I would like to acknowledge Ross Thompson of Tucson, Arizona for finding Norman L. Rue's 1967 thesis paper at our state's historical society, and providing me a copy. Most of this information was gathered from early newspaper articles and military reports. I have edited this information, condensed it down, and would like to share it with other collectors.

The territory of Arizona was established in 1864. Talk of a telegraph was an important issue. The Southwestern territories were remote. The outlaws, Indian Wars and the Government's push to place all Indians on reservations, created a hostile situation. The isolated conditions delayed mail and the scattered distribution of the U.S. Army Posts was a major concern. By 1872 the nearest telegraphic communication point was in Los Angeles. The railroad would not arrive until September of 1877. 

M.O. Davidson of the Arizona Mining Company is credited with constructing the first telegraph line in the southern part of the territory in 1865. This was a private line, that stretched for thirteen miles. It was located between the Cerro Colorado Mine and the Enriqueita Mining Company.

Governor Richard C. McCormick recognized the importance of the telegraph and made recommendations to the territory's legislature in 1865 and again in 1868. Unfortunately, there was just not enough commercial interest to justify the telegraph. It was going to be up to the Military to press this issue. Finally in 1871 when Lt. Col. George Crook came to the territory as commander of the department of Arizona did the recommendations of a telegraph become serious. It was through his persistence that the funds were finally appropriated for a military telegraph network in the territory. On March 3, 1873, the appropriations bill finally became law.

It was originally planned for a private telegraph company to construct the line. Discussions with the Pacific Division of the Western Union eventually concluded that it would be more economical for the military to oversee construction and use troop labor.

It was intended that Western Union would supply the redwood poles for the portion of the line between San Diego and Camp Yuma. Arizona timber resources would provide the rest. Some towns also recognized the importance of the telegraph and provided free poles just so the line would run through their town. In the higher elevations the side pins were attached directly to the trees to help off set the total cost. The Electrical Construction and Maintenance Company of San Francisco provided the telegraph instruments, insulators and wire.

It was decide that Arizona's system would tie into California at San Diego. Construction began in San Diego on Aug. 28, 1873. Five days later construction also began at Camp Whipple, Prescott. The Prescott line reached Camp Yuma, Yuma on Nov. 11, 1873. By the 18th it reached San Diego. Arizona was finally connected to the rest of the country and attention was now focused on Tucson. Construction began on the existing line at Maricopa Wells on Nov. 13, 1873. Tucson was reached on Dec. 2,1873. 

Arizona's military telegraph was a success! Congress provided more funds for further expansion. The line was going to extend from Prescott to Camp Verde and Camp Apache. On Nov. 9,1874, the line reached Camp Verde. The route to Camp Apache was changed and would have to wait. It would be less expensive and of more service to build the line through more posts, Indian reservations and settlements. The Camp Apache line would originate in Tucson and include Camp Lowell and Camp Grant. 

Construction of the line from Tucson to Camp Lowell began on Feb. 1, 1875 and was finished the first week of March 1875.

On March 3, 1875, a new telegraph bill was passed in congress which authorized the construction of a line connecting Santa Fe with Tucson, passing through Camps Craig, Marcy and Selden, the towns of Las Cruces and Mesilla, and Camps Bayard and Bowie. This proposed line was an important link for both territories. 

Due to problems in receiving tools and material, progress was slow. Construction finally resumed in Camp Lowell on July 1, 1875. A second construction team began at Camp Apache on July 27th. The stretch between Camp Lowell and Camp Grant was completed on Nov. 7, 1875. Due to difficult terrain and exhausted funds the line between Camp Grant and Camp Apache would not be completed until Feb. 28, 1876. At this point, Arizona's network was almost complete. All attention was directed to connecting Santa Fe, NM. The dilemma that faced them now was obtaining poles. Poles were required in New Mexico and for deteriorated poles on the aging Arizona lines.

By July of 1876, the only section remaining to be completed was between Camp Grant and Ralston, New Mexico. The Military was able to convince the citizens of Tucson to contribute more poles. During the first week of May 1877, Arizona was finally linked both from the East and West by a Military telegraph. This line would eventually stretch from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico.

This telegraph fulfilled its purpose and stayed intact for almost a decade. In 1882 the section of line between San Diego and Fort Yuma was abandoned. The designation of Camps changed to Forts in 1879. Increasing private enterprise and the commercial lines that followed the railroad would eventually begin phasing out the military's lines. All serviceable material would be used to make repairs or construct new lines elsewhere. By September 1886, Geronimo, chief of the Apaches, and his band of Chiricahuas had surrendered. During the 1890's most of the Forts were abandoned. The commercial telegraph had taken over. 

Now that a century has passed, I can just imagine what the creators of this telegraph would say if they could see us searching the desert looking for evidence of their line, and the excitement we have when we find pieces of an insulator.

I have had the good fortune, to have been invited to explore sections of this line. Recently I had the opportunity to visit with several people that explored sections of these lines back in the 1970's. It is surprising how many artifacts still exist, and can be found lying on the ground over a hundred twenty years later.

Considering the time of construction, the remote territory and the close location of the Electrical Construction and Maintenance Company, it is probably safe to conclude that the majority, if not all, the original insulators on this line were CD 123 EC&M' s. 

The EC&M's are the oldest insulators that have been found. Variations include: round, square, and beveled domes, extended base, riveted plate, and "sheet metal" mold line. The colors have been emerald green and various aqua. Only two of these have been intact. The fragments consist of the upper halves. A bundle of wire was found that contained approximately 20 intact tie wires. Either the Indians liked to shoot at them or the dismantling crews were a little rough.

As the lines aged, it appears that the soldiers maintained the lines with CD's 126 and CD 133. Both styles have been found with the Brookfield 55 Fulton Street and 45 Cliff Street embossings. CD 126 colors have been: aqua, light aqua, purple, olive green, and olive green with amber swirls. All the CD 133's, including a H.G.Co. No.7 / Standard, were aqua. 

Other insulators that have been found that don't exactly fit the military era, are 1893 patented Hemingray CD 121 's and CD 106's. A skirt embossed Brookfield beehive and a CD 121 McLaughlin toll --  all have been aqua. 

Some of the other artifacts that have been found by the lines are: wire splices, tie wires, arrow heads, 45-70 rifle casings, bottles, and lots of mule/horse shoes. During the mid-1970's the remnants of the traditional square redwood poles could be found around Gila Bend, AZ. On one of our expeditions we saw a side pin on a pine tree where only the threaded portion was exposed. As the tree grew, it engulfed the pin. The purple EC&M was probably pushed off, only to shatter as it hit the rocks below.

I would like to conclude, by thanking Ross and the members of the Enchantment Insulator Club that have been able to join us on our search for these Army insulators, and for the information and insulator fragments they have given me to document this historical telegraph.

Please let me know, if you have any additional information, or know of any other insulators that have come from Arizona's military telegraph. -- Steve Kelly, 1619 E. Penny Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282 (602) 968-2125