Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-12-23
KEROSENE THE COMING LIGHT
Fifty Years Ago Users of Gas Were Installing Lamps For the
New Light-Prase For Col. Harland- Different Plans
Than Usual For Christmas.

Preparation for Christmas fifty
Years ago did not create the same in
terest as it has in the past week
All minds We're conferred on the war
and all available cash was being turn =
ed to the benefit of the volunteers. IT
was a season when many homes were
missing father or brother or son who
was in the southland or in camp ready
to go there. Christmas was not for
gotten, but it was different celebra
ton that was being planned for than
had been the custom.
Strange as IL may seem, many were
changing from gas to kerosene lights
fifty years ago for the purpose of get
ting improved and cheaper light The
Bulletin was installing kerosene lamps
in preference to gas and took occasion
to refer to the poor ana costly gas that
was furnished then.
1t is interesting to note that on Dec.
p. 1861, it was announced that the
state loan of two million had all been
taken. on Dec. 81, 1911. State Treas
urer Costello Lippitt sold a bond issue
of four miIlion-just fifty years to a
day.
number of the regiments had
moved during the week and others
were preparing to get started. Colonel
Harland received many mplimentary
notices in letters written home.
Change in Light.
Following are items taken from The
Bulletin of fifty years ago:
Dec. IS, 1S61-Alfred B. Rockwell of
this city has been commissioned as
second lieutenant of artillery in Cap
tain BarTy'S battery, Z. S. A. A Pres
ton correspondent writes that it was
Lyman Bromley of Griswold, of Cap
tain Leggett's company, Tenth c. v,
who died at Annapolis of typhoid
Every body who has occasion to light
up very extensively is putting in
kerosene lamps instead of gas burners.
We are trying the experiment in The
Bulletin Office and shall be able in a
week or two to inform our readers
whether the change has been profitable
or not. 1t is not to be denied of
course. that gas Is the most convenient
and affords, if it is of good quality, a
pIeasanter light than OIL but the gas
furnished in this city is of a miserable
quality, costs a most eXtravagant
price, and is not always reliable, so
that under the circumstances kerosene
lights seem to US to be preferred. In
our office the gas bill for the past year
increased most unaccountabIy and we
are forced to make some change or be
eaten UP by them.
Hon. Augustus Brandegee writes to
the New London Star from St Paul,
Mimi, that his health is much i'm
proved, so much so as to render it Ger
tain that he will soon be restored to
health and usefulness.
Agricultural Society Meeting.
Dec. 10, 1s61-The annual meeting of
the New London County Agricultural
society was held in the town hall yes
terday- J. Lloyd Greene was re
elected president. James H. Manwar-
ing of Montville was one of the direc-
tCrs.
A letter from the Fifth regiment. c.
V. states that the regiment is pleas
entity located at Camp Huntington
about three and a half miles from the
city of Frederick Md. Thanksgiving
day was celebrated in camp in true
Connecticut style, a bountiful supply
of the good things of the season having
been provided.
Rev. A. J. Woolley of the Eighth
egiment writes that they are now pro-
vIded with three large hospital tents
and are well supplied with everything
most necessary for the sick. A chapel
has been constructed by the soldiers
Of turf and branches Of trees to &C
-ornmodate 500 to 500 men and a Sun
day school has been organized and is
well attended.