J. L. W. Zietlow and the Dakota Central Telephone Co.


	This information appears in Chapter LXXXII of "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904), pages 481-483 and was 
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CHAPTER LXXXII

THE DAKOTA CENTRAL TELEPHONE LINES.

	The largest business proposition in South Dakota, organized exclusively by South Dakota men and conducted with South Dakota capital, is the corporation known as the Dakota Central Telephone Lines. The history of this institution deserves more than passing notice, for it is the story of success won by persistent effort against obstacles which appeared insurmountable.

	The genius who by unflagging zeal has wrought out this success is J. L. W. Zietlow, a gentleman who works with the handicap of a single hand to perform the labor which he has so arduously contributed to the enterprise.  Mr. Zietlow is naturally of a mechanical turn and deeply interested in electrical science, and when the telephone first came into general use in the early 'eighties and the instruments were all embraced in the Bell patents, he determined to produce an instrument of his own. The successful Bell machines all used an undulating current and scientists did not deem it possible to make a satisfactory telephone upon any other principle. Mr. Zietlow took up an invention, brought out by Professor Ries, of Germany, some time prior to the Bell invention. This instrument, on account of using a "make and break" current, was held to be capable of reproducing musical and mechanical sounds only, but, after much experimenting, he brought out a machine that reproduced human speech.  With this telephone he interested Governor Mellette and other prominent business men of the state and in the fall of 1886 organized a company for the purpose of building exchanges in all the principal towns in the state and connecting same with toll lines. During the winter of 1886-7 exchanges at Aberdeen and Columbia and a toll line connecting these points were built. The latter was extended to Groton and an exchange was built at Watertown in the spring of 1887.

	Speaking of this period, Mr. Zietlow says:  "on account of the opposition and threatening attitude of the Bell people this company became discouraged and in the fall of 1887 practically disbanded.  The Aberdeen and Watertown exchanges and the toll line between Aberdeen, Columbia and Groton were, however, maintained in spite of the opposition and are, I believe, the only ones in the United States which bear the distinction of having been operated in opposition, during the period of patent litigation. It was very difficult to maintain these exchanges from the fact that it was almost impossible to buy anything pertaining to telephones, and makeshifts had to be devised." A very important discovery was made by Mr. Zietlow in the spring of 1887.  While extending the line from Bath to Groton, a switch was placed at Bath and a man put in charge to operate same when signals were given from Groton. This man, however, conceived the idea of connecting all three lines and in so doing accidentally connected an extension bell, which was wound to a resistance of about two hundred and fifty ohms, onto the short end of the line, and thus left all lines connected. When Mr. Zietlow discovered this he was very indignant.  He hunted up the man and upbraided him for neglecting his duty, but the fellow calmly remarked, I have got that matter fixed all right." In looking over the contraption, Mr. Zietlow discovered that the placing of the extension bell on the short end of the line had balanced the resistance of the three lines and upon studying the thing a little further, improved the same by increasing the resistance of the 'phone located at Columbia. The lines thus connected were operated successfully for several years. Mr. Zietlow did not deem this device of sufficient value to patent it, but later practicallv the same thing was discovered and patented.  It is known as the "Carty bridging system" and is practically indispensable to long distance work.  The fact that several novel features had been introduced into this system may have deterred the big companies from attacking it and thus enabled the movement to get a start. The business, however, was not profitable and in spite of the utmost efforts Mr. Zietlow found himself deeper and deeper in debt.  Again speaking of this time, he says, "In the spring of  1896, being practically out of employment, with a $5,000 debt hanging over me, with only very limited resources, I undertook to build a line from Aberdeen to Redfield, with branches thereto.  This was looked upon as an insane undertaking by many of the citizens and business men along the line."  But, undismayed by poverty, lack of public confidence, as well as a general stagnation in all business affairs, this line was completed in July, 1896, and operated by him during that summer and fall and through the winter of T896-7.  The hardships encountered were terrific and there was often a great risk of life in the blizzards of that winter and in the high water that followed in the spring.  Space will not permit describing the hardships endured, but on account of the railroads being blockaded and the telegraph lines being disabled, and this line having been kept in working condition, it proved itself very remunerative and Mr. Zietlow says that this line earned more money during that awful winter and spring than any other line he has ever built. Encouraged by this success, Mr. Zietlow built a line from Aberdeen to Ortonville, with a branch to Sisseton, in 1897, and also extended the Redfield lines to Huron and Doland. Speaking again of this time, Mr. Zietlow says, "I could not have successfully carried through this undertaking had it not been for the support I received from my family, all of whom practically worked night and day to get the lines on a paying basis."

	In the spring of 1898 W. G. Bickelhaupt came into the enterprise and the Western Dakota Telephone Company was organized.  This company has since been embraced in the Dakota Central Telephone Lines.  They' built the line from Aberdeen to Eureka, with branches to Leola and Bowdle.  That year Mr. Zietlow, individually, built the lines from Doland to Watertown and from Elrod to Brighton.  By this time the enterprise had expanded to a point requiring a thorough reorganization and on August 27, 1898, the Dakota Central Telephone Lines were incorporated to embrace the entire system and from the date of that organization the expansion has been marvelous and continues with a momentum that makes it appear likely to take in the entire telephone system of the state and contiguous territory.  The lines run north to Ft. Yates, Kulm, Oakes, Edgeley and Cogswell, North Dakota; east, to Wheaton, Ortonville, Hanley Falls and Canby, Minnesota; south, to Yankton and adjacent territory;  and west to Pierre and all Missouri river points. This system now embraces three thousand miles of toll lines, with one thousand miles of copper lines strung in addition to the ordinary lines.  It embraces sixty exchanges and its employees are counted by the hundreds, while its pay rolls are substantial elements in the revenue of many sections.  A point to be emphasized is that the capital required has been furnished by South Dakota men and the earnings are distributed in South Dakota.  From the beginning, it has been Mr. Zietlow's policy to provide service in every section demanding it regardless of present revenues.  He extended the line into Huron at a time when the gross receipts of that office were but four dollars per month. He is, as far as possible, pushing his lines into the rural districts for the accommodation of the farmers, although the accounts show that the rural business is, as yet, conducted without a profit.  It has been his constant policy to avoid friction, both at home and abroad, and, while acting independently, he has always maintained pleasant relations with the Bell people, who have never, since the early days of the telephone war, attempted to enter his field, nor in anywise to interfere with his business, but, on the contrary, have always shown him all the courtesy that could be expected from an honorable business competitor.  That its founder should have made a great success of the undertaking is naturally a source of satisfaction and pride to all of that large class of Dakotans who regard every South Dakota success as, in a way, of the character of a personal achievement, in which they are participants.

	The Dakota Central Telephone Lines is one of the most thoroughly established independent telephone systems in the L1nited States.  It has established the cheapest rates of any institution of its kind doing a telephone business in the Northwest.