Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-11-04
MEMPHIS GAS LIGHT co,
One Corporation that has a Soul
to its COst-The City Kept
Lighted by one Faithful
Darkey.

nave passed in the last three months, peo-
Die who lived in their own houses, or were
loing business, often remarked upon the
Hact that there was no diminution in the
of gas, and yet that no monthly
bills we're presented. The streets were
lighted as usual from month to month by
some unseen arrangement when all other
organizations and business had gone to
Those who thought about 1t at all
wondered how it was that this one institu-
ton of Memphis kept up with
out public aid or calling for a
dollar. The notes of the best men in
Memphis have gone to protest. Banks
have been nearly closed, all the hotels
shut up except one, the street cars have
been run only in day time and then only
a few at a time, two of our railroads ceased
To ran trains into the city; churches,
schools and courts have been closed, busi-
ness houses opened up offices in other
cities, newspapers were issued on half
sheets by the efforts Of a few desperate
workmen ready to die at their posts Of
duty; desolation reigned upon the streets
and in p%alatial residences, and yet rain or
hine every gas jet in the city would burn
when the match was applied and still no
bills were sent out up to the first Of the
month except the hotel and a few saloons
which have been regular and heavy con-
sumers.
The bills of the LEDGER, which are
usually about one hundred dollars per
month, not coming in as usual, attention
was first called to the subject, and a
LEDGER commissioner was dispatched to
INQUIRE the cause, when facts of general
interest were secured, and are here for the
first time made public. 1t seems that the
company, realizing the Importance Of
keeping the city lighted, resolved to furn-
ish gas and take the chances Of collection
afterward. The principal officers were
away, but the employees remained faith
fully and fearlessly at work.
On the I'd Of September the gas ofic'
closed. but the works continued in max
ing and distributing gas, notwithstanding
the loss Of the men employed who die'
with the fever. Mr.. Round, the superin
tendent of the gas works, was the creates
sufferer, having lost five of his family
viz: his wife, two daughters, n son
Flames Round, jr.,) and his s%on-in-lav
himself having recovered from a yer,
severe attack Of the fever. Mr.. Gee, tn
| day foreman, was taken sick and died i
a few days. Fred Vulker, a young ma
D employed at the meter shop, died at tn
works.
The gas works at one time was in chare
of A colored man (Louis Thomasl bein
' the last man at that time who was NJ
! sick, competent to make gas, and If it he
X not been for him the city would have bee
II in darkness. Owen Day (coloredl an o
hand at the shop, died with the fever. M
is Davidson, assisted by Luke Mcguire al
t. P. Smith, and Robert Hall (%coloreC
ar looked to the interest of the people by Sc
70 ing that the gas was supplied to all WI
wished it, and that the street lamps we
kept burning.
~ The aim of the company was to furni
'e light during the epidemic, having sent Q
no gas bills for collection excepting a f
y weekly bills. The company had in
!. employment, altogether, ffty-six men,
these a number, both white and color
" died, but the rest stood up TO their work
II. OF course, bills will be sent out now,
many people have been swept away,
will fail to return. Close collections CT
ly not be made, as a general rule, and
We company will lose very heavily. I
ed may be set down in the nature Of q G.
tribution to the people of Memphis Fl
full a corporation which could have clio
down and left the city in utter darkr
and confusion. The company deser
/. great credit for the important aid and
vice rendered the yellow fever sutfel
and the property-owners. Had the
ms been shut off great confusion would h
ensued. The doctors and nurses fl
old abroad would have had great difficulty
pest finding their way about the city W
obliged, as they were so often, to go on
On night. Besides the neglect, suffering
q death this would have caused, it We
have afforded an opportunity for robl
and pillage which would have been r
Gus to the most of our property-owI
In giving credit to those who have a
Memphis and assisted in alleviating
DIS, man misery, the Memphis Gas L
bic, Company should be in the list, anc
ATS brave and faithful employees menti'
ON deserve special notice.
Colonel Enoch Ensley, president o.
T. company, who has sustained such o h
pecuniary loss, is thus one Of u
factors.
; for TO the People of Shelby COu
end l am a candidate to represent yC
80 f r Al. -..cr,l m hlV