The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1917-01-26
THE GAS is ON"
THERE'S JOY AT HOME

'ho SdS ldlulHe WHICH prevailed III
Paris since the break in the big gas
main of the Central Kentucky Natural
Gas Company last Monday morning
was relieved about $50 o'clock Tues
day afternoon, when the return of the
precious article of fuel and illumina
ton was heralded by the striking of
the big tower bell on the roof of the
Paris fire department. There had been
two days of doubt and anxiety, mingled
with touch of both comedy and near
tragedy, giving the situation a tinge %
both sadness and joy A short time
after the glad tidings passed from one
place to another that "the gas is OH
there was a concerted rush to test tn ,
good news, and incidentally, tho ga,
pressure
Out at the city limits where the pipe
line comes into Paris by way of the
Cllntonville pike, Superintendent G..
+. Steenbergen, of the Paris Gas &
Electric Co., anxiously waited for the
"tell-tale" that would indicate the re-
turn of the pressure, and Immediately
sent word into the city. The pressure
was very weak at first, but gradually
grew stronger, until at night it was al
for nek-ly two days been without
means of getting fuel and heat expert
enced a great relief. Persons who had
not eaten a meal at home since Mon
day morning were enabled to get ac-
quainted with the family table again.
The gas was turned on in the pipes
in the field Tuesday morning after the
damage at Slate Creek. in Montgomery
county, had been repaired, but an hour
later the workmen were compelled to
return and turn off the supply. A sec.
ond break had occurred in the line
while it was being tested, and it be-
came necessary to repair that before
consumers could be supplied. At noOh
the gates were closed. and Superin-
tendent Steenbergen made the an
nouncement that the gas would prob
ably be turned on by night. The gates
OF the pipe line in the field were open
ed again at $3.50 o'clock and the pumps
were set to work bringing the pressure
up to normal. and now it's all right
again.
During the morning and afternoon
the office force of the Paris Gas d
Electric CO. was beseiged with inQui
ries as 70 just what hour the gas would
be turned on again, and they very
courteously gave out what information
they had that woult DE of any prac
tical value. The patrons of the local
cdnpany were very patient, realizing
the fact that the Paris Gas q Elec-
trio Co. was not responsible for the
trouble and had been doing all in their
power TO get accurate information as
10 when the service would be resumed.
The public fully realized the delicate
situation in which the local company
Rad been unavoidably placed througl
the unfortunate break in the pipe line,
ard acted accordingly. The local office
handled the situation in an admirable
manner and Superintendent Steenber-
gen aud his assistants are entitled ID
their fair share of credit.
A sufficient amount of gas for the
consumer is now assured and reports
from headquarters state that there will
be no further trouble. The pressure
being carried on the pipe line is al
most at normal again, the company
deeming it best to increase the press
ure gradually, rather than run the
risk of another break in the pipe line
by increasing the pressure too hurri-
edly. The pressure in the city mains
is somewhat higher than that main
tanned in the pipe line, and fiuctuates
considerably according to the amount
of gas used.
There was an amusing side TO the
situation, though it may not have ap-
pealed very strongly to the sense OF
humor of some who were caught with
out the means of getting their meals.
In many localities, housekeepers who
we're fortunate in having coal ranges
we're visited by their less fortunate
neighbors, bearing coffee pots, buckets
and other household utensils, for the
purpose Of getting a wee bit of break
fast for the man OF the house before
he vert to his daily toll. Restaurants
were crowded with customers who hal
been used to getting their daily meals
AT home. and each new arrival had a
tale IF woe TO tell. The gloom was a.
thick as a London fog and nothing
short of the return Of the gas service
could dispel it.