The construction of the line between Montreal and Toronto and Montreal and Quebec was awarded to Livingston & Wells, the well-known express forwarders, and by them pushed on with the utmost vigor under Mr. Wood’s supervision and direction. When the work was completed it was found to be satisfactory in every particular, both in material and workmanship, and became a model for future work of the kind.
At the close of 1847, 540 miles of line had been erected, 9 offices opened and 33,000 messages transmitted.
In 1851 Sir Hugh Allan, who had early interested himself in the fortunes of the Montreal Telegraph Company, became its President. This office he held uninterruptedly until his death in 1882.
Immediately on assuming office, Sir Hugh Allan, in concert with Mr. Wood, projected important extensions of the lines of the Company, and in a short time the most remote towns and villages were placed in telegraphic connection with the chief business centres of the country.
The Montreal Telegraph Company became one of the leading institutions in Canada. Many companies were started to compete in the same line of business, but in no long time were doomed to failure, as they neither had the skill, the men nor the money to enable them to succeed in opposing their more formidable rival. After placing the Company on a high pedestal of efficiency, and after 18 years of strenuous exertions on its behalf, Mr. O. S. Wood retired from the management in 1865, carrying with him the esteem and respect of the Company and the business community generally.
Mr. James Dakers was then placed in charge of the eastern, and Mr. Dwight of the western section of the Company’s territory.
The advance and prosperity of the Company continued, as the foundation had been well and truly laid by a capable workman.
In 1875 it had in operation 20,000 miles of wire, 1,400 offices and 2,000 employees.
During the preceding year some 2,000,000 messages were transmitted in addition to millions of words in press despatches, and the capital increased to $2,000,000, at which figure it still remains.
In 1881 this splendid old Company was forced by circumstances which confronted them to lease their business to another company.