The
incident described the Dicksons’ 1894 book the laboratory, and again in
Dyer and Martins’ 1910 Edison biography.
Speiden: "1916, Sept Oct Started work for Edison.
894 List Key Holders Front Gate Laboratory, April 18, 1899 (in 1899, WOL--Employees).
597 Colťs Express Company Mr. Schermerhorn has made complaint about our drivers taking boys the
yard our wagons, says that thinks they come through your gate the
wagons, would consider great favor you will not allow any boys ride
in.
598 Dyer, Martin, and Meadowcroft, Edison: Uis Life and Inventions, 640. Caskey, March 27, 1903 (in 1903, WOL-General).599 Former
Edison employees questioned specifically about the Gate House 1971
interview make mention receiving their pay that building.698
The Edison paymaster may have used the Gate House for issuing pay, but
information about this use scarce. was use try and explain. Dyer and Martin write:
The keeper the gate was usually chosen with reference his capacity stony
hearted implacability and adherence instructions; and this choice was admirably
made one instance when new gate man, not yet thoroughly initiated, refused
admittance Edison himself.697
One unidentified early gatekeeper became legend when, strict adherence to
established security measures, refused Edison entry the laboratory. Meister.
5» NPS, "HSR-Part Gate House, Building No. 9,” Historian’s Note 118, Edwin Smith Norman R. His duties are
not known. George Meister, paymaster autumn of
1916, remembered paying employees the Edison Company the Gate House,
but there are further details about his activities the structure.694
Payroll records also list boy assigned the gate house 1893.holders the front gate the laboratory forwarded Devonald 1899."
Mr. the gate man
every one was persona non grata without proper credentials, and Edison had to
wait outside until could get some one identify him.596 letter Caskey from Colt’s Express Company
implies that Caskey was charge the Gate House some point during the
day:
596 "Distribution Labor,” August, 1893, Ledger Payroll Records, Edison NHS.
174
.696
Alvin Caskey was also working the gate 1903, and too was gate key
holder April 1899. First pay check handed him Geo.
89S List Key Holders Front Gate Laboratory, April 18, 1899 (in 1899, WOL-Employees)
