The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1892-03-17
History of the Logan Gas Light
and Coke Company.


F. F. Rempel, o. Case, w. n
England, Lewis Green, L. ]. Bur
CESS, James Little. The director
elected as officers: Pres. w. Q
Adams; Treas. James Little; Sec
o. Case.
That same evening the council
passed an ordinance, grantin!
"full, free and undisturbed right
of franchise. The company to es
tablish SO posts. the town to pay
for the posts and donate to thu
company. The price $500 pei
post. Light to private individuals
at So. 90 per 1000 jet, 25 sperm
candle power. G. w. Brehm was
Mayor, o. w. H. Wright city
clerk. The plant was to be com
pleted by Sept. 1881.
On the 5th of May, 1881 the
ordinance is amended making more
specific the franchise for ten years,
beginning Nov. IL, 1880.
TIE appearance in the city of
"Mr. McDonough, representing
the Cincinnati Gas company, who
will take in hand the construction
of the works" is noted.
In the meantime trouble was
brewing, Adams had moved away.
We have no record of the officers.
The Gas company it was claimed,
was not living up to contract. The
council refused to pay bill, suit
was brought, and In Issue of July
13, 1882, it is stated that Judge
Friesner decided that ssthe contract
with the Gas company is legal and
does not require to be submitted to
a vote of the people. The coun-
Gil will appeal the case" July 9th,
the District court in session, con-
tinue the Gas company case.
In the meantime McDonough was
superintendent of the Gas company.
Complaints occurred every week in
cards from citizens. A. D. Hus-
ton, Sec'y, addressed communi-
cation to the council proposing 25
more lamps making IS in all, for
100000 per annum. On the 9th
of August 1882, the council called
an election for Aug. 2Ist, on the
question "Authorizing the opera
ton of the Logan Gas and Light
company"
This election resulted, 27O aye;
"a no.
Now comes IN more disturbance,
Col. Weldy publishes an opinion,
AL. Brooke, solicitor, writes a card,
Burgess attorney for Gas company
makes several proclamations. The
Gas governor is criticised. Bur
CESS gets all, or as many as will,
and that was most of the stock
holders TO assign their stock to
McDonoug agent for Cincinnati
Gas company. (Hickenloopers)
Rempel, and Alex Sands became
the principle Logan stockholders.
1t is claimed that bonds of $50, 900
were issued and taken by two or
three parties. The stock paid no
dividend. 1t was freeze out, and
most of the holders of small
froze out.
For eight years following, the
complaint against the Gas compa-
ny was chronic. Bills were refused,
council was sued and compelled to
pay. Natural gas became the oc-
casion of open and organized re-
volt. During all this time the
SENTINEL was lone handed among
its contemporaries in taking the
side of the people against the |
opposition.
The proceedings following are
recent, and known to all. A Natu-
al Gas company was formed, five
thousand dollars stock subscribed, |
A. Magoon was made general mana
yer. A well was sunk in the ca
1al bank. On account of an acci-
lent this well was abandoned, and
mother sunk, gas in small quanti-
les obtained, which after time was
,iped to the Motherwell Works,
where it is yet utilized.
The public was not satisfied. and
he proposition came up to bond
he town. Several meetings were :.
,eld. AT one a riot almost re-
iulted, Vlckers and John White
'eing the opposing forces. Col.
aempel makes series of PROPOSE
ions to the council, all of which
we're rejected.
An election was held on Feb.
list. The ballot box was stuffed.
The clerks report yeas 323, nays
70. Fraudulent, all against bond
ng the town, l44.
March 81 an ordinance was pass
d giving franchise for Electric
light Plant to parties from Mel
onville. The Electric Light COM I
any, failing to sell out, proceeded
o farther, :.