The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-04-27
Mankato Gas Works.

Mankato Gas Works.
| Mcssrs. o. c. McCurdy, J. vanLiev
and L. Patterson, the gentlemen com
posing the Mankato Gas Light Com.
pany, arrived in tho city Monday eve
ming, and Immediately entered upon the
preliminary arrangements of institut.
ing their works here. On Tuesday, they
purchased from Edward Schmidt, OF
Winnebago Agency, two and half lots
just north of the axe works, and but q
short distance from the WinOna depot,
wherein the works will be built. The
main building will be 3OxS2 feet, the
gasometcr 45xlG, which together with
other buildings necessary, will cover a
total area of ground, l65xl67 feet. Before
leaving the East, the gentlemen pur.
chased all the machinery, gas mains and
other equipments necessary for the
complete and successful running of the
works, u portion of which is now on its
way to Mankato. The buildings will
he constructed of brick, and in the best
and most substantial manner. All the
latest and most approved machinery
known to the art of superior gas making
will be supplied, and there will be-
nothing about the establishment that
is not of the very best.
Since Mr.. McCurdy was here in the
fall he has enlarged the scale of his
works almost double. At that time it
was proposed to build for possible
consumption Of 10000 inhabitants, now
it will supply a city of from 10000 to
$4,000 people. An investment of about
$35, 900 was then figured upon, now the
outlay will not fall short of $4,000.
Work has already been commenced, and
everything is expected to be completed
by the first day of September.
MankaiO is fortunate in securing three
such enterprising, energetic and pleas
ant gentlemen as are Mcssrs. McCurdy,
Van Lew and Patterson, and all posi-.
BILE encouragement should be accorded
them by our business men and citizens
in the successful operation of their
business. They have come among US
without solicitation; are working upon
their own capital; will invest large
sum of money forthwith and have come
here to make homes. They are enthusi-
astic over Mankato's future, and will
ever be found on the side of progress
and industry. All they ask is that our
people will show their interest IN the
enterprise they are to establish, and use
the products Of their mandatory.
They have good reasons to expect this,
and our citizens, In fairness, should
csme forward without unnecessary So
licitation and express their satisfaction
by liberal patronage. The best quality
of gas will be produced, the price will
be placed on par with cities fifteen
times our population, and everything
connected with the management will be
conducted on business principles.
And eur city fathers, too, should en-
courage this new enterprise. Last fall
if our memory is not at fault, they
agreed to paw for lighting fifteen street
lamps. This number is entirely too
limited to furnish the required illumin.
alton. They will not supply Front
street, let alone the numerous side streets
that should by all means be lighted. 1t
is the expression of many of Jour best
citizens that at least forty gas posts
should be subscribed for on the part of
the city, and then strangers entering our
portals would note that we have gas
and were not parsimonious in ITS use.
The Gas Company inform us that they
have purchased the finest and most ex.
pensiye posts and cOncomitants that are
made IN this country, and superior to
any used in the Northwest. Even Chi.
cagO is not using az fine street gas out
fits rs MankatO will have, and the city
does not have one dollar invested, as the
company furnish them for use free of
charge. Then we say, let the city at
least secure jets enough to illuminate
our streets moderately well, and help
along the boom.
1t the proper encouragement is ex-
tended these gentlemen In the prOsccu-
ton OF tnelr gas supply, they STAND In a
position to put 100000 of capital into
our city within sixty days, and while
we are not authorized at this time to
state the nature of the investment, we
are free to say that it is one which will
be Of greater Importance 10 the COM
mercial interests of our city than any
thing yet undertaken, unless we except
Hubbard & Cos. mill. These young
men have ample capital for the success
full prosecution Of any branch of bust.
ness they may see fit to pursue, but like
all judiciOus business men they desire
that their capital shall be appreciated,
which is eminently proper.
Now, then, what will our people do?
Will they take hold with a will and
prove by their acts that MankatO well
comes trio OF bright and wealthy bus
mess men to aid in building up and de.
velOping her resOurces9 We shall see,
and await the result in the firm belief
that such will be the case.