, Cleveland, Huron, Sandusky, Toledo, Detroit and Chicago. The offices of the company were at Detroit. MI. On November 1, 1855, the Erie and Michigan Telegraph Company and the New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company were consolidated under the name and title of The Western Union Telegraph Company.

The St. Louis and New Orleans Telegraph Company incorporated in Kentucky on February 19, 1849. The charter gave "the right to construct and carryon the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph through this state, on the route leading from St. Louis, Missouri, through Paducah and Hopkinsville, Kentucky and Clarksville to Nashville, Tennessee, there forming a connection with the great line of Morse's telegraph to New Orleans." 

On June 14, 1855, an agreement was entered into "between the Ohio and Mississippi Telegraph Co., represented by Geo. K. McGunnegle, President thereof of the one part and the St. Louis & New Orleans Telegraph Co. represented by William Tanner, President thereof, of the second part, witnesseth: that the said Tanner, acting in his corporate capacity and as owner of several sections of said St. Louis and New Orleans Telegraph Line by purchase under execution, including in said purchase all property and rights to property and franchises belonging thereto, being desirous of disposing of the franchise of said New Orleans & St. Louis Telegraph Line, hereby agrees to dispose of and does dispose of the same to the Ohio and Mississippi Telegraph Co. for the consideration hereafter named." On February 13, 1856, the lease passed to the NY & MVPT Co. which became Western Union.

The Ohio and Mississippi Telegraph Company was incorporated on February 14, 1848 in Indiana for the purpose of constructing a line of telegraph from Louisville in the state of Kentucky to St. Louis in the state of Missouri. This property was leased to Joshua N. Alvord who subsequently assigned the lease to the NY & MVPT Co, ultimately Western Union.

The Articles of Association of the Ohio Telegraph Company date from September, 1851, when the company was formed for the purpose of the construction and operation of a line of telegraph along the Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroad from Pittsburg to Cresline; also on the Bellefontaine and Indiana Railroad from Galion to Union, also along the line of the Mansfield and Sandusky City Railroad and along the line of the Ohio and Indiana Railroad from Cresline to Ft. Wayne. This company subsequently became part of Western Union through absorption or merger.

Thus, by 1856, the original plan laid out by the New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company in 1851 to establish a telegraph line from New York to St. Louis had been accomplished by its successor company, The Western Union Telegraph Company through the acquisition of the aforementioned companies and leases. In the process they had reached a number of other major cities and linked several other lines, beginning the nationwide spread of telegraphy and improved communications.

The next article will focus on some of the other regions of the country and the importance and influence of the spread of Western Union. Thanks again, Ron, for this wonderful contribution to the history of our hobby!!!