The fixtures of every telephone or electric distribution company, or association engaged in distributing electricity by wires or similar conductors, including its wires, posts, crossbars, lamps, switchboards, piers and abutments, may be attached in the same manner and with the same legal effect as real estate in civil actions, by the officer lodging in the office of the Secretary of the State a certificate that he has made such attachment, which shall be endorsed by said secretary with a note of the precise time of its reception, and kept on file, open to public inspection, in said office. Such attachment, if completed as hereinafter provided, shall be considered as made when such certificate is so lodged. The certificate shall be signed by such officer, shall describe the termini of the line or lines and the location of the switchboards attached, with reasonable certainty, and shall specify the parties to the suit, the court to which the process is returnable and the amount of damages claimed; and such officer shall, within four days thereafter, leave in the office of said secretary a certified copy of the process under which the attachment was made, with an endorsement of his doings thereon; and unless the service is so completed, the property shall not be held against any other creditor or bona fide purchaser.