The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1891-05-28
THE ELECTRIC WELL.
A Story Of Yankee Genius and
English Capital

- oIOTy OI duko9 06uluS ana
English Capital
A number of eminently solid-looling
sons of Great Britain were assembled
one morning in an office in Thames
street, London, listening to the remarks
of tall, heavy man, evidently an
American.
Il repeat it, gentlemen" he was say
ing, the company which I represent
has absolute control of the grandest
discovery made in America. that land of
wonders. You have heard of the nat
ural gas which springs up in such un-
limited quantities and with such
enormous power, and you know how
iar-seeing men secured the right to
utilize this gas before its great CONNER
cial value was properly appreciated by
the masses. If you have followed the
careers of those adventurous spirits you
have learned how they became wealthy
beyond their widest dreams and how
a market sprung up for natural gas,
even greater than the production of the
wells. Again, you see all around you
the multiplied uses to which electricity
is being put. All that steam can do as
4 motive power electricity can accom-
plish. All that petroleum has furnished
the world for light and fuel cleo
tricity can supply. Who at the
present day dare affirm that cleo
tricity has reached it's limits as an
agent for the promotion of mans
physical welfare, or who dare deny
that the day will come when this I'M
known fluid will form our sole power
to the exclusion of all other forces?
On the other hand, you realize how
seriously the introduction of electricity
for power and illumination is retarded
by the expensive machinery and still
more expensive patent rights and roy
alties for which every consumer must
pay. Such being the case, gentlemen,
and bearing in mind the adaptation of
natural gas to commercial uses, what
say you to the discovery of what
may call natural electricity, the tap
ping of unlimited and unreasonable
quantities of power, fuel, light, what
you please, and the utilization of that
vast force which will cost but trifle
at the beginning and not q penny for
patent rights or royalties? You may
we'll look astounded, for the idea is
stupendous; but this, gentlemen, is my
mission tonight, to offer you a clear
title to the only wells of natural cleo
tricity in the world"
The speaker paused, and Immediate
ly his audience, filed with enthusiasm
at the idea, jumped to their feet.
Wonderful" "Magnifcent!' they
shouted in chorus. The American
waited until the ebullition of feeling
lad subsidized, and then continued:
II am not here to ask you to pur-
chase pig in poke. On the other
hand, we request and insist that before
any deal is closed our plant and our
rights be thoroughly investigated by
representative chosen by yourselves.
Should this expert decide our discovery
is not as claimed, we will cheerfullv
pay all expenses incurred and release
you from any obligation to purchase it.
If, on the other hand, our property is
as represented, we ask that upon re-
ceipt of information to that effect from
your agent you pay us the sum of ten
thousand pounds and receive in return
full title and ownership of the most
valuable discovery in the world
The speaker took seat. Bedlam
Immediately broke loose, and when or
der was at last restored the temporary
chairman announced that every share
of the American Electric Well Com.
pany Qimited) had been subscribed for
and that until a permanent organization
could be formed Sir William Gull had
consented to act as chairman, and that,
further, Hon. James Noblin had been
deputed to visit the states and inspect
the property which it was intended to
purchase. After caution from the
American to preserve the utmost
secrecy the meeting broke up, each
participant hurrying homeward, his
brain filed with golden visions.
Three weeks later Hon. James Mob
lin stepped upon the shores of the
United States, and was Immediately
accosted by jolly, rotund gentleman,
who, when satisfied he had addressed
the proper person, introduced himself
as Thomas Tapton, the resident mana
ger of the Penn Natural Electric Com
pany. Bubbling over with good-fel-
lowship and hospitality, he tuck Hon.
James Noblin in charge, and accom-
panied him to the best hotel in New
York, and for the next two days was
indefatigable in showing his English
friend the sights of the metropolis.
Not word about business yet" he
cautioned the charmed recipient of his
favors; 1--WE will reach that in due sea-
son. You are the guest of the Penn
Electric Company now, and we mean
to show you good time" From New
York the pair went to Boston, Phila-
delphia and Washington, seeing all the
local sights and living in regal style.
Then followed flying journey to
Chicago on the magnificent limited
express. Hon. James Noblin was
dazzled by the wealth of the country
and overwhelmed with the pleasures
showered upon him. His daily letters
to the syndicate were filled with glow
ing descriptions of the resources and
commerce of the states, and he fire.
quently wrote that if the property of
the electric company proved to be as
claimed the value of the discovery
would be incalculable. At last his
guide led him into the natural gas belt,
taking him directly to Findlay, O.
What the Britisher saw here bewildered
him. Gas, gas everywhere, used for
every purpose, and while almost as