Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Brown Colleges, passing the preliminary tem. This contract between the two
examinations for both institutions. He companies resulted in a compromise
entered neither, however, but, becoming which gave the Bell Company an undis-
deeply interested in metallurgical engi- puted field. Its stock had gradually in-
neering, went to Freiburg, Germany, creased in value from one to fifty dollars
where he pursued a course in this science per share, and eventually rose to $800
at the School of Mines, from which he per share. Through his holdings in the
was graduated in 1867. On his return company, Mr. Bradley realized a goodly
to America, he went to Colorado for the profit. His name ranks among the fore-
purpose of developing some mining prop- most in the history of the telephone, and
erty, making the journey across the plains he probably did more to make it a busi-
in a stage coach, at a time when Indians ness success than any other man in the
and marauding bands of outlaws infested country. He saw from the outset the
the region. The coach preceding that in great financial possibilities in what others
which he was a passenger was attacked of recognized foresight had regarded as a
by Indians and all its occupants killed, mere mechanical toy, and became one of
After a short period spent in the West, the original investigators and promoters
which was filled with the thrilling exper- of the invention which has played so im-
ience of the pioneer days, he returned to portant a part in human progress in the
his home, and shortly afterward went to past three decades. In his researches he
South America to investigate mining con- was associated with Professor John
ditions there. Pierce and Professor Blake, of Brown
On his return, in Boston he met Profes- University, and, encouraged in the un-
sor Alexander Graham Bell, then a teacher dertaking by the late Hon. Rowland G.
of a new system of communication for Hazard, of Peace Dale, who was confident
deaf mutes, who subsequently went to that the telephone would be as univer-
Salem, Massachusetts, and, while giving sally used as gas and water,
instructions there, devoted considerable After establishing the telephone on a
time to the study and development of the financial basis, in 1883 Mr. Bradley settelephone.
Professor Bell later came to tied in Washington, D. C, and became
Providence, where he met Norman N. actively interested in the Mergenthaler
Mason, who was then in the apothecary Linotype Company, which had been a
business, and they with others placed the business failure for more than six years,
telephone on a practical working basis. With the assistance of the late Hon. Wil-
Mr. Bradley, deeply interested in the pro- Ham C. Whitney, who was secretary of
ject, and keenly alive to its possibilities, the United States Navy in President
was induced to introduce the invention in Cleveland's cabinet, Mr. Bradley put the
Boston, where in 1876 he organized the latter company in such a sound financial
New England Telephone Company. In condition that its stock was greatly en-
the following year he organized the Na- hanced in value.
tional Telephone Company in New York Mr. Bradley later became interested in
City. In the meantime the Western Un- the Florida Coast Line Canal and Trans-
ion Telegraph Company had acquired the portation Company, investing heavily in
Edison patents for the telephone, and its stock. This company was organized
there was a contract between the two for the purpose of constructing an inland
companies for the monopoly of the sys- waterway five hundred and sixty miles in
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