Exhibit 4.01
LACLEDE GAS COMPANY
TO
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF MISSOURI, N.A.
Trustee
Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture
Dated as of September 15, 2000
First Mortgage Bonds
7.90% Series due September 15, 2030
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Parties............................................................... 1
Recitals.............................................................. 1
Previous Indentures........................................... 1
Identity of the Company....................................... 9
Identity of Trustee........................................... 9
Outstanding Bonds............................................. 9
Form of Fully Registered Bond................................. 10
Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication............... 13
Compliance with legal requirements............................ 13
Granting Clause....................................................... 13
Exception Clause...................................................... 14
Habendum Clause....................................................... 14
Exceptions, Reservations, etc......................................... 15
Grant in trust........................................................ 15
Covenant Clause....................................................... 16
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Terms defined by reference............................ 16
Section 1.2 Trustee............................................... 16
Section 1.3 Original Indenture.................................... 16
Section 1.4 First Supplemental Indenture.......................... 16
Section 1.5 Second Supplemental Indenture......................... 16
Section 1.6 Third Supplemental Indenture.......................... 16
Section 1.7 Fourth Supplemental Indenture......................... 16
Section 1.8 Fifth Supplemental Indenture.......................... 16
Section 1.9 Sixth Supplemental Indenture.......................... 16
Section 1.10 Seventh Supplemental Indenture........................ 16
Section 1.11 Eighth Supplemental Indenture......................... 16
Section 1.12 Ninth Supplemental Indenture.......................... 17
Section 1.13 Tenth Supplemental Indenture.......................... 17
Section 1.14 Eleventh Supplemental Indenture....................... 17
Section 1.15 Twelfth Supplemental Indenture........................ 17
Section 1.16 Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture..................... 17
Section 1.17 Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture..................... 17
Section 1.18 Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture...................... 17
Section 1.19 Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture...................... 17
Section 1.20 Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture.................... 17
Section 1.21 Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture..................... 17
Section 1.22 Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture..................... 17
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Page
Section 1.23 Twentieth Supplemental Indenture....................... 17
Section 1.24 Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture.................... 17
Section 1.25 Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture................... 17
Section 1.26 Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture.................... 17
Section 1.27 Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture................... 18
Section 1.28 The Mortgage........................................... 18
Section 1.29 Hereof, hereunder, etc................................. 18
Section 1.30 2030 Series............................................ 18
ARTICLE II
CREATION, DESCRIPTION, REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF
THE 2030 SERIES OF BONDS
Section 2.1 Creation and principal amount of the 2030 Series....... 18
Section 2.2 Date of Bonds.......................................... 18
Section 2.3 Denominations, etc..................................... 18
Section 2.4 Exchange of Bonds...................................... 18
Section 2.5 Registration of Bonds.................................. 19
Section 2.6 Temporary Bonds........................................ 19
Section 2.7 Payment of Defaulted Interest.......................... 19
Section 2.8 Transfers or Exchanges of Bonds called for redemption.. 19
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF BONDS OF THE 2030 SERIES
Section 3.1 Circumstances in which redeemable..................... 20
Section 3.2 Additional circumstances in which redeemable.......... 20
Section 3.3 Notice of intention to redeem......................... 21
ARTICLE IV
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
Section 4.1 Maintenance and Improvement Fund...................... 21
Section 4.2 Restrictions as to dividends.......................... 22
Section 4.3 Earnings requirements for additional Bonds............ 22
Section 4.4 Postponement of interest.............................. 24
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 5.1 Payments due on Sundays and holidays.................. 24
Section 5.2 Provisions required by Trust Indenture Act of 1939 to
control....................................... 24
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Page
Section 5.3 Acceptance of Trust................................... 24
Section 5.4 This Indenture part of Original Indenture............. 25
Section 5.5 Execution in any number of counterparts............... 25
Section 5.6 Date of execution..................................... 25
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TWENTY-FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of the 15th day of
September 2000 between LACLEDE GAS COMPANY, a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Missouri, having its principal place
of business at 720 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63101, hereinafter
sometimes called the "Company," party of the first part, and STATE STREET
BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF MISSOURI, N.A., a national banking association
organized under the laws of the United States, having its principal place of
business and corporate trust office at One Metropolitan Square, St. Louis,
Missouri 63102, hereinafter sometimes called the "Trustee," party of the
second part.
WHEREAS, there have heretofore been duly executed and delivered the
following four indentures between the Company and Mississippi Valley Trust
Company, to-wit:
(a) An indenture of mortgage and deed of trust, hereinafter
sometimes called the "Original Indenture," dated as of February 1, 1945,
which is recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St.
Louis, Missouri, in Book 6324 at Page 93 and in the office of the Recorder
of Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 2078 at Page 12 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 294 at
Page 399 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Jefferson County,
Missouri, in Book 434 at Page 480 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of St. Francois County, Missouri, in Book 551 at Page 593 and in the office
of the Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 198 at
Page 629 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison County,
Missouri, in Book 77 at Page 1 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of
Iron County, Missouri, in Book 224 at Page 451 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 503 at Page 606 and is
filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under filing
number 26,557 and is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of
Missouri pursuant to R.S.Mo. 443.451 under filing number 2590088; and
(b) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"First Supplemental Indenture," dated as of December 1, 1946, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book 6562 at Page 528, and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 2268 at Page 273; and
(c) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Second Supplemental Indenture," dated as of March 15, 1948, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book 6687 at Page 467, and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 2327 at Page 357; and
(d) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Third Supplemental Indenture," dated as of April 1, 1951, which is recorded
in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis, Missouri,
in Book 7079 at Page 125 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St.
Louis County, Missouri, in Book 2869 at Page 275; and
WHEREAS, there have been heretofore duly executed and delivered four
indentures between the Company and Mercantile Trust Company, to-wit:
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(a) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Fourth Supplemental Indenture," dated as of December 1, 1954, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book 7458 at Page 400 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 3342 at Page 34 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 294 at
Page 477 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Jefferson County,
Missouri, in Book 434 at Page 574 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of St. Francois County, Missouri, in Book 552 at Page 1 and in the office of
the Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 198 at
Page 721 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison County,
Missouri, in Book 77 at Page 183 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 224 at Page 632 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 507 at Page 1 and is
filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under filing
number 26,558; and
(b) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Fifth Supplemental Indenture," dated as of May 1, 1957, which is recorded
in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis, Missouri,
in Book 7731 at Page 152 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St.
Louis County, Missouri, in Book 3766 at Page 1 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 294 at Page 494 and in
the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Jefferson County, Missouri, in Book
434 at Page 611 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois
County, Missouri, in Book 552 at Page 38 and in the office of the Recorder
of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 199 at Page 1 and in
the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison County, Missouri, in Book 77
at Page 220 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Iron County,
Missouri, in Book 226 at Page 1 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 507 at Page 38 and is filed in the
office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under filing number 26,559; and
(c) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Sixth Supplemental Indenture," dated as of July 1, 1960, which is recorded
in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis, Missouri,
in Book 8087 at Page 55 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St.
Louis County, Missouri, in Book 4348 at Page 1 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 294 at Page 535 and in
the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Jefferson County, Missouri, in Book
434 at Page 651 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois
County, Missouri, in Book 552 at Page 78 and in the office of the Recorder
of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 199 at Page 22 and in
the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison County, Missouri, in Book 77
at Page 260 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Iron County,
Missouri, in Book 226 at Page 42 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 507 at Page 62 and is filed in the
office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under filing number 26,560; and
(d) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Seventh Supplemental Indenture," dated as of June 1, 1964, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book 8506 at Page 215 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 5410 at Page 399 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 342 at
Page 2 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Jefferson County,
Missouri, in Book 434 at Page 697 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of
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St. Francois County, Missouri, in Book 552 at Page 124 and in the office of
the Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 199 at
Page 46 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison County,
Missouri, in Book 77 at Page 306 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 226 at Page 89 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 507 at Page 90 and is
filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under filing
number 26,561; and
WHEREAS, there have been heretofore duly executed and delivered eight
indentures between the Company and Mercantile Trust Company National
Association, to-wit:
(a) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Eighth Supplemental Indenture," dated as of April 15, 1966, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book 8678 at Page 1 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 5949 at Page 450 and in the office of
the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 361 at Page 148 and
in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Jefferson County, Missouri, in
Book 434 at Page 746 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St.
Francois County, Missouri, in Book 552 at Page 172 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 199 at Page 71
and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison County, Missouri, in
Book 77 at Page 354 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Iron
County, Missouri, in Book 226 at Page 138 and in the office of the Recorder
of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 507 at Page 118 and is filed in
the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under filing number 28,645;
and
(b) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Ninth Supplemental Indenture," dated as of May 1, 1968, which is recorded
in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis, Missouri,
in Book 8834 at Page 213 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St.
Louis County, Missouri, in Book 6323 at Page 1904 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 389 at Page 888 and in
the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County, Missouri, in Book
498 at Page 408 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Jefferson
County, Missouri, in Book 434 at Page 790 and in the office of the Recorder
of Deeds of St. Francois County, Missouri, in Book 552 at Page 216 and in
the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in
Book 199 at Page 94 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison
County, Missouri, in Book 77 at Page 398 and in the office of the Recorder
of Deeds of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 226 at Page 183 and in the office
of the Recorder of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 507 at Page 145
and is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under
filing number 87,403; and
(c) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Tenth Supplemental Indenture," dated as of May 15, 1970, which is recorded
in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis, Missouri,
in Book 8988 at Page 52 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St.
Louis County, Missouri, in Book 6456 at Page 132 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 396 at Page 560 and in
the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County, Missouri, in Book
554 at Page 79 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Jefferson
County, Missouri, in Book 434 at Page 829 and in the office of the Recorder
of Deeds of St. Francois County, Missouri, in Book 552 at Page 255 and in
the office of the Recorder of Deeds
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of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 199 at Page 114 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison County, Missouri, in Book 77 at
Page 436 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Iron County,
Missouri, in Book 226 at Page 223 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 507 at Page 168 and is filed in the
office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under filing number 154,857;
and
(d) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Eleventh Supplemental Indenture," dated as of March 15, 1972, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book 9133 at Page 4 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 6577 at Page 1993 and in the office
of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 401 at Page 706
and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County, Missouri,
in Book 620 at Page 157 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of
Jefferson County, Missouri, in Book 435 at Page 23 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 199 at Page
210 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois County,
Missouri, in Book 552 at Page 640 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 226 at Page 282 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Madison County, Missouri, in Book 78 at Page 1 and in
the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 507
at Page 265 and is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri
under filing number 234,221; and
(e) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Twelfth Supplemental Indenture," dated as of March 15, 1974, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book 40M at Page 1 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 6721 at Page 91 and in the office of
the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 407 at Page 888 and
in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County, Missouri, in
Book 677 at Page 1445 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of
Jefferson County, Missouri, in Book 465 at Page 976 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 210 at Page
255 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois County,
Missouri, in Book 598 at Page 683 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 237 at Page 1 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Madison County, Missouri, in Book 84 at Page 117 and in
the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 535
at Page 540 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Beckham County,
Oklahoma, in Book 127 at Page 149 and in the office of the County Clerk of
Wheeler County, Texas, in Trust Vol. 58 at Page 731 and is filed in the
office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under filing number 333,360;
and
(f) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Thirteenth Supple-mental Indenture," dated as of June 1, 1975, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book 70M at Page 2061 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 6796 at Page 1447 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 411 at
Page 9 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County,
Missouri, in Book 704 at Page 1739 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of Jefferson County, Missouri, in Book 481 at Page 292 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book
124 at Page 225 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois
County, Missouri, in Book 624 at Page 359 and in
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the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 242 at
Page 234 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison County,
Missouri, in Book 86 at Pages 483-532 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 547 at Page 300 and in the office
of the Recorder of Deeds of Beckham County, Oklahoma, in Book 130 at Page
416 and in the office of the County Clerk of Wheeler County, Texas, in Trust
Vol. 59 at Page 649 and in the office of the Clerk of Court for Sabine
Parish, Louisiana, under Registry No. 227328 in Mtg. Book 108 at Page 478
and in the office of the Clerk of Court for DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, under
Registry No. 378628 in Mtg. Book 115 at Page 803 and in the office of the
Clerk of Court for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, under Registry No. 124894 in
Mtg. Book 343 at Page 293 and in the office of the Clerk of Court for Red
River Parish, Louisiana, under Registry No. 128419 in Mtg. Book 75 at Page
546 and is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under
filing number 397,857; and
(g) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Fourteenth Supple-mental Indenture," dated as of October 26, 1976, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book 108M at Page 131 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 6907 at Page 1970 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 416 at
Page 192 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County,
Missouri, in Book 745 at Page 40 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Jefferson County, Missouri, in Book 507 at Page 669 and in the office of
the Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 241 at
Page 279 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois County,
Missouri, in Book 654 at Page 132 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 248 at Page 795 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Madison County, Missouri, in Book 89 at Pages 694-700
and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri, in
Book 565 at Page 57 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Beckham
County, Oklahoma, in Book 315 at Page 146 and in the office of the County
Clerk of Wheeler County, Texas, in the Deed Records Vol. 260 at Page 991 and
in the office of the Clerk of Court for Sabine Parish, Louisiana, under
Registry No. 233001 in Mtg. Book 114 at Page 208 and in the office of the
Clerk of Court for DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, under Registry No. 389929 in
Mtg. Book 122 at Page 15 and in the office of the Clerk of Court for St.
Mary Parish, Louisiana, under Registry No. 129850 in Mtg. Book 360 at Page
593 and in the office of the Clerk of Court for Red River Parish, Louisiana,
under Registry No. 131795 in Mtg. Book 79 at Page 21 and is filed in the
office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under filing number 479,397 and
is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri pursuant to
R.S.Mo. 443.451 under filing number 2590089; and
(h) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture," dated as of July 15, 1979, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book 202M at Page 1288 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 7181 at Page 23 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 430 at
Page 273 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County,
Missouri, in Book 846 at Page 880 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Jefferson County, Missouri, in Book 580 at Page 278 and in the office of
the Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 285 at
Page 93 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois County,
Missouri, in Book 722 at Page 57 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 262 at Pages 709-770 and in the office of
the
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Recorder of Deeds of Madison County, Missouri, in Book 98 at Pages 720-781
and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri, in
Book 597 at Page 661 and in the office of the County Clerk of Beckham
County, Oklahoma, in Misc. Record Book 385 at Page 230 and in the office of
the County Clerk of Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, in Book 273 at Pages 54-
116 and in the office of the County Clerk of Blaine County, Oklahoma, in
Book 325 Misc. Page 1 and in the office of the County Clerk of Wheeler
County, Texas, in Deed of Trust Records, Vol. 64 at Page 707 and in the
office of the County Clerk of Lipscomb County, Texas, in the Deed of Trust
Records, Vol. 196 at Page 607 and in the office of the County Clerk of
Roberts County, Texas, in the Deed of Trust Records, Vol. 30 at Page 45 and
in the office of the County Clerk of Hemphill County, Texas, in the Deed of
Trust Records, Vol. 59 at Page 428 and in the office of the Clerk of the
Court for St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, under Registry No. 141319 in Mtg. Book
402 at Page 2 and in the office of the Clerk of the Court for the DeSoto
Parish, Louisiana, under Registry No. 417237 in Mtg. Book 136 at Page 524
and in the office of the Clerk of the Court for Sabine Parish, Louisiana,
under Registry No. 246026 in Mtg. Book 128 at Page 86 and in the office of
the Clerk of the Court for Red River Parish, Louisiana, under Registry No.
141470 in Mtg. Book 87 at Page 619 and in the office of the Clerk of the
Court for Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, under Registry No. 602396 and is
filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under Document
Number 667303; and
WHEREAS, there have been heretofore duly executed and delivered two
indentures between the Company and Mercantile Bank National Association, to-
wit:
(a) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Sixteenth Supple-mental Indenture," dated as of May 1, 1986, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book M-529 at Page 655 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 7902 at Page 1138 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 573 at
Page 2 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County,
Missouri, in Book 1080 at Page 1577 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of Jefferson County, Missouri, in Book 197 at Page 1 and in the office
of the Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 407 at
Page 137 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois County,
Missouri, in Book 894 at Page 138 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 293 at Page 797 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of Madison County, Missouri, in Book 116 at Page 589 and
in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri, in Book
669 at Page 228 and in the office of the County Clerk of Roger Mills County,
Oklahoma, in Book 807 at Page 120 and in the office of the County Clerk of
Wheeler County, Texas, in Deed of Trust Records, Vol. 91 at Page 191, and in
Deed Records, Vol. 348 at Page 69 and in the office of the Secretary of
State of Texas under Document Number 131214 and is filed in the office of
the Secretary of State of Missouri under Document Number 1322775; and
(b) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture," dated as of May 15, 1988, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book M-669 at Page 258 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 8315 at Page 902 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 676 at
Page 449 and in the office of the
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Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County, Missouri, in Book 1212 at Page 1948
and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Jefferson County, Missouri, in
Book 396 at Page 1987 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Ste.
Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 459 at Page 289 and in the office of the
Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois County, Missouri, in Book 962 at Page 8
and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Iron County, Missouri, in Book
303 at Page 527 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison
County, Missouri, in Book 123 at Page 243 and in the office of the Recorder
of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 691 at Page 620 and in the
office of the County Clerk of Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, in Book 973 at
Page 1 and in the office of the County Clerk of Wheeler County, Texas, in
Deed of Trust Records, Vol. 91 at Page 234, and in Deed Records, Vol. 369 at
Page 386 and in the office of the Secretary of State of Texas under Document
Number 86131214 and is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of
Missouri under Document Number 1596374 and is filed in the office of the
Secretary of State of Missouri pursuant to R.S.Mo. 443.451 under filing
number 2590090; and
WHEREAS, there have been heretofore duly executed and delivered five
indentures between the Company and Mercantile Bank of St. Louis National
Association, to-wit:
(a) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Eighteenth Supple-mental Indenture," dated as of November 15, 1989, which
is recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book 762M at Page 1126 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 8646 at Page 2196 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 748 at
Page 17 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County,
Missouri, in Book 1294 at Page 631 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of Jefferson County, Missouri, in Book 442 at Page 14 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book
498 at Page 13 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois
County, Missouri, in Book 1012 at Page 36 and in the office of the Recorder
of Deeds of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 311 at Page 503 and in the office
of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison County, Missouri, in Book 127 at Page
682 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri,
in Book 709 at Page 78 and in the office of the County Clerk of Roger Mills
County, Oklahoma, in Book 1094 at Page 263 and in the office of the County
Clerk of Wheeler County, Texas, in Deed of Trust Records, Vol. 93 at Page
630 and in the office of the Secretary of State of Texas under Document
Number 252980 and is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of
Missouri under Document Number 1798065 and is filed in the office of the
Secretary of State of Missouri pursuant to R.S.Mo. 443.451 under filing
number 2590091; and
(b) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Nineteenth Supple-mental Indenture," dated as of May 15, 1991, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book 848 at Page 716 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 8983 at Page 1095 and in the office
of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 821 at Page 79
and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County, Missouri,
in Book 1370 at Page 1846 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of
Jefferson County, Missouri, in Book 483 at Page 1909 and in the office of
the Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book 541 at
Page 82 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois County,
Missouri, in Book 1060 at Page 253 and in
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the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 319 at
Page 355 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison County,
Missouri, in Book 132 at Page 44 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds
of Butler County, Missouri, in Book 725 at Page 442 and in the office of the
County Clerk of Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, in Book 1213 at Page 105, UCC
Filing No. 135, and in the office of the County Clerk of Oklahoma County,
Oklahoma, UCC Filing No. 023021, and in the office of the County Clerk of
Wheeler County, Texas, in Deed of Trust Records, Vol. 96 at Page 96 and in
Deed Records, Book 399 at Page 254, and in the office of the Secretary of
State of Texas under Document Number 088153 and is filed in the office of
the Secretary of State of Missouri under Document Number 1999268 and is
filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri pursuant to
R.S.Mo. 443.451 under filing number 2590092; and
(c) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Twentieth Supple-mental Indenture," dated as of November 1, 1992, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book M945 at Page 1068 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 9494 at Page 423 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 937 at
Page 144 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County,
Missouri, in Book 1491 at Page 1289 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of Jefferson County, Missouri, in Book 543 at Page 2135 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book
594 at Page 10 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois
County, Missouri, in Book 1121 at Page 458 and in the office of the Recorder
of Deeds of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 326 at Page 888 and in the office
of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison County, Missouri, in Book 137 at Page
166 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri,
in Book 747 at Page 72 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of
Franklin County, Missouri, in Book 712 at Page 889 and in the office of the
County Clerk of Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, in Book 1303 at Page 39, UCC
Filing No. 296, and in the office of the County Clerk of Oklahoma County,
Oklahoma, UCC Filing No. 056514, and in the office of the County Clerk of
Wheeler County, Texas, in Deed of Trust Records, Book 98 at Page 88 and in
Deed Records, Book 409 at Page 589, and in the office of the Secretary of
State of Texas under Document Number 212435 and is filed in the office of
the Secretary of State of Missouri under Document Number 2188520 and is
filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri pursuant to
R.S.Mo. 443.451 under filing number 2590093; and
(d) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture," dated as of May 1, 1993, which is
recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, in Book M982 at Page 0356 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of St. Louis County, Missouri, in Book 9701 at Page 797 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Boone County, Missouri, in Book 979 at
Page 722 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Charles County,
Missouri, in Book 1542 at Page 1449 and in the office of the Recorder of
Deeds of Jefferson County, Missouri, in Book 567 at Page 2217 and in the
office of the Recorder of Deeds of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, in Book
610 at Page 136 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Francois
County, Missouri, in Book 1142 at Page 84 and in the office of the Recorder
of Deeds of Iron County, Missouri, in Book 328 at Page 508 and in the office
of the Recorder of Deeds of Madison County, Missouri, in Book 139 at Page
361 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Butler County, Missouri,
in Book 753 at Page 328 and in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of
Franklin County, Missouri, in Book 743 at Page 638 and in the
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office of the County Clerk of Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, in Book 1337 at
Page 10, UCC Filing No. 109, and in the office of the County Clerk of
Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, UCC Filing No. 023874 and in the office of the
County Clerk of Wheeler County, Texas, in Deed of Trust Records, Book 98 at
Page 804 and in Deed Records, Book 413 at Page 387, and in the office of the
Secretary of State of Texas under Document No. 086970 and is filed in the
office of the Secretary of State of Missouri under Document No. 2259648 and
is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri pursuant to
R.S.Mo. 443.451 under filing number 2590094; and
(e) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture," dated as of November 15, 1995, which
is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri pursuant to
R.S.Mo. 443.451 under filing number 2604323; and
WHEREAS, there have been heretofore duly executed and delivered two
indentures between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company of
Missouri, N.A., to-wit:
(a) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture," dated as of October 15, 1997, which
is filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri pursuant to
R.S.Mo. 443.451 under filing number 2841222; and
(b) A supplemental indenture, hereinafter sometimes called the
"Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture," dated as of June 1, 1999, which is
filed in the office of the Secretary of State of Missouri pursuant to
R.S.Mo. 443.451 under filing number 3039096; and
WHEREAS, the Company is the same corporation as is designated in the
Original and First and Second Supplemental Indentures as The Laclede Gas
Light Company, which was the Company's corporate name, but before the date
of the Third Supplemental Indenture its corporate name was duly changed to,
and now is, Laclede Gas Company; and
WHEREAS, State Street Bank and Trust Company of Missouri, N.A., the
party of the second part to this Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture, is the
present Trustee under the Original Indenture, being the successor to
Mercantile Bank of St. Louis National Association (from whom State Street
Bank and Trust Company of Missouri, N.A., acquired certain corporate trust
assets), which Mercantile Bank of St. Louis National Association was the
successor to Mercantile Bank National Association, which was the successor
to Mercantile Trust Company National Association, which was the successor to
Mercantile Trust Company (which in turn was the corporation resulting from a
consolidation on August 31, 1951, to which Mississippi Valley Trust Company,
the original Trustee, was a party); and
WHEREAS, there are now outstanding under the Eighteenth Supplemental
Indenture, First Mortgage Bonds of the 8 1/2% Series due November 15, 2004;
under the Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture, First Mortgage Bonds of the 8
5/8% Series due May 15, 2006; under the Twentieth Supplemental Indenture,
First Mortgage Bonds of the 7 1/2% Series due November 1, 2007; under the
Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture, First Mortgage Bonds of the 6 1/4%
Series due May 1, 2003; under the Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture,
First Mortgage Bonds of the 6 1/2% Series due November 15, 2010; under the
Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture, First Mortgage
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Bonds of the 6 1/2% Series due October 15, 2012; and under the Twenty-Fourth
Supplemental Indenture, First Mortgage Bonds of the 7% Series due June 1,
2029; but all bonds of the sixteen series provided for respectively by the
First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth,
Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth
Supplemental Indentures and the First Mortgage Bonds of the 3 1/2% Series
issued under the Original Indenture have ceased to be outstanding; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to create a new series of bonds under the
Mortgage to be designated as "First Mortgage Bonds, 7.90% Series due
September 15, 2030" (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "2030
Series"), for an aggregate principal amount of $30,000,000 to be issued as
fully registered bonds without coupons, the definitive bonds (certain of the
provisions of which may be printed on the reverse side thereof) and the
Trustee's certificate of authentication thereof to be substantially in the
following forms, respectively:
(FORM OF FULLY REGISTERED BOND)
LACLEDE GAS COMPANY
FIRST MORTGAGE BOND,
No. 7.90% Series due September 15, 2030 $
LACLEDE GAS COMPANY, a corporation of the State of Missouri
(hereinafter called "the Company"), for value received hereby promises to
pay to or registered assigns, at the office or agency of the
Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at the option
of the registered owner hereof at the office or agency of the Company in the
City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, Dollars on the
15th day of September, 2030, in such coin or currency of the United States
of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for public and
private debts, and to pay to the registered owner hereof interest thereon
from the 15th day of September or the 15th day of March next preceding the
date of this bond (or, if this bond is dated any date after the record date
for any interest payment date and on or before such interest payment date,
then from such interest payment date), at the rate of 7.90% per annum, in
like coin or currency at either of said offices or agencies at the option of
the registered owner hereof, on March 15 and September 15 in each year,
until the Company's obligation with respect to the payment of such principal
shall have been discharged. The interest so payable on any March 15 or
September 15 will, subject to certain exceptions provided in the Mortgage
hereinafter mentioned, be paid to the person in whose name this bond is
registered at the close of business on the record date, which shall be the
March 1 or September 1, as the case may be, next preceding such interest
payment date, or, if such March 1 or September 1 shall be a legal holiday or
a day on which banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, or in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, are authorized by
law to close, the next preceding day which shall not be a legal holiday or a
day on which such institutions are so authorized to close.
This bond is one of an issue of bonds of the Company, issuable in
series, and is one of a series known as its First Mortgage Bonds, 7.90%
Series due September 15, 2030 (hereinafter referred to as the "2030
Series"), all bonds of all series issued and to be issued under and equally
secured (except in so far as any sinking or other fund established in
accordance with the provisions
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of the Mortgage hereinafter mentioned may afford additional security for the
bonds of any particular series) by a Mortgage and Deed of Trust (hereinafter
referred to as the "Original Indenture") dated as of February 1, 1945,
executed by the Company to Mississippi Valley Trust Company, which was
succeeded through consolidation by Mercantile Trust Company, which was
succeeded by Mercantile Trust Company National Association, which was
succeeded by Mercantile Bank National Association, which was succeeded by
Mercantile Bank of St. Louis National Association, which in turn was
succeeded by State Street Bank and Trust Company of Missouri, N.A.
(hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Trustee"), as Trustee, and
indentures supplemental thereto, including the supplemental indenture
thereto dated as of September 15, 2000, said Mortgage and Deed of Trust as
supplemented being herein called the "Mortgage," to which reference is made
for a description of the property mortgaged and pledged, the nature and
extent of the security, the rights of the owners of the bonds in respect
thereof, the duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the terms and
conditions upon which the bonds are secured. With the consent of the
Company and to the extent permitted by and as provided in the Mortgage, the
rights and obligations of the Company and/or of the owners of the bonds
and/or coupons and/or the terms and provisions of the Mortgage and/or of any
instruments supplemental thereto may be modified or altered by the
affirmative vote of the owners of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent
(66 2/3%) in principal amount of the bonds affected by such modification or
alteration (including the bonds of the 2030 Series, if so affected), then
outstanding under the Mortgage (excluding bonds disqualified from voting by
reason of the Company's interest therein as provided in the Mortgage);
provided that no such modification or alteration shall permit the extension
of the maturity of the principal of this bond or the reduction in the rate
of interest hereon or any other modification in the terms of payment of such
principal or interest, or the creation of a lien on the mortgaged and
pledged property ranking prior to or on a parity with the lien of the
Mortgage or the deprivation of the owner hereof of a lien upon such property
without the consent of the owner hereof, except that the owners of not less
than seventy-five percent (75%) in principal amount of the bonds at any time
outstanding under the Mortgage (including a like percent of the principal
amount of the bonds of the 2030 Series, if any interest payment on bonds of
the 2030 Series is to be affected) may consent on behalf of the owners of
all bonds at any time outstanding to the postponement of any interest
payment for a period not exceeding three years from its due date.
The bonds of the 2030 Series are redeemable, in whole or in part, upon
the notice referred to below, and otherwise subject to the provisions of the
Mortgage, at any time prior to maturity: (i) through operation of the
maintenance and improvement fund or pursuant to paragraph B of Section 13.06
of the Original Indenture (having reference to the taking of all the
mortgaged property by eminent domain and certain comparable contingencies)
at 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued interest to
the date fixed for redemption; or (ii) pursuant to Section 3.2 of the
supplemental indenture dated as of September 15, 2000 to the Original
Indenture at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (A) 100% of the
principal amount of the bonds of the 2030 Series being redeemed; or (B) as
determined by the Independent Investment Banker (as defined in the
supplemental indenture dated as of September 15, 2000 to the Original
Indenture), the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled
payments of principal of and interest on the bonds of the 2030 Series being
redeemed (excluding the portion of any such interest accrued to the date
fixed for redemption), discounted (for purposes of determining such present
values) to the date fixed for redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a
360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at
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the Adjusted Treasury Rate (as defined in the supplemental indenture dated
as of September 15, 2000 to the Original Indenture) plus .25% plus, in each
case, accrued interest thereon to the date fixed for redemption without
premium. Except as set forth above, the bonds of the 2030 Series are not
redeemable prior to September 15, 2030.
The notice of redemption of bonds of the 2030 Series shall be given by
mailing a copy thereof to each registered owner, directed to his registered
address not less than thirty nor more than ninety days prior to the date
fixed for redemption, all as provided in, and subject to the applicable
provisions of, the Mortgage.
The principal hereof may be declared or may become due on the
conditions, in the manner, and at the time set forth in the Mortgage, upon
the occurrence of a completed default as in the Mortgage provided.
At the option of the registered owner, any bonds of the 2030 Series,
upon surrender thereof at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough
of Manhattan, The City of New York, or in the City of St. Louis, State of
Missouri, together with a written instrument of transfer in form approved by
the Company duly executed by the registered owner or his duly authorized
attorney, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.05 of the Original
Indenture, be exchangeable for a like aggregate amount of fully registered
bonds of the same series of other authorized denominations.
This bond is transferable as prescribed in the Mortgage by the
registered owner hereof in person, or by his duly authorized attorney, at
the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, or in the City of St. Louis, upon surrender and cancellation of
this bond and upon presentation of a written instrument of transfer, duly
executed, and upon payment, if the Company shall require it, of the transfer
charges prescribed in the Mortgage, and thereupon, a new fully registered
bond of the same series for a like principal amount will be issued to the
transferee in exchange herefor as provided in the Mortgage. The Company and
the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name this bond is
registered as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment
and for all other purposes.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or of
interest on this bond against any incorporator or any past, present or
future subscriber to the capital stock, stockholder, officer or director of
the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, as such, either
directly or through the Company or any predecessor or successor corporation,
under any rule of law, statute or constitution or by the enforcement of any
assessment or otherwise, all such liability of incorporators, subscribers,
stockholders, officers and directors, as such, being released by the owner
hereof by the acceptance of this bond and being likewise waived and released
by the terms of the Mortgage.
This bond shall not become obligatory until State Street Bank and Trust
Company of Missouri, N.A., the Trustee under the Mortgage, or its successor
thereunder, shall have signed the form of certificate endorsed hereon.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, LACLEDE GAS COMPANY has caused this instrument to
be signed in its name by its President or one of its Vice-Presidents, by his
or her signature or a facsimile thereof, and a facsimile of its corporate
seal to be imprinted hereon and attested by its Secretary or one of its
Assistant Secretaries, by his or her signature or a facsimile thereof.
Dated
LACLEDE GAS COMPANY
By
President
ATTEST:
Secretary
(FORM OF TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE)
This bond is one of the bonds, of the Series herein designated,
provided for in the within-mentioned Mortgage.
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY OF MISSOURI, N.A.,
Trustee
By
Authorized Signatory
and
WHEREAS, all conditions and requirements necessary to make this Twenty-
Fifth Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding and legal instrument have been
done, performed and fulfilled, and the execution and delivery hereof have
been in all respects duly authorized;
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS TWENTY-FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That Laclede Gas Company, in consideration of the premises and of one dollar
to it duly paid by the Trustee at or before the ensealing and delivery of
these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and in order to
secure the payment both of the principal of and interest and premium, if
any, on the bonds from time to time issued under the Mortgage, according to
their tenor and effect and the performance of all the provisions of the
Mortgage and of said bonds, hath granted, bargained and sold, released,
conveyed, assigned, transferred, mortgaged, pledged, set over and confirmed,
and by these presents doth grant, bargain and sell, release, convey, assign,
transfer, mortgage, pledge, set over and confirm unto State Street Bank and
Trust Company of Missouri, N.A., as Trustee, and to its successor or
successors in said trust and its and their assigns forever, all the
following described properties of the Company, that is to say:
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All several parcels of real estate more particularly described in the
Original Indenture as Parcels Nos. 1 to 14 inclusive, and in the First
Supplemental Indenture as Parcels (a) to (i) inclusive, and the Third
Supplemental Indenture as Parcels II to VI inclusive, and in the Fourth
Supplemental Indenture in paragraphs II to VII inclusive, beginning on page
13 and extending to page 15 thereof, and in the Fifth Supplemental Indenture
in paragraphs II to X inclusive, beginning on page 14 and extending to page
17 thereof, and in the Sixth Supplemental Indenture in paragraphs II to XI
inclusive, beginning on page 14 and extending to page 21 thereof, and in the
Seventh Supplemental Indenture in paragraphs II to XIII inclusive, beginning
on page 16 and extending to page 24 thereof, and in the Eighth Supplemental
Indenture in paragraphs II to VIII inclusive, beginning on page 16 and
extending to page 19 thereof, and in the Ninth Supplemental Indenture in
paragraphs II and III, beginning on page 11 and extending to page 12
thereof, and in the Tenth Supplemental Indenture in paragraphs II to VI
inclusive, beginning on page 11 and extending to page 13 thereof, and in the
Eleventh Supplemental Indenture in paragraphs II and III, beginning on page
13 and extending to page 16 thereof, and in the Twelfth Supplemental
Indenture on page 15 thereof, and in the Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture
beginning on page 16 and extending to page 24 thereof, and in the Fifteenth
Supplemental Indenture beginning on page 15 and extending to page 39
thereof, and in the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture beginning on page 16
and extending to page 17 thereof, and in the Seventeenth Supplemental
Indenture beginning on page 17 and extending to page 19 thereof, and in the
Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture beginning on page 15 and extending to page
16 thereof, and in the Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture beginning on page
16 and extending to page 17 thereof, and in the Twentieth Supplemental
Indenture beginning on page 17 and extending to page 19 thereof, and in the
Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture beginning on page 17 and extending to
page 19 thereof, and in the Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture beginning
on page 10 and extending to page 11 thereof, and in the Twenty-Third
Supplemental Indenture beginning on page 10 and extending to page 11
thereof, and in the Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture beginning on page
10 and extending to page 11 thereof; except any parcel or part of such real
estate heretofore released from the lien of the Mortgage, or to which the
Company and the Trustee have heretofore disclaimed any right, title, or
interest.
TOGETHER WITH all other property, whether real, personal or mixed
(except any hereinafter expressly excepted), and whether now owned or
hereafter acquired by the Company and wheresoever situated, including
(without in anywise limiting or impairing by the enumeration of the same the
scope and intent of the foregoing or of any general description contained in
this Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture) all real estate, lands, leases,
leaseholds (except the last day of the term of any lease or leasehold),
easements, licenses, permits, franchises, privileges, rights of way and
other rights in or relating to real estate or the occupancy of lands, all
rights of way and roads, all gas plants, gas containers, buildings and other
structures and all offices, buildings and the contents thereof; all
machinery, engines, boilers, gas machines, purifiers, scrubbers, retorts,
tanks, pumps, regulators, meters, gas and mechanical appliances, conduits,
gas or other pipes, gas mains and pipes, service pipes, fittings, valves and
connections, tools, implements, apparatus, supplies, furniture and chattels;
all federal, state, municipal and other franchises, privileges and permits;
all lines for the distribution of gas for any purpose including pipes,
conduits and all apparatus for use in connection therewith; and (except as
hereinafter expressly excepted) all the right, title and interest of the
Company in and to all other property of any kind or nature appertaining to
and/or used and/or occupied and/or enjoyed in connection with any property
hereinabove described or referred to;
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AND TOGETHER WITH all and singular the tenements, hereditaments and
appurtenances belonging or in anywise appertaining to the aforesaid property
or any part thereof, with the reversion and reversions, remainder and
remainders, and (subject to the provisions of Section 13.01 of the Original
Indenture) the tolls, rents, revenues, issues, earnings, income, product and
profits thereof, and all the estate, right, title and interest and claim
whatsoever, at law as well as in equity, which the Company now has or may
hereafter acquire in and to the aforesaid property and franchises and every
part and parcel thereof;
Provided that all property of the kinds which by the terms of the
Original Indenture are expressly excepted from the lien and operation
thereof is expressly excepted herefrom with the same effect and to the same
extent as in the Original Indenture provided with respect to such property
so expressly excepted;
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all such properties, real, personal, and mixed,
granted, bargained, sold, released, conveyed, assigned, transferred,
mortgaged, pledged, set over or confirmed by the Company as aforesaid, or
intended so to be, unto the Trustee and its successors and assigns forever;
Subject, however, as to all property embraced herein to all of the
restrictions, exceptions and reservations of easements, rights of way or
otherwise, contained in any and all deeds and/or other conveyances under or
through which the Company acquired or shall acquire and/or claims or shall
claim title thereto, and to the restrictions, exceptions, reservations and
provisions in the Mortgage specifically set forth; and
Subject further, with respect to the premises, property, franchises and
rights owned by the Company at the date of execution hereof, to excepted
encumbrances as defined in Section 1.06 of the Original Indenture, and
subject, with respect to property acquired after the date of execution of
the Original Indenture or hereafter acquired, to all excepted encumbrances,
all other defects and limitations of title and to all other encumbrances
existing at the time of such acquisition, including any purchase money
mortgage or lien upon such property created by the Company at the time of
the acquisition of such property.
IN TRUST NEVERTHELESS, upon the terms and trusts in the Original
Indenture and this Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture set forth, for the
benefit and security of those who shall hold the bonds and coupons issued
and to be issued under the Mortgage, or any of them, in accordance with the
terms of the Mortgage without preference, priority or distinction as to lien
of any of said bonds and coupons over any other thereof by reason of
priority in the time of the issue or negotiation thereof or for any other
reason whatsoever, subject, however, to the provisions in reference to
extended, transferred or pledged coupons and claims for interest in the
Original Indenture set forth; it being intended that the lien and security
of all of said bonds and coupons of all series issued or to be issued
hereunder shall take effect from the execution and delivery of the Mortgage,
and that the lien and security of the Mortgage shall take effect from the
date of execution and delivery of the Original Indenture as though all of
the said bonds of all series were actually authenticated and delivered and
issued upon such date.
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And the Company, for itself and its successors and assigns, does hereby
covenant and agree to and with the Trustee and its successor or successors
in such trust, for the benefit of those who shall hold the bonds of the 2030
Series, or any of such bonds, as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1. For all purposes of this Twenty-Fifth Supplemental
Indenture, except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the
context otherwise requires, the terms defined in Sections 1.2 to 1.30 hereof
shall have the meanings specified in such Sections, and all other terms
which are defined in the Original Indenture (including those defined by
reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended) shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Original Indenture.
SECTION 1.2. The term "the Trustee" shall mean the party of the second
part hereto, State Street Bank and Trust Company of Missouri, N.A., and,
subject to the provisions of Article XVIII of the Original Indenture, shall
also include its successors and assigns.
SECTION 1.3. The term "Original Indenture" shall mean the indenture of
mortgage and deed of trust dated as of February 1, 1945, hereinbefore
referred to.
SECTION 1.4. The term "First Supplemental Indenture" shall mean the
supplemental indenture dated as of December 1, 1946, hereinbefore referred
to.
SECTION 1.5. The term "Second Supplemental Indenture" shall mean the
supplemental indenture dated as of March 15, 1948, hereinbefore referred to.
SECTION 1.6. The term "Third Supplemental Indenture" shall mean the
supplemental indenture dated as of April 1, 1951, hereinbefore referred to.
SECTION 1.7. The term "Fourth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean the
supplemental indenture dated as of December 1, 1954, hereinbefore referred
to.
SECTION 1.8. The term "Fifth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean the
supplemental indenture dated as of May 1, 1957, hereinbefore referred to.
SECTION 1.9. The term "Sixth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean the
supplemental indenture dated as of July 1, 1960, hereinbefore referred to.
SECTION 1.10. The term "Seventh Supplemental Indenture" shall mean the
supplemental indenture dated as of June 1, 1964, hereinbefore referred to.
SECTION 1.11. The term "Eighth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean the
supplemental indenture dated as of April 15, 1966, hereinbefore referred to.
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SECTION 1.12. The term "Ninth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean the
supplemental indenture dated as of May 1, 1968, hereinbefore referred to.
SECTION 1.13. The term "Tenth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean the
supplemental indenture dated as of May 15, 1970, hereinbefore referred to.
SECTION 1.14. The term "Eleventh Supplemental Indenture" shall mean
the supplemental indenture dated as of March 15, 1972, hereinbefore referred
to.
SECTION 1.15. The term "Twelfth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean the
supplemental indenture dated as of March 15, 1974, hereinbefore referred to.
SECTION 1.16. The term "Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean
the supplemental indenture dated as of June 1, 1975, hereinbefore referred
to.
SECTION 1.17. The term "Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean
the supplemental indenture dated as of October 26, 1976, hereinbefore
referred to.
SECTION 1.18. The term "Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean
the supplemental indenture dated as of July 15, 1979, hereinbefore referred
to.
SECTION 1.19. The term "Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean
the supplemental indenture dated as of May 1, 1986, hereinbefore referred
to.
SECTION 1.20. The term "Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean
the supplemental indenture dated as of May 15, 1988, hereinbefore referred
to.
SECTION 1.21. The term "Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean
the supplemental indenture dated as of November 15, 1989, hereinbefore
referred to.
SECTION 1.22. The term "Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean
the supplemental indenture dated as of May 15, 1991, hereinbefore referred
to.
SECTION 1.23. The term "Twentieth Supplemental Indenture" shall mean
the supplemental indenture dated as of November 1, 1992, hereinbefore
referred to.
SECTION 1.24. The term "Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture" shall
mean the supplemental indenture dated as of May 1, 1993, hereinbefore
referred to.
SECTION 1.25. The term "Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture" shall
mean the supplemental indenture dated as of November 15, 1995, hereinbefore
referred to.
SECTION 1.26. The term "Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture" shall
mean the supplemental indenture dated as of October 15, 1997, hereinbefore
referred to.
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SECTION 1.27 The term "Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture" shall
mean the supplemental indenture dated as of June 11, 1999 hereinbefore
referred to.
SECTION 1.28. The term "the Mortgage" shall mean the Original
Indenture as supplemented by the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth,
Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth,
Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth,
Twenty-First, Twenty-Second, Twenty-Third and Twenty-Fourth Supplemental
Indentures and hereby, or as the same may from time to time hereafter be
supplemented, modified, altered or amended by any supplemental indenture
entered into pursuant to the provisions of the Original Indenture.
SECTION 1.29. The term "hereof," "hereunder," "hereto," "hereby,"
"hereinbefore," and the like, refer to this Twenty-Fifth Supplemental
Indenture.
SECTION 1.30. The term "2030 Series" shall mean the series of First
Mortgage Bonds created by this Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture, as in
Section 2.1 hereof provided.
ARTICLE II
CREATION, DESCRIPTION, REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND
EXCHANGE OF THE 2030 SERIES OF BONDS
SECTION 2.1. The Company hereby creates a new series of bonds which
may be authenticated and delivered, either before or after the filing or
recording hereof, under any applicable provisions of the Original Indenture,
and may be issued under the Mortgage, and which shall be designated by the
title "First Mortgage Bonds, 7.90% Series due September 15, 2030." The
aggregate principal amount of bonds of the 2030 Series which may be executed
by the Company and authenticated is limited to Thirty Million Dollars
($30,000,000), except bonds of such series authenticated and delivered
pursuant to Section 2.4 or 2.6 hereof or Section 2.09 or Section 12.04 of
the Original Indenture.
SECTION 2.2. All bonds of the 2030 Series shall be dated as provided
in Section 2.03 of the Original Indenture.
SECTION 2.3. The bonds of the 2030 Series shall be issuable only as
fully registered bonds without coupons, in the denomination of $1,000, and,
at the option of the Company, in any multiple or multiples of $1,000, and
such bonds, and the Trustee's certificate of authentication, shall,
respectively, be substantially of the tenor and purport in this Twenty-Fifth
Supplemental Indenture above recited, and they may have such letters,
numbers or other marks of identification, and such legends or endorsements,
printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the Company may deem
appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the Mortgage, including any
legend or legends permitted pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Original
Indenture.
SECTION 2.4. At the option of the registered owner, any bonds of the
2030 Series, upon surrender thereof at the office or agency of the Company
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
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New York, or in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, together with a
written instrument of transfer in form approved by the Company duly executed
by the registered owner or his duly authorized attorney, shall, subject to
the provisions of Section 2.05 of the Original Indenture, be exchangeable
for a like aggregate amount of fully registered bonds of the same series of
other authorized denominations.
SECTION 2.5. The bonds of the 2030 Series are transferable as
prescribed in the Mortgage by the registered owner thereof in person, or by
his duly authorized attorney, at the office or agency of the Company in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or in the City of St. Louis,
State of Missouri, upon surrender and cancellation of such bonds and upon
presentation of a written instrument of transfer, duly executed, and upon
payment, if the Company shall require it, of the transfer charges prescribed
in the Mortgage, and thereupon, new fully registered bonds of the same
series for a like principal amount will be issued to the transferee in
exchange therefor as provided in the Mortgage.
SECTION 2.6. Until bonds of the 2030 Series in definitive form are
ready for delivery, there may be authenticated and delivered and issued, in
lieu of any definitive bond or bonds of said series, temporary bonds of said
series as provided in Section 2.08 of the Original Indenture. Such
temporary bonds shall be substantially in the form of the definitive bonds
of the 2030 Series, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as
may be appropriate for temporary bonds, and may contain such reference to
any provisions of the Mortgage as may be appropriate, all as determined by
the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2.7. The person in whose name any bond of the 2030 Series is
registered at the close of business on any record date (as hereinbelow
defined) with respect to any interest payment date shall be entitled to
receive the interest payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding
the cancellation of such bond upon any transfer or exchange thereof
subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date,
except if and to the extent the Company shall default in the payment of the
interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted
interest shall be paid to the person in whose name such bond is registered
on the date of payment of such defaulted interest. The record date shall be
March 1 or September 1, as the case may be, next preceding such interest
payment date, or, if such March 1 or September 1 shall be a legal holiday or
a day on which banking institutions in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, or in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, are authorized by
law to close, the next preceding day which shall not be a legal holiday or a
day on which such institutions are so authorized to close.
SECTION 2.8. Anything in this Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture to
the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be required to make
transfers or exchanges of bonds of the 2030 Series for a period of fifteen
(15) days next preceding any selection of bonds of such series to be
redeemed, and the Company shall not be required to make transfers or
exchanges of the principal amount of any of such bonds called or selected
for redemption except in the case of any bond of the 2030 Series to be
redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be so redeemed.
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ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF BONDS OF THE 2030 SERIES
SECTION 3.1. Bonds of the 2030 Series shall be redeemable, in whole
or in part, at 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued
interest to the date fixed for redemption at any time before maturity by the
application of cash deposited with the Trustee as the result of the
operation of the Maintenance and Improvement Fund provided for in Section
9.07 of the Original Indenture or in Section 4.1 hereof, or pursuant to the
provisions of paragraph (B) of Section 13.06 of the Original Indenture.
SECTION 3.2. Bonds of the 2030 Series shall also be redeemable, at
the option of the Company, in whole at any time or in part from time to
time, prior to maturity, at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (A)
100% of the principal amount of the bonds of the 2030 Series being redeemed;
and (B) as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, as hereinafter
defined, the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments
of principal of and interest on the bonds of the 2030 Series being redeemed
(excluding the portion of any such interest accrued to the date fixed for
redemption), discounted (for purposes of determining such present values) to
the date fixed for redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, as hereinafter
defined, plus .25% plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon to the date
fixed for redemption without premium.
For purposes of this Section 3.2:
"Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any date fixed for
redemption:
(a) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for
the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published
statistical release designated "H.15(519)" or any successor publication
which is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System and which reports yields on actively traded United States Treasury
securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption "Treasury
Constant Maturities," for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable
Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the
remaining term of the bonds of the 2030 Series, yields for the two published
maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall
be determined and the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or
extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the
nearest month); or
(b) if such release (or any successor release) is not published
during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such
yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to
maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the
Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal
amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such date fixed for
redemption.
The Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day
preceding the date fixed for redemption.
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"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day
on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or
required by law or executive order to remain closed or a day on which the
corporate trust office of the Trustee is closed for business.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by the Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity
comparable to the remaining term of the bonds of the 2030 Series that would
be utilized at the time of selection and in accordance with customary
financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of
comparable maturity to the remaining term of the bonds of the 2030 Series.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any date fixed for
redemption, (a) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for
such date fixed for redemption after excluding the highest and the lowest
such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations or (b) if the Independent
Investment Banker obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations, the average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations.
"Independent Investment Banker" means A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. or, if
such firm is unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an
independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by
the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means a primary U. S. Government securities
dealer selected by the Independent Investment Banker after consultation with
the Company.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any date fixed for redemption, the average, as
determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices
for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of
its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker
by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m. on the third Business Day
preceding such date fixed for redemption.
SECTION 3.3. Article XII of the Original Indenture is and shall be
applicable to any redemption of bonds of the 2030 Series. The notice of
intention to redeem provided for in Section 12.02 of the Original Indenture
need not be published with respect to bonds of the 2030 Series but shall be
given by mailing a copy thereof to each registered owner thereof, directed
to his registered address, not less than thirty (30) nor more than ninety
(90) days prior to the date fixed for redemption.
ARTICLE IV
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
SECTION 4.1. So long as any bonds of the 2030 Series are outstanding,
all covenants and provisions of Section 9.07 of the Original Indenture which
(under the terms of the Original Indenture and without regard to any
provision of any supplemental indenture heretofore or hereafter executed)
expired when all bonds of the 3 1/2% Series due 1965 ceased to be
outstanding, shall continue in force and effect; provided, however, that the
provisions of said Section 9.07 with
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reference to computing the Maintenance and Improvement Fund on the basis of
15% of the gross operating revenue of the Company (which had ceased to be
applicable prior to the retirement of the 3 1/2% Series due 1965) shall
remain inapplicable, and the provisions for such computation on the basis of
2 3/4% of the average amount of the gross property account of the Company
shall continue to apply, so long as any bonds of the 2030 Series are
outstanding.
SECTION 4.2. So long as any of the bonds of the 2030 Series are
outstanding, the Company will not (a) declare any dividends (other than
dividends in common stock) on any common stock, or order the making of any
distribution on any shares of common stock or to owners of common stock or
(b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any shares of
common stock, if the aggregate net amount of such declarations,
distributions so ordered, purchases, redemptions, acquisitions and
retirements after September 30, 1953, would exceed the sum of (a) the Net
Income Available for Common Stock for the period beginning October 1, 1953,
and ending with the last day of the calendar quarter immediately preceding
the calendar quarter in which such dividend is declared, distribution
ordered, or purchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement made, plus (b)
Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000).
The aggregate net amount of the declarations, distributions ordered,
purchases, redemptions, acquisitions and retirements referred to in the
first paragraph of this Section 4.2 shall be determined by deducting from
the aggregate amount thereof the total amount of cash payments received by
the Company after September 30, 1953, for any shares of common stock sold by
the Company after September 30, 1953.
Net Income Available for Common Stock, for the purpose of this Section
4.2, for any period, means (1) the net income of the Company for such period
computed according to the applicable system of accounts prescribed by the
Public Service Commission of Missouri and any applicable orders of said
Commission and (to the extent not prescribed by such system of accounts or
orders) according to generally accepted accounting principles, less (2) an
amount equal to the dividends accrued (whether or not declared or paid)
during such period on any and all classes of stock having preference over
the common stock as to assets or dividends.
For the purposes of the last preceding paragraph of this Section 4.2,
the term "Public Service Commission of Missouri" shall also apply, and be
deemed to refer, to any regulatory body which may (1) succeed said
Commission with respect to jurisdiction over the accounting of the Company,
or (2) supersede said Commission with respect to such jurisdiction, or (3)
have such jurisdiction over phases of the Company's business or parts of its
property over which said Commission shall not have jurisdiction.
SECTION 4.3. So long as any bonds of the 2030 Series are outstanding,
the Company shall not be entitled to have authenticated and delivered any
bonds pursuant to Article VI, Article VII or Article VIII of the Original
Indenture, except bonds which may be authenticated and delivered under
Article VII of the Original Indenture, without the receipt by the Trustee of
a net earnings certificate showing the net earnings to be as required by
Section 6.05 of the Original Indenture, unless (in addition to all other
requirements for the authentication and delivery of such bonds):
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(a) net earnings of the Company after provision for depreciation,
depletion and amortization of property, for any 12 consecutive calendar
months within the 15 calendar months immediately preceding the date on which
such additional bonds are to be issued, shall have been not less than 2 1/4
times the amount of the total annual interest charges upon the funded debt
of the Company to be outstanding immediately after the issue of such
additional bonds; and
(b) the Trustee shall have received a certificate made, signed
and verified by the same persons (including an independent public accountant
where required) as would be required if such certificate were a net earnings
certificate under the Original Indenture, showing the net earnings of the
Company to be as required by the foregoing clause (a) of this Section 4.3.
Such certificate shall show the net earnings and total annual interest
charges referred to in said clause (a).
For the purposes of this Section 4.3, "funded debt" shall mean all
indebtedness created or assumed by the Company maturing one year or more
after the date of the creation or assumption thereof.
For the purposes of this Section 4.3, net earnings of the Company after
provision for depreciation, depletion and amortization of property shall
mean the total operating revenue and other income (net) of the Company less
operating expenses (including provision for depreciation, depletion and
amortization of property) and less taxes (excluding income and excess
profits taxes or other taxes which are imposed on or measured by income).
In the determination of net earnings of the Company the following additional
requirements shall be applicable:
(i) No profits or losses from the sale or abandonment of capital
assets or change in value of securities or other investments shall be taken
into account in making such computations;
(ii) In case the Company shall have sold any property for a
consideration in excess of $5,000,000, within or after the particular period
for which the calculation is made, then, in computing the net earnings of
the Company so available, the net earnings or net losses of such property
for the whole of such period shall be excluded to the extent practicable on
the basis of actual earnings and expenses of such property or on the basis
of such estimates of the earnings and expenses of such property as the
signers of a Treasurer's certificate filed with the Trustee shall deem
proper;
(iii) In case the Company shall, within or after the particular
period for which the calculation is made, have acquired (by purchase,
merger, consolidation or otherwise) any property which within six months
prior to the date of acquisition thereof by the Company has been used or
operated by a person or persons other than the Company in a business similar
to that in which it has been or is to be used or operated by the Company,
then in computing the net earnings of the Company so available for such
purposes there shall be included, to the extent that they may not have been
otherwise included, the net earnings or net losses of the property so
acquired for the whole of such period to the extent practicable on the basis
of actual earnings and expenses of such property or on the basis of such
estimates of the earnings and expenses of such property as the signers of a
Treasurer's certificate filed with the Trustee shall deem proper. The net
earnings or net losses of such property for the period preceding such
acquisition shall in such case be ascertained
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and computed as provided in this clause (iii) as if such acquired property
had been owned by the Company during the whole of such period;
(iv) The "net earnings of property" referred to in clauses (ii)
and (iii) of this Section 4.3 shall mean the net earnings of such property
computed in the manner provided in this definition for the computation of
net earnings of the Company available for the pertinent purposes.
All accounting determinations required by this Section 4.3 shall
(except to the extent, if any, to which the preceding provisions of this
Section 4.3 may conflict with this provision) be made according to the
applicable system of accounts prescribed by the Public Service Commission of
Missouri and any applicable orders of said Commission and (to the extent not
prescribed by such system of accounts or orders) according to generally
accepted accounting principles.
For the purposes of this Section 4.3, the term "Public Service
Commission of Missouri" shall be applicable as provided in Section 4.2 of
this Article IV.
SECTION 4.4. So long as any bonds of the 2030 Series are outstanding,
in order that any interest payment on the bonds of the 2030 Series may be
postponed pursuant to clause (2) of Section 20.07 of the Original Indenture,
there shall be required, in addition to all other prerequisites to such
postponement provided in the Original Indenture, the consent of the owners
of not less than seventy-five percent (75%) in principal amount of bonds of
the 2030 Series at the time outstanding, such consent to be given at the
same time as and in the same manner as the consent of the owners of other
bonds required by said clause (2) of Section 20.07 of the Original
Indenture.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.1. In any case where the date of maturity of interest on or
principal of bonds of the 2030 Series or the date fixed for redemption of
any such bonds shall be in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York,
or in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, a legal holiday or a day on
which banking institutions are authorized by law to close, then payment of
interest or principal need not be made on such date, but may be made on the
next succeeding date not in The City of New York, or in the City of St.
Louis, a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized
by law to close, with the same force and effect as if made on the date of
maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for
the period after such date.
SECTION 5.2. If and to the extent that any provision hereof, or any
other provision of the Mortgage, limits, qualifies, or conflicts with
another provision included in the Mortgage which is required to be included
in the Mortgage by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990,
through operation of Section 318(c) thereof, such required provisions shall
control.
SECTION 5.3. The Trustee hereby accepts the trust hereby declared and
provided and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions in the
Original Indenture and in this Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture set
forth.
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SECTION 5.4. This Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture is executed and
shall be construed as an indenture supplemental to the Original Indenture
and shall form a part thereof.
SECTION 5.5. This Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture may be
simultaneously executed in any number of counterparts, each of which, when
so executed, shall be deemed to be an original; such counterparts shall
together constitute but one and the same instrument.
SECTION 5.6. Although this Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture is
dated, for convenience and for purposes of reference, as of September 15,
2000, the actual dates of execution by the Company and by the Trustee are as
indicated by their respective acknowledgements hereto annexed.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Laclede Gas Company, party of the first part, has
caused its corporate name to be hereunto affixed and this instrument to be
signed and sealed by its President or Vice President, and its corporate seal
to be attested by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, for and in its
behalf; and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Missouri, N.A., Trustee,
party of the second part, in token of its acceptance of the trust hereby
created, has caused its name to be hereunto affixed and this instrument to
be signed and sealed by a Vice President, and its seal to be attested by its
Vice President or an Assistant Vice President.
LACLEDE GAS COMPANY
By /s/ D. H. Yaeger
President
ATTEST:
/s/ M. C. Kullman
Secretary
(SEAL)
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY OF MISSOURI, N.A.,
Trustee
By /s/ Susan R. James
Vice President
ATTEST:
/s/ Robert A. Clasquin
Assistant Vice President
(SEAL)
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State of Missouri )
) ss.
City of St. Louis )
On this 21st day of September, 2000 before me appeared D. H. Yaeger, to
me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn did say that he is the
President of Laclede Gas Company, the corporation described in and which
executed the foregoing instrument, and that the seal affixed to the
foregoing instrument is the corporate seal of said corporation and that said
instrument was signed and sealed in behalf of said corporation by authority
of its board of directors, and said D. H. Yaeger acknowledged said
instrument to be the free act and deed of said corporation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal in my office in the City of St. Louis, Missouri, the day and year last
above written.
My commission expires June 11, 2004.
/s/ Adele M. Follmer
Notary Public
State of Missouri
(SEAL)
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State of Missouri )
) ss.
City of St. Louis )
On this 21st day of September, 2000 before me appeared Susan R. James
to me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn did say that (s)he is a
Vice President of State Street Bank and Trust Company of Missouri, N.A., the
national banking association described in and which executed the foregoing
instrument, and that the seal affixed to the foregoing instrument is the
seal of said association and that said instrument was signed and sealed in
behalf of said association by authority of its board of directors, and said
R. Clasquin acknowledged said instrument to be the free act and deed of said
association.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal in my office in the City of St. Louis, Missouri, the day and year last
above written.
My commission expires June 11, 2004.
/s/ Adele M. Follmer
Notary Public
State of Missouri
(SEAL)
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