In 1900, prior to electricity being available, it was customary for small towns such as Gramby to furnish lighted streets for its citizens. A lamp lighter lit the lamps about dusk and kept them burning for a specified period...midnight or dawn (?) Natural gas was used where available. If not, I suspose kerosine was the fuel. Per "Tidbits from Neosho and Newton County Missouri" Articles from 1899 and 1900 speak of the cold weather. Feb 16, 1899 "The coldest weather ever recorded in this section was experienced here this week when the thermometer dropped to 30 degrees below zero. Ice 12 inches thick is being cut out and stored in the Neosho ice houses." Feb 22, 1900 "Friday night was the coldest of the winter, the thermometer at the Government Fish Hatchery registering 4 degrees below zero." Jan 16, 1900 "Kerosene oil dropped in price in Neosho from 14 cents to 11 1/2 cents last week. This drop was caused by a visit from a Joplin Wagon representing a rival of the Waters Pierce Oil Co. which has a monopoly of Neosho." May 2, 1907: An article about a large electric plant to be built in Neosho Ice Company's plant. July 7, 1907: The Gas Ordinance Passed, to franchise gas supplier.