Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu/357

Rh The first proposal to establish a telegraph line between California and Oregon was made in October of 1854. Hitherto, no more rapid means of communication had existed than that afforded by express companies, of which there were several. The practice of sending letters by express, which prevailed all over the Pacific coast at this time, and for many years thereafter, arose from the absence or the irregularity in the carriage of mails by the government. As soon as a mining camp was established, an express became necessary; and though the service was attended with many hardships and no small amount of danger, there were always to be found men who were eager to engage in it for the sake of the gains, which were great. The business of the country did not require telegraphic correspondence, and its growth was delayed for almost another decade.