Smyrna times., 1897-12-01
ACCIDENT TO THE LIGHT PLANT.
The Town In Darkness Friday Night-Town
Council Meets-Chief Engineer Ma
breY Resigns.

brey Resigns.
The town was left in darkness on
Friday night by an accident at the
Electric Light Plant, caused by the
burning out of two ''armatuIe coils" in
the dynamos. At the time the Town
Council was in session and the minutes
of the previous meeting were just be-
ing read Secretary Anthony, who is
also chairman of the Light and Water
Committee, at once went into the hose
room to find out the trouble, when the
answer came back that something was
the matter with the dymanos. 1t was
not long before he was down working
on the damaged machinery. Council
men FAIRIES and Cummins, on learning
that the dynamos could be run on a
| light load, went around to all the tax
ers and notified them that if they would
turn on half the lights and leave the
other half turned off, that they could
have light in a short while. The sud
den darkness caused some little excite
ment for the time being. The Kings
Daughters were holding a ''Pound
Garment" party at the residence of
Mrs. w. A. FAIRIES and the house was
well crowded. At the Opera House
dog trainer was giving a show. The
sudden extinction of light caused con
fusion at both places The accident oc-
CURED between eight and nine o'clock,
and by prompt action on the part of the
light and water committee the lights
were turned on about an hour later.
Most of the stores and business places
which were dependent upon the light
closed up early.
The Town Council met again and
finished business. President Hoffeck-
er and all the members were present.
The following bills were allowed:
General Electric Co..........S 38. so
Vallee Bros. Observation-Disclosures. 6.97
Constable Pratt. t............. 1918
Total. .....................$ So. Il
The bill of Constable Pratt caused
some lively debate. The amount $40. .18
was for the fine and costs of the recent
| law suit between Policeman Garner
and a colored man, William H. Todd,
which was tried before Magistrate f.
V. Cooper. Every member stood by
the Policeman and they payed his fire
and costs Their view against such
proceedings were very strong.
The committee appointed to take
bond of Collector Baggs, submitted
the same properly signed and drawn
up.
The resignation of Albert F. Mabrey,
who a few weeks ago was appointed
Chief Engineer of the Light and Water
Plant, was read. He gaveas his reason
that his wife did not care to leave Phil
adelphia. On motion it was accepted
and left in the hands of the Light and
Water Committee to select some suita-
BILE applicants for the place.
The rest of the meeting was taken
up in discussing the extent of the dam
ages to the dynamos and the most ad-
visable means to take in having it re-
paired. The next day Secretary An
thony got through connections with
the Westinghouse Manufacturing Co.,
at Pittsburg, Pa, talked with them
personally over ''Dunn's" long dis
tance phone, and ordered two
coils sent at once with a man to put
them in. The parts were boxed imme-
diately and sent. One of their men
they were using in Philadelphia was
ordered here and Monday came down.
Unfortunately the manufacturers fail
ed to put an insulator in, causing that
part to be sent for and the delay of an
other day or so in having it repaired.
The machinist said that the accident is
one that occurs when you least expect
it. The damage will cost the town con
siderable.