THE GOOD OLD DAYS!

when things were uncomplicated - NOT! I have a job transcribing obituaries from the Monroe County, Ohio newspaper The Spirit of Democracy. I am working in 1894, and the town of Woodsfield just got its first telephone system. Below is an excerpt explaining how to use the phone:

"Mr. M. M. Maloney, representing the Magneto Telephone company, has prepared a few instructions which will aid persons using the instruments, and he submits the following directions:
To call central for connections press the button on the left side of the phone, turn the crank on the right side of the phone three or four times, take the handles off the hooks, push back the switch on the left side of the phone as far as it will go. Put one handle to the ear and the other close to the mouth and speak in an ordinary tone of voice. If you should fail to hear distinctly (which will not often occur) put both phones to your ear. When through talking, throw the switch back into place, hang the handles up, press the button and ring two or three rounds. When called by central press the button and ring three times before commencing to speak and then follow the above directions. During a thunderstorm throw the switch on the top of the phone to the right as far as it will go. Do not get mad if you do not get the person you want; he may not be within reach of the sound of the bell."

As of this issue (May 3, 1894) there are only 15 phones in Woodsfield. With such a complicated system it is amazing the telephone went on to become a fixture in every household.