Handbook N-P - Fulton County Public Library

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[The News-Sentinel, Saturday, June 29, 1929]
PONTIUS, TULLY [Rochester, Indiana]
T. PONTIUS, FIRST “TROUBLE SHOOTER’ OF PHONE COMPANY
In an interview with Tully Pontius, present vice-president of the Rochester Telephone
Co., many interesting facts concerning the company’s establishment and growth were related to a
representative of The News-Sentinel today. Mr. Pontius has been connected with the telephone
company since its foundation in the year 1895, and is thoroughly familiar with both the
mechanical and business departments of this industry.
Some of the highlights of this veteran ‘phone man’s reminiscing follow:
The first switchboard of the company, Mr. Pontius stated, was located in what is now the
terminal room which is situated at the rear of the plant’s present home. Active operation of the
switchboard was started during June, 1896.
100 Original Subscribers
At that time, Mr. Pontius stated, the company had 100 subscribers. Miss Belle Bernetha
and Charles Davis, both of this city, were the day and night operators, Mr. Pontius taking the
multiple roles of “trouble Shooter”, line builder, collector and relief operator. The late Dr.
Howard O. Shafer was one of the company’s earlier switchboard operators, Mr. Pontius recalled.
The total number of employees during the early days of the local telephone company was
three. Today Mr. Pontius states, there are 23 employees on the company’s payroll and the
company services 1,761 phones in Rochester and adjacent territory.
First Toll Line to Argos
The first toll line was connected with the town of Argos on March 17, 1897, with the
long distance booth being located in the old Sentinel newspaper office, which was located in the
Barnhart building now occupied by the Crownover music store. The next extnsion of toll lines,
Mr. Pontius recalled, were those to Akron, Kewanna, Macy and Logansport. In the third year of
the company’s operation it purchased what at that time was known as the “old line” which ran
from San Pierre, with service connections to Wabash, Monterey, Winamac and North Judson.
Tully stated that the west end of this “old line” which extended through the then
undrained prairies, caused the company and the “trouble shooter” no end of trouble during
unfavorable weather conditions. It was not uncommon to start out with a team of horses and light
wagon and be away two days “shooting trouble in this line.”
Mr. Pontius states he can now point with a great deal of satisfaction to the fact that the
company’s lines in the city, to the lake and on the principal lines leading out of Rochester are all
encased in underground cables, and are practically storm proof.
In later years the company installed direct lines to all the central and northern Indiana
cities and connections, today, Mr. Pontius concluded, can now be made with cities like Chicago
and Indianapolis, almost as speedily as a local call.
Mr. Pontius, who at the present time is vice-president of the Rochester Telephone Co., is
also plant superintendent.
[The News-Sentinel, Tuesday, April 26, 1938]
TULLY PONTIUS RESIGNS FROM TELEPHONE COMPANY
Tully Pontius today announced his retirement as plant superintendent of the Rochester
Telephone company after 44 years of continuous service with the local plant.
Mr. Pontius started work with the company in the spring of 1896, when the idea was first
conceived to build a telephone system in this community. In the early days he not only served in
the plant department but in addition performed the multiple duties of night operator and collector.
As the business expanded and the plant was developed Mr. Pontius became the plant
superintendent and was active continuously in this capacity until the time of his retirement, as of
January 1st.
Mr. Pontius it was stated, still retains his financial interest in the company and in addition
to being a member of the board of directors, holds the office of vice-president.