The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-04-19
COMPLETE GAS
. SERVICE HERE
Carolina Central Gas 60.
Supplies City With
Butane Product

Rave a plant in which this popular
fuel is produced by new and
economical process. The fuel used
here is known as Butanc ga, and
q complete service for all house
hold uses Is maintained.
. Turning back the pages of the
industry to about 1909, it is learn
ed that John Baptist van Heimont
OF Brussels discovered what was
called "a wild spirit" II was
gaseous distillation from wood OF
charcoal. Some few years later,
in about 1867, natural 9aS was
discovered by Thomas Shirley Al
sc about this time, what is now
thought of as natural gas, was dis
covered in various parts Of the
country. In cel tain sections villag-
ers became intoxicated with its
fumes and appointed a pries5eSs
to communicate with this god, as
it was called, and built temples.
Thus, for example, the Oracle Of
Delphi became famous.
In about 1870, Dr.. John Clay
ton discovered that by heating
COAL. which he called shelly
COAL" in a vessel, a spirit which
issued out caught fire at the flame
of a candle" Many years of SUI
perstitionS past, and some 50
years later in April. 1902, in
Great Britain, a public display OF
the New Light" was made which
attracted wide attention.
Later. Frederick Albert WmSon.
after years Of opposition and rid
icule, formed the first gas COM
pany. in London, England. It was
in April, 1872, that Parliament
granted a charter to his company.
Gas for commercial use was in
troduced in America in 1916 when
the streets of Baltimore were
lighted with gas. Also in 1916. the
first Gas. company was organized
in the United States.
Development of the use Of gas
fer lighting was slow, and it was
rot until 1865 to 1875 that much
gas was used for home lighting.
Also about this time. it was disrov-
cred that gas could be used for
cooking and in about 1895, when
improved methods of manufacture
were discovered and rates lower
ed. gas for cooking became more
generally used.
b Since the. development OF. gas
fer. cooking and heating purposes
m9Ch progress has been made and
today millions Of homes use gas
for cooking. water heating, refr;,SS-.
Grafton and all heating purposes.
In 1928 and 1929, new gas
was discovered. This was known
as Butane gas. 1t is a gas made
by the cracking" of raw oil at
refineries. This process develops
q, LIQUID which can be loaded III
specially built tank ears and ship ,
ped to gas distributing points.
= This new gas has opened a new
field to the gas industry as it per
nnits the distribution Of gas in
small cities on such an economical
basis as to. be profitable to: the
gas companies.
Hendersonville was one Of the
very first cities to take advantage
of this situation. In June. 1880. !
gas was turned on here, and the
company reports very satisfactory
progress.
Butane gas, as explained above, |
is q liquid and is shipped under /
pressure in tank cars. 1t is unload
ed into local storage tanks and
then by simple, automatic equip
ment-is transformed into useahlc
gas. It is then piped direct to
the consumer. This gives Hender-
sOnvifle complete gas service. Con-
siGerably less land, buildings, ;
equipment and labor are used in !,
The producing of Butane gas thani
in the production of coal or Wa
ter gas. The local plant is near /
the Wing. Paper Box factory. in |
LenOX Park.
Previous to the adaptability Of /
Rctane to commercial Gas. it was
tasted at refineries where gaSo-
Inc is made. 1t has been estimated
that fifty million barrels of this |
and other valuable Hydrocarbons
;ltes eseape,ls anHuallyi and their
ne in small gas plants is hailed |