Excerpted from Shelby County Democrat, January 23, 1931

"Frank M. Hemmert of Botkins has been in the railroad service for a period of 59 years. In the year 1872, he went to Botkins from a farm nearby and took up telegraphy and soon afterwards was appointed as Station Agent and Operator for the D. and M., later the C.H. and D., and now the B. and O. railroad company.

"In the capacity as agent and operator he served some 45 years. Owing to the increased amount of telegraphic work his right arm failed him and he resigned his position and was immediately appointed as crossing watchman in our village.

"When he first entered the service the telegraphic messages were received by tape form in code and they were translated and delivered to trainmen and others receiving messages.

"The engines were the wood burners and employees and trainmen would reload with wood and fill the tanks with water at various places enroute along the line.

"The old watering pond, some miles south of Botkins, played a very important part at that time, and a storage of wood for engines was nearby."

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