In 1879 the same Clark Wait, with H. H. Holley of South Dorset, formed the ``American Telegraph Line,'' extending from Manchester Depot via Factory Point and South Dorset to Dorset. Besides being most convenient, the line ``soon proved a good investment for the owners.'' Telegraphers at the Depot at this time were Aaron C. Burr and Mark Manley of ``Burr and Manley,'' dealers in lumber and dry goods.

Early equipment was very flimsy; the smallest gusts of wind toppled poles, making communications impossible. But companies continued to spring up. By 1883 the ``Battenkill Telegraph Company'' was in existence and Alvin Pettibone was its president. Operating in 1887 was the ``Valley Telegraph Line,'' officers of which were E. C. Orvis, president; H. K. Fowler, vice-president and secretary; J. N. Hard, treasurer; F. H. Walker, superintendent; H. S. Walker, assistant superintendent. Two companies now had headquarters with Clark J. Wait, who by then had his own drugstore at Factory Point -- the ``Northern Union Telegraph Company'' and the ``Western Union.'' Operators were Arthur Koop and Norman Taylor. Still existing on a ``Northern Union'' telegraph form is a typical peremptory message from Peru grocer J. J. Hapgood to Burton and Graves' store in Manchester -- ``Get and send by stage sure four pounds best Porterhouse or sirloin steak, for Mrs. Hapgood send six sweet oranges.''

About 1888 J. E. McNaughton of Barnumville and E. G. Bacon became proprietors of the ``Green Mountain Telegraph Company,'' connecting all offices on the Western Union line and extending over the mountain from Barnumville to Peru, Londonderry, South Londonderry, Lowell Lake, Windham, North Windham, Grafton, Cambridgeport, Saxton's River, and Bellows Falls.