Dynamos and Storms In Waxahachie 1889

In 1889 as Waxahachie began to assimilate to the technological advances of electricity. They had to deal with myths and superstition that surrounded electricity. Did electricity effect the atmosphere when produced by dynamos? Experts were asked their opinions on the possibility of side effects of the new advancement in Ellis County . They assured the citizens that dynamos did not cause the unusual storms that coincided with the beginning of electrical power.

From the Waxahachie Enterprise:

9-6-1889 ELECTRICTY AND STORMS -
What Experts Think of the Effects of Electric Dynamos upon the Elements. The unusually heavy rains that have fallen during the past few weeks have attracted the attention of many throughout the country, who attribute the meteorological storms in part, to the large amount of electricity generated by the numerous dynamos in operation at present.

A Star reporter interviewed Mr. West of the New American electrical arc
light company relative to the cause of the heavy rains, and in response
to questions about the dynamo-electric effects upon the elements, he
said:
"I cannot see how the electricity generated by the dynamos could effect
the elements sufficiently to induce the falling of such heavy rains as we
have had of late. People out in Nebraska and other Western states argue
that the enormous quantity of steel rails laid over the thousands of
miles of surface in the United States have, in a great measure,
exercised-an influence on the elements, through their power of attracting
heat, and conveying the same over a great extent of territory, the rails
also acting as a perfect chain of lightning rods. It is also claimed by
many of the agriculturists of the west that steam generated by
locomotives and the great velocity of railroad trains in traversing the
country has much to do with changing the electrical current. Of course, I
cannot, from a scientific standpoint, authoritatively speak as to the
absolute truthfulness of such statements
'
Mr. Robert Grimshaw, the well know scientific expert of No. 21 Park row,
upon being asked to express his opinion in regard to dynamo electricity
having an effect upon the natural elements, said:
"The amount of electricity used for commercial purposes in the United
States would, as compared with the amount of energy represented by a
single storm, be but as a drop in the bucket, even supposing that it ran to waste and became apparent in the work of storms. As a matter of fact," said Mr. Grimshaw, "of all the currents generated in any dynamo every fraction of its percent is fully accounted for, either as work done by a motor or light in the lamps supplied by the dynamos, or friction and resistance in the machine and the wires carrying the current. It is not all recovered, of course, but it is accounted for as work or waste of some sort in the system, and therefore does not go wandering about trying to disturb the elements. If it did there is not enough of it to amount to anything.

Mr. Benson Wright of No. 118 Liberty street, a well known Boston expert,
said:; " I do not care to express my opinion upon the subject, but I can
emphatically say that the electricity,generated by dynamos has nothing
whatever to do with the storms that have followed each other so rapidly within the last month."

"And There Was Light" in Waxahachie

8-29-1890 "And There Was Light,"
. Several months ago the initiatory steps were taken to establish for
Waxahachie an electric light plant. The people were tired of groping
through darkness, splashing through mud holes and colliding with men,
horses and vehicles and at last women of our enterprising citizens got
together and said: "Let there be light." As a consequence preparations
were soon commenced and last Saturday night ushered in the new era in the
city's history, "and there was light." As the shades of evening began to
hover over the city the electrical current was sent out and incandescent
stars "gleamed in the gloaming." As the evening advanced the lights grew
brighter and the people thronged the streets to witness the inauguration
of the light system.
Many people visited the engine room to see the machinery in operation.
Mr. Frank Moffett was complacently presiding at the dynamo, wearing a
look of satisfaction. Mr. D.M. Glower was here, there 'and everywhere,
showing the people the wonderful workings of electricity. Mr. Glower has
made a study of this branch of physics and while conversing with him one
gets an idea of the philosophical minds of Newton and Franklin. It fell
to the lot of the early thinkers to confine the electrical current, but
it was left for Edison to work out the problem of generation and to D. M.
Glower and his co-disciples to apply this wonderful science to lighting
the streets of Waxahachie and other progressive cities.
The people are to be congratulated on this evidence of progressive push.
There have been a few who seemed disposed to underrate this undertaking
but their mutterings will die away in the,distant valleys and as time
goes on other lights will be placed on the streets and soon the
inconvenience of traveling at night will have passed away."

-Waxahachie Enterprise

Using the information given, if the first day that electricity was used to turn on lights in the city of Waxahachie was the last Saturday from 08/29/1890 (the day of the article) then according to scphillips web page the date would be 08/23/1890. So the first day of Waxahachie's electrification was Saturday August 23, 1890.

JF Strickland and Miss Sallie Martin's Wedding Day

8-30-1889 Orange Blossoms
Wednesday evening a very large congregation assembled at the Methodist
church to witness the marriage of Mr. J. F. Strickland and Miss Sallie
Martin. The house was brilliantly lighted, and long before the hour
appointed for the ceremony had arrived, the house was filled and many
gentlemen failed to get in. Promptly at 7 o'clock word passed down the
line, "They are coming." Every one was in a flutter to get a glimpse at
the beautiful, bride and noble groom.
The bridal party passed up the aisle in the following order: Mr. L.
Buckner and MISS Mabel Meredith, Mr. J. B. Boone and Miss Mollie Briggs-,
the bride and groom, Mr. JT E. Lancaster and Miss Pat Martin, Mr. B. L.
Davis and Miss May Siddons marched to appropriate music. . The
contracting parties took position at the alter, where Rev. M. K. Little,
in a very solemn and impressive manner performed the sacred rite, thus
uniting in hold bonds two noble and loving hearts and lives.
The Enterprise tenders to its young friends, now just launched on
the conjugal seas, its hearty congratulations and wishes for them a happy
and useful life and that they may always find in each other that sweet
consolation so essential to connubial bliss.
The bride is one of Waxahachie's fairest daughters and by her genial
disposition and affable manners has won a place in the hearts of our
society people, and for a long time has been an acknowledged bell in the
social circles of Waxahachie.
_Mr. Strickland is one of Waxahchie's most enterprising merchants and for
business tact, manly conduct, nobility of soul and honesty of purpose,
stands second to no man.
,The bride was dressed in an elegant costume of white India silk,
entraine, decollette and sleeveless - long silver mits reaching to the
shoulders, finished with tastefully arranged^ garnitures of ribbon and
lace. The front of the skirt fell in graceful folds, and the full court
train seemed familiar with every movement of its wearer. The neck was
filled with Point de Alcon lace, reaching to the waist and caught with a
spray of orange blossoms-the same flowers held'in place the delicate
bridal veil as it fell in sweeping folds to the ends of'thetrain. In her
hand she carried a bunch of Marechalniel roses. So beautiful a costume,
on so charming a creature, could not fail to excite admiration.
The Alter - • 8-30-1889
Strickland "and Miss Sallie Martin.

Note a later report states that the wedding took place on August 28th 1889. The Strickland's never had children.

J F Strickland Wedding Gifts

Found this article from the Waxahachie Enterprise. There is a file at Sims Libray that someone put together about J F Strickland (President of the Texas Electric Railwayand first President of the Texas Power and Light), articles in the Waxahachie Enterprise. I found the listing of he and his wife's wedding gifts that were listed a couple days after their August 28th 1889 wedding . A few doubles and toiletries seemed to be a big thing. Also notice that future investor/promoter of the electric interurban railway ,Osce Goodwin, was a bearer of gifts. I wonder if J.F. Dunlap was related to the former JOP of the county, O.E. Dunlap. Also Oscar Dunlap became the President of Citizen's Bank .

9-6-1889 Strickland-Martin.
The following is the list of presents received by Mr. J. F. Strickland and Miss Sallie Martin at their marriage, August 28th, which we were unable to obtain in time for publication last week: Groom to bride, watch and chain studded with diamonds; Mother of bride, antique oak bed room suit; U, T. Buckner, china dinner set; Murr Martin, of Sherman, silver tea service and tray;: Miss Pat Martin, decorated toilet case; Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Tatum, of .Sherman, elegant French mirror with brass frame; Mr. A. C. Kirkpatrick, of Dallas, silver water set Mrs. W.C.Eubank, of Sherman, solid silver card case; Dr. S.D.Moore, of Van Alatyney willow rocker; Mr. Jos. Linz, of Sherman, silver syrup pitcher and plate; Dr. S.W. Moore-and lady, of Van Alstyne, candelabra and individual castor;-, Mr. and Mrs. K.B.Kirkpatric of Dallas, toilet set and jewelry case combined;-. Miss Mary Gregg, of Sherman, silver cake basket; Mrs. M. Kirkpatrick, of Dallas, decorated pin cushion;; Mrs. C.R.Carrick, of Dallas peach blow water set;: Master Jack Kirkpatrick, of Dallas, handkerchief holder; Mr. and Mrs. W. G, Williams, decorated wash stand set;- Messrs. W.J.McDuffie, W.A.Gaither and E. Wallace, smyrna rugs; Mr. and Mrs. C.D.Pickett, antique oak table; Mr. and Mrs. T.A. Ferris* cut glass berry bowl set in silver;; Mr. and Mrs. J.C.Woodlief, silver butter dish;: Mr. and Mrs. H.E.Pickett, smyrna rug;. Graves, Beale & Co., walnut table; Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Metcalf, solid silver spoong; Mr. and Mrs. E.L.Barkley, silver card receiver; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. •Gibson, silver and gold bonbon tray; Mrs. Robt Stacy., hand painted toilet set; Mrs. A. M. Lee, silver sugar spoons; Dr. A.A.Thompson and daughter, silver card receiver and bouquet holder}-. Mr.'J.B.Boone and sister, Maggie, percelain ice pitcher set in silver; Misses .Mollie and Kate Briggs, silver berry bowl; Miss Ruth Parker, pin cushion and sachet bag combined}' Mr. J. Fain, silver pickle castor;- F.P.Powell, E.L.Huffman and T.J.Cole, silver syrup pitcher} G.L.AdkLsson, J.F.Dunlap and Osce Goodwin, complete set of toilet articles; Ed Williams, S.W.Spencer, J. L. McCartney and B. M. Howard, solid silver castor and fruit -stand, combined; J. E. Lancaster, B. L Davis, S. P. Skinner and F. M. Maxwell, silver tea service;- Walter and Lee Penn, willow rocker; Mr. H.B.Kirkpatrick, of Dallas, tow handsome oil paintings; Mrs. Calfee, bridal bouquet; Mrs. M. Smith, of Louisville Ky., silver knives with pearl handles; Mr. Lee Gotten of Waco, silver tooth pick holders lined with gold.