Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-06-03
TFOr the ChrOnicle.l
Question and Answer About Gas.


ed, "Shall cur Town have Gas?" In an
swer, l would ask: Have the citizen
done what they ought and should, to en-
sure the Town so great an improvement
For one l think not. We haze don
nothing. are doing nothing, and what i
more, aOiR not do any thing towards get
ting Gas. Then why should our tow
have Gas? Is it sufficient 10 sit dow
and wish for a great good 10 come TO US
and not put forth e~1ertions TO bring j
about? Is it enough TO resolve, ant
make contracts, and authorize men tt
make Gas works, and do nothing besides
We ask further; has such action anC
nothing more built Gas Works in AMI
city or town in the country? There i
not a single instance where Gas Works
have been built where the citizens have
failed to take so much interest in the az
fair as TO take some small portion, a
least, of the stock. Capitalists have
business sense enough to make it a posi-
tive rule that the citisens of the Town
where they invest their money, shall
take SO much interest in the enterprise
as to subscribe for and take a small por-
ton of the stock. The reason of this is
perfectly obvious TO every person, but
shall have further illustration in the
course of this article.
Several years ago quite an interest
was creatad in this place, about raising
a company to build Gas Works. 1 am
informed that some ten thousand dollars
were subscribed towards a Capital Stock.
1t seemed to be in the hands Of active
business men, but for some cause they
suffered the project to fall.
In Oct. 1856, two men BY the name of
Stephenson, came here and proposed TO
build Gas Works. The Council passed
an ordinance granting them the eIclu
sive privilege of serving the people of
he Town with Gas for a term of years,
upon certain considerations. The ordi-
nance Was a fair one, but the men had
no means of their own, and could not go
On without encouragement. In the year
1855, they built works in Akron, which
seemed TO pass very well. but l am in
'Ormed by Gas men, are not considered
good substantial Gas Works.
They came here in the spring Of 1856,
md tried to get stock taken by our citi-
ems, who wholly discouraged the pro
ect, aud the S~tephensOns went away and
ave up The project. They went TO
Wooster, where they received encourage
nent, and they built works last year.
Stephen l. Noble Esq, Of Cleveland, |
rho had been engaged in building works
n different Towns for a number of years;
the town, its trade and wants,
roposed to build Gas Works here the
present season, if he could get a desira-
lie contract. Being a personal friend of
Ir. Noble, and feeling adeep interest in
ne project. | interested myself for him.
nd after deliberstion, the Town Council
ave him the contract. Mr.. Noble, last
ear built Gas Works in New Castle, and
lso in Birmingham, Pa, which have
lie reputation of being second to none
the United States. Some of our citi-
ems have seen the New Castle works
nd can attest what is here said for them.
Ir. Noble had The means, with what as
stance was freely offered by Capitalists,
o have built the works here according
} the contract, and was preparing TO go
n with the Woik when he was seized with
ckness. from which he never recovered
lie was a thorough going, straight for
ard business man, a generous, genial
lend, and a substantial citizen, and his
'ss is severely felt by his family and
lends. and the society in which he lived,
5 well as by our Gas desiring citizens.
lis widow and children are not rich.
nd they are in no condition, were they
to go on with the work.
At this point, William S. Noble, of
Vindham, a brother of the late 8. L. No
lie, proposed to come here and build the
as Works, if encouraged by the citi-
ens. Mr. W. S. Noble was su~perinten
of the New Castle Works q part of
lie time, and Of the Birmingham Works
The time of their construction, in
'hich capacity he has earned a rep
tation in the business equal 10 any
Ias Engineer in the country. He has
OF the means himself to bull the works;
ut his position has given him a favora-
lie acquaintance among Capitalists who
FER to invest their money 10 build Gas
Torks here under his Superintendent,
rovided he can get sufficient encourage
Ient from our citizens. They ask that
ur citizens should encourage the enter
rise, and be able and willing to protect
lie investment. They will not be salts.
ed with verbal promises to do so, but
ask hat the citizens should become
scuniarily interested in The affair. They
} not ask the citizens TO build the works,
III that they invest only so much as win
AXE them solicitors for their progress
I%tension and usefulness.
That this is a reasonable request, a
W suggestions will show. To build
orks, such as our wants demand, will