In a Blaze of Light.

  On Wednesday evening the electric plant just completed in the 
Reformatory buildings and on the ten acres of ground connected with it, 
was tested by the contractors and found an entire success.  The grounds 
and the adjacent country for some distance were rendered almost as 
bright as day, and many of our citizens went over to see the beautiful 
sight.  Many points in this city, where the reflection would reach 
without much obstruction, were made quite light.  To Mr. J. S. Conover, 
the superintendent, we are indebted for the following description of 
the plant:
  The light is the Brush system, furnished by J. E. Midall, Pittsburgh.  
In the engine room there are two Ball highspeed automatic engines of 
one hundred horse power, each with perfect regulation, which receive 
steam from a battery of six large boilers of Kelly & Jones Co. pattern, 
which also furnish steam for the entire heating of the buildings.  
There are four dynamos in position to generate the electricity, with a 
capacity of furnishing 60 arc lights of 2000 candle power and 1350 
incandescent lamps - 516 of 8 candle power each for use in the warden's 
houses, offices, school rooms, chapel, dining rooms, kitchen, laundry 
and hospital.  The 60 arc lights will be distributed as follows: 30 on 
poles outside of buildings but inside of main enclosure wall, 4 in 
front of warden's houses, to light up the grounds in front, which have 
just been enclosed by a neat iron fence.  A light will be placed on top 
of the spire of each tower on the four corners of the main wall, which 
will be so high that they can be seen for miles around.  The remaining 
22 will be placed, 2 in the main entrance, 4 in guard room, 15 in the 
three wards, and 1 in boiler room.  The arc lamps are all double carbon 
style and will burn 16 hours.  
  The lights are placed on 12 circuits, with switches so that any 
building can be lit or extinguished from one point; so that an accident 
happening to one circuit would not cripple the others.  Also the 
engines and dynamos can be run coupled or separately.  About 7000 lbs 
of copper was required for wiring.  The plant cost $25,000.
  The warden's house and office are supplied with handsome chandeliers 
of latest pattern, and fitted throughout with electric bells and 
enunciators, the latter having been put in by our townsman, D. S. 
Drake, esq., manager of the Telephone exchange.