The record-union., 1896-12-02
FIRST ONE In THE WORLD.
4 SaWmill Run by Directly Transmitted
Electricity.
The Motors of FOlsOm's New Industry
Started Its Saws Yes
terday.

If the shades of Benjamin Franklin
could visit this county and look around
this city and extend its trip to folsom,
1t would look in wonder on the vista or
accomplished facts and future possl-
billties to which the key he tied 10
his kite string one memorable day hao
unlocked the door.
In early days the little town OF FOL
som was a prosperous mining town.
surrounded by gold digglngs that
brought millions to the lucky prospect
ors, and many old miners on their re-
turn East no doubt gave it reputation
in their respective localities and to the
families Of those who brought nome
their pile dug from its ravines and
gulches it was no doubt name TO be
cherished But the claims "petered
OUT and other and more attractive
diggingS were sought and Folsom
from being a hamlet that cast over
1000 votes on election day died down
and became a dead place, scarcely
known abroad except as the place near
where the State Prison was situated.
For the last two years, however, the
names of Folsom and Sacramento have
been Joined together in a manner that
has given them a worldwide reputa
ton among scientific and practical men
and they enjoy the proud distinction of
having set an example to the whole
world that will be followed by many
imtators.
Brainy. nervy men conceived the idea
of binding the spirit of the restless
al oh n
dering it's resistless power obedient to
the touch of their fingers. Their failure
was freely prophesied, but like the i'm
mortal four who united the East and
the West with iron bands running over
the tops of the Sierras, they held their
faith steadfast and did not suffer the
croakers to dishearten them.
A year ago last September their Wis
ions were realized and the handle on
the switchboard in Sacramento was
touched that made the big motors re-
vOlve through the energy generated by
the Imprisoned waters at Folsom. The
whole world rang with the splendor of
the achievement and even majestic
Niagara was distanced in the race.
The forerunner of this triumph and
its foundation was work commenced a
generation ago by H. G. Livermore and
his associates, when they began the
construction of the canal that conveys
the water taken from the American
River down by the doors of the prison.
finally reaching the present power
house. One of his sons is now aSso-
ciated with another enterprise, which
yesterday reached a definite stage Of
fruition.
This was the formation of the Amer
fcan River Land and Lumber Company,
of which A. j. Ralston is President
II. p. Livermore Manager, Joshua
Barker Secretary and Albert Gallatin
John Treadwell and James Treadwe!l
their associates. J. w. Hall is the local
agent in this city and John Ainsworth
Superintendent of the mill at Folsom
Yesterdays event alluded to was the
starting of the big sawmill built by the
company at Folsom, the first sawmill
in the world ever run by directly trans
mitted electric power.
Everything had been put in readiness
the night before, and the motors started
TO see that all things were in working
order for starting the saws in the morn
ing, and yesterday morning number
Of FOlsOm's citizens who had found cut
that the mill was to be started for the
first time We're on hand, as well as a
Record Union" reporter who had also
heard of the fact.
At the appointed hour two of the
lumbermen, with pike in hand picked
out logs suitable for the initial saving
and they were drawn up the chute from
the pond below and rolled on the table.
The switch was touched and the big
saw began its work, smoothly and even
ly. The machinery began to turn as
easily and quietly as if, instead of be-
ing new and untried, 1t had become
used to its business, and everything
went on without a hitch. Those pres
ent We're much pleased and expressed
themselves rs confident that a new era
had dawned for Folsom and that when
the box factory and planning mill that
the company proposes to start in the
near future are under way the pros
perity of the town viii be assured
DIRECT POWER.
As the motive power comes from the
power house. the proper place to begin
the description will be there 1t has
been so fully described heretofore in
lHSSe tb!ulIUS IEdL II neeQS only a
passing allusion.
Four big generators of 5000 horse
power each supply the necessary power
for light and motive power here in Sac
ramento. But they do more than this
They supply the power to run the mill
and viii, in the near future, supply
power to run a box factory and plan
ing mill also, besides other industries
that will doubtless spring up in Fol-
som on account of the saving by the ap-
plication of direct power over that of
long transmission.
The company built only one power
house in the beginning, which IS at
present able to supply more power than
is needed in Sacramento, its night ca
pacity. when full loads are used. ex-