The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-10-17
Natural Gas Used as Fuel.

A Bradford (Penn.) letter to the
New York Sun says; Until an in
geniOus oil producer utilized natural
gas substitute for coal and wood, in
making steam Tor his engine, its COM
merCial value as a cheap and desir-
able fuel was comparatively un
known, But since then Bradford,
Oil City and other oil region towns
have protited by the Oilman's discov-
cry, and gas has been introduced gem
orally. Natural gas, fresh from Ma
lures reservoir, now heats our stores,
hotels, dwellings, manufactures, and
churches cooks our food, lights our
streets, and runs multitudes of en-
gines in all parts of the region.
Families who use gas for heating
and lighting ito not quarrel as to who
shall get up in the chilly morning
and build the fire. Generally in cold
weather the gas is nearly all turned
off when bedtime comes. In the
morning the husband or wife hops
out of bed, gives the valve a turn or
two, and returns to he'd. Instantly
the gas jumps into blaze and the
room is warmed in a .jiffy.
If the fire is allowed to 90 out at
night, the process Of starting it up in
the morning or at any hour is simple
y piece Of blazing paper is thrust in
to the stove, the valve is turned, and
i'll few moments the stove is throw
ing out a glowing and cheerful
warmth. If the pressure is turned
on full head. and if there are not too
many consumers on the line, the heat
in the room will soon be intolerable.
When New Workers visit Bradford
they express surprise at our wonder
ful and economical fuel. They cam
not understand how the gas is Gagged.
Passengers who ride over and
around the derriCk-studded hills and
valleys through which the broad and
narrOW-gauge railroads of OildOm
wind their crooked and picturesque
ways, will be surprised, if the jour
ney is made after dusk, to see my
riadS of spectral and banner-lke
flames waving in the cool night air,
and casting weird and shadowy pic
lures on the hillSides and valleys. If
the train passes close by one of the
lights, the passenger will observe
that the country for some distance
around the huge wave of flame is al
most as well lighted as it would be
at midday. The gas comes from the
oil wells, and is so abundant that,
after using it all day to run his en-
CINE, the oil man turns it loose to
Tighten up the gloom in the country
around. In the Bradford field alone
there are hundreds of these banner.
like lights. The spectacle on a dark
night is beautiful.
For some years Bradford monopo-
Lied the natural gas supply. Now
it is piped to distant towns and is
used for both lighting and heating.
The discovery of the large veins of
gas around Pttsburg has already par
TALLY reyolutionized the steel, iron
and glass industries, many establish
ments depending on it entirely as a
fuel. Bradford is lighted and heated
at less expense than any other ,ity IN
the world. All that it costs the city
government for gas for the streets and
for the city hall, both for heating and
lighting, is two cents a month. The
Bradford Gaslight and Heating COM
pany, to shut out a pretentious rival,
offered these unparalleled terms to
the city. The city fathers clinched
the bargain instanter.
To cure any scrofulOus disease or