Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1916-07-27
BEGGS BUYS
PLANT
BARABOO GAS G. ELECTRIC COM
PANY INTERESTS ARE AC-
0UIRED BY NEW COR
PORATION

The John I. Beggs' interests have
at last succeeded in buying the Bara-
boo Gas & Electric company plant, for
which they have negotiated for some
time, and the property has been for
mally transferred to the Wisconsin
Power, Light, Heat & Gas company
of which Mr.. Beggs is president. The
new owners have not yet indicated
just when they will take up the active
management of the property, but will
probably do so soon.
1t was stated in this paper some
time ago that the BaraboO plant would
probably be merged with number Of
other plants in this locality which, it
is said, now include Portage, North
freedom, Reedsburg, Ableman, Poy-
nette, Beaver Dam, Kirkwood, Airing.
ton, De Forest, Windsor, Cambria,
Markesan, Ripon, Rio Randolph and
other places. 1t is understood that
the company that has acquired the
BarabOO plant proposed to extend
transmission lines from the power
plants on the Wisconsin river at Kill
bourn and Prairie du Sac to the vari.
Gus places mentioned, and 20 supply
electric current from these big plants.
A trust deed providing for the issu-
ance of bonds in the sum of $20,OOO,-
900 has been filed with the register
Of deeds in a number of counties
where the new corporation expects to
operate. The bonds run for 80 years
and shall pay five per cent interest.
The company, it is indicated from the
document, proposes to do a general
business in electricity and gas.
History of 5araboo Plant
The history Of the Baraboo plant is
interesting and it has had more or
ess of a precarious existence at times.
1t was some thirty odd years ago
when Baraboo had its first electric
lights. There were two rival factions
trying to install a system, with Fred
lang, who was then mayor, as leader
IF one faction, and Dr. J. f. Sneathen
Ind Mark and Will Warren among the
)ther prime movers. 1t seems that
wO sets of holes were dug and at the
lead of night, f. G. Marriatt remem.
)ers he, with Charles Wild, now a res.
dent of GAINESVILLE, Harry Abbott and
}thers, some of Whom have passed
way, installed the first electric light
oles in Baraboo. Some of the poles
we're put up in the rival factions holes
ut it mattered not, and in the morn.
ng the residents of the city were as
onished to behold the erected poles.
| three-hundred-light plant was the
rst in use in the city
The late William Hopkins was act
We owner for a number of years dur,
lg the infancy of a larger plant, and
uring his regime it prospered. Aft |
his death the stock was sold to diff !
arent parties and finally the business
ent into bankruptcy. B. H. Strong,
ow of AntigO was then manager of
le company and was later appointed
9ceiver, and for many years the busi-
ess was conducted under his manage
ent
About four years ago the interests
the gas and electric plant were ac-
Tired by the Baraboo Gas & Electric
mpany, with E. A. Potter, president
the company. He was assisted in
,e organization and rebuilding of the
araboo plants by E. F. Potter, who
,ok over the active management for
}me time, being succeeded by his ia.
!er, w H. Potter, who resides on
.urth avenue. The retiring owners
tie that they leave this field and
S community with sincere regret.
I'd have the highest appreciation of
kindly and cordial feeling mani
sted by the citizens of Baraboo
Will the Price Be Lower
Just what effect the securing of
wer from the big dams will have on
e price Of current remains to be
en-, but the impression prevails that
people of Baraboo will benefit by
lower rate. Dane and Lodi which
ceive their power from Prairie du
&C. are finding that they are paying
an average of about three cents per
lowat for thei1 current at their re-
living stations. These villages are
failing the current to private con.
mers on sliding scale, running
ON IL cents per kilowat hour down
ard. The average for residence light