During Hurricane Beryl recently, a lot of people in Houston had no way of calling unless they could somehow keep their cell phones charged. My brother in Houston has had a time. But communication seems to have been a problem for decades.
Though it’s hard to believe now in this fast-paced world, the telegraph was once very modern technology. Samuel Morse began tinkering with the idea of communication through electric wires in 1832. But it wasn’t until 1844 that the first telegraph was successfully sent over a distance from Washington to Baltimore.
After a series of missteps and fighting others who sought to steal his ideas, Samuel’s telegraph company became the Western Union Telegraph Company in 1856. From there the telegraph grew by leaps and bounds. In 1860 Congress passed the Pacific Telegraph Act to begin building an intercontinental telegraph system linking the East coast with the West.
Telegraph poles began springing up across the nation. In treeless areas they had to ship in poles. The cost and labor to construct such an elaborate system was enormous. Finally, workers completed the task in 1861. People on both coasts could communicate and that was a happy day.
But problems plagued them. Weather, pesky outlaws who didn’t want to be captured cut the lines. Curious Native Americans, pioneers who sometimes used the poles as firewood, and the fact that the buffalo used the poles as backscratchers caused inconsistent availability of the line.
Still….it was better than nothing.
WHAT DID IT COST TO SEND A TELEGRAPH?
Initially…$1.00 per word Later…..$7.00 for 10 words Then ….$3.00 for 10 words after Congress regulated
Not everyone could afford it, seeing as how $1 in 1861 equals over $25.00 today. Typical wages at that time were around $1 a day. Out in the smaller towns, it was probably less than that.
In my new book, Love’s First Light, Rachel Malloy needs to telegraph the stage lines in Clarendon, Texas over stolen money she found only there are no telegraphs where she lives so she and rancher Heath Lassiter has to send a note with the traveling preacher. That took forever. But back in the 1800s all they had was time. Nothing got done in a hurry.
A bit about Love’s First Light….
Rachel Malloy is burying the last of her family who died of a fever when a sandstorm blows up and knocks her off her feet. She strikes her head on a rock and is found by a neighboring rancher who takes her to his place where his sister nurses her back to health. He feels God is answering his prayers for a wife and later gets a rare sighting of a white dove in Hawk’s Canyon. The bird seems to be God’s sign that she’s the one.
Only she refuses to marry him. She’s done some horrible things and can’t marry anyone. Rachel has been angry at God for a while but a lot more now. How could He take all of her family and leave her by herself? Was she not good enough?
Answers come as the story unfolds and there’s a fight at the end. Who will be left standing when the dust clears?
I’m giving away two copies of Love’s First Light. Just tell me if you’ve ever had trouble with your phone during or after a storm.
I was in a devastating tornado in 1979 that destroyed much of the city and had the worst time letting people know I was alive.
Here in the Texas Panhandle, we do love our cowboys. There's just something about a man in a Stetson and jeans that makes my heart beat faster. I'm not much of a cook but I love to do genealogy and I'm a bit of a rock hound. I'm also a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of historical western romance. You can contact me through my website and I'd love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more. HAPPY READING!
https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules/
If our power goes out, our landline goes out because it’s part of our Fios.
A power outage took out our modem a couple of Christmases ago. Power came back quickly, and we could use our cell phones as hot spots for our computers, but we were without regular Fios for internet/TV/landline
for close to a week. Not quite the same as being without full communication.
Verizon did reimburse us. And they didn’t charge us for the repair because the modem had a known defect.
Good morning, Denise. Losing power is the worst feeling. You can’t do anything. After our tornado, our house was completely gone and we didn’t get a phone for a year. We had to borrow other people’s and back then long distance was very pricey. You lucked out, Denise, for Verizon to reimburse you. Thanks for coming. I hope you have a gorgeous day.
Nothing is springing to mind about losing phone service during the flash floods or earthquakes this area has experienced. Our water company doesn’t always have the time to alert residents when they cut off water to make emergency repairs, though – I once had the water in the shower stop before I was finished rinsing off soap (luckily not shampoo)!
Mary, that would be awful to be in the middle of a shower and have no water! Goodness! Count your blessings you haven’t lost power. Thanks for coming. Sending blessings.
Telegrams were like the tweets of the time period. President Lincoln used to go sit with the telegraph operators at the War Department so he could read what was coming in.
Rachel, I did not know that President Lincoln did that. He was going to be on top of things! Yeah, a person had to be creative when composing a telegram. Yes, like a tweet, only shorter. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a lovely day.
Where I am in southern California near the coast we don’t get many storms. We also still have a regular landline.
Wow, Diana, you’re very lucky. That sounds like a great place to live. I’m glad you stopped by to read my post. Have a good day.
Luckily when it did happen it did not last long. Where I live the weather is not usually severe, thank God!
Rhonda, you must live a charmed life. Storms can get so bad here. When the tornado took our house, we were a year without a phone and I still remember how horribly cut off I was from everyone. If we’d just had cells back then. Down in Houston millions of people are still without power from Hurricane Beryl and that was on July 8th. Have a blessed day.
No problems before, during or after a storm here.
Kim, you’re very lucky. Thank you for coming. I hope you have a fantastic day.
I had no telephone service for two weeks during Hurricane Hugo on the East Coast. In addition, I’ve lived in foreign countries where the difference in time zones made it difficult to have phone calls apart from a dire emergency.
Janice, then you know what I’m talking about. That two weeks probably felt like forever. Hugo was a bad one. I can’t imagine time zones playing a part in phone service. Goodness! I wouldn’t like that. Have a blessed day.
I didn’t mean the phone service itself, but our sleep, work, and leisure hours just didn’t line up.
yes we had a tornado go through in May of 1989 we didn’t have phones or electricity for over a week! No cell phones back then!
Teresa F, you can relate to my plight in 1979. We didn’t have a house–or phone– for a year after and had to borrow everyone else’s. Such a horrible time. It’s so good to see you!
My family lived in Lima, Peru for 3 years beginning in 1959 and phones were scarce and expensive. The only way we could verbally communicate with family back here in the US was via the ham radio at the Air Force base. And then back here in the US, both my Dad and my husband served in Viet Nam. Again it was letters and the occasional ham radio communication. When my husband was there, it was Barry Goldwater who usually connected me to my husband via ham radio! Yes, there were telegrams, but no one affiliated with our military wanted to receive a telegram!
Karin, you’re right! Telegrams usually meant someone had died. Interesting about the ham radio. That would’ve been wonderful to hear your husband’s and Dad’s voices. I really liked Barry Goldwater. Thanking your husband and Dad for their military service. I pray there is never another war like VietNam. Thank you for coming and sharing your story.
Hey Linda! As you know, I’m from Florida! You bet we lose phone service during hurricanes and we have had our share! Florida is the #1 state to be hit with a hurricane. In 2004, the state was hit with multiple hurricanes. How we lived without a generator, I don’t know! But, my husband is a powerlineman. Has been one for over 45 years. I’ve been to see him after Hugo (SC)and Andrew (South FL). Back in the 80’s and 90’s. We didn’t even have a generator until about 4 years ago! LOL But, yes, I have gone to my car to charge up my phone. One time, before the generator and through another hurricane, it was 4 days before power. I know some go for weeks and months! But, that was a miserable time! It is humid and hot after most hurricanes!
By the way, I was a telephone operator in the late 70’s in our small town of Live Oak. Yes, you might get me if you dailed “0”! I can say I loved being one! And using those old cables!
Tracy, we seem to have led mirror lives. I, too, worked as a telephone operator straight out of high school from 1966 to 1970. I really loved it too. I’m sure we both developed an “operator” voice and spoke with authority! I liked the night shift best.
LOL I liked the night shift too. However, only the elder got those hours! But, I remember one who must of loved me because she would ask me if I wanted a shift now and again. Those were the good ole days!
Hi Tracy, glad to see you. I would hate to live in Florida just because of all the hurricanes. I remember 2004 and I believe it was five hurricanes hit you that year. You seemed to be a magnet for them. Those generators are priceless. I’ve never had one, but it sure would’ve been nice. After our tornado that took our house, we were a year without phone service and I still remember how difficult it was having to borrow phones from other people. Right now, people in Houston are still without power since July 8th, living in the sweltering heat with no A/C. And Beryl was only a Cat 1. The governor is mighty upset. Bless your husband for being a power lineman. Thanks for coming.
We have trouble with our phone whenever there is a strong storm. During an ice storm last year our internet was down for several days. Finally we received services on our cell phones, but not on our land line, that took several more days.
Karijean, it’s great to see you. You know what I’m talking about. It’s horrible to be so cut off from everyone. I was without for a year following our tornado and it was really awful having to borrow phones. Back then it was land line only. No cells in 1979. My kids had trouble adjusting and the teachers would have to send me notes, telling me they just sat and cried in class everyday. We didn’t know it then, but they had a form of PTSD. They finally got over it but it sure took a while. Thanks for coming to share.
No not after a storm even though I live in Florida and have seen my share of storms. I did not have my landline for over a month during the Christmas and New Year season. It was hard because I was taking care of my elderly mother and could not call her from work to make sure she was okay during the day.
How helpless you must’ve felt back then, Sharon. That would’ve been the hardest and I’m sure you worried a lot about your mom, not knowing what you’d find when you got home. Thanks for sharing. I hope you have a lovely day.
Sometimes during a storm my cable station goes out. Not that many storms here in dry Arizona
Joye, it’s horrible to not have TV. So quiet that’s disturbing. Yeah, Arizona is spared a lot from storms. Probably most would be wildfire. Thanks for coming, dear friend. I hope your day is glorious.
WOW, Linda! I had no idea that telegrams cost so much money back then. I knew they were “a lot” but when you put it into perspective with the fact that $1 = $25 today, that’s pretty mind boggling, isn’t it? Very interesting, and makes me realize how lucky we are in this day and age to have so many ways to communicate in just an instant.
I’m looking forward to reading this new book of yours, Linda! It’s rare that a heroine has done anything “bad” so I’m anxious to see what she has done! LOL Hugs, Filly sis! XO
Cheryl, yes we don’t realize when we’re writing and having our characters just sending lots of telegrams with no worry. Ha! Most of my characters were poor and could not have afforded it. I never gave it thought. We are indeed lucky to live with cell phones now. Praying they won’t start charging for emails!!!
I hope you enjoy the book, Cheryl. Yes, what the heroine was forced to do was truly awful. She had to forgive herself of a lot. Love and big hugs back, Filly Sis!
Fortunately for me, I have never had the situation rise up where I needed a phone in an emergency. Nothing comes to mind. TV reception is more disturbing in our home. How does one monitor the weather when reception is out? We do have a weather radio, but we forget about it most of the time. Communication to someone else is generally not needed here in our family. It’s just my husband and me.
Your book sound very intriguing. I look forward to reading it.
Thanks for coming, Judy! You’ve been mighty lucky, lady. But being without TV is bad too. That quiet really gets to me. I’m fine during the day but come night, I need my shows! And the noise. Most often I have it on and reading a book too. I hope you get a chance to read Love’s First Light. I believe it has a great message. Blessings and love.
Through all of the hurricanes I’ve been through, I don’t remember ever losing the phone!! I know we’ve lost power for 7 days before, and during the summer in FL, that’s horrid!! That was back in 2004. However, we still had the landline!! It’s one of the reasons I still have a landline. Cell phone coverage then was pretty spotty sometimes. I LOVED this book!!!
Trudy, you must have a great landline provider. Yes, you’re very lucky to not lose phone service. Lady, I cannot sympathize enough for having to be without A/C during the sweltering Florida heat. How awful.
I’m so happy, happy you loved Love’s First Light. I think it has a beautiful message of hope and love. Thank you so much! Take care and sending lots of prayers your way as this hurricane season is ramping up. Much love.
I’m not sure I’ll be able to say that if I lose power for 7 days again!! Back in 2004, we had AT&T, but now I have Verizon for the landline. Honestly, I’d get rid of the phone except I’ve had that number my entire life! lol!! It was Mom and Daddy’s phone number before I was born, and I just can’t stand the thought of not having it!
Trudy, we still have our landline also! But, mainly for my husband in case we can’t be reached by cell. He is first responder being a power lineman. If it rings these days, it’s a solicitor! Ulgh!
I’ve had that same number all of my life! It’s really the one reason I still have a landline!! I can’t stand the thought of giving it up!! I may switch it sometime to another cell phone!!
Your post reminded me of when I was librarian and went to a conference in Phoenix the 90’s. There they told me that parts of the Indian reservation did noy have phones until the 90’s. I could not believe this until I met some Librarians from the Colorado River Indian Tribes and they confirmed this.
Oh, Becky, how disgraceful the way every agency completely ignored the Native Americans. That’s very shameful to keep something as common as phone service from them! Thanks for sharing that. I hope you have a lovely day.
I have had my landline go out during thunderstorms but it wasn’t off for too long. I have had the internet go out a couple of times.
Linda H, don’t you just love technology? Things always go out and it seems at the most inconvenient times. Thanks so much for coming.
Not really.
Bridgette, thank you so much for coming and reading my post. Hope your day is going well.
I have had issues with my phone during and after storms. It is amazing how we are used to our cell phones.
Debby, it just amazes me as well how much we depend on our cell phones and we used to not have them. But I guess you never miss what you never had. Thanks for coming. Have a beautiful rest of your day.
yes
BN, it’s nice to see you. I hope your day is going well.
Our landline is connected through our cable company and if that goes out, we have no landline phone. Others in my family have cellphones… I do not.
Colleen, it’s hard to remember not having a cell phone. You’re in the minority not having one but you sure save a lot of money! In Arizona, you don’t have much bad weather, not like we do. Have a great rest of your day. Glad you came by.
I live in NJ. Several years back we had an earthquake that knocked out cell service. My children were at the babysitter’s house in Pennsylvania, (which was too far to drive there to check on them), and there was no landline so I couldn’t call to make sure they were all okay. The earthquake was scary enough (the building I was in shook so bad that we all ran outside) but the not knowing if they were okay was worse. Thanks for the chance to win a book prize.
Vickie J, that must’ve been so scary. I can’t imagine being unable to reach your kids. Mine were with me thank goodness when we had the tornado or I would’ve been crazy with worry. Thanks for coming. I hope you get a chance to read this book. I think you’d like it.
When we lived on our family farm in Wyoming, our phone would go out because of ice storms and blizzards.
Barbara, thank you so much for coming. I imagine you have a lot of ice storms and blizzards up there. We all have our share of weather events and losing communication with the world. Have a great rest of your day.
Yes. There have been times that we do not a landline. It is all connected with internet and television. We still have the landline. I am not so much a fan of the cellphone. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Debra, I didn’t have a cellphone for a long time and finally my husband bought a Tracphone and we bought minutes for it when it ran out. We didn’t call that much back in those days and we had a landline we used most of the time. Slowly over time and after he passed, I migrated to a cellphone and got rid of my landline. It had gotten where all I got was telemarketers anyway. Strangely, I don’t miss it. Thank you for coming. Much love.
May 18, 1980…….Mt. St. Helens dumped 4-6 inches of ash in our area which created power and phone outages off and on that summer. Every time it rained the wet ash would cause lines to short out. Eventually the wind and hard work by the power and phone companies cleared the ash off the poles and transformers providing more reliable service. Growing up in Northeast NY thunderstorms in the summer sometimes took phone lines out but winter ice storms did the most damage. Fortunately we still had wood and coal stoves so we could help ourselves and sometimes a few neighbors during power failures.
Wow, Alice. I didn’t know that eruption caused power outages. Wet ash shorted out the lines is equally interesting.
Yes, as I have a landline and when it storms we get a lot of static on our phone
When we lived in Florida, we had a landline, of course with no power, portable phones didn’t work but, we also had a few corded ones. I don’t really recall really having problems with the phone much. Now cell phones were another story during/after hurricanes, they could be hard to get reception. Now in Maine we don’t lose power that long when we do, at least so far. We still have a landline but the plan we are on, when we lose power, the phones are dead too. If we get anything, it will be the cell phones and even then the reception isn’t always the best at that time.
Hi Linda, During 911 cell service wasn’t very good, thank goodness we still have a landline that’s not connected to our cable company. Finally, reached family in other states to see if they were okay.
Cells are okay, but; sometimes they are not. Some of the previous comments by other P&P subscribers were very interesting. Enjoy this site.
Thank you so much, Lois. I’m happy you like coming here. Hope you keep your landline. 🙂
I thought I had ordered this book, but it doesn’t show I have it.
Anyway, we have been having issues with our phone lately. Already this month, our phone, internet, and TV have been off line off and on for about 7 days total. Very annoying. I’ve lost 2 reviews I entered and have missed a couple of online meetings. I missed one today, have another this week ,and one next week. I can only hope it is working when I need it. We had a blizzard a couple of years after we moved here. The power and phone were out for about 5 days. Luckily, family who lived in the area were home with us. Those relatives that lived out of the area live up north and weren’t worried. They and we know how to deal with it. As a culture, we are so used to being able to have what we want when we want it, people don’t know what to do if that is disrupted. It is a bit humbling for them to know they can’t control loss of that instant communication.
Take care and stay cool.
Red Cross has a Safe and Well section on their website. Let family know to check it.
“If you have been affected by a disaster, this website provides a way for you to register yourself as “safe
and well.” From a list of standard messages, you can select those that you want to communicate to your
family members, letting them know of your well-being.
Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as “safe and
well.” The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s First Name, Last Name, an “As of
Date”, and the “safe and well” messages selected.”
Patricia, it’s good to know that about the Red Cross. I’ll remember next time. I’m not sure they had that going in 1979 but they probably did. They came two days later to our neighborhood with food and drinks and it was great while we were seeing what of our belongings remained. Such a godsend.
I live in Florida and we have had plenty of hurricanes which have knocked out power lines. It is inconvenient to say the least. You don’t realize how dependent on those luxuries until you have to do without.
I live in Connecticut and in 2012 we had a horrible ice storm on Halloween night the whole state pretty much lots electricity and no cell phone either. Trees and wires were down everywhere couldn’t get gas, money, medication,or hot water ect. Was about week started to get back to normal unfortunately for us we lost power line and we didn’t get elec. back for over two weeks. It was an adventure that’s for sure.
Yes, Linda, I lost phone service during a storm and was in an absolute panic!