Both Generators

Went “Bump,” and Users Were Pat to

Considerable

Inconvenience.

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EXPERT PIPE

FITTERS BROUGHT HERE BY AUTO

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First Time Since Plant Was Incepted That

Flow of Gas Was

Stopped for Any

Considerable Period.

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Industry and housewives were compelled to forgo the use of gas from Monday morning about nine o’clock until Wednesday morning. The cause of the sensation of the functioning of this public utility was that both generators “blew up” and could not be operated. Thursday morning of last week one of the generators went out of commission and the word was passed around to consumers that there might be a cessation in the flow of gas for several hours until gas could be manufactured in the second generator. But fortunately the flow was sufficient to supply the needs of industry and the residents of New Ulm until gas was generated from the second generator.

Second One Goes Out.

The second generator “went out” Monday morning and this time there was no alternative of hooking up with another, as there had been delays in repairing the first one, and gas ceased to flow about nine o’clock.

Considerable Inconvenience.

The functioning of a public service necessity is not missed until it ceases. Then it is a near-calamity. The lack of gas caused many housewives to set cold dinners before their families Monday noon; it put the linotypes in the printing offices in New Ulm out of business; the hair dressing establishments were also hard hit and in many ways the business establishments and householders were put to considerable inconvenience.

Coal oil and gasoline stoves were dragged out of attics and basements and put into commission, and in many homes the old reliable ranges were fired up and used to assist in preparing the meals. Restaurants report that increased trade was noticed during the non-gas days.

First Time Since Inception.

This is the first time since the inception of the gas plant in New Ulm over ten years ago that there has been any break in the service for any considerable time. Some four years ago, because of a main bursting, the gas had to be turned off for a short time, but this was something that could not be avoided and which did not inconvenience the customers of the New Ulm Gas Co. to any extent.

Experts Secured.

Experts from the Twin Cities were secured and they came to New Ulm by automobile Monday afternoon. There was no cessation in the work of placing new flues in one of the generators until the task was accomplished. Work was carried on night and day until one generator was repaired and ready for duty.

Hotels and Restaurants.

The hotels and restaurants of the city were hard hit by the lack of gas. Gas is used exclusively at the Dakota House for cooking, and a coal range had to be installed. At the Grand the gas range was out of commission and Manager Morgan finally secured a small stove upon which the meals were cooked. A coal range which was fortunately in the Northwestern hotel was used until the flow of gas was on Wednesday morning. The restaurants of the city had the usual amount of difficulty in getting adjusted.

Bakeries Also on the List.

The bakeries of the city also had their share of grief. Gas is used for heat under the boiler in the Eibner & Son bakery and this caused a condition, which had to be remedied. A gasoline stove was pressed into use at the Weneeda bakery upon which to prepare meals.

Trouble at Hospitals.

At the Loretto hospital meals were prepared on a coal stove and at the Union hospital a gasoline stove was used. At the New Ulm Steam laundry ironing was done by the aid of electric irons. Considerable of the work in the laundry was held over until Wednesday.

Brown County Journal,

Aug. 7, 1925

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