New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-12
THE JEFFERSON CITY GAS LIGHT
COMPANY.
Light i'm the Sixth District.

On the fifteenth of April, 1867, the City OF
Jefferson granted to John Lockwood the
right to erect works, put up street lamps
| and manufacture gas for the city for a
period of thirty years. The Legislature
subsequently confirmed this charter by an
act approved March 9, 1869. Shortly
afterward a stock company was formed, and
the initial steps taken to prosecute the en-
terprise. A portion Of ground, ample for
the purpose, has been purchased on Valence
street, three or four squares below St.
Charles, and the required buildings erected
and machinery put up. So that now the in
habitants Of the Sixth District have a well
arranged gas works, capable of supplying
all the demand that is likely to be created
for some months to come. And as it in
creases, the works will be enlarged to meet
the emergency.
The present directors of the company are:
John Lockwood, w. Il. Fish, S. n Burbank,
Watts kearny and j. NJ. Reid. Mr.. Lock
wood is the president and manager. The
directors, wisely, as we believe, entrust him
with the sole direction of affairs, and he
has hurried up the work in hand with an en-
ergy and completeness that does credit to
his judgment. Gas was turned on for the
first time Last evening, and the occasion was
celebrated by the meeting together of a
number of gentlemen friends Of the
enterprise, officials and citizens. Mayor Flan-
ders, Administrators Shaw, Emley and Delas-
size, all the directors of the company. the
officers of the New Orleans Gas Light Com
pany, and thirty or forty other well known
citizens We're present. The works on Val
ence street were first inspected. The latest
improvements in the way Of machinery, re-
tOrts, meters, ETC., have been generally in
troduced. The reservoir is capable of hold
ing 10000 cubic feet of gas, and the works
can generate the article as fast as the pres
ent estimated consumption. One hundred
and sixty street lamps-beautiful models
have been erected. The company has al
ready laid down about six miles of main
pipe, and are still going ahead. st. Charles
avenue, Valence street and a part of Maga-
zine street are now lighted by the company.
They propose to light up the latter as far as
Peters avenue.
The gas was turned on just at dusk, and
burned well from the beginning. MIR.
LOckwOod's residence, on ST. Charles street,
was also illuminated, being the first private
house lighted by gas above Louisiana
avenue. When it was apparent that every
thing was satisfactory, and the work and
anxieties Of months had been crowned with
success, Mr.. Lockwood invited the gentle
men assembled to partake of some cooling
refreshments. Champagne, cake, fruit, etc.,
were offered in prOfusiOn, and the :. good
time" usual on such occasions ensued.
Mayor Flanders, in response to a call made
a brief address, complimentary to the ener-
gy and patriotism of the gentlemen who had
done SO much to benefit the citizens of the
Sixth District.
The Jefferson Gas Works Company is now
one of the live institutions of the nineteenth
century. The initial steps have all been
taken, and the beginnieg of new era fairly
Success is certain.