On August 31st, 1876, the first gas company was organized with J. P.
Smith as President; John Nichols, Treasurer and J. Q. St. Clair,
Secretary. A franchise was granted the company. On November 26th. a
contract was entered into with John Lockwood, of New Jersey, to
construct the works and lay the mains. Some idea of the extent of the
plant can be gathered from the fact that it was to cost $20,000. The
plant was added to from time to time, as the demand for light increased,
until the entire business section was supplied with gas. The works were
finally sold to a new company of which Mr. H. C. Scott, of St. Louis,
was the principal owner, and it remained under his control until sold to
the Fort Worth Light & Power Co., and it in turn transferred the
property to the present company.