Idaho history: Telegraph line made it to Boise in 1875. A daily newspaper followed

Boise still had no connection to a telegraph line in November 1874, when the Idaho Tri-weekly Statesman reported: “The Northern Telegraph Company have extended their line from Silver City to Fairview, on the War Eagle Mountain, a distance of about three miles. This is in the immediate vicinity of the mines, and a flourishing town is growing up.”

In May 1875: “Platt Burr and his Telegraph Scheme.” Burr was scouring the country for money to extend the telegraph line to Boise City, Baker City and Walla Walla. The Statesman thought $4,000 would be paid by Boise people when it arrived. The paper thought, “The prospect of having a telegraph has a favorable look, since. C.W. Moore and John Minear will back the project, and help get the necessary $3,000 subscriptions.” The Statesman opined “now we say let us all talk business to these men and have a telegraph.”

On May 29, 1875: “The Effort to Secure the Telegraph: $5,000 needed, not $3,000 as stated earlier. C.W. Moore’s efforts not meeting with as much success as hoped. It is only so much money lent to the company, which they promise to return in the use of their line to each and every man who advances this money.” The Statesman editorialized: “Since our last issue the subscription list to the telegraph has met with more favorable response … larger sums have been put up; now a good many small ones are needed.

“If we refuse to raise $5000 now what will the railroad men think about our public spirit? It will save our credit and give encouragement to the railroad projecters?”

At last, on June 5, 1875: “The Northern Nevada Telegraph Company have concluded to extend the line to this city, and have already let contract for the poles from here to Snake River, to be delivered in this city in twenty days. The farmers will be called upon to distribute the poles gratuitously for the sake of having the telegraph. We understand that the company of men who are digging holes for the telegraph poles are already out seven or eight miles from town. The farmers should not forget that the 30th day of June, Wednesday of this week, is the day set for hauling the telegraph poles. We shall take pleasure in announcing the names of those who help this work along.”

In August: “C.W. Moore informs us that the wire for the telegraph from Silver City here, has arrived at Winnemucca, and been shipped, and is four days on the road. He also days that Platt Burr has received brackets and insulators at Kelton to build the line from here to Baker City. By the end of July more than 1100 telegraph poles had been delivered and set along the route.”

On Sept. 6, 1875, the Statesman was delighted to inform its readers: “Telegraph to Boise City.” Completion of the line met with general rejoicing. The first messages were sent on Saturday, Sept. 4, 1875. “At about one o’clock the lightning was harnessed.” Messages of congratulations were exchanged between Silver City and Boise City.

On Oct. 14, 1875, the Statesman told its readers of its outlay to get news of the world in one day and suggested that with enough support from readers, it might now be able to publish a daily paper. That did not happen until 1888.

This story was originally published September 12, 2020 at 8:00 AM.