[D8839ACD], Letter from Willis N Stewart to Thomas Alva Edison, September 26th, 1888
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Title
[D8839ACD], Letter from Willis N Stewart to Thomas Alva Edison, September 26th, 1888
Editor's Notes
"Three years ago you asked me to 'stick' to the electric light business in Chile, in the hope that better times might come. I have 'stuck' doing my daily work to the best of my ability, & neither troubling yourself or the Edison Electric Light Co. with any suggestions, complaints or communications of any kind whatever. The net result of this three years of labor-for me-is ruined health, loss of money & a transfer of all I have worked hard to attain to the hands of others, who never had nor have at present any real interest in the business. I am at present Superintendent of a small station in Concepcion, which is earning $300 per month with 1100 lamps of 10 candles & has never had an interruption in the light even during the tempests familiar to this latitude. I leave her on the 20 of next month for New York (where I should arrive November 26) with the object of purchasing two No. 20 dynamos + corresponding material for an extension of the plant. I have therefore acomplished what no one else has done-viz. a successful station in Chile, and with this my ambition is quite satisfied. ### My object in writing this is to ask you to keep me in mind in case occupation is offered in some climate less severe than that of New York. In seven years of labor I think I know how to make a good installation, as my work in this city shows. I have studied constantly + have been supplied with all new data. I was offered by Mr. Ladd a chance in San Francisco when a start is made there, + hope that you may recommend me for that place. ### I had hoped that you might have given me the agency in Chile for the new Phonograph, which would have put me on my feet once more, but as my letters on this subject remain unanswered I conclude that you have made other arrangments. ### The successful financial results of this small station have aroused a general interest in electric lighting in Chile + Grace + Co. should do a good business if they will get a good engineer to make installations. This Co, refuse to do business with them on account of reasons stated to Mr. Johnson by the Directory. It will be useless to answer this, as I shall be in New York before a letter could reach here; I therefore only ask you to bear in mind."
Author
Recipient
Mentioned
Date
1888-09-26
Type
Folder/Volume ID
D8839-F
Microfilm ID
123:749
Document ID
D8839ACD
Publisher
Thomas A. Edison Papers, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University