Article taken from The Columbus Dispatch, August 19, 1895
Portsmouth, O., August 19 - Fire Chief Williamson makes the charge against the electric light company that they do not keep the fire alarm system in proper repair, and that there are circuits upon which it would be impossible to turn in an alarm.
The city electric lights and the care of the fire alarm system were let by contract to the Portsmouth Electric Street Railway and Light company a year ago. The experiment has not been entirely satisfactory, owing to the looseness of the contract in regard to hours during which lights shall burn.
The city will probably take direct charge of its plant again after the expiration of the present contract.