Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-29
NEW YORK WITHOUT GAS.

The New York Herald of Monday describes
as follows the condition of affairs in the large
section of that city deprived of the use of gas
by the explosion of the works of the Metro
politan Gas Company on Saturday:
"Strangers entering the city last evening at
the Grand Central depot were at loss to con-
lecture what caused the mysterious gloom
which brooded over the city from Thirty
fourth to Seventy ninth street. The gayety
and cheerfuness which are generally to be
observed in the stores along the avenues and
streets in the upper part of the city were en-
tirely wanting and in their stead a sombre
darkness everywhere prevailed. The man.
sions on Fifth and Madison avenues, usually
aplaze with light, looked as if the inhabitants
of them had made a general exodus and left
them to their loneliness The street cars were
crowded with travellers who could not find
their way through the city, as the landmarks,
the gas lamps, which generally serve as q
guide, gave no signs of light. Shopkeepers
were not by any means in a state of thankful
ness, the rouglfs who congregate in crowds
around the street-corners were ripe for mis-
chief of any kind, disappointed christians who
could find no church open for worship were
loud in their grumblings, and the feeling in
the city was dark in the extreme. The source
VI All ltlls COHlucIOLl siOpul was CduSeu
as our readers are aware, by the explosion of
the works OF the Metropolitan Gas Company.
This company supplied district which ex-
tended from Thirty-fourth to Seventy ninth
street and from river to river, embracing with
in it the most fashionable portion of the city
and the largest number of the places of wor-
ship. The loss caused by the explosion and
consequent darkness to the storekeepers on
Saturday evening has been estimated at more
than 500, 000 and yesterday the depression
still continued, entailing further losses. OF
ali seasons of the year at which such an acct
dent could happen the present is the most I'M
propitious, as the idea of light and bright
ness is inseparable from a Christmas festival.
The confectionery and toy stores, which con-
tribute so largely to the beauty of our streets
on Christmas eve, were shorn of all their gay
ETY. by the explosion The dealers in glass
lamps did a rushing trade Saturday evening
and yesterday, and dispensers of the non-ex
plosive who happened to have good stock in
| hand made a small fortune, so lively was the
demand. Going up town last evening until you
came to Thirty fourth street the city present
ed the usual appearance, the street lamps
were Respondent with increased cheerfulness.
But when Thirty-tourth street was reached a
change came over the spirit of the dream, and
in an instant, as if by magic, you were plunged
into the deepest gloom. On one side of the
street the windows were brilliantly illuminat-
ed and on the other not a particle of light,
forming a contrast so striking that it was the
theme of universal remark. The twinkling
red and blue lights of the street cars could
be seen far up Broadway, looking like Will O.
the Wisps in the midst of the darkness.
The liquor saloons seemed to be least affect
ed by the darkness, as they looked to be ply
ing roaring trade by the Pickering lights of
tallow candles and kerosene lamps.
All the churches were closed, much to the
| chagrn of numbers who anticipated the rare
| musical treat which had been promised by
many of the choirs. In the Episcopal church
| es this was especially the case
| Considerable apprehension was felt less the
rogues, who abound thickly on the streets,
might commit depredatons under cover of
the darkness, but the appearance of the Queen
of Night, momentarily increasing in bright
ness as the evening wore on, in great meas
| ure dispelledthe fears which were entertained.