The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-01-31
To the Citizens of Ottawa..A Card.
OFFICE OF rHE OrrAwA Gas Co., I
3lst January, 1868.

At q meeting of the Directors Of the
Ottawa Gas Co, held last Moaday even
ing, j: was resolved to reduce the price of
gas to three dollars per 1000 cubic feet
As many complaints have been made by
consumers, for the seemingly arbitrary
demands of the company, it IL thought
best, in justice to all concerned, to make
u statement of few facts connected with
the organization, and subsequent financial
p ,sition of the company. In the year
1855 under the general Incorporation act
passed by the Legislature. and an Ordi-
nance passed by the City Council OF the
city of Ottawa, July 81, 1853. a contract
was made with Chas II. Herrick Il Co. to
erect gas works in OTTAWA, according to
plans and specifications, for the sum of
forty five thousand dollars. Nearly fif
teen thousand dollars Of the stock was
subscribed for and paid by residents of
Ottawa. Saio Herrick 4 Co. failed to
complete their contract, leaving those who
hau paid the amounts subscribed, either
to lose whad they had paid, or to take
the works, unfinished, from Messrs. Her
rick & Co, and compile them, also assum-
ing a large debt against the works They
chose the latter; and. in order 10 do so. a
loan was made of the stockholders, which
greatly embarrassed the Co In addition
to this loan, to Co gave their bond for
twenty-fi'e hundred dollas, payable in five
years, with interest at ten per cent, in
consideration of that pol ton of the pipe
north Of the canal. belonging to said Her
rick Il Co, and which the Co had agreed
to take. under q special contract made
with said Herrick II Co. The Cn, finding
the lot upon which the works were erect
ed, too small, were Obliged to purchase
the lot adjoining, and for which they gave
their bond for fifteen hundred dollars,
pay able in Eve years, with interest at ten
per cent, leaving the Co in debt, over aud
above the amount required TO complete
the works, four thousand dollars In ad.
ditiOn TO this the Co. have laid three
miles OF street pipe at cost Of several
thousand dollars, and hav. also paid about
two th"uiand dollars for motors. The Co
being so deeply in debt, aud fearing the
result Of les>ening the price of gas. con
tinued TO charge the original price of four
dollars per thousand feet. Por the last
two years we have received no patronage
from the city, in the way Of street lights.
which we consider very un just, knowing
that the Stockholders were induced 10 in
vest their money believing that the city
Not Id continue TO aid the Co. i'll what Is
Owing the generous patronage of private
customers, we have been enabled TO pay
one cash dividend of five per cent. and are
happy to state the fact, that we last week
paid the only claim against the Co OF
late years the introduction OF kerosene for
illuminating purposes, has so l-ssened the
consumption of gas. that small towns find
it almost impossible to pay the expenses
of keeping up their works Being now
out of debt, and trusting that all who are
living upon the line OF street pipe. and
who can procure gas, pr-ierrinG 1t 10 ke-
rosene will give US their patronage. And,
being disposed to deal literally with those
, who have sustained u.s. We have decided
to reduce the price, as before stated.
charging no rent for meters, when the
monthly consumlti n of gas amounts TO
one dollar or over. On all monthly bills
for for gas under one dollar. the usual
meter rent will be charged. The public
will readily perceive that no benefits have
| rs yet resulted to the stock holders, but
the value nf private property, in conse
| iuence OF the erection of gas works, has
ia most cases been increased. we trust the
! City Council will consider the lighting of
street lamps of sufficient importance TO
extend 20 the Gas Co that patronage
winch WAS expected from them when the
works were first erected 1t seems TO Us
that the ex. ense of lighting the stree,
| lamps, is scarcely to be compared with the
increased protection To life and property.
y. B. GRIDLEY, Secretary
Tn. Annual meeting Of the Ia Sale County for the
e~ctisn Of oEcers and transaction Of import bu
sin-s., iii b: hell 1t the Court House, Tuesday
Februsry 10th, At 10 O'clock 4 ~
II. Z. BRUSH S>eresp-y.
SpirItuaiisn.
MRS NELLIE L. wiLTslE will lecture a: the Cour:
House, Sunday, Feb. Is, and Feb. s.h, At and
o'c'ock VI o. SFrRrrr Pr
Mrs, Wisie sp' AXIS VII lie III Trance, and also de-
cyib . Snrits