The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-02-14

Wheeling's municipal gas works.
that will pass out of existence on and
after March 81. 1916. is one of the
few concerns in the city that received
its original charter under the laws of
the state of Virginia. The story OF
its history. its trials and tribulations.
and its final dismanteling, is one Of
interest throughout-one Of court
proceedings almost from the time it
was Incorporated.
When first started the plant was
not controlled by the city. but by a
private concern known as the Wheel
ing Gas company" which was incor-
porated under the acts OF the general
assembly Of Virginia. March Is. 1850
In a brief filed by Attorney Alfred
Caldwell in the case OF City against
the Gas company. the full text Of the
enactment is given.
Capitalized at $4,000.
This brief shows that the capital
stock Of the concern was to be not
less than $4,000. with the par value
of each share fixed at S25. The in
NuA Ihl dN0lHs Vi COMMISSIONER were
John W. Gill, James Baker. William
T. Selby, John X. Botsford. Ephraim
Pollock. William J. Bates. William
Fleming, James r. Baker and Robert
Crangle.
In this act the city was to subscribe
not less than fifteen thousand dollars
as a part of the capital stock OF the
company 10 be paid in the bonds OF
the city. II was to have full power
10 manufacture and TO sell gas 10 be
made from any or all substances
from which inflammable gas is usual
~ obtained and 10 be used for the
purpose Of lighting the city Of Wheel
Ing generally.
The company, too. was TO have the
exclusive privilege of using the streets
and alleys OF the city OF Wheeling
for the purpose of laying mains for
the conveyance Of gas In and through
the city; this privilege was 10 be
granted by council: the mains were
not TO interfere with water mains
that the street commissioner was "a
have al least one days notice IL any
OF the mains were to be taken up;
and further that they should repair
breaks.
Operates in 1850.
Section seventeen of the act states
that al the end of twenty years II the
city felt that it would like TO acquir,
control of the corporation that q
could do so on the award price o.
three arbitrators 20 be chosen. on,
by council. one by the gas compan,
and the third BY the two OF them
Council at a meeting held April L.
1850. accepted the section. and OF
passed by council giving assent %
the city for the gas company 10 oper
ate. This IS signed in the ordinance
by General Alfred Caldwell mayor o
Wheeling. and James S Wheat. clerk
During the early seventies. al
meeting Of council. Captain John sc
Lure. father Of the present owners %
the Mcclure house. was named a
arbitrator for the council. - M Eof
was named 10 represent the gas CON
pany. and Robert W Woods wa
chosen the third arbiter These mel
held meeting and appraised th
value 81 the Eas works af $40 S37 5f
with the dissenting opinion ~ NJ
EOff This report was adopted D.
council and presented BE- f0 the boar
Of directors % the gas company whic
refused to accept The report
City Takes Possession.
The story goes that Judge Goorr
". Jeffcr.. who was then city soIic
tor acting under fte enactment o.
the company and rho decision 81 Do
arbitrator. proceeded f0 fha raa plan
which was located Wfrr. f D. now
and took summary possession Do
was accompanied bF police officer
Perry Tracey and William Traret