Vail (ALFRED an American inventor)
ALFRED, an American inventor; born in Morristown, N. J., Sept. 25, 1807; was graduated at the University of the City of New York in 1836, and in 1837 became associated with Samuel F. B. Morse in his experiments for the purpose of perfecting a scheme of telegraphy. His mechanical knowledge applied to the experimental apparatus resulted in the first available Morse machine. He invented the combination of the horizontal-lever motion to actuate the style; devised the alphabet of dots, spaces and dashes which it necessitated; and in 1844 constructed the automatic lever and grooved roller which embossed on paper the characters which he originated. He was appointed assistant superintendent of the telegraph line constructed between Baltimore and Washington in 1843, and on the completion of the system, in 1844, was stationed at Baltimore, where he invented the finger key and received the first message from Washington. He died in Morristown, N. J., Jan. 18, 1859.
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Vail (CHARLES H an American)
CHARLES H., an American clergyman; born in Tully, N. Y., April 28, 1866; was graduated at St. Lawrence University in 1892; studied theology and was ordained in the Universalist Church; was pastor of All Souls' Church, Albany, N. Y., in 1893-1894. In he accept the latter year accepted the pastorate of the First Universalist Church in Jersey City. In 1901 he was an unsuccessful candidate for governor of New Jersey on the Social Democratic ticket. His publications include: "Modern Socialism" (1897); "National Ownership of Railways" (1897); "Scientific Socialism" (1899); "The Industrial Evolution" (1899); "Mission of the Working Class" 、(1900); “Socialism: What It Is and What It Is Not" (1900); "The Socialist Movement" (1901); "The Trust Question" (1901); "Militant and Triumphant Socialism" (1913); etc.
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Valdai Hills
a range of hills in western Russia, averaging about 300 feet in height, but rising in Mount Popovagora to 1,080 feet. They are well wooded, and contain the sources of the Volga, Dnieper, and Düna. VALDENSES. See WALDENSES. VALDÉS, ARMANDO PALACIO (väl-dās'). See PALACIO VALDÉS. VALDÉS, JUAN DE, a Spanish theologian, reformer and writer, born in Cuenca, Castile, about 1500. In 1528 he wrote "Diálogo de Mercurio y Caron," a treatise severely criticising the Roman church. Fearing the Spanish Inquisition, Valdés left the country and settled in Naples, spending also some time in Rome and Bologna. In 1533 he returned to Naples, where he resided until his death in 1541. Although a Catholic, he was a strong advocate of doctrines usually identified with Luther and his followers.
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Valdivia (PEDRO DE a Spanish military)
PEDRO DE, a Spanish military officer; born in Estremadura, › Spain, about 1498; was on military service in Flanders; removed to Venezuela in 1534; and two years later joined Pizarro against the Indians in Peru. Under that conqueror he aided in the defeat of Almagro at Las Salinas. Later he led 150 150 Spanish and several thousand Indians in an expedition against Chile, which had been ceded by Charles V. to a large force of Indians he established the Spaniards were many times attacked by the Indians and were cut off from Peru. In December, 1543, re-enforcements arrived and the colony thereafter prospered. In September, 1544, Valparaiso was founded, and in 1546 Valdivia marched into the Araucanian district, and in a great battle conquered the In dians. In 1547-1549 he joined Gasca, the royalist, against Pizarro, whom th they defeated. In 1550-1552 he established Concepcion, Valdivia, and other places. A wi wide uprising of the Indians occurred in D December, 1553, and while Valdivia was endeavoring to put down this revolt he was captured and put to death, it is supposed, on Jan. 1, 1554.
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Valdivia (Town in the S of Chile capital)
a town in the S. of Chile; capital of a province of the same name; on the Valdivia river, 9 miles from its mouth, with a safe and roomy harbor. The entrance to the river is fortified. The town is built on level ground, and is embosomed in apple orchards, surrounded by the native forest. It has an active coasting trade, chiefly with Valparaiso. Valdivia was founded in 1551 by Pedro de Valdivia, one of Pizarro's lieutenants, who named it after himself, and it was at one time a place of great wealth. The province of Valdivia has an area of 8,647 square miles. Besides splendid forests it has large upland pastures, and deposits of coal are known to exist within it. Pop. (1918) 26,091.
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Valdosta
a city of Georgia, and the county-seat of Lowndes co., about 150 miles southwest of Savannah, on the Atlantic Coast Line, the Georgia and Florida, and other railroads. There are manufactories of buggies, cloth, cottonseed oil, fertilizers, lumber products, naval stores, etc. It is the center of a prosperous agricultural region, raising cotton, fruit, and general farm products. The South Georgia Normal College, high schools, and a Carnegie library are among its prominent educational features. Pop. (1910) 7,656; (1920) 10,783.
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Valence
a town of France, capital of the department of Drôme; on the Rhône; 57 miles S. of Lyons. It is surrounded by orchards, vineyards and woods; has an important trade; and manufactures of silk goods, metal goods, etc. Its principal edifices are the cathedral, with the tomb of Pope Pius VI., barracks, citadel, court house, prison and theater. It has a communal college, a public library, school of artil lery, school of design, dock for shipbuilding, cotton printing and dyeing establishments, etc. Pop. commune, about 00 30,000.
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Valencia
a city of Spain. It is situated on the eastern coast near the mouth of a small river. In size Valencia is the third city of Spain. There are manufactures of soap, chocolate, paper, tobacco, and silk, and a large export trade in oranges, wine, rice, and olive oil. The town was founded by the Romans 138 B. C. It has been occupied by the Romans, the Goths, the Moors, and the French. The principal buildings are from 200 to 700 years old. The citizens have pride in a university, a large library, a picture gallery, an extensive botanical garden , a bull ring, a theater, and other public institutions. 2026 Editor's Note: By way of comparison, Valencia today has about 800,000 residents, Spain's third-largest city. (Ed: BR 2026-06-14)
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