Scope and ContentA typewritten transcript of an article dated Dec. 4, 1936, publication unknown, about the retirement of Mrs. Frank Rhodes, Ganges' last telephone operator. Transcript: OLD TIME GANGES OPERATOR IS RETIRED BY DIAL PHONES. Ganges, Dec.4— The installation of the new dial telephone system here recently has brought about the retirement of Mrs. Frank Rhodes as chief operator after many years of faithful service. The history of the telephone in Ganges dates back many years, when the country was at its peak in peach growing, and the fruit was shipped from Pier Cove. Transportation in earlier days was not as reliable as it is today and the grower needed to know when the boats would leave, so the solution of their problem was the organization of the Ganges Telephone Co., with the late Henry Hutchins a as manager. The line later was extended to Saugatuck. In 1915 the name was changed to Western Allegan County Telephone Co., and in 1930 it was taken over by the Tri-County Telephone Co. In the beginning the equipment was housed in a small building located north of the present I.G.A. store. This house was moved later and is now the east wing of Mrs. Helen Kitchen’s home. There Mrs. E.J. Jones with her son and daughter took charge of affairs. Other early operators were Minnie Rockwell Humphreys, Jessie Allert Allen, now of Allegan, and Gypsey Garten. When a sister of Miss Alice Dunn, Mrs. E.A. LaMour took over the exchange the United Brethren church building was moved to the village from its location west of the Leggett place, was remodeled and the 'phone equipment installed therein. It has been here all these years. In 1903 the late Charles Bowles took over the duties of operator and about seven years later, upon his resignation to become secretary of the Saugatuck-Ganges Telephone Co., Mrs. Frank Rhodes took the reins and has carried on faithfully for 28 years. Any emergency, fire, sickness or accident found her ready and willing to meet the occasion. Someone has said central was an information bureau, and right they were, for she surely was a help in times of need, such as locating relatives, friends, or gathering forces to fight fires, and calling doctors. While Mrs. Rhodes was deeply interested in her work and put forth her best efforts to please, the sentiment was reciprocated by the Company. Mrs. Rhodes will now enjoy a rest. She is a granddaughter of one of Ganges' pioneers. Her mother, Mrs. Ida Bronson, Still active at the age of 89, and the last member of her family, is the daughter of the late Levi Loomis who came here in 1841 and settled on the tract of forest land now the Charles Green Farm. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rhodes have one son, Leon, also an employee of the Tri-County Co., and three grandchildren.