Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1918 — Origin of a Postal. Custom. [ARTICLE]

Origin of a Postal. Custom.

The steamship Oregon was lost off Fire Island on March 14, 1886, states the New York Sun. She was rammed by a coastwise schooner, remaining afloat for half an hour, a time which made it possible to save every person aboard. When her mail was fished up and delivered the pieces were stamped with a statement that they had been in the wreck, the first instance of a practice which is now employed by direction of -the International, Postal union. The credit for this simple device is believed to be due to Edward M. Morgan, it that time in a subordinate position in the New York post office, who foresaw that a few mlutes 1 work ..with a rubber stamp would forestall an infinitude of complaint