The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-02
THE ELECTRIC-LIGHT TOWERS.
What They Will Do After Completion-Pre-
cautions To BE Taken Against Accidents.

The Brush Electric Light Company are erect
ing five towers in different parts of the city, all
OF which will be completed and in working order
in few days. They will be placed at the cor
ners of Washington and Illinois, Pennsylvania
and Washington, Ohio and Illinois, Ohio and
Pennsylvania, and in the center of the Circle.
The tower in the circle will be 100 feet high, and
the others will reach the altitude of about
ninety feet The lights will be four in number
70 each tower, and possess the regulation 1000
candle power
The process of building the towers
is rather interesting A section of
about forty five feet in length is hoisted by der
ricks above the ground, and firmly bolted and
fastened to another section below This process
is kept up until the tower reaches the desired at
titude. The towers are composed entirely of
iron. and are very stable, considering the cage
worklike structure. An ordinary tower ninety
feet high will not exceed 4 900 pounds in weight
Hon. John Caven, the az ent at this city, says
that the towers are being erected by the com
pany, and that negotiations have been at
tempted as yet with the city authorities concern
ing their rental. The company, it is understood,
mean to demonstrate. by the superior lighting
QUANTITIES and cheapneSs of the towers, that In
dlanapolis cannot afford to do without them.
concerning the cost of erecting the towers,
and the probable expense of renting them out,
IL the city authorities should determine to use
them, Mr. Caven remarked that he could not
speak with certainty until the structures were
completed; but he referred to the cities of De-
troit, and Evansville, where the towers have
largely supplanted gas, and where they give
entire satisfaction. assuring the reporter that
this city would find them almost Indispensable
The West Indianapolis tower was completed
yesterday afternoon, and now stands 100 feet
high, ready for its lights and the conducting
wires connecting with the dynamos in the Nor
dyke Machine Works. The light will not be
ready for service before the middle of this com
ing week, Mr.. Rorison, secretary of the light
association, says, but when ready it will be the
most brilliant display ever seen in the State.
The tower, with the expense of the foundations
and freight charges, will cost about 81, 900, the
iron and work of the tower being $3.50. 1t is
erected by the Jenne Light Company, of this city,
on the petition of number of property owners
OF West indianapolis. who will pay fair rent
for It's use so long as they care to it, so Mr..
Nordyke informs the reporter
To prevent further accidents from adventurous
boys and unduly beered men, the board of trus-
tees Of the town will probably make an ordinance
lmp0slnSa fine on any one attempting to climb
up the columns or braces of the tower. The
hand and foot 'holds" will he removed from the
two lower sections, and all the parts of both will
be thicklv covered with tar to keep street
Arabs and fools from adventurous efforts that
may end as Hollands did The tower at a dis
lance is one of the most delicate lace work look
ing structures ever seen, vet it is strong enough
to resist any cyclone, little obstruction does it
offer to the wind