People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 July 1895 — The Hello Wires. [ARTICLE]

The Hello Wires.

About 20 men are now engaged stringing telephone wire, which will all be up in three weeks at the outside, by which time the system will be ready for use. There will be about eighth-five subscribers at the commencement. The rate for private use is $1 per month; for business houses 12. It is- not at} automatic switch, as at first proposed, but a regular “hello central” system. The office will be open night and day, with a possible closing part of the day Sunday. The appearance of the work done so far is excellent, all the poles being large, securely set in the ground and carefully aligned, giving an appearance of permanece and thoroughness. J. J. Montgomery of Rockford, 111., has charge of the installment of the system, is certainly worthy of commendation for the work he is doing. He is superintendent of construction, and considered one of the most expert telephone men in the country.