In a message dated 99-04-16 22:56:24 EDT, Lawrence Kestenbaum writes:

> manufactured coal gas, which was
>  considerably more deadly than today's natural gas, because of higher
>  carbon monoxide content.  It was used in the 19th and early 20th centuries
>  for lighting and maybe cooking, not for heating

I have seen coal gas used for heating gas irons to press clothes and such.

-Heidi