The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-31


cess OF the company and the rapidity
with which water gas" is being
adopted throughout the United States.
Prior to 1878 gas for Illuminating pur-
poses was made in all large works
from coal. About that year Mr. Jerz-
manowski came from Europe and pre-
sented TO the old gas companies his
views of the advantage to be derived
from the manufacture OF the so-called
"water gas" in which coal is used only
as the means for deeomposing steam.
His ideas were cOldly received by the
gas engineers Of the day. They be-
iieved only in the old coal gas as it
was being made for so many years
past, and could see no advantage in a
change of process. Mr. Dawson, alive
10 ali improvements and unprejudiced
in his considerations OF the methods
of manufacture, felt that there was
much u at was sound in Mr.. Jerzma-
nowski's propositions, and at once
proceeded TO gather a few friends
around him, and erected experimental
works on Forty-ffih street, His ex-
pectations being justified by the re-
suits obtained, he influenced his
friends to organize the Troy Citizens
Gaslight Company, and made n con-
tract for the erection OF works
for the manufacture of the new
gas. The works stand to-day
in full and successful operation as a
monument of Mr.. Davison's sound
Judgment, enterprise and courage in
fighting the opposition OF all those
who were looked upon as the highest
authority in all matters pertaining to
| the production of Illuminating gas
The successful operation of the Troy
works induced Mr. Dawson to take
hold of the practically abandoned en-
terprise for erecting coal gas works on
a large scale in Brooklyn, which had
been conducted and come to halt
under the management OF the Mutual
Gas Light Company. He succeeded
in persuading his friends 10 obtain its
rights and to form the Fulton Nunici-
pal Gas Company, with which he con
tracted for the execution Of water ga
works of 100000 cubic feet capacity
and completed them in 1870. In The
wear 1880 he was called upon to in
crease these works TO 100000 cubic
feet, and again in 1882 to 3,OOO,OOO
cubic feet capacity.
In the meanwhile, experiment.
were being made by Mr.. Jerzma
nowski with lime as a substitute
for coal in decomposing steam il
making "water gas" and the re
suits obtained were eminentl.
satisfactory. The Equitable Gas ligh
Company of New York was formed, il
works erected, the gas sent out, anC
meeting the instantaneous and III
qualified approval of the public, tn
company found itself Immediately o
the high road to success and prospe
ity. Other companies were created
/ The Chesapeake Company OF Bait
, more, Md, followed in its footstep
and entered into a contract with Nj
/ Dawson to build its works, which hay
, lust commenced to supply that eli
! with gas, and will unquestionab
> equal in prosperity the New York cor
l pany. of which it is an offspring,
> has already applications for all the &
e it can produce, and is possessed OF Il
/ finest works ever erected, and col
plete and perfect in all its appoir
ments. The next in order to Organi
3 was the Equitable Gas Light and Flu
Company OF Chicago, which has lik
;. wise contracted with Mr., Dawson
o the erection of works, the supply
O street mains, etc, all of which it is e
]. pected will be completed in time
q throw dazzling light upon the Chri
mas dinner tables OF the citizens
o that go-ahead city. Other cities 4;
If negotiating for the right to use Il
process.