The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-03-29
THE WIIEELING GAS WORKS.
History Of the .Gas Case. -Re,
suit Of Nearly Four Years OF
Observation-Disclosures Profit in
thc Manufacture Of Gas,

suit OIL Nenfly FOut teatEH ~
Observation-Disclosures Profit In
the Manufacture Of Gas,
An ordinance to provide for lighting
the city Of Wheeling with gas was passed
by tho City Council April ~, lS40. This
ordinance authorized Francis g. Macy,
John W. Gill, James Baker, John Lock
wood, john K. BOtsford, EphFqlm Pol.
lack, William J. Bates, William Fleming
and James r, Baker to apply to tho Leg
islaturc Of Virginia for an net or charter
ofincOrporation TO DO entitled IAN act 70
incorporate the Wheeling Gas Company"
The General Assembly on March 10,
1850, passed IN not incorporating tho
company, with . capital stock OF not less
than $4,000, 10 be divided into shares OF
S2b each, aud John w. Gil, James Ba-
ker, William \. Selby, John K, BOtsfOrd,
Ephraim Pollock, William j, Bates, vii.
liam Fleming, James Il, Baker and Robert
Crangle were appointed Commissioners
to receive subscriptions to the
stock Of said company, Tho com,
pany was granted "the sole and
exclusive privilege Of using. the
streets, alleys, or public grounds Of said
city fol the purpose Of lighting said city
with Gas, for the full term md period OF
thirty years from the time said company
phalI commence the distribution and sup!
ply Of gas, Of which time notice shall be'
given by said company, to DO entered
amongst tho records Of said city, the as
sent II tho Council Of said city being
first had and obtained rs liereinbetoro
provided Provided Arrays, That upon the
expiration Of twenty years from tho COM
mencement Of said exclusive privilege
hereby granted, and within six months
thereafter, The Said city Of Wheelingsh4ll
have tho right, at the discretion Of the
Council thereof, and OF which notice
shall 10 given IN writing to said company,
10 purchase tho said lots or grounds,
works, apparatus, fixtures and property
Of said company, at the price and upon the
terms to DO agreed upon between the COun-
Gil OF said city and the directors OF said
company, or to be fixed, uScertaincd and
doterminedi In tho following manner: ny
The awarl,in writing, Of three persons to be
chosen, the first by the directors OF eaid
company, The second by the Council oil
said cily, and the third by tho two thus
chosen.h On tho 18th Of April, 1850, the
Council Of the city accepted aud consent
cd TO Tie charter; but with the proylsc
that upon Tie expiration Of thirty years
the city should become the sole owner q
lie same without cost or charge to sail
city. This provision was not acceptable
to the corporatOrS. A pressure wa
brought to bear upon the Council, whiCl
was successful, and OIL April 10th, 1861
the ncL OF the Assembly was assCnted to
The company was organized ana wen
into operation under this charter, $oo,
600 being tic total amount paid In ny tn,
stockholders. On the 14th Of December
1859, Tho city authorities gave motto
To Inc company that At til ex
piraiion Of twenty years from the tim
The company commenced the distribution
and SUPPLY Of gas, tho city would pur
clase Ia works. 0nthe SLll Of December
1870, Tie city gave another notice to u
company similar to the irst. A commit
leo Of Councilmen met with agents oil tn
Gas Company and endeavorcd to agree
upoi, some terms as to purchase, oil th
works, but the prices set upon the pro
perry were 80 enormously large ana 50 10
beyondtlie true value that The c9mmlIle
atonce roiectedt the proposition. The com
pany offered to sell the property for Sl7.7
ISL b4, The capital stock had been ~
creased, although the stockholders pal
nOthinginatter the original $6O,OOO. In
increase was tnade from tho proceeds, 81
ter dcducting all expenses and paying
dividend Of % per cett.
On lie 18th oil January Capt, jon
McLute WIS appointed IN Arbitrator Q
behalf Of the city, and the directors 81 I'll
company some days afterwards appoihte
i. NJ. EolF ono Of their Stockholders q
their arbitrator. On tho 9Th OF JaI
uary, 1871, Messrs. Eolf and McLlirc me-
and appointed K. b. Woods ia the thir
arbitrator. The atbittators were 10 !
guided Nv Sec, II OF the charter Of III
Qua Company, "A follows.
Sc. II. The said arbitrators, III maxim
up their award and ascertaining sal
value, shall have regard alone TO til
then actual value IN money OF the lots o
grounds, buildings and apparatus Of Sai
company, and shall not consider I'll