Proposed Telegraph in Oregon.--The Portland Times says: "Messrs. Chas. F. Johnson and E. D. Tousley, who arrived in this city by the last steamer, propose a joint stock company for the construction of a telegraph line from Portland to Salem. The work is proposed to be finished by within eight months after the company shall have been formed. This line is intended to connect with San Francisco, by way of Southern Oregon and Northern California."
"Oregon," Daily Free Democrat, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, November 30, 1854, page 2


    TELEGRAPHIC ENTERPRISE.--The contemplated enterprise of building a line of telegraphic communication, between Portland and Salem, eventually to connect with California, is progressing, with probability of being carried into successful operation.
Sacramento Daily Union, November 30, 1854, page 2


    On Monday last the setting of posts was begun in our city to bear the wires of the Pacific Telegraph Company. Along the whole of Front Street have been set substantial sawed and painted staffs, which when the wires are strung along their tops will prove an ornament, as well as an efficient service, to our citizens.
    We are gratified that this labor has at last been commenced, and now that the practicality and ultimate success of the enterprise are placed beyond the possibility of a doubt, we hope the energetic and enterprising projectors and builders of it, Messrs. Charles F. Johnson & Co., will drive the work forward to a speedy completion. As we have heretofore said, the necessity is felt by the business of our territory for the early connection of Portland with San Francisco by a line of electric telegraph, and so soon as such a result shall have been effected, our business will have received a settled tendency, which will alike be felt by the trader and the farmer--the producer and the purchaser.
    We learn that the work on that portion of the line leading from the Sacramento Valley northward is being rapidly prosecuted, and will soon be in operation as far north as Yreka (the Oregon line). The time intended for finishing the line from this place to Corvallis is short, which when finished will but require the continuation of the line from that place as far south as our southern boundary, to place us in instant communication with San Francisco.
    While on this subject, and while wishing the company, the contractors and the projectors of the enterprise, that success their labors, their enterprise, and their efforts in behalf of the interests of the whole people, so richly merit and deserve; we will call the attention of our readers to an extract from an editorial in the last Oregon Statesman:
    "There would be about as much practical judgment and sense in constructing line of telegraph to 'Valparaiso' as to any place in Oregon. The present business of Oregon will no more warrant the expense of constructing and keeping up a telegraph line through this valley than it will a line of steamers to China. It is a moonshine project. We do not believe that there would be business enough done for the coming ten years to half keep the line in repair after its construction, and we have no idea that the wires would be kept up a year. Nor do we believe a disinterested man can be found who knows anything about telegraph lines, the way they pay (rather the way they don't pay) in the States, except over a very few heavy routes, will risk an opinion that a line from anywhere to anywhere in Oregon will pay one-half the expense of repairs."
    We have never hesitated for a moment in awarding to Bush a perfect consistency in lying, and we venture to say, that no man, except he be as contemptibly mean as Bush, would attempt through a petty spleen to check the rapid advance of an enterprise having for its object the benefit of an entire community. Bush knows no interest but self--no religion but party--no God but power, and he would be willing that for "the next ten years," the people of Oregon should remain ignorant of the acts of the legislature,  months after each successive assembly should have adjourned. Bush tells a willful lie when he says that none but a very few of the heavy lines in the United States pay, and dive as far down into the slimy sinks of his lying heart as he may, he dare not manufacture a single instance where a telegraph company has been known to fail. We presume the gentlemen composing the Pacific Telegraph Company know what they are investing their money in, and also whether it will pay them or not, and we conceive they feel themselves in no way responsible to Bush for their acts as to how they invest their money, but suppose they feel it to be none of his business.
Weekly Oregonian, Portland, April 7, 1855, page 2


    TELEGRAPH IN OREGON.--The agents of the Portland and Corvallis line of telegraph are "blazing out the line" preparatory to letting contracts for setting the poles. Oregon City, Lafayette, Dayton and Salem are to be points on the route, provided sufficient encouragement is given to the work by those interested in the above mentioned points.
Sacramento Daily Union, May 1, 1855, page 1


    PACIFIC TELEGRAPH.--We have been informed by Mr. Graham, the superintendent of the Pacific Telegraph line, that he has made arrangements for the wire, and will continue the line to Corvallis in a short time. Those who have taken stock should pay up their assessments at once, and thereby enable the superintendent to go forward with the enterprise. Mr. Graham deserves credit for the energy and industry he has manifested in pushing the work forward. Let the stockholders come up to his aid, and we will soon be in telegraphic communication with San Francisco.
Oregonian, Portland, July 19, 1856, page 2


    EXTENSION OF THE TELEGRAPH.--In the Butte Record, of Friday last, we notice the first telegraphic dispatch from Marysville. From this it will be perceived that the new line is now open. We also learn from the Shasta papers, of Saturday, 22nd November, that J. E. Strong was in that place, on a tour of observation, having in view the extension of the telegraph to Shasta, and thence to Weaverville, Yreka and Jacksonville, O.T. Mr. Strong has been for years permanently connected with the telegraph lines of this state, and we believe has never undertaken one which he did not get through. It is to be hoped he will be successful in this instance.
Sacramento Daily Union, November 24, 1856, page 2


    Mr. J. W. Strong is on a tour in the northern counties of the state for the purpose of obtaining information as to the probability of getting enough stock subscribed to warrant the construction of a telegraphic line from Marysville to Jacksonville, O.T., via Shasta, Weaverville and Yreka.
Nevada Journal, Nevada City, California, November 28, 1856, page 3


    PERSONAL.--J. E. Strong, Esq., of Sacramento, was in town during the early part of the week. Mr. Strong has been president of the Alta Telegraph Co. for some years, and is a gentleman distinguished for his intelligence and businesslike capacity. We had the pleasure of an interview with Mr. Strong, and learned that the object of his visit north is to ascertain whether a sufficient amount of stock can be disposed of to construct a telegraph line from Marysville to Shasta, Weaverville, Yreka and Jacksonville, O.T. Mr. S. left for Yreka on Thursday morning. We wish him every success.
Trinity Journal, Weaverville, California, November 29, 1856, page 3


    POSTAL.--A petition to the Postmaster General for the establishment of a daily mail between Yreka and Shasta is being signed in the former place. In reference to this project and the further extension of mail facilities northward, the Yreka Union remarks:
    "We would also suggest to our neighbors in Southern Oregon that they are deeply interested in an increase of mail facilities between them and us. By next summer, Yreka will be in telegraphic communication with San Francisco, which will render a daily mail hence to the principal towns in Southern Oregon not only very desirable, but almost an imperious necessity, and they should bestir themselves in securing the continuation of a daily line into their midst."
Sacramento Daily Union, October 10, 1857, page 2


    THE NORTHERN TELEGRAPH.--The Yreka Union learns from Mr. Hubbard that the early completion of the telegraph line to Yreka is no longer an open question. "The work is completed between Shasta and Red Bluffs, and is pronounced by competent judges to be fully equal, if not superior, to any telegraph ever constructed. Before Mr. Hubbard left Shasta the posts were set forty miles of the distance between Red Bluffs and Oroville, and all the posts were on the line between the top of Trinity Mountain and Oroville except about six hundred and fifty which had been sawed in the mountains, and their delivery retarded by the snow."


    INTERCOMMUNICATION.--The prospect of a telegraph to Oregon is very gratifying. There is already a line from Portland to Corvallis--50 miles; thence to Jacksonville, about 250 miles, will not cost much in proportion to the convenience to Oregon people, and the Jacksonville folks are able to build a line to Yreka. A stage road from Crescent City to Jacksonville is being built, to be traveled in 24 hours. Now the Crescent City and Jacksonville papers are two weeks old when we get them; the telegraph will put us in instant communication with the northern coast.
Weekly Trinity Journal, Weaverville, California, March 6, 1858, page 3


    We are going to have a telegraph. Mr. Hubbard, of the Northern Telegraph Company, is here, and he informs us that the connection between Red Bluffs and Oroville will be completed within thirty days; then the workmen will commence north of Shasta, and will have completed the line to Weaverville by the first of May. The wires and other materials have arrived; everything is in readiness, and the work is going on vigorously. The Board of Directors abandoned the original design of following the Sacramento River route; they now intend to build the telegraph through Weaverville, Trinity Center, Scott Valley and Deadwood, to Yreka. This conclusion was in compliance with the request of stockholders in Trinity County. It was a wise conclusion, and it will secure the company the cooperation of people on this side, who must have been indifferent about the success of the enterprise, had their decision been otherwise. Considerable stock had been subscribed in this county; the first and second installments are now due; a large amount has been paid to the contractor, who is now here, and who will remain to complete the collections. It is earnestly desired that all subscriptions be paid promptly, so as not to delay the work.
    The Jacksonville people talk of continuing the line from Yreka to that place; thence it will go to the chief city in Oregon; thus completing a highway of thought from San Francisco up-coast, to the limits of our republic domains. In the East the iron trails of thought are reaching farther and farther westward; ere long they will leave the confines of civilization, and will wind their ways across the Great American Desert, through the snowy defiles of the Sierras, and descend to the broad green valleys of the Pacific, there to find well-trained messengers ready to take up their story and flash it away a thousand miles through summer and winter, across luxuriant valleys and over perpetual snows, to the remote mining village where the grating of stone and steel tells this progress of American enterprise.
    One is amazed at the magnitude of man's inventive genius. For ages of ages two great oceans have been roaring to each other until the terrified monsters of the deep hid themselves in the profundity of ocean, yet their voices have died on the breeze, leaving thousands of miles of silence untraversed. Earthquakes and mountains travailing with fire scared the lazy aboriginal from his camp, but their thunders did not reach the camp of the American Bedouin who sits on the desert sands laying out his war path. But on the Eastern land-verge a man sits among acids and wires; a paper is before him on which is written "Disunion," or "Invasion"; he touches an instrument that answers with a "still small voice," but each syllable is heard above the surges of the western ocean, or amid the storms that wail round the cold temples of Mount Hood.
    Shut out, as we are, from railroad or river communication, and dependent on the slow progress made over a mountainous country, we think a telegraph indispensable for the convenience and interests of the business community, and we trust that subscribers will respond to the requests of the collector at once, and cheerfully. There is no doubt but what the investment will pay; the line from Marysville to Oroville, dependent on the business of Oroville, alone, has paid a small percentage above expenses; that between Shasta and Red Bluffs exceeds the expectations of the Company. Surely then, a telegraph sustained by Marysville, Oroville, Red Bluffs, Shasta, Weaverville, Yreka, and intermediate places of less note, will make the Northern Telegraph not only a great convenience to the people of the north, but an enterprise of profit.
Weekly Trinity Journal, Weaverville, California, March 6, 1858, page 3


    TELEGRAPH TO OREGON.--The Trinity Journal thus discourses on the prospects of a telegraph to Oregon:
    "There is already a line from Portland to Corvallis, 50 miles; thence to Jacksonville, about 250 miles, will not cost much in proportion to the convenience to Oregon people; and the Jacksonville folks are able to build a line to Yreka. A stage road from Crescent City to Jacksonville is being built, to be traveled over in twenty-four hours. Now the Crescent City and Jacksonville papers are two weeks old when we get them. The telegraph will put us in instant communication with the northern coast."
Sacramento Daily Union, March 16, 1858, page 2


    YREKA.--From the Yreka Union, of June 24th, we cull the following intelligence:
    Strong is rapidly pushing forward the telegraph from Weaverville to Yreka.
Sacramento Daily Union, June 28, 1858, page 3


    JACKSONVILLE, O.T.--The Sentinel, of August 7th, has several items of interest, including one congratulating its readers upon soon being able, by the Western telegraph, to furnish news to Northern Oregon:
    The telegraph, being completed to Yreka, warrants us in believing that it will be continued to Jacksonville within the next twelve months. When this is done, then it will be that the south of Oregon will occupy the position of not only producing supplies for the people, but furnish the news to all Northern Oregon.
Sacramento Daily Union, August 14, 1858, page 1


    TELEGRAPHIC EXTENSION.--The Oregon Sentinel says that it is the intention of the people about Jacksonville to extend the Northern Telegraphic Line to that place during the coming summer, and that by this line news will reach Portland in advance of the steamer.
Sacramento Daily Union, March 31, 1859, page 5


    TELEGRAPH TO JACKSONVILLE.--A meeting was to be held at Portland, on the 11th inst., to form a company to construct a telegraph line from Portland to Jacksonville, and thence to connect with the California lines at Yreka. The call for the meeting is signed by Benj. Stark, S. J. McCormick, and J. M. Vansycle, and under the auspices of such enterprising and energetic men we have no doubt this important work will soon be commenced.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 23, 1859, page 2


    Our thanks are due to C. A. Thomas, telegraphic agent at Yreka, for an early dispatch of the news of the Broderick and Terry duel.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 17, 1859, page 2


    TELEGRAPHING IN THE NORTH.--We stated recently that James Lingenfelter was engaged in organizing a company, with a stock capital of $20,000 for the purpose of constructing a line of telegraph from Yreka to Jacksonville. We now understand that the Northern Telegraph Company in this state will build the line from Yreka to Jacksonville, and that the wire has been shipped from New York and is now six weeks out. The company will build it without asking any subscriptions from the public. We have the above information from one of the directors.
Sacramento Daily Union, April 19, 1860, page 2


    Mr. J. E. Strong, of California, agent of California telegraph lines, is now on a visit to this city, for the purpose of consulting with our citizens in regard to the establishment of a telegraph line between Portland and Yreka--so as to give Oregon a telegraphic connection with California and the Atlantic States. The importance to Oregon of this improvement cannot be questioned. It is necessary for our own welfare and to enable us to keep up with the improvements of the age. The work is practicable. It is estimated that it will cost $75,000--distance some 360 miles--and can be so located that offices will be established at Portland, Oregon City, Salem, Albany, Corvallis, Eugene City, Roseburg and Jacksonville. The plan for going on with this work is to organize a company, get the stock subscribed and then proceed with it. The stock subscriptions will be required to be paid in five equal installments, and stockholders will only be held responsible for the amount of their stock.
    This subject addresses itself with great earnestness to our business men. If they hold back, nothing will be done. If they take hold of the work, it will be accomplished.
Oregonian, Portland, January 12, 1861, page 2


    ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.--The Oregon papers are discussing the construction of a telegraph line from Portland to Yreka, and they seem generally to favor the plan proposed by a telegraphic agent who has visited them--that of constructing the road by stock subscriptions. Such a plan may be feasible, but we doubt it. The people in the Willamette are likely to be very chary of their names when wanted to a telegraph stock subscription list, from a costly remembrancer they had in early days in a similar operation. We are in favor of having telegraphic communication through the state, connecting with the California lines, but we think the only practicable, safe plan is to have the telegraph company construct it themselves, instead of depending upon subscriptions from the people for the means.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 19, 1861, page 2


    BROKEN AGAIN.--The telegraphic operator at Yreka informs us that the line connecting with Marysville is again broke, so that no opportunity is permitted us of laying still later news from the East before our readers.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, March 30, 1861, page 2


    TELEGRAPH.--The Yreka telegraphic agent informs us that the line, which has been for some time broken, will be in working order next week, after which we hope to be able to give our readers the very latest Pony news weekly.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 20, 1861, page 3


    TELEGRAPH IN OREGON.--The project to connect Portland and San Francisco, via Yreka and Jacksonville, by telegraph, does not seem to meet with much favor at the North. From the Portland papers we learn that less than $15,000 worth of stock has been subscribed in that city, and in the interior few offer to contribute. We have said, and still think, the only feasible plan for a telegraph through Oregon is for a company rich enough to build the line at once, without depending on outside aid during the progress of the work. A good many people in the Willamette were victimized a few years ago in a very shallow telegraph scheme, and ever since they look with suspicion on all kindred projects, whether beneficial or speculative. It would be easier to raise money to build a balloon than a telegraph, from some of them. Nothing short of a through line will pay, we are very certain, and this will cost $60,000. Oregon will not give half the sum for any such purpose.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 27, 1861, page 2


    GOOD TIMES.--The Yreka Journal says that the precious metal is now beginning to pour in by thousands of dollars, from nearly every mining locality in the county. The same paper says the northern California telegraph line has passed into the hands of the state line, and are now engaged in repairing, and will no doubt soon extend the line to Jacksonville and Portland, Oregon.
Placer Herald, Auburn, California, May 18, 1861, page 2


    TELEGRAPHIC DISPATCHES.--The expense for telegraphic news is very high, and with the exception of the Statesman and one or two of the Portland papers, the Sentinel is the only one that receives direct dispatches from Yreka. By having the news telegraphed, we are three days in advance of the Sacramento Union, three or four of the Statesman and four or five of the Portland papers, which, to the people of Southern Oregon, is an age in these exciting times. Hereafter we shall charge two bits apiece for extras, excepting our agents, so as to enable us to get even on our telegraphic expenses.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 1, 1861, page 3


    TELEGRAPH ACROSS THE PLAINS.--In a short time from now, say three or four months, we will have one continuous line of telegraph from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The gentlemen composing this company have both the means and the energy to complete it in this short a time. Next to a Pacific railroad, it is the most important work of the present day.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 29, 1861, page 2




    This is exclusive of the cost of offices, batteries, superintendence and collecting subscriptions. The company will be styled "The Oregon Telegraph Company," with a capital stock of $75,000, and its main place of business in Portland. The line will not stop, however, at Portland, but will extend seven miles further, to Vancouver, which is a town of note, and is the chief military post for Oregon and the eastern part of Washington Territory. After the Oregon line shall have been completed, it will not be long before a line will be built through Washington to Olympia, Steilacoom, Port Townsend and thence across to Victoria. The Russians have, already, a line complete from St. Petersburg to Irkutsk, and they are now extending it to Nicolayefsk, at the mount of the Amur, from which point they promise to continue it across to Sitka. As to the possibility of this there can be no reasonable doubt. Either by way of the Aleutian Islands or by Bering's Straits, not more than 150 miles of submarine wire is necessary in any one place. The distance is about 3,500 miles from the mouth of the Amur to Sitka, and thence 900 to Portland.
New York Times, November 18, 1861, page 3


    The Overland Telegraph enables us to lay before our readers news from the Eastern States within six days after it leaves the Atlantic coasts. The wonderful achievement of constructing an overland telegraph line gives us news four weeks before we can receive it in Eastern newspapers, and points to the propriety and necessity of Oregon citizens patronizing the Oregon press. That man who relies upon Eastern papers for news is four weeks behind the times. We trust that another year will not pass before we shall have an uninterrupted line of telegraph from Portland to all the Eastern States.
"The Oregonian--Daily and Weekly," Oregonian, Portland, November 30, 1861, page 3


    THE TELEGRAPH.--Since the late storm has almost completely demolished the line between Yreka and Shasta, a new line could be as easily built up the Sacramento River route, on which there seems to be no great damage done. We do not expect to have any more reports before next April, unless the company put on hands and build it through other sections than where severe storms prevail in winter. The poles should be closer together, that the wire might be protected, and not attached to trees, as trees are more liable to blow down and rot at the roots.--Yreka Union.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 14, 1861, page 2


    TELEGRAPH.--We are informed by the operator at Yreka that the line will not be at work again before the first of April.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 4, 1862, page 3


    The Jacksonville Sentinel is authoritatively informed that the telegraph line to Yreka will not be at work again before the first of April.
Oregonian, Portland, January 14, 1862, page 2


    TELEGRAPHIC.--There was a meeting of the Oregon Telegraph Company at Portland, on the 26th of last month. The shares have all been taken. Mr. Strong, the contractor and builder of the line, stated that he had already ordered from the East all the wire, insulators, and all other stock necessary to complete the line. He had also contracted for the cutting and delivery of the poles along the whole line.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 5, 1862, page 3


    THE TELEGRAPH.--Mr. Strong, the builder of the Oregon and California telegraph, had a number of hands engaged in erecting poles on Saturday. Some twenty-four were erected on Front Street.
Oregonian, Portland, May 24, 1862, page 3


    NEWS.--No telegraphic news this week. Either the wire is down or tamed lightning won't work. O! for one of those letters that our Dixie friends used to receive ahead of the telegraph. Some terrible disaster has no doubt befell the Union army, and the government despots won't let us know it. Whew!
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 21, 1862, page 3


    THE OREGON TELEGRAPH.--The Portland (Oregon) correspondent of the Bulletin writes: Mr. Strong, formerly of your state, is moving along with the Oregon telegraph between here [and] Yreka. The beginning pole was planted here during the spring, and now he is pegging along through the grass-shires of this valley, some 75 miles to the southward. It is expected that it will be up and in working order to the southern terminus this fall, and then we can shake hands with the Bay City by lightning.
Nevada Democrat, Nevada, California, July 17, 1862, page 2


    OREGON TELEGRAPH.--Mr. Strong, at present engaged in building the telegraph line from Portland to Yreka, honored us with a visit yesterday. The poles on the line are all set between Canyonville and Portland. Mr. Strong has gone to Yreka, to employ parties to put up poles from that place to the summit of the Siskiyou Mountains. He will return to this place in a week or two, and personally superintend the erection of the line from here to the Siskiyou. He assures us that the connection will be made between this place and Yreka before the winter sets in. The progress of this enterprise has been considerably retarded by the neglect of contractors to furnish poles at the appointed time. On this account the line cannot be completed this season. The connection will be made between Salem and Portland, and also between Jacksonville and Yreka.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, September 20, 1862, page 3


    OREGON TELEGRAPH.--Mr. Strong, Superintendent of the California and Oregon telegraph line, informs the Sentinel that the poles are all set between Portland and Canyonville. He has now gone to Yreka to employ parties to put up the poles to that place, and expects that a connection will be made between Yreka and Jacksonville, and between Portland and Salem before winter sets in. He says that the progress of the work has been retarded by neglect of contractors to furnish poles, and the line cannot be finished this season on that account.
Oregonian, Portland, September 23, 1862, page 2


    THE OREGON TELEGRAPH.--The Yreka Journal of the 24th inst. says:
    J. E. Strong, superintendent of the Oregon telegraph line, is in town, making arrangements for placing out poles from this place towards Jacksonville. He will survey the line to the top of Siskiyou Mountain, and commence setting out poles from the Siskiyou towards Jacksonville, leaving this side of the mountain to be performed by other parties. He expects the wire here by the 1st of November, and intends to have the line in operation to Jacksonville this winter. The wire to arrive will be of the heaviest kind, capable of withstanding the severe snow storms prevalent in winter on the mountains.
Marysville Daily Appeal, Marysville, California, September 28, 1862, page 2


    OREGON TELEGRAPH.--Mr. J. E. Strong, superintendent of the Oregon telegraph line, was in Yreka at last accounts. The Union, in speaking of the matter, says: "The wire will arrive at Portland about the first of November. Mr. Strong will stretch the wire from Portland to Corvallis as soon as it arrives, and if the winter proves favorable, he will finish the entire line by the first of January, 1863."
Weekly Oregonian, Portland, October 4, 1862, page 2


    We get our telegraphic dispatches from the office in Yreka and are three days ahead of the enterprising Sacramento Union. The telegraph will soon be completed between this place and Yreka. The poles are already up, and the line will be in operation inside of two months, at farthest. As soon as the irrepressible Strong conducts his chained lightning to our town, and commands the ethereal telltale to drop his messages at our door, we shall be four days ahead of the California dailies.
"To Our Patrons," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 22, 1862, page 2


    OREGON TELEGRAPH.--The poles have been set up as far as Sam. Hadley's on the Jacksonville road, within ten miles of Yreka, and will be completed to Yreka in a couple of weeks. Hopes are entertained of having the line in operation to Jacksonville this winter, though we see no chance of the wire getting here before the roads are closed.--Yreka Journal.
Marysville Daily Appeal, Marysville, California, November 19, 1862, page 3


    THE TELEGRAPH.--We are informed by the gentlemanly telegraph operator at Yreka, C. A. Thomas, that the Oregon telegraph wire was shipped on board the clipper ship Noonday, and that she sailed from New York on the 25th of July last. The ship has not arrived at San Francisco yet.
    We are fearful that no portion of the wire will be put up this winter. If any portion of it is landed at Crescent City in a short time, it possibly might be hauled to this place. But in all human probability, the Crescent City mountain will soon be blockaded with snow, and the wire, if landed there, must remain until next spring. We will inform our readers as soon as we hear anything definite about it.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 27, 1862, page 3


    PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.--We have received the National Intelligencer, of Dec. 2nd, containing the President's Message. We have carefully compared it with the copy telegraphed to the Associated Press of California, and, so far as substance is concerned, the difference is not material. So far as the style and composition of the message is concerned, the variations are frequent and important. The last paragraph, in particular, was wholly recast by the telegraph, losing thereby much of its beauty and force, although retaining its substance.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 31, 1862, page 3


    . . . The wire for the Oregon telegraph was shipped from New York, July 25th, but has not yet arrived. The southern part of the line cannot now be put up before the snows leave the Crescent City mountains, in the spring.
"Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, January 5, 1863, page 2


    ALL SET.--The poles for the Oregon telegraph are all set between Portland and Yreka. They are large, sawed poles, calculated for double wires. Oh, that the wire may be speedily recovered.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 10, 1863, page 2


    TELEGRAPH WIRE.--We learn by a paragraph in the Portland Times of the 12th that probably only a part of the wire for the telegraph line between Portland and Yreka was on board the ill-fated clipper ship Noonday. Mr. Strong says that he ordered the wire to be sent by two different vessels. We hope this may be found the true state of the case.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 17, 1863, page 2


    . . . The wire for the Oregon telegraph was lost with the ship Noonday, which as wrecked near the Farallon Islands, by striking on a sunken rock. Wire must be reordered for at least a portion of the line. This will delay the construction of the telegraph for four or five months.
"Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, January 19, 1863, page 2


    Three hundred miles of wire for the Oregon telegraph has arrived at San Francisco. Two hundred miles were lost on the Noonday.
"Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, January 26, 1863, page 2


    Portland and Oregon City are now connected by telegraph.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 8, 1863, page 2


    TELEGRAPH.--We received the following from the telegraph operator at Yreka, by last night's stage: "The line was down yesterday, and today it is raining hard, making it impossible to get anything from Marysville."
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 22, 1863, page 2


    THE OREGON TELEGRAPH.--From the Statesman we learn that Mr. Strong had got the telegraph wires up as far south as Salem on the 17th inst., and sent to and received messages from Portland. "The work will not proceed any further at present, as the wire lost on the Noonday has not been supplied yet. Mr. S. is going to California to procure wire for the rest of the route."
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, April 25, 1863, page 2


    TELEGRAPH.--Mr. Strong, builder of the Oregon telegraph line, is in our town for the purpose of soliciting subscriptions for the construction of the telegraph, and for the establishment of an office in this place. A certain amount must be subscribed or we get no office. We hope that he will meet with that success which the nature and character of the enterprise warrants. We will give a more extended statement in our Wednesday's issue.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, May 30, 1863, page 2


    OREGON TELEGRAPH.--We see it stated in the Oregon Democrat that Mr. Strong, the builder of said line, is reported to have said in Albany that the line would not be built unless $7,000 additional stock be subscribed. Mr. Strong requests us to state that it is an entire mistake. He intends to build the line if not another dollar is subscribed, but no place will get an office unless a certain amount of stock is subscribed in the immediate vicinity of that place.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 3, 1863, page 2


Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, June 24, 1863, page 2


    OREGON TELEGRAPH.--Mr. J. E. Strong, on his return trip from California, called at our office last evening. All his efforts to procure wire in California have failed. By the 26th of the present month, however, a lot of wire, ordered especially for the line, is expected to arrive on a vessel from New York, via Cape Horn, and Mr. Strong expects to complete the line this season. Mr. Strong's energy and perseverance in this enterprise is inexhaustible and untiring. Were the pirates to seize his last shipment of wire he would not be dismayed, but in a day would be found doing the next best thing possible for the quick completion of the line. May success speedily crown his labor.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 1, 1863, page 2


    NO NEWS.--From Saturday night up to last evening we have received no telegraphic news. We suppose the lightning has destroyed portions of the line on the Plains.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 22, 1863, page 3


    The Yreka Journal of the 22nd says Mr. J. E. Strong will be there in a few days for the purpose of commencing operations on the Oregon telegraph line from Yreka. The wire is now on the way from below.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, July 25, 1863, page 2


    The Journal of the 5th says Mr. J. E. Strong is in Yreka, waiting the expected arrival of wire for the Oregon telegraph line. The work of stretching the wire northward through Oregon will soon commence. Success to the line and its enterprising builder.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, August 12, 1863, page 2


    OREGON TELEGRAPH.--Mr. J. E. Strong, the most energetic of telegraph builders, passed through our town a day or two since, from California to his home in Salem. The following item of gratifying news, which we obtain from the Yreka Union of the 3rd inst., gives assurance that the untiring efforts of Mr. Strong have met with at least partial success in procuring wire for the Oregon line: "The wire for the Yreka and Jacksonville division is on the way from Red Bluff. It will be stretched on the poles as fast as circumstances will admit, and in less than six weeks Jacksonville, Oregon, will have telegraphic communications with San Francisco and the Atlantic States."
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, October 7, 1863, page 2




    Mr. Strong [sic] informs us that the Yreka and Portland telegraph will be completed in a short time as far north as Jacksonville. That will bring us one day nearer the Atlantic States.
"Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, October 26, 1863, page 2


    TELEGRAPH INTEREST TRANSFERRED.--We learn from the Jacksonville Intelligencer that the California State Telegraph Company have bought the interest of Mr. Strong in the line from Yreka, California, to this city. Mr. Whittlesey, the agent of the company, has been preparing the poles to receive the wires between Jacksonville and Yreka, and it is reported that some fifteen thousand pounds of the wire has already arrived at Yreka. The general belief is that the line will be completed to Jacksonville by the first of December.
Oregonian, Portland, October 29, 1863, page 2


    The Yreka Journal says the work of stretching the telegraph wire from there to this place is about to be commenced.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 7, 1863, page 2


    TELEGRAPH WIRE.--Yreka, Nov. 3rd.--Wire for the completion of the telegraph from this place to Portland has arrived, and it is the intention of the company to have the line completed by the first of January, 1864.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 7, 1863, page 7


    ARRIVAL OF TELEGRAPH WIRE.--Mr. Strong informs the editor of the Oregonian that the ship S. C. Grant, 182 days from New York, arrived at San Francisco on the 29th ult., bringing all the telegraph wire necessary to complete the line from Portland to Yreka, and that the work will be prosecuted with vigor, and completed by the first of January next. A portion of the wire is expected to arrive at Portland on the next steamship to sail from San Francisco, when the work will be immediately proceeded with from the northern end of the line. Mr. Strong will proceed to Yreka to superintend the putting up of the sixty miles of wire already there. It is expected that there will be an ample supply of wire at Yreka from San Francisco, ready for transportation overland before it is waited for, that the progress of the work may not be impeded. The poles are all ready for the wire along the entire route.
Oregon Democrat, Albany, November 7, 1863, page 2


    The S. C. Grant, the vessel on which was shipped the wire for the Oregon telegraph line, arrived at San Francisco 183 days from Boston. The erection of the line will proceed at once and will probably be completed in about two months. The wire which Mr. Strong procured in California before the arrival of the Grant will be put upon the Yreka end, while a portion of the present arrival will be landed at Portland and will be used in extending the line from this place south.
"Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, November 9, 1863, page 3


    The Yreka Journal says the telegraph will be up as far as Jacksonville, so as to send the dispatches over it in about two weeks.
"Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, November 16, 1863, page 3


    NO NEWS.--We are obliged to go to press this week without a line of telegraphic news, no dispatches having been transmitted across the Plains, to the Associated Press of California, since the 12th inst.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, November 21, 1863, page 2


    PROGRESS OF THE TELEGRAPH.--By telegram from Yreka, Nov. 18th, we receive the following: The Oregon line is now completed from this place to the upper portion of Rogue River Valley. The work is going on at the rate of about five miles per day.
"Oregon Items," Daily British Colonist, Victoria, British Columbia, December 2, 1863, page 6


    One hundred and eleven miles of the wire for the Oregon telegraph came up on the Pacific and the rest of it was to come up on the Oregon. The wire by the Pacific has been brought up the river and the work of stretching it on the poles commenced at Salem on Thursday. From Yreka, the wire has been put up to within a few miles of Jacksonville. The work will be continued from that end as soon as additional wire arrives from Red Bluff. The line entire will be up so as to connect us with Sacramento, probably during January.
"Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, December 7, 1863, page 2


    The recent heavy snow storm on the Siskiyou Mountain has displaced and broke in many places the wire lately stretched on the telegraph line between this place and Yreka. The wire had been stretched to within about twenty miles of this place, but the storm will probably delay the work a month or more.
"Weather," Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, December 12, 1863, page 2


    The wire for the southern end of the Oregon telegraph passed through Yreka a few days ago for Jacksonville, whence the work will proceed at once.
"Domestic Items," Oregon Statesman, Salem, December 21, 1863, page 3


    THE CALIFORNIA TELEGRAPH LINE.--The operator at Yreka, under date of Dec. 15th, in a private letter to us received last night, says: "I should have notified you some time since of the condition of affairs down this way, but [I] have been out working on the line for [the] past week. On the 6th inst. commenced a very heavy storm in this section, which almost entirely demolished about 80 miles of the telegraph line between this place and Shasta. Snow fell to the depth of 3½ feet, making it slow and difficult work repairing in mountains. We will, however, in a few days be going again. Supt. Whittlesey is busy putting in [a] new section of 33 miles in [the] worst part of [the] line. He will have it done in a few days, and then we expect to keep the line in order all the time. If, in the meantime, I get any news in advance of mails, will forward it to you. It will not be long now before the line is up clear through, unless the weather is very bad. It is up nearly to Jacksonville, and over 100 miles of wire is now lying in that place, besides what has been sent to Portland. I think in ten days they will resume work on this end of the line."
    The Jacksonville Sentinel of the 12th says: "The recent heavy snow storm on the Siskiyou Mountain has displaced and broken in many places the wire lately stretched on the telegraph line between this place and Yreka. The wire had been stretched to within about twenty miles of this place, but the storm will probably delay the work a month or more."
    The Democrat says "the workmen engaged in putting up the telegraph passed through town this morning, going south, having completed the work of stretching the wire between Albany and Salem."
Oregonian, Portland, December 22, 1863, page 2


    FROM YREKA, NOV. 18TH.--The Oregon telegraph line is now completed from this place to the upper portion of Rogue River Valley. The work is going on at the rate of about five miles per day.
Idaho World, Idaho City, December 26, 1863, page 4


    OREGON TELEGRAPH LINE.--Supt. Whittlesey started his force yesterday morning to mend the breaks in the Oregon line to Jacksonville. It is expected that within a week that town will be in telegraphic communication with the rest of the world.
The Semi-Weekly Union, Yreka, California, January 9, 1864, page 3




    TELEGRAPH.--On Thursday the telegraph line was finished to this place, and an office established. Mr. Whittlesey furnished us with the first dispatch that came over the wires. It is our intention to obtain the latest dispatches and publish extras, and condense them for the weekly issues. This will enable the subscribers of the Intelligencer to dispense with dailies that are now taken. We hope to be able to furnish all the latest news.
Oregon Intelligencer, Jacksonville, January 23, 1864, page 3


Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 23, 1864, page 7


    EXTRAS.--Having made arrangements with superintendent Whittlesey for the regular receipt of telegraphic dispatches from Atlantic States and California, we shall daily print extras containing the war, Congressional and general news, which can be read by our patrons on the same day it is received in San Francisco and Sacramento. We have not yet ascertained the terms upon which we will be enabled to furnish extras, but shall inform the public as soon as we get fairly started.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 23, 1864, page 7


    TELEGRAPH EXTENSION.--We congratulate our brethren of the press at Jacksonville, Oregon, that they are now enabled to receive the news daily by lightning dispatch. No California paper can now compete with them or injure their local business with extras, as heretofore superintendent Whittlesey is pushing forward his end of the line, and Portland will soon receive telegraph congratulations from the South.
The Semi-Weekly Union, Yreka, California, January 27, 1864, page 2


    WIRE BROKEN.--On Wednesday afternoon the telegraphic communication between this place and Yreka was interrupted, probably by a break of the wire on the Siskiyou Mountain. Mr. Mann, the operator, has gone to repair the damage.
Oregon Sentinel, Jacksonville, January 30, 1864, page 2


Last revised October 31, 2024