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The Western Union Telegraph Company. Dated, Berkley Springs, W. Va, July 18, 1868. Received at Willards, July 18, 1868. To John Kimball, 229 J street, bet 18 and 19th It is unnecessary for you to stop at Hancock. (Signed) S. N. Clark Major A. A. General. 9 Bs ^[[insert]] 65 [[/insert]] paid Bureau R. F. and A. L. Head quarters Asst Com'r D. C. Washington, August 20, 1868. Official: [[signature]] D G Swain [[/signature]] Bt. Major U. S. A. A. A. A. General.
Transcription Notes:
I'm trying to understand the "9 Bs 65 paid" style of notations on these pages. What does "Bs" stand for? How did payment work? I'm guessing that Bs is some sort of unit of measurement??
-- Beth
“Check" is a term WU used to refer to certain symbols written on the telegram that showed the number of words in the message, symbol for the sending office, number of the tariff under which fee was charged, and whether the fees have been paid or to be collected.
So "9 Bs 65 paid” would indicate nine words, from Bs [for Berkley Springs], 65 [tariff for government business], and fees have been paid.
See Rule 13 on pages 17-18 of "The Western Union Telegraph Company, rules, regulations, and instructions…(1866)”
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moa/aeu3511.0001.001/17?page=root;rgn=full+text;size=100;view=image;q1=check
The rules for counting words, “checks,” user codes, cypher codes, etc., etc., are very detailed and complex, and vary over time and local practice.
https://books.google.com/books?id=YhBLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA93&dq=western+union+tariff+176&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjsqu2Y6dveAhWlUt8KHXMICtUQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=paid&f=false
-Mandc