The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-05-09

was realized. Her ELECTRIC HSnt towers
were running full blast, and what's more,
they We're a success. The entire city, from
one end to the other, was brilliantly il
Illuminated, and the streets, which have for
SO many weeks been STEPPED in utter
darkness, were as bright as day.
THE PEOPLE HAPPY.
To say that the people were happy is
but expressing it mildly. From every
section of the city loud shouts of joy
were, heard and the, average
himself in his vain endeavors to pitch his
voice as high as some of his seniors who
were vainly trying to split the heavens
with the power of their voice. All up and
down the Avenue gentlmen We're saunter-
ing along, meeting, shaking hands and
congratulating one another on the sue
cessful outcome of their long cherished
scheme. Many a bumper" was drank to
the success of the new electric light plant,
and it is not laying too much stress on
the issue to say that within a short time
some of the able citizens enthusiasm had
reached that point where, in remarking
about the beauty of the towers with their
six arc lights, they indiscreetly placed the
number at anywhere from II to %. The
six lights shone all right however, not
withstanding the fact that some of the
gentlemen's eyes were so fired with en-
thusiasm that the number in some cases
doubled or quadrupled.
A GLORIOUS SIGHT.
1t was certainly glorious sight. For
several years now Austin has been crop
ing around in that utter darkness that
threatened the life and safety of all.
Last night however the situation was
changed, and the change was all made in
a trice. That which depended on nature
for light at 7:45 o'clock was at o'clock
bathing in the light of the wonder of the
Nineteenth century. Not in one section
of the city, but in every nook and corner
thereof the brilliant lights sent their shoot
ing rays and the whole face of creation
was transcendant.
Looking at this brilliant display the heart
of the average citizen of Austin was filled
with pride-with that pride that bespoke
the interest he felt in his city and the
wish he had for her success. For an hour
and a half the citizens We're permitted
to gaze at that which might justly be said
to be the dawn of new era in Austin S
history, and then the lights were shut off
as quickly as they had previously been
shot into life, and once again the streets
assumed their darkened attitude.
Last night was but Il test and it proved
emlnenty satisfactory. 1t gave the citi-
zens of Austin the first realization Of the
fact that Austin's electric light plant was
something more than dream. 1t gave
them the first view of that
brilliant day of prosperity that is now
so near at hand for Austin and they GER
tainly had every cause for rejoicing.
AT THE DAM.
After an hour and half's test, which
proved entirely satisfactory, the plant at
the power house was shut down and the
current cut off. There are 81 towers in
the city and last night every one of
them were in operation. Some few of the
lamps refused to burn, but that was to
be expected, as it is next to impossible
to get such large system in working
order at the first trial. Last afternoon
at 6 O'Clock City Electrician Scovil turned
on the connection for the Deaf and Dumb
asylum, after having put in LOG lights.