Baden's First 100 YearsPage Fifty-threeof a post, steps and braces, having a hangar on tip to place the latter, which of course at that time were oil burners. Often times the lantern would sway with the wind and flag the trains on the Pennsylvania Railroad which was close by. On complaint of the railroad officials, the government placed a box having three glass sides in which to place the lantern to protect it form swaying. This lighthouse was number 591. To service these lights it was necessary to have tenders for them who were appointed by the government. Their duties were to place a lighted lantern on a hanger at dusk every day and remove it at dawn every morning except on dark foggy days when it would remain up. The French Point light was in charge of "Connie Hill" a former river pilot. He was appointed in 1874 and had continuous charge until 1922, making 48 years of service. The government owned service boats. The "Tender Lily" furnished these light houses with oil. She would deliver the oil to them every three months and beforehand the government would notify, by letter, all tenders to be at their respective lighthouses to receive their supplies on the day set by the letter. The signal of approach of these service boats was one long and three short whistles. It was absolutely necessary for someone to be there when the boat called to receive the supply. The tender received $15 a month for his services. The G.C. "Connie" Hill family consists of five sons and five daughters and also a grandson. All of the boys took turns, as they grew old enough, in caring for this light. The girls helping when necessary. On account of the hazards of the sharp bend in the river and also Green Bar which was nearby, it was necessary for this light to be operational at all times. Even after all these precautions were taken, many barges loaded with coal have hit the "Wing Dam." These dams were placed at intervals along the river to deepen the channel so that steamboat transportation could be carried on most of the year. At the time of the St. Patrick's Day Flood in 1936, many of the light houses had been installed electric lights which were operated by storage batteries concealed in the ground below. At the time of the Flood, however, The old style lanterns proved much more effective and reliable than the electricity. Nearly all of the storage batteries were short circuited and the lights out, while at the same time it was noticed many of lanterns were still burning. Previous to these light houses being placed along the rivers, residents living nearby would leave and oil lamp burning all night in a window of their homes to guide the pilots of the boats past these dangerous places. Mr. Hill had often told as a pilot how he peered through the darkness to find the "light that never failed". The "Goldenrod". Government-owned light house oil service tender boat, serviced the lights after the Trendy Lily was taken out of commission, and the "Greenbriar" followed the "Goldenrod." It was the last of the lighthouse tenders in Baden.
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