Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-02-14
Local and state Stems.
burning of she Rutland Gas Works.

(Sabbath) morning, tho shrieking OF the
machine shop and various locomotive
whistles proclaimed TO our citizens that
the dread monster "fire" was raging in
our village, and Notwithstanding the
unreasonable hour, our streets soon pre-
sented lively scene, citizens and fire.
men, with their engines and hook and
ladder trucks rushing pell-mell to the
scene of the confagratlon, which proved
to be the gas works or mandatory OF
the Rutland Gas Light Company.
As usual when water is most wanted,
there was none In the reservoirs Sunday
morning at the time of the breaking out
of the fire, though the heavens furnished
cDpious supply, and before it could be
let on from the main acIueduct and the |
engines got to work effectively, the |
flames had made such progress that 1T |
was useless to attempt to check them, |
! and as there was no danger OF their |
spreading any farther than the manu-
| factory, the fire department rendered lit
! tie or no service. Indeed had there been
plenty of water one of the engines
was in such condition from having her
valves choked with gravel and mud that
she could be of little use in quelling a
fire. This is bad state of affairs, and
we hope the lesson taught at the fire yes
terday morning will prevent its repeti-
ton.
The infamable portion of the building
was entirely consumed, entailing a loss
Of about So 900 which we understand is
fully covered by insurance.
The real cause OF the fire is unknown,
though it is believed to have originated
, in a wooden ventilator in the roof, used
for carrying Off the smoke and foul air
arising from the manufacture of the gas
e The men in charge of the works left the
= building about one,half an hour before
the fire broke out, and they aver that
: the usual precautions against fire were
$ taken before their departure, such as
wetting down the floors and other ex-
{ posed parts, sc. No blame can there
u fore be attached to them, and as we have
$ said, the origin of the fire remains a
mystery, though in view Of the numer-
GUS sparks carried through the ventila-
> tor when the Charges" are renewed, it
L is believed that the disaster was caused
g by one or more OF them lodging in the
> sides thereof and igniting it, and as the
y fire when first discovered had made nc
!, progress in the main building, the sup
~ position is believed to be well grounded
IL 1t is but little over thirteen months
since the building burned before, ana
~ though both times the property des
=" troved was insured, the company, il
consequence Of loss Of time and delays
~ generally, must be loser to cOnside
h. rable amount.
is Now that the building is destroyed
n and our citizens have once more to re
CT sort to the use of lamps and candles
sc sc there is room for much discussion o.
tn the gas question, and as an intereste
ur partv. we have few words to say o
RI the subject.
~ To begin with, the poor quality of ga
he furnished by the Rutland Gas Ligh
1t, Company has long been a well-tounde
nd cause for complaint, and again it is q
al legged that she Company has charge
W most exhorbitant prices for the ga
no which it did furnish, prices which woul
re seem large for a good quality, and whic
,jr are much larger than those demanded
an other places lighted by gas. The ligh
which has been furnished our citizen
or has been manufactured from refuse pt
AL trOleum and other oils and chemical
rs and though a much cheaper, IS by n
IT. means as good an article to manutactul
Vel gas from as coal Ia places lighted b
nv coal gas, that article Is usually furnishe
IN at from $500 to $500 per thousand fec
Jun while in Rutland, Tor the inferior artic
which we have been receiving from tt
al Gas Light Company, we have had to pa
u' $500, These facts would seem to sho
ths that the Company has been doing vel
i'll, profitable business, and at the san
IN time aggravating our business men an
the citizens generally with very poor ligh
an sometimes none at al, and the que
his ton arises whether, if an incorporate
nd company can make large dividends on
the capital of $4,000 or SIS, 900, the corp
BUS ration can not, by investing Ill
VI amount in a similar manner, saye Il
no profits which this company pockets, a,
ted afford the community of Rutland lig
ice at lower prices than has been paid, al
ist, furnish better quality of light at tina
tne We believe it can, and hope the subje
, arn will be agitated by our citizens, and
Id. necessary call corporation meeting
un- take action in the matter. But whets
ms. tde light be furnished by 4 private col
Is pan7. or manufactured by the corpor
S"- ton for the benefit OF the people, We c
only hope that it will hereafter be
The good quality aud at reas enable prices.
ows ~
DESTRUCTIVE FIBE AT WBsr RUrLAE