Document text
Mail Tribune 100, Oct. 11, 1922 By Alissa Corman Oct 11, 2022 12:00 AM A A News from 100 years ago The following news items were drawn from the archives of the Mail Tribune 100 years ago Oct. 11, 1922 GAS BECOMING POPULAR HERE A complete system of pipe lines which will afford residences and business offices with gas for heating and cooking has been promised Medford by the new Southern Oregon Gas company and prospects of such a system are already materializing. Over $30,000 has already been expended in a comparatively recent period for development at the gas plant near Voorhies Crossing near this city. Medford gas is made from fuel oil, purified by what is known as oxide purification which removes all traces of sulfur. It is then compressed to a high pressure and distributed to the consumer through over 53 miles of mains. Few of the consumers ever think of the men who toil night and day every day of the year in these plants working in extremely high temperatures. Their one thought and purpose is to keep the gas from going out. In fact the slogan, “The gas must not go out” keeps them on the job in all weather and at all hours. Few people, in walking through Medford streets, realize the extent of the system of hidden pipes beneath their feet, which carry the valuable gas from the plant to the consumer, giving them constant, efficient fuel for cooking and heating. Complete new management of the old Oregon Gas and Electric company in the persons of Thomas D. Petch, vice president and general manager, and N. E. Bohall, general superintendent and engineer has made the newly organized Southern Oregon Gas company one of the most progressive of Medford business firms. Both Petch and Bohall are well known in this city having lived here several years. They are sparing no resources or energy in putting over this gas campaign in real style. Already many local firms are installing gas for heat, in addition to many residences. ... Those in charge of the Southern Oregon Gas company are encouraged over the hearty response accorded the efforts to supply gas on a large scale in Medford. NEW SECRETARY LOCAL Y. W. C. A. TAKES CHARGE Miss Nell McKeen of Mason City, Iowa, will arrive this week to take up the duties of general secretary of the local Y. W. C. A. Miss McKeen comes very highly recommended both by the national board and by the fields in which she has worked. She has had three years’ experience as general secretary, one year in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and two years in Kearney, Nebraska. Medford has been without at Y. W. C. A. secretary during the summer, the standing committees carrying on the work in a very creditable manner. But now that the school year has begun and the various Y. W. C. A. organizations are renewing their activities the need for a general secretary is keenly felt. We shall welcome Miss McKeen at this time and trust that Medford will continue to give hearty support to its splendid Y. W. C. A. organization and to those in direct charge of it. — Alissa Corman; [email protected]