The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-12-30
EVE. LLLUMINA.
TION.

About wv months ago our city Coun-
Gil entered into a contract with the Jen-
ney Electric Light Company, of Indian
apolis, for the erection of the necessary
"plant''and the lighting of u town by
electricity. Soon after this contract was
made, our fellow townsmen j. R. Cook
and H. c. Aydelotte, purchased from
the Company the entire franchise, and
became subrogated to all its rights and
liabilities under the contract. Under
the energetic management of the pur-
chasers the work was vigorously prose-
cuted, and it was announced that all was
in readiness and that at seven o'clock on
Christmas eve. the military illumination
would take place. The night was ex-
tremely dark, and the street lamps not
having been lighted, the streets were
enshrOuded in impenetrable darkness,
except where the gloom was slightly
dispelled by CLEANS from the windows
of shops and stores.
AS seven O'Clock drew neal the streets
were lined with women and children,
and a crowd was gathered around the
central electric tower in front of the
Court House. Ut was impossible to sup
press the recollection of another crowd
that surrounded that same tower, the
Tuesday night before.)
Promptly, as the clock commenced
striking seven, a tiny spark was seen to
rest on each of the four tower lights,
and the recollection of Tuesday night
was wildly recalled, by some one shout
ing, as the sparks grew larger, "Lether
go, Gallagherr The engineer must
have heard the command, for at nee he
did 'slet her CO." and the center light,
the depot tower light, the street cross
ing lights, and all the private lights
in stores and hotels responded by grow
ing rapidly brighter, until the streets
and door-yards were flooded with the
soft lustre of the electric light. The
people gazed for a moment in silence,
and then a shout went upfrom the crowd,
Expressive of approval and admiration.
No such magnificent illumination was
ever witnessed in Eaton, and even those
who have frequently seen the electric
light in other cities, expressed surprise
at the complete success of the first illu-
mination. Nota fault was suggested or
a grumble heard. Messrs. Cook & Ayde-
lotte, and their assistants have a right to
feel proud of their success, and of the
encomiums passed upon their work.
The engine and machinery used in
generating the necessary electricity, are
the finest specimens of beautiful me-
chanism ever brougt to Eaton.
Of course, lighting our streets by cleo
tricity is an experiment; it may be nee
essary to have more street lights. Those
who have lights in their business rooms
are loud in its praise, and others will
doubtless procure the light. AS a first
effort, it was a grand success.
We set our machine to "Hohen lin
den," and when the crank was turned
it produced the following:
In Eaton all was dark and damp,
There was not to be seen a kerosene lamp;
The pedestrian was guided by the tramp
Of others in his vicinity.
But Eaton saw another sight,
When the engine shrieked at dead of night,
Sending the electric current to light
The darkness of her scenery.
Joy, joy forever; the task is done,
The victory over darkness won;
The two great rivals of the run,
Are the moon-and electricity.
ELECTRIC SPARKS.
The Eldorado folks can see the tower
lights from their doors.
Telephone messages from West Alex
andria announced that the citizens there
were gazing at our electric light.
William Dillman, at Barnet's Station,
thought he saw a fire in the direction
of Eaton.
Andrew Wilkes says that the light cast
a very perceptible shadow at his houAn
a mile from the Court House.
William Campbell, east of West,l~-
exandria, says he could see to read a
newspaper, and that he can prove it by
Ed. Stotler, who held the lantern. They
offer to trade the Mackinaw railway for
our light.
Owing to a defect in the construction
of the foundation upon which some of
the machinery rests, it became necessa-
ry to take it down and rebuild it. This
will deprive us of the light for a few
nights.