Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-07-23

| anu lHOmdS ". wv We dIe eud
bled to place before the JOURNAL
readers this week brief history Of
the Gas Light Company, now one of
the leading industries of this place.
The lighting of our streets with gas
is vat Improvement on the method
adopted by our forefathers.
The Frostburg Gas Light Company
was organized in Mr.. John G. Weis
office in 1870, and the charter was
obtained AFril 22d, of the same year.
The following gentlemen were the
incorporators
]. NJ. Standish, Douglas Percy,
Nelson Beall, Thomas II. Paul, A. E.
H,tchins, James Kane, Marx Wine
land, Joseph Jandorf and Lloyd
Lownes, jr.
At the first meeting officers were
elected az follows:
Pieadent-John NJ. Standish.
Vice ReSident-Dougas Percy.
Sscretay--John c. Weis.
TycaSarcg-Nelson Beall.
DucctoyS-Thomas G. McCulloh,
Lloyd Lowres, jr, A. E. Hitchins,
Thos. II. Paul, VIM. Ward, Alden
Ciaiy.
The capital was $4,000, and opera
tions were commenced at once and by
February II, 1871 the works were
finished. r. G, Jordan, of Wheeling,
w. Va. had the building Of them.
The first manager was Mr.. Joseph
Keller, with Watson Carr, Esq as
general superintendent.
The works cover about one-half acre
and have large tank, three retorts
and about five miles of pipe reachiug
to nearly all parts of the town. About
two years ago the large gasometer be-
came useless and Mr.. r. G. Paul
made new one, much stronger and
better than the old one in all respects.
This enterprise has not paid the
stockholders, as it should have done.
1t has yielded only about per cent.
on the money invested.
In the manufacture of this gas only
pure bitumiuous and gas coal are
used. The latter is brought here from
the Despard mines Of ClarksbuIg, w.
Va.
The company have had many
obstacles to overcome since it was
started, but now they seem to be on a
solid foundation and promise our cit
liens that il the future it shall be
equal to il not surprising those of the
cities.
The following are the officers elected
at their last meeting to serve during
the ensuing year
TrsSidcat-James Kane.
Tacs- PfSident--Adam L. Hitchins.
Secretary Charles A. Greene.
Decentralization Armstrong.
.DutctorS-L9oyd LowLdes, Rich
ard Beall, joshua Johnson, Douglas
Percy, James II. Ward.
CoNectoy--John N. Benson,
G. II. DeMoss, formerly Of Cumber-
land, is manager Of the Works. Since
he has taken charge the gas has been
much better.
During the past winter numerous
complaints were heard on all sides
mat the gas was detective; some ev-
enings il refused to burn altogether
while on Others il was >nly miser-
able flicker and 81 lutter. AT that
time the ground YVES frozen to a
depth Of ten feet, making it impooai.
BILE to dig through or blast it; carly
in the spring, however, after the
ground had thawed several leaks were
discovered and repaired Immediately,
Since that time the gas has burned
brilliantly.
Numerous improvements have been
made recently around the works 50
as to overcome all difficulties.
THE CIRCUS. Sells Brothers Mil.
lioaaire Confederation will exhibit
in Cumberland on Frid y, goth inst.
This is undoubtedly one of the best
and finest shows on the road and offers
everything to be found in frst-class
circusses. AS Sells Brothers is the
first that has been in Cumberland
this season we be speak for it large
crowds from this section and down
the Creek. Special trains will be lun
on both the G. @. g. @. and @. q P.
railroads at reduced tarces.
The concert given by Madame Egg
berta, at Odd Fellows Opera House,
last Wednesday evening, was but