1904

ELECTRICITY BECOMING POPULAR

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A thinly-disguised plug for the power company. The Press Democrat didn’t even run gas water heater ads, which were a mainstay over at the Republican newspaper.

USES TO WHICH THE “JUICE” IS UTILIZED
ELECTRIC COOKING UTENSILS ARE BEING INTRODUCED IN THIS CITY
Electric Irons at the Laundry — All Kinds of Motive Power in Various Establishments at Present

Electricity as a substitute for domestic fuel is an accomplished fact but its use has not yet reached Santa Rosa. Manager Decker of the Santa Rosa Electric Lighting Company, however, not to be behind the time [sic] has ordered a full line of electric cooking and heating apparatus and will soon have it on display at the company office here.

Already the White Star Laundry has installed electric irons for ironing that is done by hand. These irons are clean, of uniform heat and always ready, no time being lost in going after them or in preparing them for use. The cost is very light. An iron will not use 400 Watts per hour and as electricity for such use comes under the head of power the cost is only two cents.

The extensive use to which electricty is being put as motive power in Santa Rosa is little realized by the majority of citizens. The Santa Rosa Flour Mills have discarded steam for electricty and now use a 50 horse power motor. The Santa Rosa Shoe Manufacturing Company which opened its factory yesterday drives all of its machinery by a twenty horse power motor.

[Other businesses listed with 15, 7.5, and 5HP electrical motors]

Many of the stores have one-half power motors to run coffee grinders, but the latest and most improved is the one at Cooper’s grocery story which is a motor and grinder combined, there being no belt connections.

– Press Democrat, December 16, 1904

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BURBANK DOES NOT EMPLOY EVERYONE

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Among the lucky few working for Burbank a few years later would be young Hilliard Comstock.


BURBANK DOES NOT EMPLOY EVERYONE
GETS HUNDREDS OF LETTERS ANNUALLY FROM PERSONS ASKING FOR JOBS
Would be Exceedingly Pleasant to Him if He Could Employ the Army Who Apply to Him For Help

From the vast number of applications for positions which come to Luther Burbank the wrong ideas has gone abroad that he employs a great number of men. The correspondence that reaches him is probably greater than that which reaches any of the largest employment bureau in the country. So arduous did the task of answering all the letters and cards become that Mr. Burbank since found it necessary to have the following slip printed and there has been a generous distribution of the same:

“Dear Sir: In reply to yours of . . . . . . . . . . . : The constant stream of applications from all directions for a position have necessitated this printed slip, as I do not wish to be considered thoughtless in regard to these worthy applications; not one in ten thousand of which can be complied with, as I employ my neighbors only, most of them have been with me for many years, and cannot give steady employment of these even, and have no possible place for any one else. It would be exceedingly pleasant to me if I could employ the army who apply. My kindest and most heartfelt wishes are that each may find the employment desired. Sincerely yours —– “

– Press Democrat, December 22, 1904

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LUTHER BURBANK, CHAUFFEUR

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Automobile models are rarely specified in the newspapers of the day, so while the Burbank ancedote is charming, it’s not the reason for inclusion of this item. The Olds runabout (not “roundabout”), was the best selling car at the time. It cost $650, and its 7 horsepower engine had a top speed of 18MPH.

BURBANK TO BE A CHAUFFEUR
Auto Arrives For the Horticulturist Wednesday — Secret of His Desire for Machine

Luther Burbank is to possess an automobile. The famous horticulturist is to cast aside his arduous work with flowers and fruits just long enough to become initiated into the mysteries of the horseless carriage; just long enough to become an expert chauffeur; and this to save time for his favorite pursuit in the end.

George C. Schelling went to Petaluma Wednesday morning to obtain the automobile which Mr. Burbank is to own. The machine was shipped to that place by steamer Tuesday and Mr. Schelling will guide it to Santa Rosa. He will also instruct Mr. Burbank in its proper guidance. The auto is an Oldsmobile of the roundabout [sic] variety.

There is really a little secret in connection with Mr. Burbank’s desire for an auto. To be sure it will save considerable time in trips back and forth from the local grounds to his experimental grounds at Sebastopol, but Mr. Burbank confesses that this advantage is not the only one which influenced his decision to become a chauffeur. The electric railroad was a potent factor in influencing that decision. While Mr. Burbank’s association with natural life in its milder forms has been perhaps closer than that of any other man living or dead, he has somewhat neglected the sterner forms, including the equines. The prospect, therefore, of racing along the Sebastopol road, not knowing whether his horse or the electric cars would beat, has no allurments [sic] for him, hence the automobile, guaranteed not to frighten at trains, no matter what may be its fondness for fences.

– Santa Rosa Republican, July 27, 1904

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