Which Blacksburg? Re: A Telegraph Story for Abe

[NW Mailing List]

South Carolina

Ed Painter

On Sun, Apr 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
wrote:

> Buce!
>
> I'm venturing out on a shaky limb, but here goes. . .
>
> The article suggests the lovebirds were in regular contact, so maybe on
> the same route? And they "talked" when business was slack, suggesting
> significant traffic? There were at least five routes out of Danville. The
> busiest was likely the former (barely) Richmond and Danville main line?
>
> How many locales in Virginia of any size were called "Blacksburg"? Even if
> that number had been pared down by 1897, it only has to be a telegraph
> office on a route out of Danville.
>
> I just heard a faint cracking sound. . .
>
> So happens, there IS a Blacksburg on the old R&D main. The article was
> published in the *Ledger*, but the byline is NY. Between the two, what if
> the inaccuracy you refer to is simply the state where Blacksburg is located?
>
>
>
> In South Carolina?
>
> That limb just broke off. . . .
>
> VTRTA forever.
>
> Grant Carpenter
>
> On 4/24/2025 5:07 PM, NW Mailing List wrote:
>
> Found this in the Virginia Chronicle (the Library of Virginia online
> newspaper archive) while search for stories about the Va. Anthracite Coal &
> Railway Co. and its line to Blacksburg.
>
> Perhaps a little sleuthing will turn up some actual details about these
> two lovebirds since the story is a little inaccurate. There was no quiet
> railroad station in Blacksburg in 1897. Also, how did they make a
> connection between "Blacksburg" and Danville?
>
> Bruce in Blacksburg
>
> -------------------
> [Norfolk] Public Ledger, Volume 54, Number 74, 30 April 1903, pg. 3
>
> WANT TO MARRY OVER THE WIRE.
> Couple Who Made Love by Telegraph Wish Minister to Marry Them Same Way.
>
> New York, April 29.—Joseph J. Mondeau, a telegraph operator of Plainfield,
> N. J., is disappointed that he cannot find a preacher who understands
> telegraphy. He fears that a romance, which so far has been conducted by
> wire, must reach its climax in a commonplace marriage. But he will be
> wedded May 6th. whether he finds a telegraphic minister or not.
>
> Miss Cenah J. Barton, of Gloversville, N. Y., is the happy young lady. She
> presidded [sic] over a telegraph key in the quiet railroad station at
> Blacksburg, Va., six years ago, and at that time Mondeau held a similar
> position at Danville,Va. To while away the time when business was slack
> Miss Barton and Mondeau talked with each other over the wire. They
> introduced themselves to each other by wire and made love by wire.
>
> He was transferred to Plainfield and she to Gloversville. Still the
> courtship continued. The proposal was made and accepted by telegraph and
> the date for the wedding arranged. Invitations have been sent by telegraph,
> instead of by the usual engraved card, and now the demand is for a minister
> who can perform a marriage ceremony by telegraph.
>
>
>
>
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