Letter to Dora
Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", August 1974, page 31
Dear Don & Dora,
Ouch! Its teeth are sharp; they sink deep into my soul. I tried to flee for
my freedom, but its grip was too firm. I ran, I ran hard, but slipped on its
glassy surface. After four years I find I've been bitten by the insulator bug
again.
Last winter's floods were locally the worst in history around here--and they
uncovered many insulators along the lines I walked years ago. I thought Chuck
Fox and I had cleaned out this part of Southern Oregon, but after the floods,
after much hard work and considerable research, I've found about 150 collectible
insulators this spring.
About the best items I found have been some Knowles CD 333's, and a few
CALIFORNIA (large embossing) CD 208's. Most of the stuff I found came off the
Postal Tel. line through here, sections that had been declared
"worked" in '69.
This time I intend to stay with the hobby, take my time and slowly build up a
collection. Right now I am especially interested in telegraph history, in
researching companies and lines. Tell me, please, are there any books written
for the collector giving accurate and complete telegraphic history, showing
routes of telegraph lines built, say, before 1870? I have many volumes of this
type of information available to me, information as detailed as actual route
surveys made for Western Union in 1864-1866. My problem is I don't know what to
do with this information . . . I am tempted to write a book, but I am unaware of
what may have been written in the last four years. Can you help me . . . have
any suggestions?
(Editors Note: Contact Dan Rider of Buffalo, New York. I believe you two have
a common interest. Address in '74 subscriber directory.)
When I quit in early '70 people were claiming that the Lefferts' threadless
was a foreign insulator. Now I know that Marshall Lefferts helped to capitalize
the People's Telegraph Company founded in 1849, that in 1850 he became president
of the Merchants' State Telegraph Company, and have reason to believe, though
totally unconfirmed as yet, that he may have had something to do with designing
the "pilgrim hat" shaped insulator. Now all of this may be common
knowledge today--I simply don't know--so you see my dilemma.
Today most people may be aware of Western Union's exploits in British
Columbia, Yukon, and Siberia in the mid-1860's--but that exciting story was
"undiscovered" four years ago.
In June 1973 I graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in
journalism. I'm now timber cruising for the Forest Service, but may attend a
Seminary beginning in 1975. I trust you both are in good health. I hope to be
able to come and visit you some time this summer.
Your friend,
Howard Banks
Merlin, Oregon
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