Figure 1.--Here we see ADT messenger boys in Birmingham, Alabama waiting to deliver telegraph messages in 1910. ADT used to strictly supervise their messenger boys, reporting boys misbehaving or in this case smoking. We doubt their parents would have approved. This varied from office to noffice and over time. The company by 1910 was getting out of the messenger business. So apparently standards had declined. The boys mostly wear the ADT caps, but are otherwise dressed in regular teenage clothes--knickers with long black stockings. The boys look to be about 13-17 years of age. Put your cursor on the image to see the rest of the boys. Photograopher: Lewis Hein.

We note various images of American District Telegram (ADT) telegram delivery boys. Western Union of course was the company most associated with telegrams in the United States. ADT was founded in Baltimore to deliver telegraph messages (1874). ADTC was created by merging 57 district telegraph agencies from different cities into a single, consolidated operation. The company also became involved in burglar alarms and other electronic security services. The ADT boys do not seem to have had uniforms, but most had destinctive caps. The boys wore their regular clothes with telegram delivery caps. Unfortunately we can often not read what was written on the cap bands. We do not know if there was a dress code. The boys normally wore suits, but suits were standard wear for boys, even at school, until after Wotld War I. This was one of the important jobs open to teenage boys. We don't think the boys got paid much, but they did get tips when they delivered the messages. The need and availability of ADT messanger boys declines after Woirld War I. It was a job boys could do part time and after school. Many of the boys look like they have left school. We believe that after World War I, leaving school was becoming less common because of child labor laws and compulsory school attendance laws, although this varied from state to state. Also as more and more families got telephones, the volume of telegram messenges declines.

Corporate History

We note various images of American District Telegram (ADT) telegram delivery boys. Western Union of course was the company most associated with telegrams in the United States. ADT was founded in Baltimore to deliver telegraph messages (1874). ADTC was created by merging 57 district telegraph agencies from different cities into a single, consolidated operation. The company also became involved in burglar alarms and other electronic security services. A variety of innovations over time improved the service. Call boxes permitted customers in some cities to send signals alerting the agency of specific needs before the messenger was dispatched. Customers could thus signal their requirements for police, doctor, fire department, or a variety of commercil requirements. This was the beginning of the company's security services. ADT not only had messenger boys, but runners. One 1896 report indicated,""They'd get signals from different buildings. If somebody had a fire, they'd send a signal down and a runner would grab the message and run down to the fire department. They even used bicycles for a while." The traditional messenger services continued at the turn-of-the 20th century to account for most of the company's revenue. From that point, major changes began to occur. Telephone systems began to replace telegrams and messenger boys as more families signed up for telephone service. ADT moved toward electonic signaling. These changes were in part due to corporate shifts. Western Union purchased ADT (1901). Western Union was a larrger, better finabnced compbny and help finance the shift to electronic signaling. This was most pronounced in the larger cities. Messenger serbices continued to be important in smaller towns. American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) next bought out Western Union (1909). As part of AT&T, the ADT messenger operations were phased out and ADT pursued the signalling business and security services--theft and fire alarm systems. ADT became a separate company again (1968).

Company Rules

ADT established strict standards for its messengers. The boys achieved nearly legendary status in some cities. The boys were expected to be both speedy and dependable. Delivery was done on foot, although bycicles became more common as they became inexpensive after the turn-of-the 20th century. One early rule was that "messengers on foot may not take more than one-and-one-half minutes per block." ADT insisted that the boys be in and out of a building in less than 2 minutes. It was not uncommon for superintendents (office managers) to write regular reports to parents. Some of the boys complained of being harassed by street children who would chant, "ADT ... all day trotters."

Clothing

The ADT boys do not seem to have had uniforms, but most had they did have destinctive caps. The boys wore their regular clothes with telegram delivery caps. Unfortunately we can often not read what was written on the cap bands. We do not know if there was a dress code. The boys normally wore suits, but suits were standard wear for boys, even at school, until after World War I.

Earnings

This was one of the important jobs open to teenage boys. We don't think the boys got paid much, but they did get tips when they delivered the messages.

Decline

The need and availability of ADT messanger boys declines after Woirld War I. It was a job boys could do part time and after school. Many of the boys look like they have left school. We believe that after World War I, leaving school was becoming less common because of child labor laws and compulsory school attendance laws, although this varied from state to state. Also as more and more families got telephones, the volume of telegram messenges declines.

Created: 10:13 PM 9/24/2011
Last updated: 10:13 PM 9/24/2011