On October 8, 1904, Paul Laurence Dunbar in Dayton telephoned Dr. Henry Tobey in Toledo. Tobey was superintendent of the Toledo State Hospital and one of Paul's earliest supporters. Paul was charged 90 cents by AT&T. A first class postage stamp in 1904 was two cents.
Central Union Telephone Company
For toll-line and messenger service month of Oct 1904
Date 8
Party Calling Dunbar
Party Called Dr. Tobey
Exchange Called Toledo
A. T. & T. Co. Tolls $0.90
Central Union Telephone Company bill, October 1904. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
Telephones were in use in Dayton as early as 1878, and service to other cities was gradually added.
Ten cities and towns are now connected with the Dayton telephone exchange. In two weeks more we will be talking with Cincinnati.
"City Matters." The Dayton Daily Herald (Dayton, Ohio). July 21, 1882. Page 4.
Paul and Dr. Tobey used the telephone to keep in contact despite the miles between Dayton and Toledo. In an 1896 letter, Tobey told Paul to "let me hear from you by phone." One of Paul's telephone bills lists four calls to or from "Toby" in two days.
Central Union Telephone Company
For toll line and messenger service month of Jan 1904
Date 8
Party Calling TobyDate 9
Party Calling Dunbar
Party Called Toby
Party Calling Toby
Party Calling Toby$1.80
Central Union Telephone Company bill, January 1904. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
Paul and his mother Matilda paid a monthly fee of $3 for the telephone in their home (not including charges for long distance calls like those to Dr. Tobey). A few weeks earlier, newspapers around the country reported that Paul was near death. When friends called to express their concern, Paul himself often answered the phone.
In the unknown manner through which so many sensational stories spring, like Minerva, full-grown into life, a report to the effect that Mr. Dunbar was dying gained footing and a wide publication in the papers within the past fortnight. Immediately upon the appearance of the startling news, Mr. Dunbar's mail began to be filled with letters from all parts of the country, expressing profound sorrow and deepest sympathy. Every hour of the day his telephone bell sent out its peal of alarm, and very frequently the summons was answered by the poet himself, who is enjoying better health than he has known for several months.
"Paul Laurence Dunbar, the Colored Poet, Not a Dying Man," by Lida Keck Wiggins. The Syracuse Journal (Syracuse, New York). October 12, 1904. Page 10.