Use and Users News, Business Communications and Alert Systems

The telegraph lines and offices, with their skilled staff, were administered by the businesses who had backed the installation of the network. The goal was rapid transmission of information. For southern Wisconsin, this meant better communication with industrial centers like Chicago and Cleveland. News transmissions and business transactions were the telegraph's primary uses. Personal communications were sent, though this was certainly costly in comparison to posting a letter.

In Wisconsin, telegraph communications generally preceeded the construction of railroads, which had their own telegraph systems and needs. Railroad telegraphy was essential for operational safety, especially through tunnels and over bridges; some of the operators who worked these lines did so in the field instead of in an office.

Telegraph operators were the individuals who actually made the transmissions over the wires. Many received training as apprentices to experienced telegraph operators, while others attended telegraph institutes. Operators formed telegraph societies to organize and consolidate their voices.

The table below shows selected information that demonstrates the variety of uses of the telegraph in southern Wisconsin. (Milwaukee Sentinel Index, 1837-1879)