The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-01-24
TIE Richm.nd Gas works.

tages of this economical and beautiful light
The gas was. for the first time, let into tbs
pipes on the 4th inst and few burners light
ed to test its quality. but owing to the ex
trems cold weather which followed, Their.
va. not supply furnished to consumers unit
the evening of the 18th, when all who hac
fixtures for the purpose, were brilliantly light
ed up. The machinery and apparatus con
nected with the works being now in complete
order. there viii not probably be any inter
ruption in the supply hereafter.
The introductio Of this useful and highly
ornamental improvement into our city, forms
quite era in its onward career Of prosperity
and deserves more than mere passing no
/ tice. 1t affords to a stranger. one Of the
surest indications Of our progress in popula-
lion, wealth and enterprise, and will add TO
the numerous inducements which we preyi-
ously possessed for others to settle amongst Us.
The project of hghtins our city with gas,
we believe. was first started by our fellow
citizen Dr. Webster, now Secretary of the
company. Early last spring, he took the
matter in hand, and although at first it was
not regarded with much favor by our leading
cirzens, yet he persevered in his efforts, and
finally succeeded in raising the requisite
amount of stock TO organize company; soon
after which. operations were commenced.
To Dr.. VS.. enerHons in the matter, more
perhaps than any other one person, are We
indebted for the success of the enterprise.
T. n. I ID
dent. much credit is due for his good judg
ment and prompt acton in directing the al
fairs of the company. William Cain, Treas
urer, and Robert Morrison, and Charles Col
lier Directors, deserve praise for timely per
sonal services and peeunary aid.
The works are located on the east bank Of
White water. on the north side OF Main street.
The site is regarded the very best that
could have been selected Besides being th.
loves, accessible point, "a desirable object for
such an establishment it is abundantly sup
piled with a living stream of pure water, from
al scent springs.
The contract for erecting the works and
laying one mile OF pipe, was let to Charles
Collier. of Lafayette. at $4,000. In its
Mr. C. displayed great energy,
industry and skill, completing the job within
he time allotted him, and in a manner highly .
satisfactory to all concerned.
We understand that about IS service pipes
lave been laid and some 90 or 80 more enra-
'aged by consumers The city council has
rected public lamps on Main street, and
ontempla;e increasing the number in shor.
inc. The Gas company expect also to extend
re pipes As soon as 1t can command the re-
uisite funds. -@szst
A gas is comparatively a new thing with
lost OF our readers. we have thought it would
e interesting just at this time. to give a brief
istory Of its introduction its chemical com
ostion and mode of manufacturer which facts
ave been politely furnished us by the Presi-
g OF the company:
HISTORY OF GAS.
About the year 1897, DR. Clayton of Lon
on, ascertalned by numerous experiments.
lat btuminous stone coal, was capable of
elding large quantity Of inlammable Gas;
ut it does not appear that he applied it to
e purposes of illumination
Fifty five years after the discovery by Dr.
lay ton, Murdoch, the engineer of the noted
of Bolton & Wait, succeeded in
Citing his house aud Office with coal gas.
e continued his experiments till 1902. gene
tag the gas in iron retovts, passing it into
ss-holders. distributing it through pipes,
ID burning it at small apertures, AS at the
esent time. Under his direction, the great
otson Mills of Phillips and Lee, were light
by this means in 1905; and this NAV be
the earliest application, on q large
stematic scale. of this artificial light In
is case. the illumination was equal to nearly
at OF 5000 candles
This brilliant example was soon followed
other parts OF England, and more or less on
e continent of Europe and in America, and
: tie year 1899, gas Ii Citing in London had
come the business of many public conpa-
eS. So rapid was the increase of this bust
IS that in l349. London alone consumed
nually 500, 900 tons of coal in The manufac- I
re of gas; and now it has upwards of 500 I
main pipes. aud more than half million I
houses in the city lighted by coal gas.
Ia l848, there were in the United kiag dom
5 distinct gas establishments, consuming
out l.l25,ooo tons of coal, aud yielding
300 100000 cubic feet Of gas Waste and
kage being deducted from this quantity, .
yes 1000, 0oo,000 cubic feet actually sold.
e light furnished BY this quantity Of gas, is i
ual 10 that of SIS. O6l tous Of mould can Q
IS. &c TO the pound and to 33.I33, $40
lions of sperm oil. The gas works Of Lon
n. even twenty years ago. sometimes con :