Kentucky Utilities Comes To Marion

 From the archives of The Crittenden Press, the beginning of a brighter future for Marion and it's occupants is told. The new owners of the Electric Light Company has some new plans to make the company grow.

Feb. 12, 1926 – Marion Plant sold to K. U.

Announcement was made last Wednesday night of the sale of the Marion Electric Light system, which has been owned by S. M. Jenkins for over twenty years. The Kentucky Utilities Company is the purchaser, and their taking over of the plant here marks another step in the extension of their transmission lines and service over the western part of the state.

 

The Electric Light Company was first organized twenty five years ago, and for the first four years was a corporation of Marion citizens. At that time they had only about a dozen customers, the people seeming very unwilling to rely on electric lights. As an inducement to get them to install electricity in their homes, the company offered free wiring to all new customers.

 

In 1901 S. M. Jenkins purchased the interest of his brother in law, J. W. Wilson and since that time the business has been under the sole ownership of Mr. Jenkins, who has furnished the people of Marion with an excellent lighting service.

 

When the system was first organized there was a daily service of only ten hours. In 1922, a twenty-four hour service was added. With the addition of the twenty-four hour service Marion possessed an electric lighting system that was the equal of any small town system in the state. Marion for the past several years has had the reputation of being one of the best lighted small towns any where.

 

From a small beginning of a very few customers the system has grown until it serves daily over four hundred people. Since the addition of the twenty-four hour service three years ago, may people have added other electrical equipment to their homes and places of business. This was impossible when there was only night service. Nearly every home possesses at least an electric iron, many of them have several other pieces of electrical equipment as well. There are several businesses in town that have machinery run by electric power.

 

G. U. Dollar, who has charge of the light plant during the day has been with the company practically ever since it was established twenty-five years ago. John Travis, who has charge of the plant at night has also been an employee of the company for about the same length of time. Robert Jenkins has been electrician, wiring and trouble man since the World War, during which time he served as a radio operator.

The Kentucky Utilities assumed management of the system as of Feb. 1, 1926. Mr. Jenkins will remain for some months at least in charge of the local plant. The Utilities Company will in a few months bring transmission lines, 18 miles in length from Princeton to Marion. They will probably supply electricity to Crider, Fredonia, Crayne and Mexico, the high tension line passing just to the north of these towns.

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April 23, 1926 – First Electric Range

The first electric range to be installed in Marion was put into operation this week in the home of Mrs. W. P. Hogard, on North Main Street. The range is a Westinghouse Junior, with automatic heat control and Mrs. Hogard has reported that she is delighted with the results obtained with this modern kitchen device. It is not only beautifully designed range that will ornament any kitchen, but is a far step in reducing work for the lady of the house.

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Nov. 5, 1926 – New Office

The Kentucky Utilities Company formally opened their new local office last Thursday. The office, located in the Woman's Club building, is attractively arranged and on their opening day was kept thronged with visitors both from Marion and out of town, who came to look over the display of labor saving devices.

 

A group of officials from Louisville, Greenville, Princeton, Clay and other places where the Kentucky Utilities Company has offices were present to greet the people of Marion, whom they serve with electric power and light.

 

Each visitor to the office was asked to register and was given a number for the drawing to be held later in the day. Winner of the electric iron was Mrs. C. M. Mahan, and J. W. Daughtrey held the number for a new table lamp.

 

The local office of the Kentucky Utilities is under the management of L. K. Van Arsdel, assisted by Mrs. Lillie Shrode.

 

In December 1926, the City Council approved a contract with the Kentucky Utilities Company permission to change the town's lighting system to all up to date series system. When the new system is installed all of the street lights in Marion will burn all night instead of the moon light schedule at present.

 

In 1928 Mr. Inos Stallins came to Marion from Princeton, as "trouble man" for the Kentucky Utilities Company, he was soon promoted to Manager. He served as manager until 1937 when he was transferred to the Sturgis office, and Trice Yates, who had been book keeper at the local office was appointed manager to succeed Mr. Stallions. 

 

Other local managers over the years included: Clarence Wright, Orville Love, Denzil Hunt, John Ramsey and Ronnie Marshall. KU closed it's Marion office in 2000 and relocate it to the Eddyville location.

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