Jasper County Democrat, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1902 — Home Heating and Lighting Company. [ARTICLE]

Home Heating and Lighting Company.

Probably no enterprise projected during the entire history of the city has attracted more attention than the proposed erection of Central Station heating and lighting plants by the Homo Heating and Lighting Company. Many changes have been effected in the century that has Just passed that may be summed up In the word CENTRALIZATION. The “Old Oaken Bucket” Is but a n.emery, and we are now supplied with water from a Central Station. The candle, as well as the whale oil atid kerosene lamps ha vs been superseded by artificial gas or electric lights from Central Stations. Natural gas allowed the establishment of a Central Station for the distribution of heat, but with the diminishing supply of gas came the realization that some other and more durable method must be secured. The Home Heating and Lighting Company, having secured a franchise to heat the city by hot water, steam or electricity and to furnish electrlo light and power, have begun the construction of heating and lighting plants for that purpose The plant at the corner of Sixteenth and Alabama-ets. la now finished and la a model of mechanical Ingenuity and laborsaving devices. The building Is an Imposing brick structure with stone trimmings, and the equipment comprises the most modem apparatus on the market. The company has spared no expense to secure the best consulting engineering talent obtainable. Heating a large numher of houses by hot water from a Central Station has proven eminently successful, and we give herewith a brief explanation of the system and the benefits to be derived therefrom. A plant is erected near the center of the territory selected and there the water Is heated and the electricity generated. The hot water Is forced through plpea, which are laid underground and properly Insulated, and through the radiators In the houses. After passing through the radiators the water Is returned by separate main to the station to be reheated. The patron of the company Is saved the expense and annoyance of looking after a furnace; his house Is heated to a comfortable and uniform temperature throughout, safety, economy and comfort being eecured without effort on his part. The number of customers already secured exceeds tho expectations of the company, and Indications point to continued activity In this line for some time to come. The officers and directors are wellknown citizens of Indianapolis—Mr. 8. E. Ranh, the president, being of the firm of E Rauh & Soup, and president of the Belt railroad and etock yards company. Mr. Edward Hawkins, the secretary. Is manager of the Indian school book company, Rnd Is connected with several other large business enterprises In this city. These two gentlemen and Messrs. L. J. Hackney, Crawford Fairbanks and John F. Wild compose the board of directors of the company.