Communicating in the 19th Century

May 5, 2011

Annotated Bibliography

Communicating in the 19^th Century

Did you know that people didn’t used to have telephones in their homes, or cell phones to carry around with them wherever they went to call or text their friends and family? Did you know that people didn’t used to have computers to send e-mails when they wanted to invite someone to a party? So how did they communicate with each other?

Long before these things were invented, people communicated through visits with neighbors, traveling friends delivering messages, and writing and mailing letters, which depending on the distance could take months to reach their destination. In the 1830’s, Samuel F.B. Morse experimented with sending electromagnetic signals as a way of communicating between cities. This became a way of life and an integral part of communication between President Lincoln and generals during the Civil War. While telegraph lines were being constructed from Eastern United States to the West, they needed another way to communicate until they were finished. The Pony Express reared its head in 1860 as a way to deliver mail and newspapers from east-west and vice versa until the telegraph lines could be completed. The Pony Express was also a vital part of the Civil War carrying messages to California from the Union. This was a short lived system but well remembered in our history because of the courageous riders. Their motto, “The mail must go through” influenced the motto of the current U.S. Postal Service.

The Pony Express ended in October 1861, and soon after a functional telegraph cable was stretched across the Atlantic allowing messages between America and Europe. In 1874, Alexander Graham Bell introduced the telephone changing the way Americans would communicate for years to come.

Communication was revolutionized during the 1800’s with the invention of the telegraph and the telephone and the courage and determination of the Pony Express riders have caused them to become American legends. This bibliography of 26 sources is suited for teachers of students in first or second grades. These resources will give students a real connection to what life was like in the 19^th century.

The range of resources include trade books, websites, photographs, maps, and videos to help students gain an understanding of the progress that was made during the 1800’s by the ingenuity of American citizens. Students will enjoy the excitement of these stories and through them, they will learn how our ancestors shaped the life we enjoy.

Gamble, James. "Wiring A Continent: The making of the U.S. transcontinental telegraph line." Telegraph-History. 1881. http://www.telegraph-history.org/transcontinental-telegraph/index.html (accessed April 30, 2011).

This article describes the need for a better communication tool in California in the 1860’s and the process of making changes. The author experienced these changes firsthand. He references the Pony Express in the article and notes the date that the telegraph became trans-continental. There are many interesting photographs included with the article, for example a photo of Main Street in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the east and west sections were joined. There are also copies of several of the first transcontinental telegraphs sent including one to President Abraham Lincoln.

Higgins, Jenny. 19th Century Communications and Transportation. 2008. http://www.heritage.nf.ca/society/19th_comm.html (accessed February 18, 2011).

This informational page focuses on communication and transportation in the 19^th century. Although it focuses on the integration of communication technology in Canada, the section on communication gives details about the telegraph and the telephone: how they work, what they look like, the inventors, and the dates when these inventions changed the way of communicating forever.

McNamara, Robert. About.com 19th Century History, The Invention of the Telegraph Changed Communication Forever: A Communication Revolution Wired the World in the 19th Century. 2011. http://history1800s.about.com/od/inventioninnovation/a/telegraph01.htm (accessed April 26, 2011).

This webpage explains how the telegraph changed how people communicated. The author gives a short description of a semaphore chain (what the British officials used); the invention of the telegraph made it obsolete. There is a section about Abraham Lincoln and his fascination with technology as well as the struggle and ultimate success of stretching a telegraph cable across the Atlantic.

The Gold Rush Chronicles. April 6, 2003. http://comspark.com/goldminer-mall/chronicles/ponyexpress.htm (accessed April 26, 2011).

While this webpage focuses on the Pony Express, there is a table of contents to lead you to other information about the “Old West.” You will find details about The Pony Express and its’ inception, the bag they carried called a “mochila.” You’ll also read about some of the stations along the route and some of the well-known riders. Finally, the chronology of The Pony Express from start to finish is listed.

This webpage has a wealth of information about the Pony Express including people, dates, stations, the Pony Express motto, the oath riders took when they were hired and much more. This will be informative for teachers and could also be used to for students.

Wikipedia. Pony Express. February 15, 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pony_Express (accessed February 18, 2011).

This resource offers details on many facets of the Pony Express, including the founders, the route, stations along the way, the first journeys and the time it took, attacks by Paiute Indians, famous Pony Express riders, first riders, the mochila and saddle. They offer a list of additional resources including videos and television shows that involve the Pony Express. This site also includes many photographs to arouse student interest.

Cefrey, Holly. The Inventions of Alexander Graham Bell: The Telephone. New York: PowerKids Press, 2003.

This children’s book will teach students about Alexander Graham Bell’s life and is recommended for grades K-3. They will learn about his love and respect for the deaf and his years of work with the hearing disabled along with his inventions. Original photographs of Bell and his inventions along with other original artifacts will certainly interest young readers.

Figley, Marty Rhoades. President Lincoln, Willie Kettles, and the Telegraph Machine. Minneapolis: Lerner Publishing Group, 2010.

This book is part of a series, History Speaks: Picture Books Plus Reader’s Theater. This story is told from a young boy’s point of view during the Civil War. At the age of fifteen, Willie Kettles was a telegraph operator in Washington D.C. (Washington City) at the U.S. Military Telegraph Corps. He receives a very important message. There is a reader’s theater script so that students can play out the story. It also includes a pronunciation guide, glossary, and a list of other resources to explore.

Harness, Cheryl. They're Off! The Story of the Pony Express. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st edition, 1996.

The beautiful illustrations in this book are sure to capture any student’s attention, recommended for grades 1-5. Harness introduces many of the people involved in the Pony Express and elaborates on the purpose, beginning and ending of the Pony Express. She also attempts to give students historical perspective by including other facts surrounding the time era.

Kay, Verla. Whatever Happened to The Pony Express? . New York: Putnam Juvenile, 2010.

This book is recommended for K-3. The story explains the westerners need for communication across long distances. She highlights the different ways of transporting mail throughout time including wagon, stagecoach, boat, camel, horseback, telegraph, and train. Throughout the book, a brother and sister are writing letters to each other. The author depicts different lifestyles by showing a farmer, miner, soldiers, Native Americans, cowboys, and more.

Spradlin, Michael P. Off Like the Wind! The first ride of the Pony Express. New York: Walker Books for Young Readers, 2010.

This book is recommended for grades K-3 to learn about the first ever Pony Express rides. The author’s tale is based on historical records and illustrations do an amazing job of depicting the dangers that the riders experienced on their rides. The courage and determination exhibited by the Pony Express riders is portrayed in this exciting book about some of their adventures.

Williams, Jean Kinney. The Pony Express. Minneapolis: Compass Point Books, 2003.

This book is part of a series, We the People, and is recommended for grades 1-6. The author shares details about the Old West, the Gold Rush, and the desire for communication. Students will learn how people got mail to California and how long it took before the Pony Express and then, how the Pony Express was born and who was responsible for the idea. The first ride is described along with the adventures of the riders and the end of Pony Express when the telegraph became transcontinental. Also includes important people, dates (timeline), interesting facts, and great original photographs.

Photographs & Other Miscellaneous

“Civil War Field Telegraph Sending-Key in Working Order, Shiloh National Military Park, Tennessee [Photograph].” www.allposters.com

This is a color photograph of a Civil War Field Telegraph. The hand in the photograph allows students to see the key that is pressed to tap messages and the size of the actual telegraph. Because of the view, you are also able to see the parts easily.

Jackson, William Henry, Historical Maps Restored Old. State Maps - PONY EXPRESS ROUTE APRIL 3, 1860 - OCTOBER 24, 1861. 2010. http://www.historicmapsrestored.com/statemaps/j-r/ponyexpress.html (accessed April 30, 2011).

You will find a restored map of the route of The Pony Express on this webpage. The map is in color and detailed with names and locations of relay stations from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. It was issued by the Union Pacific Railroad Company.

“Linemen Stringing Telegraph Wire Beside the Transcontinental Railroad on the Great Plains, 1860s [Photograph].” www.allposters.com

This photograph shows two men stringing telegraph line on the Great Plains. One man is at the top of an eight or nine rung wooden ladder while the other man is holding the ladder at the bottom. There is grass all around them and no structures at all, making it evident that the poles have been placed in the middle of nowhere. The only other thing around is the train coming right next to the posts.

Museum, Pony Express National. Pony Express Historical Timeline. 2010. http://www.ponyexpress.org/pony-express-historical-timeline (accessed April 30, 2011).

Starting in January 1848, when Gold was first discovered in California, this website outlines many important events in history including the beginning of The Pony Express. From November 7, 1860, when Pony express riders delivered the news of Abraham Lincoln’s election as President, to October24, 1861, when The Pony Express was discontinued due to the connection of the east and west telegraph lines, and many other interesting facts in between, this website is very educational.

Perera, Professor Tom. How to Build Simple Telegraph Sets. http://chss.montclair.edu/~pererat/perbuild.htm (accessed April 30, 2011).

This webpage gives detailed instructions for building a simple telegraph with your students. This is a very simple version to give students an idea of the basic principles of the electric telegraph. The parts needed are few and readily available. This site also has links to a description of how a telegraph set works, pictures of many other telegraphs, and a link to the “Morse” code to use once your telegraph working.

“Pony Express Advertisement [Document].” http://www.southforkvineyard.com/img/Pony%20ExpressAdvert.jpg

This document is an original advertisement by the Pony Express for riders. The advertisement calls for “Young, Skinny, Wiry Fellows…willing to risk death daily.” The wages paid for being a Pony Express rider were high because of the dangerous job they did and the time in which they had to do it.

Pony Express Stations. http://www.xphomestation.com/xpsta.html (accessed April 30, 2011).

This webpage lists all of the stations used along The Pony Express route. They are categorized by State and then listed west to east by station name. There are historical details for most of the stations listed which were located anywhere from five to twenty miles apart. Riders would stop at these stations for fresh horses and sometimes for rest while another rider took their place.

“Using Bell’s Original Telephone Apparatus [Photograph].” www.allposters.com

This black and white photograph shows a man using Bell’s original telephone. He is holding one piece to his ear and the other to his mouth. You can see the wires attached to both and connecting to a box on the table. There is another wire running from the other end of the box up the wall where it would connect to another telephone.

“Western Union Company’s Telegraph Operations in New York City, 1870s [Photograph].” www.allposters.com

This photograph shows the Western Union Company’s telegraph operations. You can see a lot of men (and possibly women) dressed in black sitting in a large room, at small tables with lamps over them. Each has their hand on the table. One man standing in the center of the room may be the overseer. This photograph will give students an idea of where they worked to send and receive telegraphs.

danieljbmitchell. You Tube: Watson Describes Invention of Telephone by Bell. August 11, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rerNEK2wWts (accessed March 17, 2011).

This is a recording of Alexander Graham Bell’s assistant, Thomas A. Watson, made in the 1920’s. The picture is a sketch of a woman using the telephone and does not change. The recording is about four minutes and twenty-seven seconds long and describes their somewhat accidental discovery, the first telephone call between the two men, and then the first transcontinental phone call, first between President Woodrow Wilson and the Governor of California and then Bell in New York and Watson in California.

footagefile. You Tube: ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL INVENTS TELEPHONE. October 26, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfLWtebubtY&feature=related (accessed March 17, 2011).

This video is black and white and has no sound, but it is a recording of the actual invention/discovery of the telephone. It shows Alexander Graham Bell and his assistant, Thomas A. Watson, testing the invention. You can read what is being said between video clips and you can see the excitement on their faces when they can hear each other on the first operating telephone.

losangelestimes. You Tube: CHASING THE PONY EXPRESS . May 21, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFjY-jhfvaw (accessed March 17, 2011).

Los Angeles Times travel writer, Christopher Reynolds, follows the trail of the Pony Express in this video. Starting in St. Joseph, Missouri, making a short stop in Salt Lake City, Utah, and finally reaching Sacramento, California. There are some interview clips with employees of museums and others along with footage of landmarks encountered on the route.

pinjunkie. You Tube: The Pony Express: 150th Anniversary Special - TRAILER . December 24, 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm_dg7xy9kU&feature=related (accessed March 17, 2011).

This video explains the purpose of the Pony Express and the conditions they rode through while showing the re-enactments that people participate in every summer. This particular re-enactment was the 150^th anniversary of the birth of Pony Express. Some primary documents are shown in the video which adds to the appeal.

wellsfargo. You Tube: Lightning Fast: The Story of the Pony Express . April 13, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1R-GeEd95c (accessed March 17, 2011).