While the writer was on a long journey recently he was often entertained by his old friends at their commercial clubs or other hospitable resorts and an evening of genuine enjoyment was always sure to ensue.
At Ashland, Oregon, Frank Routledge, the genial manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company tendered a smoker, at which were present some 30 telegraph and ex-telegraph men, all glad to get together for an evening.
Story telling was in order, and as most of the guests present had traveled a good deal in their time, the tales told covered every known topic.
“I’d like to know something about ‘Bogy,’” exclaimed George Eubanks, an erstwhile telegraph man and now a banker of Ashland. “I have heard so much about ‘Bogy’s’ great ability, but have never heard it corroborated. Can anyone present tell me if it is really so that he could copy 50 words behind, all night?”
“Bogy” was a character whose real name was Henry Bogardus, and he was one of those itinerant operators who are never content to remain in any one place more than a week. He made annual pilgrimages to the Pacific, and in his peregrinations would become acquainted with most every railroad operator on the roads that he traversed. “Bogy” had a way of convincing these humble knights of the key that he was a most extraordinary operator which impression assisted him materially in evading the inter-state commerce bill.
It was up to the writer to tell a story about “Bogy,” as he had seen him later than any of the rest of the assemblage.
About the year 1893, “Bogy” arrived in Portland, and straightway appealed to the telegraph manager for a loan of $1, which was speedily forthcoming, for nobody could refuse “Bogy.”
An hour or so later, he repaired to the operating room, where he sat down to the Walla Walla wire, proceeding to get off business on the double quick.
“Who sent for you and what’s your name?” queried the chief operator.
“Oh, that’s all right, young fellow, I’m Bogy, and I refer you to our manager,” and the imperturbable artist proceeded sending to Walla Walla.