The History Of Standard Oil, Ch 01 - Preface And Introduction

preface preface this work is the outgrowth of an effort this work is the outgrowth of an effort this work is the outgrowth of an effort on the part of the editors of mcclure's on the part of the editors of mcclure's on the part of the editors of mcclure's magazine magazine magazine to deal concretely in their pages with to deal concretely in their pages with to deal concretely in their pages with the trust question the trust question the trust question in order that their readers might have a in order that their readers might have a in order that their readers might have a clear and succinct notion of the clear and succinct notion of the clear and succinct notion of the processes processes processes by which a particular industry passes by which a particular industry passes by which a particular industry passes from the control of the many from the control of the many from the control of the many to that of the few they decided a few to that of the few they decided a few to that of the few they decided a few years ago to publish a detailed years ago to publish a detailed years ago to publish a detailed narrative of the history of the growth narrative of the history of the growth narrative of the history of the growth of a particular trust the standard oil of a particular trust the standard oil of a particular trust the standard oil trust was chosen for obvious reasons trust was chosen for obvious reasons trust was chosen for obvious reasons it was the first in the field and it has it was the first in the field and it has it was the first in the field and it has furnished the methods the charter furnished the methods the charter furnished the methods the charter and the traditions for its followers it and the traditions for its followers it and the traditions for its followers it is the most is the most is the most perfectly developed trust in existence perfectly developed trust in existence perfectly developed trust in existence that is it satisfies most that is it satisfies most that is it satisfies most nearly the trust ideal of entire control nearly the trust ideal of entire control nearly the trust ideal of entire control of the commodity in which it deals of the commodity in which it deals of the commodity in which it deals its vast profits have led its officers its vast profits have led its officers its vast profits have led its officers into various into various into various allied interests such as railroads allied interests such as railroads allied interests such as railroads shipping shipping shipping gas copper iron steel as well as into gas copper iron steel as well as into gas copper iron steel as well as into banks and trust companies banks and trust companies banks and trust companies and to the acquiring and solidifying of and to the acquiring and solidifying of and to the acquiring and solidifying of these interests these interests these interests it has applied the methods used in it has applied the methods used in it has applied the methods used in building up the oil trust building up the oil trust building up the oil trust it has led in the struggle against it has led in the struggle against it has led in the struggle against legislation directed against legislation directed against legislation directed against combinations combinations combinations its power in state and federal its power in state and federal its power in state and federal government in the press government in the press government in the press in the college in the pulpit is in the college in the pulpit is in the college in the pulpit is generally recognized generally recognized generally recognized the perfection of the organization of the perfection of the organization of the perfection of the organization of the standard the ability and daring with the standard the ability and daring with the standard the ability and daring with which it has carried out its projects which it has carried out its projects which it has carried out its projects make it the preeminent trust of the make it the preeminent trust of the make it the preeminent trust of the world the one whose story is best fitted

world the one whose story is best fitted world the one whose story is best fitted to illuminate the subject to illuminate the subject to illuminate the subject of combinations of capital another of combinations of capital another of combinations of capital another important consideration with the editors important consideration with the editors important consideration with the editors in deciding that the standard oil trust in deciding that the standard oil trust in deciding that the standard oil trust was the best adapted to illustrate their was the best adapted to illustrate their was the best adapted to illustrate their meaning meaning meaning was the fact that it is one of the very was the fact that it is one of the very was the fact that it is one of the very few business organizations of the few business organizations of the few business organizations of the country country country whose growth could be traced in whose growth could be traced in whose growth could be traced in trustworthy documents trustworthy documents trustworthy documents there is in existence just such there is in existence just such there is in existence just such documentary material for a history of documentary material for a history of documentary material for a history of the standard oil company the standard oil company the standard oil company as there is for a history of the civil as there is for a history of the civil as there is for a history of the civil war or the french revolution war or the french revolution war or the french revolution or any other national episode which has or any other national episode which has or any other national episode which has divided men's minds divided men's minds divided men's minds this has come about largely from the this has come about largely from the this has come about largely from the fact that almost constantly since its fact that almost constantly since its fact that almost constantly since its organization in 1870 organization in 1870 organization in 1870 the standard oil company has been under the standard oil company has been under the standard oil company has been under investigation by the congress of the investigation by the congress of the investigation by the congress of the united states united states united states and by the legislatures of various and by the legislatures of various and by the legislatures of various states in which it has operated states in which it has operated states in which it has operated on the suspicion that it was receiving on the suspicion that it was receiving on the suspicion that it was receiving rebates from the railroads rebates from the railroads rebates from the railroads and was practicing methods in restraint and was practicing methods in restraint and was practicing methods in restraint of free trade of free trade of free trade in 1872 and again in 1876 in 1872 and again in 1876 in 1872 and again in 1876 it was before congressional committees it was before congressional committees it was before congressional committees in 1879 it was before in 1879 it was before in 1879 it was before examiners of the commonwealth of examiners of the commonwealth of examiners of the commonwealth of pennsylvania and before committees pennsylvania and before committees pennsylvania and before committees appointed by the legislatures of new appointed by the legislatures of new appointed by the legislatures of new york york york and of ohio for investigating railroads and of ohio for investigating railroads and of ohio for investigating railroads its operations figured constantly in the its operations figured constantly in the its operations figured constantly in the debate which led up to the creation of debate which led up to the creation of debate which led up to the creation of the interstate commerce commission in the interstate commerce commission in the interstate commerce commission in 1887 1887 1887 and again and again since that time the and again and again since that time the and again and again since that time the commission has been called upon to

commission has been called upon to commission has been called upon to examine examine examine directly or indirectly into its relation directly or indirectly into its relation directly or indirectly into its relation with the railroads with the railroads with the railroads in 1888 in the investigation of trust in 1888 in the investigation of trust in 1888 in the investigation of trust conducted by conducted by conducted by congress and by the state of new york congress and by the state of new york congress and by the state of new york the standard oil company was the chief the standard oil company was the chief the standard oil company was the chief subject for examination in the state of subject for examination in the state of subject for examination in the state of ohio ohio ohio between 1882 and 1892 between 1882 and 1892 between 1882 and 1892 a constant warfare was waged against the a constant warfare was waged against the a constant warfare was waged against the standard standard standard in the courts and legislature resulting in the courts and legislature resulting in the courts and legislature resulting in several volumes of testimony in several volumes of testimony in several volumes of testimony the legislatures of many other states the legislatures of many other states the legislatures of many other states concerned themselves with it concerned themselves with it concerned themselves with it this hostile legislation compelled the this hostile legislation compelled the this hostile legislation compelled the trust to separate trust to separate trust to separate into its component parts in 1892 into its component parts in 1892 into its component parts in 1892 but investigation did not cease indeed but investigation did not cease indeed but investigation did not cease indeed in the last great industrial inquiry in the last great industrial inquiry in the last great industrial inquiry conducted by the commission appointed by conducted by the commission appointed by conducted by the commission appointed by president mckinley president mckinley president mckinley the standard oil company was constantly the standard oil company was constantly the standard oil company was constantly under discussion under discussion under discussion and hundreds of pages of testimony on it and hundreds of pages of testimony on it and hundreds of pages of testimony on it appear in the 19 volumes of reports appear in the 19 volumes of reports appear in the 19 volumes of reports which the commission has submitted which the commission has submitted which the commission has submitted this massive testimony all of it this massive testimony all of it this massive testimony all of it submitted under oath it should be submitted under oath it should be submitted under oath it should be remembered remembered remembered contains the different charters and contains the different charters and contains the different charters and agreements under which the standard oil agreements under which the standard oil agreements under which the standard oil trust has operated trust has operated trust has operated many contracts and agreements with many contracts and agreements with many contracts and agreements with railroads with refineries with pipelines railroads with refineries with pipelines railroads with refineries with pipelines and it contains the experiences in and it contains the experiences in and it contains the experiences in business from 1872 business from 1872 business from 1872 up to 1900 of multitudes of individuals up to 1900 of multitudes of individuals up to 1900 of multitudes of individuals these experiences have exactly the these experiences have exactly the these experiences have exactly the quality of the personal reminiscences of quality of the personal reminiscences of quality of the personal reminiscences of actors in great events

actors in great events actors in great events with the additional value that they were with the additional value that they were with the additional value that they were given on the witness stand given on the witness stand given on the witness stand and it is fair therefore to suppose that and it is fair therefore to suppose that and it is fair therefore to suppose that they are more cautious they are more cautious they are more cautious and exacting statements than many and exacting statements than many and exacting statements than many writers of memoirs are writers of memoirs are writers of memoirs are these investigations covering as they do these investigations covering as they do these investigations covering as they do all of the important steps in the all of the important steps in the all of the important steps in the development of the trust development of the trust development of the trust include full accounts of the point of include full accounts of the point of include full accounts of the point of view of its officers view of its officers view of its officers in regard to that development as well as in regard to that development as well as in regard to that development as well as their explanations of many of the their explanations of many of the their explanations of many of the operations over which controversy has operations over which controversy has operations over which controversy has arisen arisen arisen hundreds of pages of sworn testimony are hundreds of pages of sworn testimony are hundreds of pages of sworn testimony are found in these volumes from john d found in these volumes from john d found in these volumes from john d rockefeller william rockefeller henry m rockefeller william rockefeller henry m rockefeller william rockefeller henry m flagler flagler flagler h.h rogers john d archball h.h rogers john d archball h.h rogers john d archball daniel o'day and other members of the daniel o'day and other members of the daniel o'day and other members of the concern concern concern aside from the great mass of sworn aside from the great mass of sworn aside from the great mass of sworn testimony accessible to the student testimony accessible to the student testimony accessible to the student there was a large pamphlet literature there was a large pamphlet literature there was a large pamphlet literature dealing with different phases of the dealing with different phases of the dealing with different phases of the subject subject subject and there are files of the numerous and there are files of the numerous and there are files of the numerous daily newspapers and monthly reviews daily newspapers and monthly reviews daily newspapers and monthly reviews supported by the oil regions in the supported by the oil regions in the supported by the oil regions in the columns of which are to be found not columns of which are to be found not columns of which are to be found not only statistics only statistics only statistics but full reports of all controversies but full reports of all controversies but full reports of all controversies between oil men between oil men between oil men no complete collection of this no complete collection of this no complete collection of this voluminous printed material has ever voluminous printed material has ever voluminous printed material has ever been made been made been made but several small collections exist and but several small collections exist and but several small collections exist and in one in one in one or another of these i have been able to or another of these i have been able to or another of these i have been able to find practically find practically find practically all of the important documents relating all of the important documents relating all of the important documents relating to the subject to the subject to the subject mrs roger sherman of titusville mrs roger sherman of titusville mrs roger sherman of titusville pennsylvania pennsylvania pennsylvania owns the largest of these collections

owns the largest of these collections owns the largest of these collections and in it and in it and in it are to be found copies of the rarest are to be found copies of the rarest are to be found copies of the rarest pamphlets pamphlets pamphlets louis emery jr of bradford the late louis emery jr of bradford the late louis emery jr of bradford the late eg patterson of titusville the late eg patterson of titusville the late eg patterson of titusville the late henry d henry d henry d lloyd author of wealth versus lloyd author of wealth versus lloyd author of wealth versus commonwealth commonwealth commonwealth william hassan of oil city and pc boyle william hassan of oil city and pc boyle william hassan of oil city and pc boyle the editor of the oil city derrick have the editor of the oil city derrick have the editor of the oil city derrick have collections of value collections of value collections of value and they have all been most generous in and they have all been most generous in and they have all been most generous in giving me access to their books giving me access to their books giving me access to their books but the documentary sources of this work but the documentary sources of this work but the documentary sources of this work are by no means all printed are by no means all printed are by no means all printed the standard oil trust and its the standard oil trust and its the standard oil trust and its constituent companies have figured in constituent companies have figured in constituent companies have figured in many civil suits many civil suits many civil suits the testimony of which is still in the testimony of which is still in the testimony of which is still in manuscript in the files of the courts manuscript in the files of the courts manuscript in the files of the courts where the suits were tried where the suits were tried where the suits were tried these manuscripts have been examined on these manuscripts have been examined on these manuscripts have been examined on the ground the ground the ground and in numerous instances full copies of and in numerous instances full copies of and in numerous instances full copies of affidavits and of important testimony affidavits and of important testimony affidavits and of important testimony have been made for permanent reference have been made for permanent reference have been made for permanent reference and study and study and study i have also had access to many files of i have also had access to many files of i have also had access to many files of private correspondence and papers private correspondence and papers private correspondence and papers the most important being that of the the most important being that of the the most important being that of the officers and council of the petroleum officers and council of the petroleum officers and council of the petroleum producers union from 1878 to 1880 producers union from 1878 to 1880 producers union from 1878 to 1880 that covering the organization from 1887 that covering the organization from 1887 that covering the organization from 1887 to 1895 to 1895 to 1895 of the various independent companies of the various independent companies of the various independent companies which resulted in the pure oil company which resulted in the pure oil company which resulted in the pure oil company and that containing the material and that containing the material and that containing the material prepared by roger sherman prepared by roger sherman prepared by roger sherman for the suit brought in 1897 by the for the suit brought in 1897 by the for the suit brought in 1897 by the united states united states united states pipeline against certain of the standard pipeline against certain of the standard pipeline against certain of the standard companies companies companies under the sherman antitrust act as many under the sherman antitrust act as many under the sherman antitrust act as many of the persons who have been active in of the persons who have been active in of the persons who have been active in the development of the oil industry are

the development of the oil industry are the development of the oil industry are still still still living their health has been freely living their health has been freely living their health has been freely sought sought sought scores of persons in each of the great scores of persons in each of the great scores of persons in each of the great oil centers have been interviewed oil centers have been interviewed oil centers have been interviewed and the comprehension and interpretation and the comprehension and interpretation and the comprehension and interpretation of the documents on which the work is of the documents on which the work is of the documents on which the work is based based based have been materially aided by the have been materially aided by the have been materially aided by the explanations which the actors in the explanations which the actors in the explanations which the actors in the events events events under consideration were able to give under consideration were able to give under consideration were able to give when the work was first announced in the when the work was first announced in the when the work was first announced in the fall of 1901 fall of 1901 fall of 1901 the standard oil company or perhaps i the standard oil company or perhaps i the standard oil company or perhaps i should say should say should say officers of the company courteously officers of the company courteously officers of the company courteously offered to give me all the assistance in offered to give me all the assistance in offered to give me all the assistance in their power their power their power an offer of which i have freely taken an offer of which i have freely taken an offer of which i have freely taken advantage advantage advantage in accepting assistance from standard in accepting assistance from standard in accepting assistance from standard men as from independence men as from independence men as from independence i distinctly stated that i wanted facts i distinctly stated that i wanted facts i distinctly stated that i wanted facts and that i reserved the right to use and that i reserved the right to use and that i reserved the right to use them them them according to my own judgment of their according to my own judgment of their according to my own judgment of their meaning that my object was to learn more meaning that my object was to learn more meaning that my object was to learn more perfectly perfectly perfectly what was actually done not to learn what what was actually done not to learn what what was actually done not to learn what my informants my informants my informants thought of what had been done it is thought of what had been done it is thought of what had been done it is perhaps perhaps perhaps not too much to say that there is not a not too much to say that there is not a not too much to say that there is not a single important episode single important episode single important episode in the history of the standard oil in the history of the standard oil in the history of the standard oil company so far as i know it company so far as i know it company so far as i know it or a notable step in its growth which i or a notable step in its growth which i or a notable step in its growth which i have not discussed more or less fully have not discussed more or less fully have not discussed more or less fully with officers of the company with officers of the company with officers of the company it is needless to add that the it is needless to add that the it is needless to add that the conclusions expressed in this work conclusions expressed in this work conclusions expressed in this work are my own imt are my own imt are my own imt and the preface chapter one and the preface chapter one and the preface chapter one part one the birth of an industry part one the birth of an industry part one the birth of an industry one of the busiest corners of the globe one of the busiest corners of the globe one of the busiest corners of the globe at the opening of the year

at the opening of the year at the opening of the year 1872 was a strip of northwestern 1872 was a strip of northwestern 1872 was a strip of northwestern pennsylvania pennsylvania pennsylvania not over 50 miles long known the world not over 50 miles long known the world not over 50 miles long known the world over over over as the oil regions 12 years before as the oil regions 12 years before as the oil regions 12 years before this strip of land had been but little this strip of land had been but little this strip of land had been but little better than a wilderness better than a wilderness better than a wilderness its chief inhabitants the lumbermen who its chief inhabitants the lumbermen who its chief inhabitants the lumbermen who every season cut every season cut every season cut great swaths of primeval pine and great swaths of primeval pine and great swaths of primeval pine and hemlock from its hills hemlock from its hills hemlock from its hills and in the spring floated them down the and in the spring floated them down the and in the spring floated them down the allegheny river to pittsburgh allegheny river to pittsburgh allegheny river to pittsburgh the great tides of western immigration the great tides of western immigration the great tides of western immigration had shunned the spot for years as had shunned the spot for years as had shunned the spot for years as too rugged and unfriendly for settlement too rugged and unfriendly for settlement too rugged and unfriendly for settlement and yet in 12 years and yet in 12 years and yet in 12 years this region avoided by men had been this region avoided by men had been this region avoided by men had been transformed transformed transformed into a bustling trade center where towns into a bustling trade center where towns into a bustling trade center where towns elbowed each other for place elbowed each other for place elbowed each other for place into which three great trunk railroads into which three great trunk railroads into which three great trunk railroads had built branches had built branches had built branches and every foot of whose soil was fought and every foot of whose soil was fought and every foot of whose soil was fought for by capitalists for by capitalists for by capitalists it was the discovery and development of it was the discovery and development of it was the discovery and development of a new raw a new raw a new raw product petroleum which had made this product petroleum which had made this product petroleum which had made this change from wilderness to marketplace change from wilderness to marketplace change from wilderness to marketplace this product in 12 years had not only this product in 12 years had not only this product in 12 years had not only peopled a waste place of the earth peopled a waste place of the earth peopled a waste place of the earth it had revolutionized the world's it had revolutionized the world's it had revolutionized the world's methods of illumination methods of illumination methods of illumination and added millions upon millions of and added millions upon millions of and added millions upon millions of dollars to the wealth of the united dollars to the wealth of the united dollars to the wealth of the united states states states petroleum as a curiosity and indeed in a petroleum as a curiosity and indeed in a petroleum as a curiosity and indeed in a small way small way small way as an article of commerce was no new as an article of commerce was no new as an article of commerce was no new thing when its discovery and quantities thing when its discovery and quantities thing when its discovery and quantities called the attention of the world called the attention of the world called the attention of the world to this corner of northwestern to this corner of northwestern to this corner of northwestern pennsylvania pennsylvania pennsylvania the journals of many an early explorer the journals of many an early explorer the journals of many an early explorer of the valleys of the allegheny and its

of the valleys of the allegheny and its of the valleys of the allegheny and its tributaries tell of springs and streams tributaries tell of springs and streams tributaries tell of springs and streams the surfaces of which were found covered the surfaces of which were found covered the surfaces of which were found covered with a thick oily substance with a thick oily substance with a thick oily substance which burned fiercely when ignited in which burned fiercely when ignited in which burned fiercely when ignited in which the indians believed to have which the indians believed to have which the indians believed to have curative properties as the country was curative properties as the country was curative properties as the country was opened opened opened more and more was heard of these oil more and more was heard of these oil more and more was heard of these oil springs springs springs certain streams came to be named from certain streams came to be named from certain streams came to be named from the quantities of the substance found on the quantities of the substance found on the quantities of the substance found on the surface of the water the surface of the water the surface of the water as oil creek in northwestern as oil creek in northwestern as oil creek in northwestern pennsylvania pennsylvania pennsylvania old greasy okinawa in west virginia old greasy okinawa in west virginia old greasy okinawa in west virginia the belief in the substance as a the belief in the substance as a the belief in the substance as a cure-all increased as time went on cure-all increased as time went on cure-all increased as time went on and in various parts of the country it and in various parts of the country it and in various parts of the country it was regularly skimmed from the surface was regularly skimmed from the surface was regularly skimmed from the surface of the water of the water of the water as cream from a pan or soaked up by as cream from a pan or soaked up by as cream from a pan or soaked up by woolen blankets bottled woolen blankets bottled woolen blankets bottled and peddled as a medicine for man and and peddled as a medicine for man and and peddled as a medicine for man and beast beast beast up to the beginning of the 19th century up to the beginning of the 19th century up to the beginning of the 19th century no no no oil seems to have been obtained except oil seems to have been obtained except oil seems to have been obtained except from the surfaces of springs and streams from the surfaces of springs and streams from the surfaces of springs and streams that it was to be found far below the that it was to be found far below the that it was to be found far below the surface of the earth surface of the earth surface of the earth was discovered independently at various was discovered independently at various was discovered independently at various points in kentucky points in kentucky points in kentucky west virginia ohio and pennsylvania by west virginia ohio and pennsylvania by west virginia ohio and pennsylvania by persons drilling for salt water to be persons drilling for salt water to be persons drilling for salt water to be used in manufacturing salt used in manufacturing salt used in manufacturing salt not infrequently the water they found not infrequently the water they found not infrequently the water they found was mixed with a dark green was mixed with a dark green was mixed with a dark green evil smelling substance which was evil smelling substance which was evil smelling substance which was recognized as identical with the recognized as identical with the recognized as identical with the well-known well-known well-known rock oil it was necessary to rid the rock oil it was necessary to rid the rock oil it was necessary to rid the water of this before it could be used water of this before it could be used water of this before it could be used for salt for salt for salt and in many places cisterns were devised and in many places cisterns were devised and in many places cisterns were devised in which the brine was allowed to stand

in which the brine was allowed to stand in which the brine was allowed to stand until the oil had risen to the surface until the oil had risen to the surface until the oil had risen to the surface it was then run into the streams or on it was then run into the streams or on it was then run into the streams or on the ground the ground the ground this practice was soon discovered to be this practice was soon discovered to be this practice was soon discovered to be dangerous so dangerous so dangerous so easily did the oil ignite in several easily did the oil ignite in several easily did the oil ignite in several places places places particularly in kentucky so much oil was particularly in kentucky so much oil was particularly in kentucky so much oil was obtained with the salt water obtained with the salt water obtained with the salt water that the wells had to be abandoned that the wells had to be abandoned that the wells had to be abandoned certain of these deserted salt wells certain of these deserted salt wells certain of these deserted salt wells were opened years after were opened years after were opened years after when it was found that the troublesome when it was found that the troublesome when it was found that the troublesome substance which had made them useless substance which had made them useless substance which had made them useless was far more valuable than the brine the was far more valuable than the brine the was far more valuable than the brine the original drillers sought original drillers sought original drillers sought naturally the first use made of the oil naturally the first use made of the oil naturally the first use made of the oil obtained in quantities from the salt obtained in quantities from the salt obtained in quantities from the salt wells wells wells was medicinal by the middle of the was medicinal by the middle of the was medicinal by the middle of the century it was without doubt the great century it was without doubt the great century it was without doubt the great american medicine american medicine american medicine seneca oil seems to have been the seneca oil seems to have been the seneca oil seems to have been the earliest name earliest name earliest name under which petroleum appeared in the under which petroleum appeared in the under which petroleum appeared in the east it was followed by a large output east it was followed by a large output east it was followed by a large output of kentucky petroleum sold of kentucky petroleum sold of kentucky petroleum sold under the name american medicinal oil under the name american medicinal oil under the name american medicinal oil several hundred thousand bottles of this several hundred thousand bottles of this several hundred thousand bottles of this oil are said to have been put up in oil are said to have been put up in oil are said to have been put up in burkesville kentucky burkesville kentucky burkesville kentucky and to have been shipped to the east and to have been shipped to the east and to have been shipped to the east into europe into europe into europe the point at which the business of the point at which the business of the point at which the business of bottling petroleum for medicine was bottling petroleum for medicine was bottling petroleum for medicine was carried on most systematically and carried on most systematically and carried on most systematically and extensively extensively extensively was pittsburgh near that town at was pittsburgh near that town at was pittsburgh near that town at tarantum in allegheny county tarantum in allegheny county tarantum in allegheny county were located saltwells owned and were located saltwells owned and were located saltwells owned and operated in the 40s operated in the 40s operated in the 40s by samuel m kear the oil which came up by samuel m kear the oil which came up by samuel m kear the oil which came up with the salt water was sufficient to be with the salt water was sufficient to be with the salt water was sufficient to be a nuisance a nuisance a nuisance and mr kier sought a way to use it

and mr kier sought a way to use it and mr kier sought a way to use it believing it had curative qualities believing it had curative qualities believing it had curative qualities he began to bottle it by 1850 he began to bottle it by 1850 he began to bottle it by 1850 he had worked up this business until he had worked up this business until he had worked up this business until here's petroleum or rock oil here's petroleum or rock oil here's petroleum or rock oil was sold all over the united states was sold all over the united states was sold all over the united states the crude petroleum was put up in eight the crude petroleum was put up in eight the crude petroleum was put up in eight ounce bottles ounce bottles ounce bottles wrapped in a circular setting for in wrapped in a circular setting for in wrapped in a circular setting for in good patent medicine good patent medicine good patent medicine style its virtues as cure-all and giving style its virtues as cure-all and giving style its virtues as cure-all and giving directions about its use directions about its use directions about its use while it was admitted to be chiefly while it was admitted to be chiefly while it was admitted to be chiefly illinois it was recommended for cholera illinois it was recommended for cholera illinois it was recommended for cholera morbus morbus morbus liver complaint bronchitis and liver complaint bronchitis and liver complaint bronchitis and consumption and the dose prescribed was consumption and the dose prescribed was consumption and the dose prescribed was three teaspoonfuls three teaspoonfuls three teaspoonfuls three times a day mr kier's circulars three times a day mr kier's circulars three times a day mr kier's circulars are crowded with testimonials of the are crowded with testimonials of the are crowded with testimonials of the efficacy of rock oil efficacy of rock oil efficacy of rock oil dated anywhere between 1848 and 1853. dated anywhere between 1848 and 1853. dated anywhere between 1848 and 1853. although his trade in this oil was so although his trade in this oil was so although his trade in this oil was so extensive extensive extensive he was not satisfied that petroleum was he was not satisfied that petroleum was he was not satisfied that petroleum was useful useful useful only as a medicine he was interested in only as a medicine he was interested in only as a medicine he was interested in it it it as a lubricator and illuminant that as a lubricator and illuminant that as a lubricator and illuminant that petroleum petroleum petroleum had the qualities of both had been had the qualities of both had been had the qualities of both had been discovered at more than one point before discovered at more than one point before discovered at more than one point before 1850 1850 1850 more than one mill owner in the district more than one mill owner in the district more than one mill owner in the district where petroleum had been found where petroleum had been found where petroleum had been found was using it in a crude way for oiling was using it in a crude way for oiling was using it in a crude way for oiling his machines his machines his machines or lighting its works but though the or lighting its works but though the or lighting its works but though the qualities of both lubricator and qualities of both lubricator and qualities of both lubricator and luminance were present luminance were present luminance were present the impurities of the natural oil were the impurities of the natural oil were the impurities of the natural oil were too great to make its use general too great to make its use general too great to make its use general mr kier seems to have been the first man mr kier seems to have been the first man mr kier seems to have been the first man to have attempted to secure an expert to have attempted to secure an expert to have attempted to secure an expert opinion opinion opinion as to the possibility of refining it

as to the possibility of refining it as to the possibility of refining it in 1849 he sent a bottle of oil to a in 1849 he sent a bottle of oil to a in 1849 he sent a bottle of oil to a chemist in philadelphia chemist in philadelphia chemist in philadelphia who advised him to try distilling it and who advised him to try distilling it and who advised him to try distilling it and burning it in a lab burning it in a lab burning it in a lab mr cheer followed the advice and a mr cheer followed the advice and a mr cheer followed the advice and a five-barrel still which he used in the five-barrel still which he used in the five-barrel still which he used in the 50s for refining petroleum 50s for refining petroleum 50s for refining petroleum is still to be seen in pittsburgh his is still to be seen in pittsburgh his is still to be seen in pittsburgh his trade in the oil he produced at his trade in the oil he produced at his trade in the oil he produced at his little refinery was not entirely local little refinery was not entirely local little refinery was not entirely local for in 1858 we find him agreeing to sell for in 1858 we find him agreeing to sell for in 1858 we find him agreeing to sell to joseph coffin of new york to joseph coffin of new york to joseph coffin of new york at 62.5 cents a gallon 100 barrels at 62.5 cents a gallon 100 barrels at 62.5 cents a gallon 100 barrels of carbon oil that will burn in the of carbon oil that will burn in the of carbon oil that will burn in the ordinary coal oil lamp ordinary coal oil lamp ordinary coal oil lamp although mr keir seems to have done a although mr keir seems to have done a although mr keir seems to have done a good business in rock royal good business in rock royal good business in rock royal neither he nor anyone else up to this neither he nor anyone else up to this neither he nor anyone else up to this point had thought it worthwhile to seek point had thought it worthwhile to seek point had thought it worthwhile to seek petroleum for its own sake petroleum for its own sake petroleum for its own sake they had all simply sought to utilize they had all simply sought to utilize they had all simply sought to utilize what rose before their eyes on springs what rose before their eyes on springs what rose before their eyes on springs and streams and streams and streams or came to the mixed with the salt water or came to the mixed with the salt water or came to the mixed with the salt water for which they drilled for which they drilled for which they drilled in 1854 however a man was found who took in 1854 however a man was found who took in 1854 however a man was found who took rock oil more seriously this man rock oil more seriously this man rock oil more seriously this man was george h bissell a graduate of was george h bissell a graduate of was george h bissell a graduate of dartmouth college who dartmouth college who dartmouth college who worn out by an experience of 10 years in worn out by an experience of 10 years in worn out by an experience of 10 years in the south as a journalist and teacher the south as a journalist and teacher the south as a journalist and teacher had come north for a change at his old had come north for a change at his old had come north for a change at his old college college college the latest curiosity of the laboratory the latest curiosity of the laboratory the latest curiosity of the laboratory was shown him was shown him was shown him the bottle of rock oil and the professor the bottle of rock oil and the professor the bottle of rock oil and the professor contended that contended that contended that it was as good or better than coal for it was as good or better than coal for it was as good or better than coal for making illuminating oil making illuminating oil making illuminating oil bissell inquired into its origin and was

bissell inquired into its origin and was bissell inquired into its origin and was told that it came from oil springs told that it came from oil springs told that it came from oil springs located in northwestern pennsylvania located in northwestern pennsylvania located in northwestern pennsylvania on the farm of a lumber firm brewer on the farm of a lumber firm brewer on the farm of a lumber firm brewer watson and company watson and company watson and company these springs had long yielded a supply these springs had long yielded a supply these springs had long yielded a supply of oil which was regularly collected and of oil which was regularly collected and of oil which was regularly collected and sold for medicine sold for medicine sold for medicine and was used locally by mill owners for and was used locally by mill owners for and was used locally by mill owners for lighting and lubricating purposes lighting and lubricating purposes lighting and lubricating purposes bissell seems to have been impressed bissell seems to have been impressed bissell seems to have been impressed with the commercial possibilities of the with the commercial possibilities of the with the commercial possibilities of the oil oil oil for he at once organized a company the for he at once organized a company the for he at once organized a company the pennsylvania rock oil company pennsylvania rock oil company pennsylvania rock oil company the first in the united states and least the first in the united states and least the first in the united states and least the lands on which these oil springs the lands on which these oil springs the lands on which these oil springs were located were located were located he then sent a quantity of the oil to he then sent a quantity of the oil to he then sent a quantity of the oil to professor sullivan of yale college professor sullivan of yale college professor sullivan of yale college and paid him for analyzing it the and paid him for analyzing it the and paid him for analyzing it the professor's report was published and professor's report was published and professor's report was published and received general attention received general attention received general attention from the rock oil might be made as good from the rock oil might be made as good from the rock oil might be made as good and illuminant and illuminant and illuminant as any the world knew it also yielded as any the world knew it also yielded as any the world knew it also yielded gas paraffin lubricating oil gas paraffin lubricating oil gas paraffin lubricating oil in short declared professor silliman in short declared professor silliman in short declared professor silliman your company have in their possession your company have in their possession your company have in their possession a raw material from which by simple and a raw material from which by simple and a raw material from which by simple and not expensive process not expensive process not expensive process they may manufacture very valuable they may manufacture very valuable they may manufacture very valuable products products products it is worthy of note that my experiments it is worthy of note that my experiments it is worthy of note that my experiments proved that nearly the whole of the raw proved that nearly the whole of the raw proved that nearly the whole of the raw product product product may be manufactured without waste and may be manufactured without waste and may be manufactured without waste and this solely by a well-directed process this solely by a well-directed process this solely by a well-directed process which is in practice in one of the most which is in practice in one of the most which is in practice in one of the most simple of all chemical processes simple of all chemical processes simple of all chemical processes the oil was valuable but could it be the oil was valuable but could it be the oil was valuable but could it be obtained obtained obtained in quantity great enough to make the in quantity great enough to make the in quantity great enough to make the development of so remote a locality

development of so remote a locality development of so remote a locality worthwhile the only method of obtaining worthwhile the only method of obtaining worthwhile the only method of obtaining it known to mr bissell and his it known to mr bissell and his it known to mr bissell and his associates in the new company associates in the new company associates in the new company was from the surface of oil springs was from the surface of oil springs was from the surface of oil springs could it be obtained in any other way could it be obtained in any other way could it be obtained in any other way there has long been a story current in there has long been a story current in there has long been a story current in the oil regions the oil regions the oil regions that the pennsylvania rock oil company that the pennsylvania rock oil company that the pennsylvania rock oil company received its first notion of drilling received its first notion of drilling received its first notion of drilling for oil for oil for oil from one of those trivial incidents from one of those trivial incidents from one of those trivial incidents which so often turn the course of human which so often turn the course of human which so often turn the course of human affairs affairs affairs as the story goes mr bissell was one day as the story goes mr bissell was one day as the story goes mr bissell was one day walking down broadway walking down broadway walking down broadway when he held it to rest in the shade of when he held it to rest in the shade of when he held it to rest in the shade of an awning before a drugstore an awning before a drugstore an awning before a drugstore in the window he saw on a bottle a in the window he saw on a bottle a in the window he saw on a bottle a curious label curious label curious label here's petroleum or rock oil it read here's petroleum or rock oil it read here's petroleum or rock oil it read celebrated for its wonderful curative celebrated for its wonderful curative celebrated for its wonderful curative powers powers powers a natural remedy produced from a well in a natural remedy produced from a well in a natural remedy produced from a well in allegheny county pa allegheny county pa allegheny county pa 400 feet below the earth's surface etc 400 feet below the earth's surface etc 400 feet below the earth's surface etc on the label was the picture of an on the label was the picture of an on the label was the picture of an artesian well artesian well artesian well it was from this well that mr kear got it was from this well that mr kear got it was from this well that mr kear got his natural remedy his natural remedy his natural remedy hundreds of men had seen the label hundreds of men had seen the label hundreds of men had seen the label before or it went out on every one of mr before or it went out on every one of mr before or it went out on every one of mr keir's circulars keir's circulars keir's circulars but this was the first to look at it but this was the first to look at it but this was the first to look at it with a seeing eye with a seeing eye with a seeing eye as quickly as the bottle of rock oil in as quickly as the bottle of rock oil in as quickly as the bottle of rock oil in the dartmouth laboratory had awakened in the dartmouth laboratory had awakened in the dartmouth laboratory had awakened in mr bissell's mind mr bissell's mind mr bissell's mind the determination to find out the real the determination to find out the real the determination to find out the real value of the strange substance value of the strange substance value of the strange substance the label gave him the solution of the the label gave him the solution of the the label gave him the solution of the problem of getting oil in problem of getting oil in problem of getting oil in quantities it was to board down into the

quantities it was to board down into the quantities it was to board down into the earth where it was stored earth where it was stored earth where it was stored and pump it up professor silliman and pump it up professor silliman and pump it up professor silliman made his report to the pennsylvania rock made his report to the pennsylvania rock made his report to the pennsylvania rock oil company in 1855 oil company in 1855 oil company in 1855 but it was not until the spring of 1858 but it was not until the spring of 1858 but it was not until the spring of 1858 that a representative of the that a representative of the that a representative of the organization organization organization which by this time it changed hands and which by this time it changed hands and which by this time it changed hands and was known as the seneca oil company was known as the seneca oil company was known as the seneca oil company was on the ground with orders to find was on the ground with orders to find was on the ground with orders to find oil oil oil the man sent out was a small stockholder the man sent out was a small stockholder the man sent out was a small stockholder in the company in the company in the company edwin l drake colonel drake as he was edwin l drake colonel drake as he was edwin l drake colonel drake as he was called called called drake had had no experience to fit him drake had had no experience to fit him drake had had no experience to fit him for his task for his task for his task a man 40 years of age he had spent his a man 40 years of age he had spent his a man 40 years of age he had spent his life as a clerk life as a clerk life as a clerk an express agent and a railway conductor an express agent and a railway conductor an express agent and a railway conductor his only qualifications were a dash of his only qualifications were a dash of his only qualifications were a dash of pioneer blood pioneer blood pioneer blood and the great persistency in and the great persistency in and the great persistency in undertakings which interested him undertakings which interested him undertakings which interested him whether drake came to titusville ordered whether drake came to titusville ordered whether drake came to titusville ordered to put down an artesian well or not to put down an artesian well or not to put down an artesian well or not is a mooted point his latter-day is a mooted point his latter-day is a mooted point his latter-day admirers claimed that the idea was admirers claimed that the idea was admirers claimed that the idea was entirely his own it seems hardly entirely his own it seems hardly entirely his own it seems hardly credible that men as intelligent as credible that men as intelligent as credible that men as intelligent as professor silliman professor silliman professor silliman mr bissell and others interested in the mr bissell and others interested in the mr bissell and others interested in the pennsylvania rock oil company pennsylvania rock oil company pennsylvania rock oil company should not have taken means of finding should not have taken means of finding should not have taken means of finding out how the familiar out how the familiar out how the familiar tears rock oil was obtained professor tears rock oil was obtained professor tears rock oil was obtained professor suleiman suleiman suleiman at least must have known of the at least must have known of the at least must have known of the quantities of oil which had been quantities of oil which had been quantities of oil which had been obtained in different states in drilling obtained in different states in drilling obtained in different states in drilling salt wells salt wells salt wells indeed in his report he speaks of well indeed in his report he speaks of well indeed in his report he speaks of well sunk for the purpose of accumulating the sunk for the purpose of accumulating the sunk for the purpose of accumulating the product

product product in the american journal of science for in the american journal of science for in the american journal of science for 1840 1840 1840 of which he was one of the editors is an of which he was one of the editors is an of which he was one of the editors is an account of a famous account of a famous account of a famous oil well struck near burkesville oil well struck near burkesville oil well struck near burkesville kentucky about kentucky about kentucky about 1830 when drilling for salt it seems 1830 when drilling for salt it seems 1830 when drilling for salt it seems probable that the idea of seeking oil probable that the idea of seeking oil probable that the idea of seeking oil on the lands leased by the petroleum on the lands leased by the petroleum on the lands leased by the petroleum rock oil company rock oil company rock oil company by drilling artesian wells had long been by drilling artesian wells had long been by drilling artesian wells had long been discussed by the gentleman interested in discussed by the gentleman interested in discussed by the gentleman interested in the venture the venture the venture and that drake came to titusville with and that drake came to titusville with and that drake came to titusville with instructions to put down a well instructions to put down a well instructions to put down a well it is certain at all events that he was it is certain at all events that he was it is certain at all events that he was soon explaining to his superiors at home soon explaining to his superiors at home soon explaining to his superiors at home the difficulty of getting a driller an the difficulty of getting a driller an the difficulty of getting a driller an engine house and tools engine house and tools engine house and tools and that he was employing the interval and that he was employing the interval and that he was employing the interval in trying to open new oil springs in trying to open new oil springs in trying to open new oil springs and make the old ones more profitable and make the old ones more profitable and make the old ones more profitable the task before the task before the task before drake was no light one the spot to which drake was no light one the spot to which drake was no light one the spot to which he had been sent was titusville a he had been sent was titusville a he had been sent was titusville a lumberman's hamlet on oil creek lumberman's hamlet on oil creek lumberman's hamlet on oil creek 14 miles from where that stream joins 14 miles from where that stream joins 14 miles from where that stream joins the allegheny river the allegheny river the allegheny river its chief connection with the outside its chief connection with the outside its chief connection with the outside world was by a stage to earring world was by a stage to earring world was by a stage to earring 40 miles away this remoteness from 40 miles away this remoteness from 40 miles away this remoteness from civilization civilization civilization and drake's own ignorance of artesian and drake's own ignorance of artesian and drake's own ignorance of artesian wells wells wells added to the general skepticism of the added to the general skepticism of the added to the general skepticism of the community concerning the enterprise community concerning the enterprise community concerning the enterprise caused great difficulty and long delays caused great difficulty and long delays caused great difficulty and long delays it was months before drake succeeded in it was months before drake succeeded in it was months before drake succeeded in getting together the tools getting together the tools getting together the tools engine and rigging necessary to board engine and rigging necessary to board engine and rigging necessary to board his well and before he could get a his well and before he could get a his well and before he could get a driller who knew how to manipulate them driller who knew how to manipulate them driller who knew how to manipulate them winter had come and he had to suspend

winter had come and he had to suspend winter had come and he had to suspend operations operations operations people called him crazy for sticking to people called him crazy for sticking to people called him crazy for sticking to the enterprise the enterprise the enterprise but that had no effect on him but that had no effect on him but that had no effect on him as soon as spring opened he borrowed a as soon as spring opened he borrowed a as soon as spring opened he borrowed a horse and wagon horse and wagon horse and wagon and drove over a hundred miles to and drove over a hundred miles to and drove over a hundred miles to tarantum where mr keer was still pumping tarantum where mr keer was still pumping tarantum where mr keer was still pumping his salt wells and was either bottling his salt wells and was either bottling his salt wells and was either bottling or refining the oil which came up with or refining the oil which came up with or refining the oil which came up with the brine the brine the brine here drake hoped to find a driller he here drake hoped to find a driller he here drake hoped to find a driller he brought back a man brought back a man brought back a man and after a few months more of and after a few months more of and after a few months more of experiments and accidents experiments and accidents experiments and accidents the drill was started one day late in the drill was started one day late in the drill was started one day late in august 1859 august 1859 august 1859 titusville was electrified by the news titusville was electrified by the news titusville was electrified by the news that drake's folly that drake's folly that drake's folly as many of the onlookers had come to as many of the onlookers had come to as many of the onlookers had come to consider it had justified itself consider it had justified itself consider it had justified itself the well was full of oil the next day a the well was full of oil the next day a the well was full of oil the next day a pump was started pump was started pump was started and 25 barrels of oil were gathered and 25 barrels of oil were gathered and 25 barrels of oil were gathered there was no doubt of the meaning of the there was no doubt of the meaning of the there was no doubt of the meaning of the drake well drake well drake well in the minds of the people of the in the minds of the people of the in the minds of the people of the vicinity they had long ago vicinity they had long ago vicinity they had long ago accepted all professor silliman had said accepted all professor silliman had said accepted all professor silliman had said of the possibilities of petroleum of the possibilities of petroleum of the possibilities of petroleum and now that they knew how it could be and now that they knew how it could be and now that they knew how it could be obtained in quantity obtained in quantity obtained in quantity the whole countryside rushed out to the whole countryside rushed out to the whole countryside rushed out to obtain leases obtain leases obtain leases the second well in the immediate region the second well in the immediate region the second well in the immediate region was drilled by a titusville tanner was drilled by a titusville tanner was drilled by a titusville tanner william barnstall an englishman who at william barnstall an englishman who at william barnstall an englishman who at his majority had come to america to make his majority had come to america to make his majority had come to america to make his fortune his fortune his fortune he had fought his way westward watching he had fought his way westward watching he had fought his way westward watching always for his chance always for his chance always for his chance the day the drake well was struck he the day the drake well was struck he the day the drake well was struck he knew it had come knew it had come knew it had come quickly forming a company he began to

quickly forming a company he began to quickly forming a company he began to drill a well drill a well drill a well he did not wait for an engine but worked he did not wait for an engine but worked he did not wait for an engine but worked his drill through the rock by a spring his drill through the rock by a spring his drill through the rock by a spring pole pole pole it took three months and cost three it took three months and cost three it took three months and cost three thousand dollars to do it thousand dollars to do it thousand dollars to do it but he had his reward on february 1 but he had his reward on february 1 but he had his reward on february 1 1860 he struck oil 25 barrels a day 1860 he struck oil 25 barrels a day 1860 he struck oil 25 barrels a day and oil was selling at 18 a barrel and oil was selling at 18 a barrel and oil was selling at 18 a barrel in five months the english tanner had in five months the english tanner had in five months the english tanner had sold over 16 sold over 16 sold over 16 000 worth of oil a lumberman and 000 worth of oil a lumberman and 000 worth of oil a lumberman and merchant of the village merchant of the village merchant of the village who long had faith in petroleum if it who long had faith in petroleum if it who long had faith in petroleum if it could be had in quantity could be had in quantity could be had in quantity jonathan watson one of the firm of jonathan watson one of the firm of jonathan watson one of the firm of brewer watson and company brewer watson and company brewer watson and company whose land the pennsylvania rock oil whose land the pennsylvania rock oil whose land the pennsylvania rock oil company had leased company had leased company had leased mounted his horse as soon as he heard of mounted his horse as soon as he heard of mounted his horse as soon as he heard of the drake well the drake well the drake well and riding down the valley of oil creek and riding down the valley of oil creek and riding down the valley of oil creek spent the day in leasing farms spent the day in leasing farms spent the day in leasing farms he soon had the third well of the region he soon had the third well of the region he soon had the third well of the region going down going down going down this too by a spring bowl this well this too by a spring bowl this well this too by a spring bowl this well started off in march at 60 gallons a started off in march at 60 gallons a started off in march at 60 gallons a minute and oil was selling at 60 cents a minute and oil was selling at 60 cents a minute and oil was selling at 60 cents a gallon gallon gallon in two years the farm where this third in two years the farm where this third in two years the farm where this third well with struck well with struck well with struck had produced 165 000 barrels of oil had produced 165 000 barrels of oil had produced 165 000 barrels of oil working an unfriendly piece of land a working an unfriendly piece of land a working an unfriendly piece of land a few miles below the drake well few miles below the drake well few miles below the drake well lived a man of 35 setting out for lived a man of 35 setting out for lived a man of 35 setting out for himself at 22 himself at 22 himself at 22 he had won his farm by the most dogged he had won his farm by the most dogged he had won his farm by the most dogged efforts working at sawmills efforts working at sawmills efforts working at sawmills saving his earnings buying a team saving his earnings buying a team saving his earnings buying a team working it for others until he could working it for others until he could working it for others until he could take up a piece of land

take up a piece of land take up a piece of land hoarding his savings here for what how hoarding his savings here for what how hoarding his savings here for what how could he know could he know could he know he knew well enough when drake struck he knew well enough when drake struck he knew well enough when drake struck oil and hastened out to buy a share in a oil and hastened out to buy a share in a oil and hastened out to buy a share in a two-acre farm two-acre farm two-acre farm he sold it at a profit and with the he sold it at a profit and with the he sold it at a profit and with the money put down a well money put down a well money put down a well from which he realized seventy thousand from which he realized seventy thousand from which he realized seventy thousand dollars dollars dollars a few years later the farm he had slave a few years later the farm he had slave a few years later the farm he had slave to win came into the field to win came into the field to win came into the field in 1871 he refused a million dollars for in 1871 he refused a million dollars for in 1871 he refused a million dollars for it it it and at one time he had stored there 200 and at one time he had stored there 200 and at one time he had stored there 200 000 barrels of oil a young doctor who 000 barrels of oil a young doctor who 000 barrels of oil a young doctor who had buried himself in the wilderness had buried himself in the wilderness had buried himself in the wilderness saw his chance for a song he bought 38 saw his chance for a song he bought 38 saw his chance for a song he bought 38 acres on the creek acres on the creek acres on the creek six miles below the drake well and sold six miles below the drake well and sold six miles below the drake well and sold half of it for the price he had paid to half of it for the price he had paid to half of it for the price he had paid to a country storekeeper and lumbermen of a country storekeeper and lumbermen of a country storekeeper and lumbermen of the vicinity the vicinity the vicinity won charles hyde out of this 38 acres won charles hyde out of this 38 acres won charles hyde out of this 38 acres millions of dollars came one well alone millions of dollars came one well alone millions of dollars came one well alone the maple shade the maple shade the maple shade cleared one and one-half millions cleared one and one-half millions cleared one and one-half millions on every rocky farm in every poor on every rocky farm in every poor on every rocky farm in every poor settlement of the region settlement of the region settlement of the region was some man whose ear was attuned to was some man whose ear was attuned to was some man whose ear was attuned to fortune's call fortune's call fortune's call and who had the daring and the energy to and who had the daring and the energy to and who had the daring and the energy to risk everything he possessed risk everything he possessed risk everything he possessed in an oil lease it was well that he in an oil lease it was well that he in an oil lease it was well that he acted at once acted at once acted at once for as the news of the discovery of oil for as the news of the discovery of oil for as the news of the discovery of oil reached the open reached the open reached the open the farms and towns of ohio new york and the farms and towns of ohio new york and the farms and towns of ohio new york and pennsylvania pennsylvania pennsylvania poured out a stream of ambitious and poured out a stream of ambitious and poured out a stream of ambitious and vigorous youths vigorous youths vigorous youths eager to seize what might be there for eager to seize what might be there for eager to seize what might be there for them while from the east came men with

them while from the east came men with them while from the east came men with money and business experience money and business experience money and business experience who formed great stock companies took up who formed great stock companies took up who formed great stock companies took up the lands and parcels of thousands of the lands and parcels of thousands of the lands and parcels of thousands of acres acres acres and put down wells along every rocky run and put down wells along every rocky run and put down wells along every rocky run and creek and creek and creek as well as over the steep hills in as well as over the steep hills in as well as over the steep hills in answer to their drill answer to their drill answer to their drill oil poured forth in floods in many oil poured forth in floods in many oil poured forth in floods in many places places places humping was out of the question the humping was out of the question the humping was out of the question the wells flowed wells flowed wells flowed two thousand three thousand four two thousand three thousand four two thousand three thousand four thousand barrels a day thousand barrels a day thousand barrels a day such quantities of it that at the close such quantities of it that at the close such quantities of it that at the close of 1861 of 1861 of 1861 oil which in january of 1860 was 20 oil which in january of 1860 was 20 oil which in january of 1860 was 20 a barrel had fallen to 10 cents a barrel had fallen to 10 cents a barrel had fallen to 10 cents here was the oil and an unheard of here was the oil and an unheard of here was the oil and an unheard of quantities quantities quantities and with it came all the swarm of and with it came all the swarm of and with it came all the swarm of problems which a discovery brings problems which a discovery brings problems which a discovery brings the methods drake had used were crude the methods drake had used were crude the methods drake had used were crude and must be improved and must be improved and must be improved the processes of refining with those of the processes of refining with those of the processes of refining with those of the laboratory the laboratory the laboratory and must be developed communication with and must be developed communication with and must be developed communication with the outside world must be secured the outside world must be secured the outside world must be secured markets must be built up indeed a whole markets must be built up indeed a whole markets must be built up indeed a whole new commercial machine new commercial machine new commercial machine had to be created to meet the discovery had to be created to meet the discovery had to be created to meet the discovery these problems were not realized before these problems were not realized before these problems were not realized before the region teamed with men to wrestle the region teamed with men to wrestle the region teamed with men to wrestle with them with them with them men alive to the instant need of things men alive to the instant need of things men alive to the instant need of things they had to begin with so simple and they had to begin with so simple and they had to begin with so simple and elementary of matter as elementary of matter as elementary of matter as devising something to hold the oil there devising something to hold the oil there devising something to hold the oil there were not were not were not barrels enough to be bought in america barrels enough to be bought in america barrels enough to be bought in america although turpentine barrels although turpentine barrels although turpentine barrels molasses barrels whiskey barrels every

molasses barrels whiskey barrels every molasses barrels whiskey barrels every sort of barrel and cask sort of barrel and cask sort of barrel and cask were added to new ones made especially were added to new ones made especially were added to new ones made especially for oil for oil for oil reservoirs excavated in the earth and reservoirs excavated in the earth and reservoirs excavated in the earth and faced with logs and cement faced with logs and cement faced with logs and cement and bots-like structures of planks are and bots-like structures of planks are and bots-like structures of planks are logged were tried at first logged were tried at first logged were tried at first but were not satisfactory a young iowa but were not satisfactory a young iowa but were not satisfactory a young iowa school teacher and farmer school teacher and farmer school teacher and farmer visiting at his home in erie county went visiting at his home in erie county went visiting at his home in erie county went to the region to the region to the region immediately he saw his chance it was to immediately he saw his chance it was to immediately he saw his chance it was to invent a receptacle which would hold oil invent a receptacle which would hold oil invent a receptacle which would hold oil in quantities in quantities in quantities certain large producers listened to a certain large producers listened to a certain large producers listened to a scheme and furnished money to make a scheme and furnished money to make a scheme and furnished money to make a trial tank trial tank trial tank it was a success and before many months it was a success and before many months it was a success and before many months the school teacher was buying the school teacher was buying the school teacher was buying thousands of feet of lumber employing thousands of feet of lumber employing thousands of feet of lumber employing scores of men scores of men scores of men and working them and himself day and and working them and himself day and and working them and himself day and night night night for nearly 10 years he built these for nearly 10 years he built these for nearly 10 years he built these wooden tanks wooden tanks wooden tanks then seeing that iron tanks huge then seeing that iron tanks huge then seeing that iron tanks huge receptacles holding receptacles holding receptacles holding thousands of barrels of oil where his thousands of barrels of oil where his thousands of barrels of oil where his held hundreds held hundreds held hundreds were bound to supersede him he turned were bound to supersede him he turned were bound to supersede him he turned with the ready adaptability which with the ready adaptability which with the ready adaptability which characterized the men of the region characterized the men of the region characterized the men of the region to producing oil for others to tank to producing oil for others to tank to producing oil for others to tank after the storing problem after the storing problem after the storing problem came that of transportation there was came that of transportation there was came that of transportation there was one waterway one waterway one waterway leading out oil creek as it had been leading out oil creek as it had been leading out oil creek as it had been called for more than a hundred years called for more than a hundred years called for more than a hundred years an uncertain stream running the length an uncertain stream running the length an uncertain stream running the length of the narrow valley of the narrow valley of the narrow valley in which the oil was found and uniting in which the oil was found and uniting in which the oil was found and uniting with the allegheny river with the allegheny river with the allegheny river at what is now known as oil city at what is now known as oil city at what is now known as oil city from this junction it was 132 miles to

from this junction it was 132 miles to from this junction it was 132 miles to pittsburgh pittsburgh pittsburgh and a railroad besides this waterway and a railroad besides this waterway and a railroad besides this waterway were rough country roads were rough country roads were rough country roads leading to the railroads at union city leading to the railroads at union city leading to the railroads at union city quarry erie and meadville quarry erie and meadville quarry erie and meadville there was but one way to get the oil to there was but one way to get the oil to there was but one way to get the oil to the bank of oil creek or to the the bank of oil creek or to the the bank of oil creek or to the railroads railroads railroads and that was by putting it into barrels and that was by putting it into barrels and that was by putting it into barrels and hauling it and hauling it and hauling it teamsters equipped for their service teamsters equipped for their service teamsters equipped for their service seemed to fall from the sky seemed to fall from the sky seemed to fall from the sky the farms for a hundred miles around the farms for a hundred miles around the farms for a hundred miles around gave up their boys and horses and wagons gave up their boys and horses and wagons gave up their boys and horses and wagons to supply the need to supply the need to supply the need it paid there were times when three or it paid there were times when three or it paid there were times when three or even four dollars a barrel were paid for even four dollars a barrel were paid for even four dollars a barrel were paid for hauling five or ten miles hauling five or ten miles hauling five or ten miles it was not too much for the work the it was not too much for the work the it was not too much for the work the best roads over which they traveled were best roads over which they traveled were best roads over which they traveled were narrow narrow narrow rough unmade highways mere openings to rough unmade highways mere openings to rough unmade highways mere openings to the outer world the outer world the outer world while the roads to the wells they while the roads to the wells they while the roads to the wells they themselves had to break across themselves had to break across themselves had to break across fields and through forests these roads fields and through forests these roads fields and through forests these roads were made were made were made almost impassable by the great number of almost impassable by the great number of almost impassable by the great number of heavily freighted wagons heavily freighted wagons heavily freighted wagons traveling over them from the big wells traveling over them from the big wells traveling over them from the big wells a constant procession of teams ran and a constant procession of teams ran and a constant procession of teams ran and it was no uncommon thing for a visitor it was no uncommon thing for a visitor it was no uncommon thing for a visitor to the oil regions to meet to the oil regions to meet to the oil regions to meet oil caravans of a hundred or more wagons oil caravans of a hundred or more wagons oil caravans of a hundred or more wagons often these caravans were held up for often these caravans were held up for often these caravans were held up for hours by a dangerous hours by a dangerous hours by a dangerous mud hole into which a wheel had sunk or mud hole into which a wheel had sunk or mud hole into which a wheel had sunk or a horse fallen a horse fallen a horse fallen if there was a possible way to be made if there was a possible way to be made if there was a possible way to be made around the obstruction around the obstruction around the obstruction it was taken even if it led through a it was taken even if it led through a it was taken even if it led through a farmer's field farmer's field farmer's field indeed a sort of guerrilla warfare went indeed a sort of guerrilla warfare went indeed a sort of guerrilla warfare went on constantly between the farmers and

on constantly between the farmers and on constantly between the farmers and the teamsters the teamsters the teamsters often the roads became impassable so often the roads became impassable so often the roads became impassable so that new ones had to be broken that new ones had to be broken that new ones had to be broken and not even a shotgun could keep the and not even a shotgun could keep the and not even a shotgun could keep the driver from going where the passage was driver from going where the passage was driver from going where the passage was least difficult least difficult least difficult the teamster in fact carried a weapon the teamster in fact carried a weapon the teamster in fact carried a weapon which few farmers cared to face which few farmers cared to face which few farmers cared to face his terrible black snake as his long his terrible black snake as his long his terrible black snake as his long heavy black whip was called heavy black whip was called heavy black whip was called the man who had once felt the cruel lash the man who had once felt the cruel lash the man who had once felt the cruel lash of a black snake of a black snake of a black snake around his legs did not often oppose the around his legs did not often oppose the around his legs did not often oppose the owner owner owner with the wages paid him the teamster with the wages paid him the teamster with the wages paid him the teamster could easily become could easily become could easily become a kind of plutocrat one old producer a kind of plutocrat one old producer a kind of plutocrat one old producer tells of having a teamster in his tells of having a teamster in his tells of having a teamster in his employee employee employee who for nine weeks drew only enough of who for nine weeks drew only enough of who for nine weeks drew only enough of his earnings to feed himself his earnings to feed himself his earnings to feed himself and horses he slept in his wagons and and horses he slept in his wagons and and horses he slept in his wagons and tethered the team tethered the team tethered the team at the end of the time he thought he'd at the end of the time he thought he'd at the end of the time he thought he'd go home for a clean shirt go home for a clean shirt go home for a clean shirt and ask for a settlement it was found and ask for a settlement it was found and ask for a settlement it was found that he had that he had that he had nineteen hundred dollars to his credit nineteen hundred dollars to his credit nineteen hundred dollars to his credit the story is a fair illustration both of the story is a fair illustration both of the story is a fair illustration both of the habits and the earnings of the oil the habits and the earnings of the oil the habits and the earnings of the oil creek teamsters creek teamsters creek teamsters indispensable to the business they indispensable to the business they indispensable to the business they became the tyrants of the region became the tyrants of the region became the tyrants of the region working and brawling has suited them a working and brawling has suited them a working and brawling has suited them a genius not unlike the flat boat men who genius not unlike the flat boat men who genius not unlike the flat boat men who once gave color to life on the once gave color to life on the once gave color to life on the mississippi mississippi mississippi or the cowboys who make the planes or the cowboys who make the planes or the cowboys who make the planes picture us today picture us today picture us today bad as their reputation was many a man bad as their reputation was many a man bad as their reputation was many a man found in their ranks the start which led found in their ranks the start which led found in their ranks the start which led later to wealth and influence later to wealth and influence later to wealth and influence in the oil business one of the shrewdest

in the oil business one of the shrewdest in the oil business one of the shrewdest kindest oddest men kindest oddest men kindest oddest men the oil regions ever knew wesley the oil regions ever knew wesley the oil regions ever knew wesley chambers chambers chambers came to the top from the teamster class came to the top from the teamster class came to the top from the teamster class he had found his way to the creek after he had found his way to the creek after he had found his way to the creek after eight years of unsuccessful gold hunting eight years of unsuccessful gold hunting eight years of unsuccessful gold hunting in california in california in california there's my chance he said when he saw there's my chance he said when he saw there's my chance he said when he saw the lack of teams and boats the lack of teams and boats the lack of teams and boats and he set about organizing a service and he set about organizing a service and he set about organizing a service for transporting oil to pittsburgh for transporting oil to pittsburgh for transporting oil to pittsburgh in a short time he was buying horses of in a short time he was buying horses of in a short time he was buying horses of his own his own his own and building boats wide awake to and building boats wide awake to and building boats wide awake to actualities actualities actualities he saw a few years later that the he saw a few years later that the he saw a few years later that the teamster and the boat were to be teamster and the boat were to be teamster and the boat were to be replaced by the pipeline in the railroad replaced by the pipeline in the railroad replaced by the pipeline in the railroad and forced all the change by becoming a and forced all the change by becoming a and forced all the change by becoming a producer producer producer in this problem of transportation the in this problem of transportation the in this problem of transportation the most important element after the team most important element after the team most important element after the team was oil creek and the flat boat a more was oil creek and the flat boat a more was oil creek and the flat boat a more uncertain stream uncertain stream uncertain stream never ran into bed in the summer it was never ran into bed in the summer it was never ran into bed in the summer it was low low low in the winter frozen now it was scorched in the winter frozen now it was scorched in the winter frozen now it was scorched with ice with ice with ice now running mad over the flats the best now running mad over the flats the best now running mad over the flats the best service was gotten out of it in time of service was gotten out of it in time of service was gotten out of it in time of low water through artificial process low water through artificial process low water through artificial process mill dams controlled by private parties mill dams controlled by private parties mill dams controlled by private parties were frequent along the creek and its were frequent along the creek and its were frequent along the creek and its tributaries tributaries tributaries by arrangement these dams were cut on a by arrangement these dams were cut on a by arrangement these dams were cut on a certain day or days of the week certain day or days of the week certain day or days of the week usually friday and on the flood of usually friday and on the flood of usually friday and on the flood of frachet frachet frachet the flat boats loaded with barrels of the flat boats loaded with barrels of the flat boats loaded with barrels of oil were floated downstream oil were floated downstream oil were floated downstream the freshette was always exciting and the freshette was always exciting and the freshette was always exciting and perilous and frequently disastrous perilous and frequently disastrous perilous and frequently disastrous from the points where they were tied up

from the points where they were tied up from the points where they were tied up the boatmen watched the coming flood the boatmen watched the coming flood the boatmen watched the coming flood and cut themselves loose the moment and cut themselves loose the moment and cut themselves loose the moment after its head had passed them after its head had passed them after its head had passed them as one fleet after another swung into as one fleet after another swung into as one fleet after another swung into the roaring flood the roaring flood the roaring flood the danger of collision and jams the danger of collision and jams the danger of collision and jams increased increased increased rare indeed was the freshest when a few rare indeed was the freshest when a few rare indeed was the freshest when a few wrecks did not lie wrecks did not lie wrecks did not lie somewhere along the creek and often somewhere along the creek and often somewhere along the creek and often scores lay piled high on the bank scores lay piled high on the bank scores lay piled high on the bank a hopeless jam of broken boats and a hopeless jam of broken boats and a hopeless jam of broken boats and barrels the hole barrels the hole barrels the hole soaked in petroleum and wreaking with soaked in petroleum and wreaking with soaked in petroleum and wreaking with gas and profanity gas and profanity gas and profanity if the boats rode safely through to the if the boats rode safely through to the if the boats rode safely through to the river there was little further danger river there was little further danger river there was little further danger the allegheny river traffic grew to the allegheny river traffic grew to the allegheny river traffic grew to great proportions great proportions great proportions fully 1 000 boats and some 30 steamers fully 1 000 boats and some 30 steamers fully 1 000 boats and some 30 steamers were in the fleet were in the fleet were in the fleet and at least 4 000 men this and at least 4 000 men this and at least 4 000 men this traffic was developed by men who saw traffic was developed by men who saw traffic was developed by men who saw here their opportunity of fortune here their opportunity of fortune here their opportunity of fortune as others had seen it in drilling or as others had seen it in drilling or as others had seen it in drilling or teaming teaming teaming the foremost of these men was an ohio the foremost of these men was an ohio the foremost of these men was an ohio river captain river captain river captain driven northward by the war one j.j driven northward by the war one j.j driven northward by the war one j.j vandergrift captain vandergrift had run vandergrift captain vandergrift had run vandergrift captain vandergrift had run the full gamut the full gamut the full gamut of river experiences from cabin boy to of river experiences from cabin boy to of river experiences from cabin boy to owner owner owner and commander of his own steamers the and commander of his own steamers the and commander of his own steamers the war stopped his mississippi river trade war stopped his mississippi river trade war stopped his mississippi river trade fitting up one of his steamers as a fitting up one of his steamers as a fitting up one of his steamers as a gunboat he turned it over to commodore gunboat he turned it over to commodore gunboat he turned it over to commodore foot and looked for a new stream to foot and looked for a new stream to foot and looked for a new stream to navigate navigate navigate from the oil region at that moment the from the oil region at that moment the from the oil region at that moment the loudest cry loudest cry loudest cry was for barrels he towed four thousand was for barrels he towed four thousand was for barrels he towed four thousand empty casts up the river empty casts up the river empty casts up the river saw at once the need of some kind of saw at once the need of some kind of saw at once the need of some kind of bulk transportation bulk transportation bulk transportation took his hint from a bulk boat which an

took his hint from a bulk boat which an took his hint from a bulk boat which an ingenious experimenter was trying ingenious experimenter was trying ingenious experimenter was trying ordered a dozen of them built towed his ordered a dozen of them built towed his ordered a dozen of them built towed his fleet to the creek fleet to the creek fleet to the creek bought oil to fill them and then bought oil to fill them and then bought oil to fill them and then returned to pittsburgh returned to pittsburgh returned to pittsburgh to sell his cargo on one alone to sell his cargo on one alone to sell his cargo on one alone he made seventy thousand dollars but the he made seventy thousand dollars but the he made seventy thousand dollars but the railroad railroad railroad soon pressed the river hard at the time soon pressed the river hard at the time soon pressed the river hard at the time of the discovery of oil of the discovery of oil of the discovery of oil three lines the philadelphia niri the three lines the philadelphia niri the three lines the philadelphia niri the buffalo in erie buffalo in erie buffalo in erie now the lakeshore connecting with the now the lakeshore connecting with the now the lakeshore connecting with the central and the atlantic and great central and the atlantic and great central and the atlantic and great western connecting with the erie western connecting with the erie western connecting with the erie were within teeming distance of the were within teeming distance of the were within teeming distance of the region region region the points at which the philadelphia and the points at which the philadelphia and the points at which the philadelphia and erie road could be reached were eerie erie road could be reached were eerie erie road could be reached were eerie 40 miles from titusville union city 22 40 miles from titusville union city 22 40 miles from titusville union city 22 miles miles miles and corey 16 miles the buffalo and erie and corey 16 miles the buffalo and erie and corey 16 miles the buffalo and erie were reached at erie were reached at erie were reached at erie the atlantic and great western were the atlantic and great western were the atlantic and great western were reached at meadville union city and reached at meadville union city and reached at meadville union city and quarry and the distances were 28 22 quarry and the distances were 28 22 quarry and the distances were 28 22 and 16 miles respectively and 16 miles respectively and 16 miles respectively erie was the favorite shipping point at erie was the favorite shipping point at erie was the favorite shipping point at first as the wagon road in that first as the wagon road in that first as the wagon road in that direction direction direction was the best the amount of freight the was the best the amount of freight the was the best the amount of freight the railroads carried the first year railroads carried the first year railroads carried the first year of the business was enormous of course of the business was enormous of course of the business was enormous of course connecting lines were built as rapidly connecting lines were built as rapidly connecting lines were built as rapidly as men could work as men could work as men could work by the beginning of 1863 the oil creek by the beginning of 1863 the oil creek by the beginning of 1863 the oil creek road as it was known road as it was known road as it was known had reached titusville from quarry this had reached titusville from quarry this had reached titusville from quarry this gave an eastern connection by both the gave an eastern connection by both the gave an eastern connection by both the philadelphia and erie and the atlantic philadelphia and erie and the atlantic philadelphia and erie and the atlantic and great western and great western and great western but as the latter were constructing a but as the latter were constructing a but as the latter were constructing a branch from meadville to franklin

branch from meadville to franklin branch from meadville to franklin the oil creek road became the feeder of the oil creek road became the feeder of the oil creek road became the feeder of the former principally the former principally the former principally both of these roads were completed to both of these roads were completed to both of these roads were completed to oil city by 1865. oil city by 1865. oil city by 1865. the railroads built the vexatious time the railroads built the vexatious time the railroads built the vexatious time taking and costly problem of getting the taking and costly problem of getting the taking and costly problem of getting the oil from the well to the shipping point oil from the well to the shipping point oil from the well to the shipping point still remain the teamster was still the still remain the teamster was still the still remain the teamster was still the tyrant of the business tyrant of the business tyrant of the business his day was almost over he was to fall his day was almost over he was to fall his day was almost over he was to fall before the pipeline the feasibility of before the pipeline the feasibility of before the pipeline the feasibility of carrying oil in pipes was discussed carrying oil in pipes was discussed carrying oil in pipes was discussed almost from the beginning of the oil almost from the beginning of the oil almost from the beginning of the oil business business business very soon after the drake well was very soon after the drake well was very soon after the drake well was struck oil man began to say that the struck oil man began to say that the struck oil man began to say that the natural way to get this oil from the natural way to get this oil from the natural way to get this oil from the wells to the railroads wells to the railroads wells to the railroads was through pipes in many places was through pipes in many places was through pipes in many places gravity would carry it where it could gravity would carry it where it could gravity would carry it where it could not pumps would force it not pumps would force it not pumps would force it the belief that this could be done was the belief that this could be done was the belief that this could be done was so strong that as early as february 1862 so strong that as early as february 1862 so strong that as early as february 1862 a company was incorporated in a company was incorporated in a company was incorporated in pennsylvania for carrying oil and pipes pennsylvania for carrying oil and pipes pennsylvania for carrying oil and pipes or tubes from any or tubes from any or tubes from any point on oil creek to its mouth or to point on oil creek to its mouth or to point on oil creek to its mouth or to any station on the philadelphia any station on the philadelphia any station on the philadelphia an eerie railroad this company seems an eerie railroad this company seems an eerie railroad this company seems never to have done never to have done never to have done more than get a charter in 1863 more than get a charter in 1863 more than get a charter in 1863 at least three short pipelines were put at least three short pipelines were put at least three short pipelines were put into operation into operation into operation the first of these was a two inch pipe the first of these was a two inch pipe the first of these was a two inch pipe through which distillate was pumped a through which distillate was pumped a through which distillate was pumped a distance of distance of distance of three miles from the warren refinery at three miles from the warren refinery at three miles from the warren refinery at plumer to warren's landing on the plumer to warren's landing on the plumer to warren's landing on the allegheny river allegheny river allegheny river the one which attracted the most the one which attracted the most the one which attracted the most attention was a line attention was a line attention was a line two and one-half miles in length

two and one-half miles in length two and one-half miles in length carrying crude oil from the tar carrying crude oil from the tar carrying crude oil from the tar farm to the humble refinery at plumer farm to the humble refinery at plumer farm to the humble refinery at plumer various other experiments were made both various other experiments were made both various other experiments were made both gravity and pumps being trusted for gravity and pumps being trusted for gravity and pumps being trusted for propelling the oil propelling the oil propelling the oil but there was always something wrong the but there was always something wrong the but there was always something wrong the pipes leaked or burst pipes leaked or burst pipes leaked or burst the pumps were too weak shifting oil the pumps were too weak shifting oil the pumps were too weak shifting oil centers interrupted centers interrupted centers interrupted experiments which might have been experiments which might have been experiments which might have been successful successful successful then suddenly the man for the need then suddenly the man for the need then suddenly the man for the need appeared appeared appeared samuel then sickle he came to the creek samuel then sickle he came to the creek samuel then sickle he came to the creek in 1864 with some money in 1864 with some money in 1864 with some money hoping to make more he handled hoping to make more he handled hoping to make more he handled quantities of oil produced at pit hole quantities of oil produced at pit hole quantities of oil produced at pit hole several miles from a shipping point and several miles from a shipping point and several miles from a shipping point and saw his profits eaten up by teamsters saw his profits eaten up by teamsters saw his profits eaten up by teamsters their tyranny aroused his ire and his their tyranny aroused his ire and his their tyranny aroused his ire and his wits and he determined to build a wits and he determined to build a wits and he determined to build a pipeline pipeline pipeline from the wells to the railroad he was from the wells to the railroad he was from the wells to the railroad he was greeted with cheers greeted with cheers greeted with cheers but he went doggedly ahead laid a but he went doggedly ahead laid a but he went doggedly ahead laid a two-inch pipe two-inch pipe two-inch pipe put in three relay pumps and turned in put in three relay pumps and turned in put in three relay pumps and turned in his oil his oil his oil from the start the line was a success from the start the line was a success from the start the line was a success carrying carrying carrying 80 barrels of oil an hour the day that 80 barrels of oil an hour the day that 80 barrels of oil an hour the day that the band sickle pipeline began to run the band sickle pipeline began to run the band sickle pipeline began to run oil a revolution began in the business oil a revolution began in the business oil a revolution began in the business after the drake well it is the most after the drake well it is the most after the drake well it is the most important event important event important event in the history of the oil regions in the history of the oil regions in the history of the oil regions the teamsters saw its meaning first and the teamsters saw its meaning first and the teamsters saw its meaning first and turned out in turned out in turned out in fury dragging the pipe which was for the fury dragging the pipe which was for the fury dragging the pipe which was for the most part buried to the surface most part buried to the surface most part buried to the surface and cutting it so that the oil would be and cutting it so that the oil would be and cutting it so that the oil would be lost lost lost it was only by stationing an armed guard it was only by stationing an armed guard it was only by stationing an armed guard that they were held in check

that they were held in check that they were held in check a second line of importance that of a second line of importance that of a second line of importance that of aberdeen harley aberdeen harley aberdeen harley suffered even more than that of ben's suffered even more than that of ben's suffered even more than that of ben's sickle the teamsters did more than cut sickle the teamsters did more than cut sickle the teamsters did more than cut the pipe the pipe the pipe they burned the tanks in which oil was they burned the tanks in which oil was they burned the tanks in which oil was stored laid in wait for employees stored laid in wait for employees stored laid in wait for employees threatened with destruction the wells threatened with destruction the wells threatened with destruction the wells which furnish the oil which furnish the oil which furnish the oil and so generally terrorized the country and so generally terrorized the country and so generally terrorized the country that the governor of the state that the governor of the state that the governor of the state was called upon in april 1866 was called upon in april 1866 was called upon in april 1866 to protect the property and men of the to protect the property and men of the to protect the property and men of the lines lines lines the day of the teamster was over however the day of the teamster was over however the day of the teamster was over however and the more philosophical of them and the more philosophical of them and the more philosophical of them accepted the situation scores accepted the situation scores accepted the situation scores disappeared from the region disappeared from the region disappeared from the region and scores more took to drilling they and scores more took to drilling they and scores more took to drilling they died hard died hard died hard and the cutting and plugging of and the cutting and plugging of and the cutting and plugging of pipelines was for years of pastime of pipelines was for years of pastime of pipelines was for years of pastime of the remnant of their race the remnant of their race the remnant of their race and of part one chapter one recording by and of part one chapter one recording by and of part one chapter one recording by tom weiss tomsaudiobooks.com the history of standard oil by ida m the history of standard oil by ida m tarbell tarbell tarbell this librebox recording is in the public this librebox recording is in the public this librebox recording is in the public domain domain domain recording by tom weiss chapter one recording by tom weiss chapter one recording by tom weiss chapter one part two if the uses to which oil part two if the uses to which oil part two if the uses to which oil might be put and the methods for might be put and the methods for might be put and the methods for manufacturing it had not been well manufacturing it had not been well manufacturing it had not been well understood when the drake well was understood when the drake well was understood when the drake well was struck struck struck there would have been no such imperious there would have been no such imperious there would have been no such imperious demand as came for the immediate opening demand as came for the immediate opening demand as came for the immediate opening of new territory and developing methods

of new territory and developing methods of new territory and developing methods of handling and carrying it of handling and carrying it of handling and carrying it on a large scale but men already knew on a large scale but men already knew on a large scale but men already knew what the oil was good for what the oil was good for what the oil was good for and in a crude way how to distill it the and in a crude way how to distill it the and in a crude way how to distill it the process of distillation also was free to process of distillation also was free to process of distillation also was free to wall wall wall the essential apparatus was very simple the essential apparatus was very simple the essential apparatus was very simple a cast iron steel a cast iron steel a cast iron steel usually surrounded by brickwork a copper usually surrounded by brickwork a copper usually surrounded by brickwork a copper worm worm worm and two tin or zinc-lined tanks and two tin or zinc-lined tanks and two tin or zinc-lined tanks the still was filled with crude oil the still was filled with crude oil the still was filled with crude oil which was subjected to a high enough which was subjected to a high enough which was subjected to a high enough heat to vaporize it heat to vaporize it heat to vaporize it the vapor passed through a cast iron the vapor passed through a cast iron the vapor passed through a cast iron gooseneck fitted to the top of the still gooseneck fitted to the top of the still gooseneck fitted to the top of the still into the copper worm into the copper worm into the copper worm which was immersed in water here the which was immersed in water here the which was immersed in water here the vapor was condensed and passed into the vapor was condensed and passed into the vapor was condensed and passed into the zinc zinc zinc line tank this product called a line tank this product called a line tank this product called a distillate distillate distillate was treated with chemicals washed with was treated with chemicals washed with was treated with chemicals washed with water and run off into the tin water and run off into the tin water and run off into the tin line tank where it was allowed to settle line tank where it was allowed to settle line tank where it was allowed to settle anybody who could get the apparatus anybody who could get the apparatus anybody who could get the apparatus could make oil could make oil could make oil and many men did badly of course to and many men did badly of course to and many men did badly of course to begin with begin with begin with and with an alarming proportion of waste and with an alarming proportion of waste and with an alarming proportion of waste and explosion and fires and explosion and fires and explosion and fires but with experience they learned and but with experience they learned and but with experience they learned and some of the great refineries of the some of the great refineries of the some of the great refineries of the country country country grew out of these rude beginnings grew out of these rude beginnings grew out of these rude beginnings luckily luckily luckily not all the men who undertook the not all the men who undertook the not all the men who undertook the manufacturing of petroleum manufacturing of petroleum manufacturing of petroleum in these first days were inexperienced in these first days were inexperienced in these first days were inexperienced the chemist whom are due the chemist whom are due the chemist whom are due cheeky the process is now used atwood cheeky the process is now used atwood cheeky the process is now used atwood gessner and merrell gessner and merrell gessner and merrell had for many years been busy making oils had for many years been busy making oils had for many years been busy making oils from coal from coal from coal they knew something of petroleum and they knew something of petroleum and they knew something of petroleum and when it came in when it came in when it came in quantities began at once to adapt their

quantities began at once to adapt their quantities began at once to adapt their processes to it processes to it processes to it merrill at the time was connected with merrill at the time was connected with merrill at the time was connected with samuel downer of boston samuel downer of boston samuel downer of boston in manufacturing oil from trinidad pitch in manufacturing oil from trinidad pitch in manufacturing oil from trinidad pitch and from and from and from coal brought in newfoundland the year coal brought in newfoundland the year coal brought in newfoundland the year oil was discovered oil was discovered oil was discovered mr downer distilled 7 500 tons of this mr downer distilled 7 500 tons of this mr downer distilled 7 500 tons of this coal clearing on it at least one hundred coal clearing on it at least one hundred coal clearing on it at least one hundred thousand dollars thousand dollars thousand dollars as soon as petroleum appeared he and mr as soon as petroleum appeared he and mr as soon as petroleum appeared he and mr merrell saw that here was a product merrell saw that here was a product merrell saw that here was a product which was which was which was bound to displace their coal and with bound to displace their coal and with bound to displace their coal and with courage and props they prepared to adapt courage and props they prepared to adapt courage and props they prepared to adapt their works their works their works in order to be near the supply they came in order to be near the supply they came in order to be near the supply they came to corey 14 miles from the drake well to corey 14 miles from the drake well to corey 14 miles from the drake well and in 1862 put up a refinery which cost and in 1862 put up a refinery which cost and in 1862 put up a refinery which cost two hundred and fifty thousand dollars two hundred and fifty thousand dollars two hundred and fifty thousand dollars here were refined here were refined here were refined thousands of barrels of oil most of thousands of barrels of oil most of thousands of barrels of oil most of which was sent to new york for export which was sent to new york for export which was sent to new york for export to the boston works the firm went crude to the boston works the firm went crude to the boston works the firm went crude which was manufactured for the home which was manufactured for the home which was manufactured for the home trade trade trade and for shipping to california and and for shipping to california and and for shipping to california and australia australia australia the processes used in the downer works the processes used in the downer works the processes used in the downer works at this early day were in all essentials at this early day were in all essentials at this early day were in all essentials the same as are used today the same as are used today the same as are used today in 1865 william wright after a careful in 1865 william wright after a careful in 1865 william wright after a careful study of petroleum study of petroleum study of petroleum as the oil regions were then often as the oil regions were then often as the oil regions were then often called published with harper and called published with harper and called published with harper and brothers an interesting volume brothers an interesting volume brothers an interesting volume in which he devotes a chapter to oil in which he devotes a chapter to oil in which he devotes a chapter to oil refining and refiners refining and refiners refining and refiners mr wright describes their not only the mr wright describes their not only the mr wright describes their not only the downer works at cory downer works at cory downer works at cory but a factory which if much less but a factory which if much less but a factory which if much less important in the development of the oil important in the development of the oil important in the development of the oil regions regions regions held a much larger place in its held a much larger place in its held a much larger place in its imagination

imagination imagination this was the humboldt works at plumer in this was the humboldt works at plumer in this was the humboldt works at plumer in 1862 1862 1862 two german brothers the messers ludovici two german brothers the messers ludovici two german brothers the messers ludovici came to the oil country came to the oil country came to the oil country and choosing a spot distant from oil and choosing a spot distant from oil and choosing a spot distant from oil wells main roads or water courses wells main roads or water courses wells main roads or water courses erected an oil refinery which was erected an oil refinery which was erected an oil refinery which was reported to have cost reported to have cost reported to have cost a half million dollars the works were a half million dollars the works were a half million dollars the works were built in a way built in a way built in a way unheard of then and uncommon now the unheard of then and uncommon now the unheard of then and uncommon now the foundations were all of cut stone foundations were all of cut stone foundations were all of cut stone the boiler and engines were of the most the boiler and engines were of the most the boiler and engines were of the most expensive character expensive character expensive character a house erected in connection with a house erected in connection with a house erected in connection with refinery was said to have been finished refinery was said to have been finished refinery was said to have been finished in hardwood with marble mantels in hardwood with marble mantels in hardwood with marble mantels and furnished with rich carpets mirrors and furnished with rich carpets mirrors and furnished with rich carpets mirrors and elaborate furniture and elaborate furniture and elaborate furniture the lavishness of the humboldt refinery the lavishness of the humboldt refinery the lavishness of the humboldt refinery and the formality with which its and the formality with which its and the formality with which its business was conducted business was conducted business was conducted were long a tradition in the oil regions were long a tradition in the oil regions were long a tradition in the oil regions of more practical moment are the of more practical moment are the of more practical moment are the features of the refinery which mr wright features of the refinery which mr wright features of the refinery which mr wright mentions mentions mentions one is that the works had been so one is that the works had been so one is that the works had been so planned as to take advantage of the planned as to take advantage of the planned as to take advantage of the natural descent of the ground natural descent of the ground natural descent of the ground so that the oil would pass from one set so that the oil would pass from one set so that the oil would pass from one set of vessels to another without using of vessels to another without using of vessels to another without using artificial power artificial power artificial power and the other that the supply of crude and the other that the supply of crude and the other that the supply of crude oil was obtained from the tar oil was obtained from the tar oil was obtained from the tar farm three miles away being forced by farm three miles away being forced by farm three miles away being forced by pumps through pipes pumps through pipes pumps through pipes over the hills mr wright found some 20 over the hills mr wright found some 20 over the hills mr wright found some 20 refineries between titusville and oil refineries between titusville and oil refineries between titusville and oil city the year of his visit 1865.

city the year of his visit 1865. city the year of his visit 1865. in several factories that he visited in several factories that he visited in several factories that he visited they were making nafta they were making nafta they were making nafta gasoline and benzene for export gasoline and benzene for export gasoline and benzene for export three grades of illuminating oils prime three grades of illuminating oils prime three grades of illuminating oils prime white standard white white standard white white standard white and straw color were made everywhere and straw color were made everywhere and straw color were made everywhere paraffin paraffin paraffin refined to a pure white article like refined to a pure white article like refined to a pure white article like that of today was that of today was that of today was manufactured in quantities by the downer manufactured in quantities by the downer manufactured in quantities by the downer works and lubricating oils were works and lubricating oils were works and lubricating oils were beginning to be made beginning to be made beginning to be made as men and means were found to put down as men and means were found to put down as men and means were found to put down wells to devise and build tanks and wells to devise and build tanks and wells to devise and build tanks and boats and pipes and railroads for boats and pipes and railroads for boats and pipes and railroads for handling the oil handling the oil handling the oil to adapt and improve process for to adapt and improve process for to adapt and improve process for manufacturing manufacturing manufacturing so men were found from the beginning of so men were found from the beginning of so men were found from the beginning of the oil business the oil business the oil business to wrestle with every problem raised to wrestle with every problem raised to wrestle with every problem raised they came in they came in they came in shoals young vigorous resourceful shoals young vigorous resourceful shoals young vigorous resourceful indifferent indifferent indifferent difficulties greedy for a chance and difficulties greedy for a chance and difficulties greedy for a chance and with each year they forced more light with each year they forced more light with each year they forced more light and wealth and wealth and wealth from the new product by the opening of from the new product by the opening of from the new product by the opening of 1872 1872 1872 they had produced nearly 40 million they had produced nearly 40 million they had produced nearly 40 million barrels of oil barrels of oil barrels of oil and had raised their product to the and had raised their product to the and had raised their product to the fourth place among the exports of the fourth place among the exports of the fourth place among the exports of the united states united states united states over 152 million gallons going abroad in over 152 million gallons going abroad in over 152 million gallons going abroad in 1871 1871 1871 a percentage of the production which a percentage of the production which a percentage of the production which compares well with what goes today compares well with what goes today compares well with what goes today as for the market they had developed it as for the market they had developed it as for the market they had developed it until it included almost every country until it included almost every country until it included almost every country of the earth of the earth of the earth china the east and west indies south china the east and west indies south china the east and west indies south america america america and africa over 40 different european and africa over 40 different european and africa over 40 different european ports received refined oil from the ports received refined oil from the ports received refined oil from the united states in 1871.

united states in 1871. united states in 1871. nearly a million gallons were sent to nearly a million gallons were sent to nearly a million gallons were sent to syria about a half million to egypt syria about a half million to egypt syria about a half million to egypt about as much to the british west indies about as much to the british west indies about as much to the british west indies and a quarter of a million to the dutch and a quarter of a million to the dutch and a quarter of a million to the dutch east indies east indies east indies not only were illuminating oils being not only were illuminating oils being not only were illuminating oils being exported exported exported in 1871 nearly 7 million gallons of napa in 1871 nearly 7 million gallons of napa in 1871 nearly 7 million gallons of napa benzene and gasoline were sent abroad benzene and gasoline were sent abroad benzene and gasoline were sent abroad and it became evident now for the first and it became evident now for the first and it became evident now for the first time that a valuable trade in lubricants time that a valuable trade in lubricants time that a valuable trade in lubricants made from petroleum made from petroleum made from petroleum was possible a discovery was possible a discovery was possible a discovery by joshua merrell of the downer works by joshua merrell of the downer works by joshua merrell of the downer works opened this new source of wealth to the opened this new source of wealth to the opened this new source of wealth to the industry industry industry until 1869 the impossibility of until 1869 the impossibility of until 1869 the impossibility of deodorizing petroleum had prevented its deodorizing petroleum had prevented its deodorizing petroleum had prevented its use use use largely as a lubricant but in that year largely as a lubricant but in that year largely as a lubricant but in that year mr merrill discovered a process mr merrill discovered a process mr merrill discovered a process by which a deodorized lubricating oil by which a deodorized lubricating oil by which a deodorized lubricating oil could be made could be made could be made he had both the apparatus for producing he had both the apparatus for producing he had both the apparatus for producing the oil and the oil itself patented the oil and the oil itself patented the oil and the oil itself patented the oil was so favorably received that the oil was so favorably received that the oil was so favorably received that the market's sale by the downer works the market's sale by the downer works the market's sale by the downer works was was was several hundred percent greater in a several hundred percent greater in a several hundred percent greater in a single year than the firm had ever sold single year than the firm had ever sold single year than the firm had ever sold before before before the oil field had been extended from the the oil field had been extended from the the oil field had been extended from the valley of oil creek and its tributaries valley of oil creek and its tributaries valley of oil creek and its tributaries down the allegheny river for 50 miles down the allegheny river for 50 miles down the allegheny river for 50 miles and probably and probably and probably covered 2 000 square miles the early covered 2 000 square miles the early covered 2 000 square miles the early theory that oil theory that oil theory that oil followed the streams had been exploded followed the streams had been exploded followed the streams had been exploded and wells were now drilled on the hills and wells were now drilled on the hills and wells were now drilled on the hills it was known too that if oil was found it was known too that if oil was found it was known too that if oil was found in the first sand in the first sand in the first sand struck in the drilling it might be found struck in the drilling it might be found struck in the drilling it might be found still lower in a second or third sand

still lower in a second or third sand still lower in a second or third sand the drake well had struck oil at 69 and the drake well had struck oil at 69 and the drake well had struck oil at 69 and a half a half a half feet but wells were now drilled as deep feet but wells were now drilled as deep feet but wells were now drilled as deep as 1600 feet as 1600 feet as 1600 feet the extension of the field the discovery the extension of the field the discovery the extension of the field the discovery that oil was under the hills as well as that oil was under the hills as well as that oil was under the hills as well as under streams under streams under streams and to be found in various sands had and to be found in various sands had and to be found in various sands had crossed enormously crossed enormously crossed enormously it had been done by wildcatting as it had been done by wildcatting as it had been done by wildcatting as putting down putting down putting down experimental wells were called by experimental wells were called by experimental wells were called by following superstitions in locating following superstitions in locating following superstitions in locating wells wells wells such as the witch hazel stick or the such as the witch hazel stick or the such as the witch hazel stick or the spiritualistic medium spiritualistic medium spiritualistic medium white as much as by studying the white as much as by studying the white as much as by studying the position of wells in existence position of wells in existence position of wells in existence and calculating how oil belts probably and calculating how oil belts probably and calculating how oil belts probably ran ran ran as the cost of a well was from three as the cost of a well was from three as the cost of a well was from three thousand to eight thousand dollars thousand to eight thousand dollars thousand to eight thousand dollars according to its location and as four according to its location and as four according to its location and as four thousand three hundred and seventy four thousand three hundred and seventy four thousand three hundred and seventy four of the five thousand of the five thousand of the five thousand five hundred and sixty wells drilled in five hundred and sixty wells drilled in five hundred and sixty wells drilled in the first ten years of the business the first ten years of the business the first ten years of the business 1859 to 1869 were dry holes 1859 to 1869 were dry holes 1859 to 1869 were dry holes or were abandoned as unprofitable or were abandoned as unprofitable or were abandoned as unprofitable something of the daring it took to something of the daring it took to something of the daring it took to operate on small means operate on small means operate on small means as most producers did in the beginning as most producers did in the beginning as most producers did in the beginning is evident but is evident but is evident but they loved the game and every man of they loved the game and every man of they loved the game and every man of them would stake his last them would stake his last them would stake his last dollar on the chance of striking oil dollar on the chance of striking oil dollar on the chance of striking oil with the extension of the field rapid with the extension of the field rapid with the extension of the field rapid strides had been made in tools and rigs strides had been made in tools and rigs strides had been made in tools and rigs in all of the various essentials of in all of the various essentials of in all of the various essentials of drilling a well drilling a well drilling a well they had learned to use torpedoes to they had learned to use torpedoes to they had learned to use torpedoes to open up hard rocks open up hard rocks open up hard rocks nafta to cut the paraffin which coated nafta to cut the paraffin which coated nafta to cut the paraffin which coated the sand and stop the flow of oil the sand and stop the flow of oil the sand and stop the flow of oil seed bags to stop the inrush of a stream

seed bags to stop the inrush of a stream seed bags to stop the inrush of a stream of water of water of water they lost their tools less often and they lost their tools less often and they lost their tools less often and knew better how to fish for them when knew better how to fish for them when knew better how to fish for them when they did they did they did in short they had learned how to put in short they had learned how to put in short they had learned how to put down and care for oil wells down and care for oil wells down and care for oil wells equal advances had been made in other equal advances had been made in other equal advances had been made in other departments departments departments fewer cars were loaded with barrels tank fewer cars were loaded with barrels tank fewer cars were loaded with barrels tank cars for carrying in bulk had been cars for carrying in bulk had been cars for carrying in bulk had been invented invented invented the wooden tank holding 200 to 1200 the wooden tank holding 200 to 1200 the wooden tank holding 200 to 1200 barrels barrels barrels had been rapidly replaced by the great had been rapidly replaced by the great had been rapidly replaced by the great iron tank iron tank iron tank holding twenty thousand or 000 barrels holding twenty thousand or 000 barrels holding twenty thousand or 000 barrels the pipelines had begun to go directly the pipelines had begun to go directly the pipelines had begun to go directly to the wells to the wells to the wells instead of pumping from a general instead of pumping from a general instead of pumping from a general receiving station or receiving station or receiving station or dump as it was called thus saving the dump as it was called thus saving the dump as it was called thus saving the tedious and expensive tedious and expensive tedious and expensive operation of holland from beginning to operation of holland from beginning to operation of holland from beginning to end end end the business had been developed the business had been developed the business had been developed systematized systematized systematized simplified most important was the simplified most important was the simplified most important was the simplification of the transportation simplification of the transportation simplification of the transportation problem problem problem by the development of pipelines by 1862 by the development of pipelines by 1862 by the development of pipelines by 1862 they were the one oil gatherer several they were the one oil gatherer several they were the one oil gatherer several companies were carrying on the pipeline companies were carrying on the pipeline companies were carrying on the pipeline business business business and two of them had acquired great power and two of them had acquired great power and two of them had acquired great power in the oil regions because of their in the oil regions because of their in the oil regions because of their connections with trunk lines connections with trunk lines connections with trunk lines these were the empire transportation these were the empire transportation these were the empire transportation company and the pennsylvania company and the pennsylvania company and the pennsylvania transportation company transportation company transportation company the former which had been the first the former which had been the first the former which had been the first business organization to go business organization to go business organization to go into the pipeline business on a large into the pipeline business on a large into the pipeline business on a large scale was a concern which appeared in scale was a concern which appeared in scale was a concern which appeared in the oil regions not the oil regions not the oil regions not over six months before van sickle began over six months before van sickle began over six months before van sickle began to pump oil to pump oil to pump oil the empire transportation company had

the empire transportation company had the empire transportation company had been organized in 1865 been organized in 1865 been organized in 1865 to build up an east and west freight to build up an east and west freight to build up an east and west freight traffic via the philadelphia and erie traffic via the philadelphia and erie traffic via the philadelphia and erie railroad railroad railroad a new line which had just been leased by a new line which had just been leased by a new line which had just been leased by the pennsylvania the pennsylvania the pennsylvania some 10 railroads connected in one way some 10 railroads connected in one way some 10 railroads connected in one way or another with the philadelphia and or another with the philadelphia and or another with the philadelphia and nearing forming direct routes east and nearing forming direct routes east and nearing forming direct routes east and west west west in spite of their evident community of in spite of their evident community of in spite of their evident community of interest these various roads were kept interest these various roads were kept interest these various roads were kept apart by their jealous fears of one apart by their jealous fears of one apart by their jealous fears of one another another another each insisted on its own timetable its each insisted on its own timetable its each insisted on its own timetable its own rates own rates own rates its own way of doing things the shipper its own way of doing things the shipper its own way of doing things the shipper via this route via this route via this route must make a separate bargain with each must make a separate bargain with each must make a separate bargain with each road and often submit to having his road and often submit to having his road and often submit to having his freight freight freight change the terminals from one car to change the terminals from one car to change the terminals from one car to another because of the difference of another because of the difference of another because of the difference of gauge gauge gauge the empire transportation company the empire transportation company the empire transportation company undertook to act undertook to act undertook to act as a mediator between the roads and the as a mediator between the roads and the as a mediator between the roads and the shipper to make the route cheap shipper to make the route cheap shipper to make the route cheap fast and reliable it proposed to solicit fast and reliable it proposed to solicit fast and reliable it proposed to solicit freight freight freight furnish its own cars and terminal furnish its own cars and terminal furnish its own cars and terminal facilities and collect money too facilities and collect money too facilities and collect money too it did not make rates however it only it did not make rates however it only it did not make rates however it only harmonized those made by the various harmonized those made by the various harmonized those made by the various branches branches branches in the system it was to receive a in the system it was to receive a in the system it was to receive a commission on the business secured commission on the business secured commission on the business secured and a rental for the cars and other and a rental for the cars and other and a rental for the cars and other facilities it furnished facilities it furnished facilities it furnished it was a difficult task the new company it was a difficult task the new company it was a difficult task the new company undertook undertook undertook but it had at its head a remarkable man but it had at its head a remarkable man but it had at its head a remarkable man to cope with difficulties to cope with difficulties to cope with difficulties this man joseph d potts was in 1865 this man joseph d potts was in 1865 this man joseph d potts was in 1865 36 years old he had come of a long and 36 years old he had come of a long and 36 years old he had come of a long and honorable line of iron masters of the

honorable line of iron masters of the honorable line of iron masters of the schoolkill region of pennsylvania schoolkill region of pennsylvania schoolkill region of pennsylvania but had left the great forge towns with but had left the great forge towns with but had left the great forge towns with which his ancestors had been associated which his ancestors had been associated which his ancestors had been associated oxtown glasgow forge valley forge oxtown glasgow forge valley forge oxtown glasgow forge valley forge to become a civil engineer his to become a civil engineer his to become a civil engineer his profession had led him to the service of profession had led him to the service of profession had led him to the service of the pennsylvania railroad the pennsylvania railroad the pennsylvania railroad where he had held important positions in where he had held important positions in where he had held important positions in connection with which he now connection with which he now connection with which he now undertook the organization of the empire undertook the organization of the empire undertook the organization of the empire transportation company transportation company transportation company colonel potts the title came from his colonel potts the title came from his colonel potts the title came from his service in the civil war service in the civil war service in the civil war possessed a clear and vigorous mind he possessed a clear and vigorous mind he possessed a clear and vigorous mind he was far was far was far seeing forceful in execution fair in his seeing forceful in execution fair in his seeing forceful in execution fair in his feelings feelings feelings to marked ability and integrity he to marked ability and integrity he to marked ability and integrity he joined a gentle joined a gentle joined a gentle and courteous nature the first freight and courteous nature the first freight and courteous nature the first freight which the empire transportation company which the empire transportation company which the empire transportation company attacked attacked attacked after its organization was oil after its organization was oil after its organization was oil the year was a great one for the oil the year was a great one for the oil the year was a great one for the oil regions the year of pit hole regions the year of pit hole regions the year of pit hole in january there had suddenly been in january there had suddenly been in january there had suddenly been struck on pit hole creek struck on pit hole creek struck on pit hole creek in a wilderness six miles from the in a wilderness six miles from the in a wilderness six miles from the allegheny river allegheny river allegheny river a well located with a witch hazel twig a well located with a witch hazel twig a well located with a witch hazel twig which produced which produced which produced 250 barrels a day and oil 250 barrels a day and oil 250 barrels a day and oil was selling at eight dollars a barrel was selling at eight dollars a barrel was selling at eight dollars a barrel wells followed in rapid succession in wells followed in rapid succession in wells followed in rapid succession in less than ten months the field was doing less than ten months the field was doing less than ten months the field was doing over ten thousand barrels a day over ten thousand barrels a day over ten thousand barrels a day this sudden flood of oil caused a this sudden flood of oil caused a this sudden flood of oil caused a tremendous excitement tremendous excitement tremendous excitement crowds of speculators and investors crowds of speculators and investors crowds of speculators and investors rushed to pit hole from all over the rushed to pit hole from all over the rushed to pit hole from all over the country country country the civil war had just closed soldiers the civil war had just closed soldiers the civil war had just closed soldiers were disbanding were disbanding were disbanding and hundreds of them found their way to

and hundreds of them found their way to and hundreds of them found their way to the new oil field the new oil field the new oil field in six weeks after the first well was in six weeks after the first well was in six weeks after the first well was struck struck struck pit hall was a town of six thousand pit hall was a town of six thousand pit hall was a town of six thousand inhabitants inhabitants inhabitants in less than a year it had fifty hotels in less than a year it had fifty hotels in less than a year it had fifty hotels and boarding houses and boarding houses and boarding houses five of these hotels cost fifty thousand five of these hotels cost fifty thousand five of these hotels cost fifty thousand dollars or more each dollars or more each dollars or more each in six months after the first well the in six months after the first well the in six months after the first well the post office of pit hole post office of pit hole post office of pit hole was receiving upwards of 10 000 letters was receiving upwards of 10 000 letters was receiving upwards of 10 000 letters per day per day per day and was counted third in size in the and was counted third in size in the and was counted third in size in the state state state philadelphia pittsburgh and pit hole philadelphia pittsburgh and pit hole philadelphia pittsburgh and pit hole being the order of rank being the order of rank being the order of rank it had a daily paper churches all the it had a daily paper churches all the it had a daily paper churches all the appliances of a town appliances of a town appliances of a town the handling of the great output of oil the handling of the great output of oil the handling of the great output of oil from the pit hole field from the pit hole field from the pit hole field was a serious question there seemed not was a serious question there seemed not was a serious question there seemed not enough cars in the country to carry it enough cars in the country to carry it enough cars in the country to carry it and shippers resorted to every and shippers resorted to every and shippers resorted to every imaginable trip to get accommodations imaginable trip to get accommodations imaginable trip to get accommodations when the agent of the empire when the agent of the empire when the agent of the empire transportation company transportation company transportation company opened his office in june 1865 and opened his office in june 1865 and opened his office in june 1865 and demonstrated his ability to furnish cars demonstrated his ability to furnish cars demonstrated his ability to furnish cars regularly and in large numbers trade regularly and in large numbers trade regularly and in large numbers trade rapidly flowed to him rapidly flowed to him rapidly flowed to him now the empire agency had hardly been now the empire agency had hardly been now the empire agency had hardly been established when the bensicko pipeline established when the bensicko pipeline established when the bensicko pipeline began to carry oil from pit hole to the began to carry oil from pit hole to the began to carry oil from pit hole to the railroad railroad railroad lines began to multiply the railroads lines began to multiply the railroads lines began to multiply the railroads saw it once that they were destined saw it once that they were destined saw it once that they were destined speedily to do speedily to do speedily to do all the gathering and hasten to secure all the gathering and hasten to secure all the gathering and hasten to secure control of them control of them control of them colonel potts's first pipeline purchase colonel potts's first pipeline purchase colonel potts's first pipeline purchase was a line running for pit holder was a line running for pit holder was a line running for pit holder titusville titusville titusville which has yet had not been wet when the which has yet had not been wet when the which has yet had not been wet when the empire transportation company took over

empire transportation company took over empire transportation company took over this line this line this line nothing had been demonstrated but that nothing had been demonstrated but that nothing had been demonstrated but that oil could be driven oil could be driven oil could be driven by relay pumps five miles through a two by relay pumps five miles through a two by relay pumps five miles through a two inch height inch height inch height the empire's first effort was to get a the empire's first effort was to get a the empire's first effort was to get a longer run by fewer pumps longer run by fewer pumps longer run by fewer pumps the agent in charge cp hatch believed the agent in charge cp hatch believed the agent in charge cp hatch believed that oil could be brought the entire ten that oil could be brought the entire ten that oil could be brought the entire ten and one half miles from hit hole to and one half miles from hit hole to and one half miles from hit hole to titusville titusville titusville by one pump he met with ridicule by one pump he met with ridicule by one pump he met with ridicule but he insisted on trying it in the new but he insisted on trying it in the new but he insisted on trying it in the new line his company had acquired the line his company had acquired the line his company had acquired the experiment experiment experiment was entirely successful improvements was entirely successful improvements was entirely successful improvements followed as rapidly as hands could carry followed as rapidly as hands could carry followed as rapidly as hands could carry out the suggestions of ingenuity and out the suggestions of ingenuity and out the suggestions of ingenuity and energy energy energy one of the most important made the first one of the most important made the first one of the most important made the first year of business was connecting wells my year of business was connecting wells my year of business was connecting wells my pipe pipe pipe directly with the tanks at the pumping directly with the tanks at the pumping directly with the tanks at the pumping stations thus doing away with the stations thus doing away with the stations thus doing away with the expensive hauling in barrels to the dump expensive hauling in barrels to the dump expensive hauling in barrels to the dump a new device for accounting to the a new device for accounting to the a new device for accounting to the producer for his oil producer for his oil producer for his oil was made necessary by this change and was made necessary by this change and was made necessary by this change and the practice of taking the gauge or the practice of taking the gauge or the practice of taking the gauge or measuring of the oil in the producer's measuring of the oil in the producer's measuring of the oil in the producer's tank before and after the run tank before and after the run tank before and after the run and issuing duplicate run tickets was and issuing duplicate run tickets was and issuing duplicate run tickets was devised by mr hatch devised by mr hatch devised by mr hatch the producers however were not all the producers however were not all the producers however were not all square square square it sometimes happened that they sold oil it sometimes happened that they sold oil it sometimes happened that they sold oil by a transfer order of the pipeline by a transfer order of the pipeline by a transfer order of the pipeline which they did not have in the line which they did not have in the line which they did not have in the line to prevent these the empire to prevent these the empire to prevent these the empire transportation company transportation company transportation company in 1868 began to issue certificates for in 1868 began to issue certificates for in 1868 began to issue certificates for credit balances of oil credit balances of oil credit balances of oil these soon became the general mediums of these soon became the general mediums of these soon became the general mediums of trade in oil trade in oil trade in oil and remain so today one of the cleverest

and remain so today one of the cleverest and remain so today one of the cleverest of the pipeline devices of the empire of the pipeline devices of the empire of the pipeline devices of the empire company was its assessment for waste and company was its assessment for waste and company was its assessment for waste and fire fire fire in running oil through pipes there is in running oil through pipes there is in running oil through pipes there is more or less lost by leaking and more or less lost by leaking and more or less lost by leaking and evaporation evaporation evaporation in september 1868 mr hatch announced in september 1868 mr hatch announced in september 1868 mr hatch announced that that that thereafter he would deduct two percent thereafter he would deduct two percent thereafter he would deduct two percent from oil runs for wastage from oil runs for wastage from oil runs for wastage the assessment raised almost a riot in the assessment raised almost a riot in the assessment raised almost a riot in the region the region the region meetings were held the empire meetings were held the empire meetings were held the empire transportation company was denounced as transportation company was denounced as transportation company was denounced as a highway robber a highway robber a highway robber and threats of violence were made if the and threats of violence were made if the and threats of violence were made if the order was enforced order was enforced order was enforced while this excitement was in progress while this excitement was in progress while this excitement was in progress there came a big fire on the line there came a big fire on the line there came a big fire on the line now the company's officials had been now the company's officials had been now the company's officials had been studying the question of fire insurance studying the question of fire insurance studying the question of fire insurance from the start from the start from the start fires in the oil regions were as regular fires in the oil regions were as regular fires in the oil regions were as regular a feature of the business a feature of the business a feature of the business as explosions used to be on the as explosions used to be on the as explosions used to be on the mississippi steamboats mississippi steamboats mississippi steamboats and no regular fire insurance company and no regular fire insurance company and no regular fire insurance company would take the risk would take the risk would take the risk it had been decided that at the first it had been decided that at the first it had been decided that at the first fire there should be announced fire there should be announced fire there should be announced what was called a general average what was called a general average what was called a general average assessment assessment assessment that is a fire tax and to be ready that is a fire tax and to be ready that is a fire tax and to be ready blanks were repaired blanks were repaired blanks were repaired now in the thick of the resistance to now in the thick of the resistance to now in the thick of the resistance to the wastage assessment the wastage assessment the wastage assessment came a fire and the line announced that came a fire and the line announced that came a fire and the line announced that the producers having oil in the line the producers having oil in the line the producers having oil in the line must pay the insurance the controversy must pay the insurance the controversy must pay the insurance the controversy at once waxed hotter than ever at once waxed hotter than ever at once waxed hotter than ever but was finally compromised by the but was finally compromised by the but was finally compromised by the withdrawal in this case withdrawal in this case withdrawal in this case of the fire insurance if the producers of the fire insurance if the producers of the fire insurance if the producers would consent to the tax for waste would consent to the tax for waste would consent to the tax for waste they did consent and later when fires

they did consent and later when fires they did consent and later when fires occurred the general average assessment occurred the general average assessment occurred the general average assessment was applied without was applied without was applied without serious opposition both of these serious opposition both of these serious opposition both of these practices practices practices prevailed today by the end of 1871 prevailed today by the end of 1871 prevailed today by the end of 1871 the empire transportation company was the empire transportation company was the empire transportation company was one of the most efficient and respected one of the most efficient and respected one of the most efficient and respected business organizations business organizations business organizations in the oil country its chief rival in the oil country its chief rival in the oil country its chief rival was the pennsylvania transportation was the pennsylvania transportation was the pennsylvania transportation company an company an company an organization which had its origin in the organization which had its origin in the organization which had its origin in the second pipeline second pipeline second pipeline laid in the oil regions this line was laid in the oil regions this line was laid in the oil regions this line was built by henry harley built by henry harley built by henry harley a man who for fully ten years was one of a man who for fully ten years was one of a man who for fully ten years was one of the most brilliant the most brilliant the most brilliant figures in the oil country harley was a figures in the oil country harley was a figures in the oil country harley was a civil engineer by profession civil engineer by profession civil engineer by profession a graduate of the troy polytechnic a graduate of the troy polytechnic a graduate of the troy polytechnic institute institute institute and had held a responsible position for and had held a responsible position for and had held a responsible position for some time as an assistant of general some time as an assistant of general some time as an assistant of general hermann help in the huzak tunnel hermann help in the huzak tunnel hermann help in the huzak tunnel he became interested in the oil business he became interested in the oil business he became interested in the oil business in 1862 in 1862 in 1862 first as a buyer of petroleum then as an first as a buyer of petroleum then as an first as a buyer of petroleum then as an operator in west virginia operator in west virginia operator in west virginia in 1865 he laid a pipeline from one of in 1865 he laid a pipeline from one of in 1865 he laid a pipeline from one of the rich oil farms of the creek to the the rich oil farms of the creek to the the rich oil farms of the creek to the railroad railroad railroad it was a success and from this venture it was a success and from this venture it was a success and from this venture harley and his partner harley and his partner harley and his partner w.h abbott one of the wealthiest and w.h abbott one of the wealthiest and w.h abbott one of the wealthiest and most active men in the country most active men in the country most active men in the country developed an important transportation developed an important transportation developed an important transportation system system system in 1868 jay gould who was president of in 1868 jay gould who was president of in 1868 jay gould who was president of the erie road was eager to increase his the erie road was eager to increase his the erie road was eager to increase his oil freight oil freight oil freight bought a controlling interest in the bought a controlling interest in the bought a controlling interest in the abbott and harley lines abbott and harley lines abbott and harley lines and made harley general oil agent of the

and made harley general oil agent of the and made harley general oil agent of the erie system erie system erie system harley now became closely associated harley now became closely associated harley now became closely associated with fisk and gould with fisk and gould with fisk and gould and the three carried on a series of and the three carried on a series of and the three carried on a series of bold and high radical speculations in bold and high radical speculations in bold and high radical speculations in oil which oil which oil which greatly enraged the oil country they greatly enraged the oil country they greatly enraged the oil country they built a refinery near jersey city built a refinery near jersey city built a refinery near jersey city extended their pipeline system and in extended their pipeline system and in extended their pipeline system and in 1871 1871 1871 when they reorganized under the name of when they reorganized under the name of when they reorganized under the name of the pennsylvania transportation company the pennsylvania transportation company the pennsylvania transportation company they controlled probably the greatest they controlled probably the greatest they controlled probably the greatest number of miles of hype of any company number of miles of hype of any company number of miles of hype of any company in the region in the region in the region and then were fighting the empire and then were fighting the empire and then were fighting the empire bitterly for freight bitterly for freight bitterly for freight there is no part of this rapid there is no part of this rapid there is no part of this rapid development of the business more development of the business more development of the business more interesting than the commercial machine interesting than the commercial machine interesting than the commercial machine the oil men had devised in 1872 the oil men had devised in 1872 the oil men had devised in 1872 for marketing oil a man with a thousand for marketing oil a man with a thousand for marketing oil a man with a thousand barrel well in his hands barrel well in his hands barrel well in his hands in 1862 was in her flight in 1862 was in her flight in 1862 was in her flight he had got to sell his oil at once for he had got to sell his oil at once for he had got to sell his oil at once for lack of storage room lack of storage room lack of storage room or let it run on the ground and there or let it run on the ground and there or let it run on the ground and there was no exchange was no exchange was no exchange no market no telegraph not even a post no market no telegraph not even a post no market no telegraph not even a post office within his reach where he could office within his reach where he could office within his reach where he could arrange a sale arrange a sale arrange a sale he had to depend on buyers who came to he had to depend on buyers who came to he had to depend on buyers who came to him him him these buyers were the agents of the these buyers were the agents of the these buyers were the agents of the refineries in different cities refineries in different cities refineries in different cities or of the exporters of crude in new york or of the exporters of crude in new york or of the exporters of crude in new york they went from well to well on horseback they went from well to well on horseback they went from well to well on horseback if the roads were not too bad if the roads were not too bad if the roads were not too bad on foot if they were and in each place on foot if they were and in each place on foot if they were and in each place made a special bargain made a special bargain made a special bargain varying with the quantity bought and the varying with the quantity bought and the varying with the quantity bought and the difficulty in getting it away difficulty in getting it away difficulty in getting it away for the buyer was the transporter and as for the buyer was the transporter and as for the buyer was the transporter and as a rule

a rule a rule furnished the barrels or boats in which furnished the barrels or boats in which furnished the barrels or boats in which he carried off his oil he carried off his oil he carried off his oil it was not long before the speculative it was not long before the speculative it was not long before the speculative character of the oil trade character of the oil trade character of the oil trade due to the great fluctuations in due to the great fluctuations in due to the great fluctuations in quantity added a crowd of brokers to the quantity added a crowd of brokers to the quantity added a crowd of brokers to the regular regular regular buyers who tramped up and down the creek buyers who tramped up and down the creek buyers who tramped up and down the creek when the railroads came in when the railroads came in when the railroads came in the trains became the headquarters for the trains became the headquarters for the trains became the headquarters for both buyers and both buyers and both buyers and sellers this was the more easily managed sellers this was the more easily managed sellers this was the more easily managed as the trains on the creek stopped at as the trains on the creek stopped at as the trains on the creek stopped at almost every oil farm almost every oil farm almost every oil farm these trains became in fact a sort of these trains became in fact a sort of these trains became in fact a sort of traveling oil exchange traveling oil exchange traveling oil exchange and on them a large percentage of all and on them a large percentage of all and on them a large percentage of all the bargaining of the business was done the bargaining of the business was done the bargaining of the business was done the brokers and buyers first organized the brokers and buyers first organized the brokers and buyers first organized and established headquarters in oil and established headquarters in oil and established headquarters in oil city in 1869 but there was an oil city in 1869 but there was an oil city in 1869 but there was an oil exchange in new york city exchange in new york city exchange in new york city as early as 1866 titusville did not have as early as 1866 titusville did not have as early as 1866 titusville did not have an exchange until an exchange until an exchange until 1871 by this time the pipelines had 1871 by this time the pipelines had 1871 by this time the pipelines had begun to issue certificates for the oil begun to issue certificates for the oil begun to issue certificates for the oil they received they received they received and the trading was done to a degree in and the trading was done to a degree in and the trading was done to a degree in these these these the method was simple and much more the method was simple and much more the method was simple and much more convenient than the old one convenient than the old one convenient than the old one the producer ran his oil into a pipeline the producer ran his oil into a pipeline the producer ran his oil into a pipeline and for it received and for it received and for it received a certificate showing that the line held a certificate showing that the line held a certificate showing that the line held so much to his credit so much to his credit so much to his credit this certificate was transferred when this certificate was transferred when this certificate was transferred when the sale was made and presented when the the sale was made and presented when the the sale was made and presented when the oil was wanted oil was wanted oil was wanted one achievement at which the oil men one achievement at which the oil men one achievement at which the oil men were particularly proud were particularly proud were particularly proud was increasing the refining capacity of was increasing the refining capacity of was increasing the refining capacity of the region the region the region at the start the difficulty of getting at the start the difficulty of getting at the start the difficulty of getting the apparatus for a refinery to the

the apparatus for a refinery to the the apparatus for a refinery to the creek creek creek had been so enormous that the bulk of had been so enormous that the bulk of had been so enormous that the bulk of the crude had been driven to the nearest the crude had been driven to the nearest the crude had been driven to the nearest manufacturing cities manufacturing cities manufacturing cities erie pittsburgh and cleveland much had erie pittsburgh and cleveland much had erie pittsburgh and cleveland much had gone to the seaboard too gone to the seaboard too gone to the seaboard too and boston new york philadelphia and and boston new york philadelphia and and boston new york philadelphia and baltimore were all doing considerable baltimore were all doing considerable baltimore were all doing considerable refining refining refining there was always a strong feeling in the there was always a strong feeling in the there was always a strong feeling in the oil regions that the refining should be oil regions that the refining should be oil regions that the refining should be done at home done at home done at home before the railroads came the most before the railroads came the most before the railroads came the most heroic efforts were made again and again heroic efforts were made again and again heroic efforts were made again and again to get in the necessary machinery to get in the necessary machinery to get in the necessary machinery brought from pittsburgh by water as a brought from pittsburgh by water as a brought from pittsburgh by water as a rule the apparatus had to be hauled from rule the apparatus had to be hauled from rule the apparatus had to be hauled from oil city oil city oil city where it had to be dumped on the muddy where it had to be dumped on the muddy where it had to be dumped on the muddy bank of the river there were no wharfs bank of the river there were no wharfs bank of the river there were no wharfs over the indescribable roads to the site over the indescribable roads to the site over the indescribable roads to the site chosen chosen chosen it took weeks months sometimes to get in it took weeks months sometimes to get in it took weeks months sometimes to get in the apparatus the apparatus the apparatus the chemicals used in the making of the the chemicals used in the making of the the chemicals used in the making of the oil the barrels in which distort oil the barrels in which distort oil the barrels in which distort all had to be brought from outside the all had to be brought from outside the all had to be brought from outside the wonder is that under these conditions wonder is that under these conditions wonder is that under these conditions anybody tried to refine on the creek but anybody tried to refine on the creek but anybody tried to refine on the creek but refineries persisted in coming refineries persisted in coming refineries persisted in coming and after the railroads came increased and after the railroads came increased and after the railroads came increased by 1872 the daily capacity had grown to by 1872 the daily capacity had grown to by 1872 the daily capacity had grown to nearly ten thousand barrels nearly ten thousand barrels nearly ten thousand barrels and there were no more complete or and there were no more complete or and there were no more complete or profitable plants in existence than two profitable plants in existence than two profitable plants in existence than two or three of those on the creek or three of those on the creek or three of those on the creek the only points having larger daily the only points having larger daily the only points having larger daily capacity were cleveland and new york capacity were cleveland and new york capacity were cleveland and new york city city city several of the refineries had added several of the refineries had added several of the refineries had added barrel works barrel works barrel works assets were made on the ground iron assets were made on the ground iron assets were made on the ground iron works at oil city in

works at oil city in works at oil city in titusville promised soon to supply the titusville promised soon to supply the titusville promised soon to supply the needs of both drillers and refiners needs of both drillers and refiners needs of both drillers and refiners the exultation was great and the present the exultation was great and the present the exultation was great and the present people people people boasted that the day would soon come boasted that the day would soon come boasted that the day would soon come when they would refine for the world when they would refine for the world when they would refine for the world there in their own narrow valleys should there in their own narrow valleys should there in their own narrow valleys should be made everything which petroleum would be made everything which petroleum would be made everything which petroleum would deal deal deal cleveland pittsburgh the seaboard must cleveland pittsburgh the seaboard must cleveland pittsburgh the seaboard must give up refining give up refining give up refining the business belonged to the oil regions the business belonged to the oil regions the business belonged to the oil regions and the oil men and the oil men and the oil men meant to take it a significant meant to take it a significant meant to take it a significant development in the region was the development in the region was the development in the region was the tendency among many of the oil men tendency among many of the oil men tendency among many of the oil men to combine different branches of the to combine different branches of the to combine different branches of the business business business several large producers conducted several large producers conducted several large producers conducted shipping agencies for handling their own shipping agencies for handling their own shipping agencies for handling their own and other people's oil the firma pearson and other people's oil the firma pearson and other people's oil the firma pearson nehart nehart nehart was a prominent one carrying on this was a prominent one carrying on this was a prominent one carrying on this double business in the 60s and early 70s double business in the 60s and early 70s double business in the 60s and early 70s j.j vandergriff who has been mentioned j.j vandergriff who has been mentioned j.j vandergriff who has been mentioned already is one of the first men to take already is one of the first men to take already is one of the first men to take hold of the transportation problem hold of the transportation problem hold of the transportation problem early became interested in production early became interested in production early became interested in production as soon as the pipeline was demonstrated as soon as the pipeline was demonstrated as soon as the pipeline was demonstrated to be a success to be a success to be a success he began building lines he also added to he began building lines he also added to he began building lines he also added to his interest a large refinery his interest a large refinery his interest a large refinery the imperial of oil city captain the imperial of oil city captain the imperial of oil city captain vandergriff by 1870 vandergriff by 1870 vandergriff by 1870 produced transported and refined his own produced transported and refined his own produced transported and refined his own oil oil oil as well as transported and refined much as well as transported and refined much as well as transported and refined much of other people's of other people's of other people's it was a common practice for a refinery it was a common practice for a refinery it was a common practice for a refinery in the oil regions in the oil regions in the oil regions to pipe oil directly to its works by its to pipe oil directly to its works by its to pipe oil directly to its works by its own line own line own line and in 1872 one refinery in titusville

and in 1872 one refinery in titusville and in 1872 one refinery in titusville the octave carried its refined oil a the octave carried its refined oil a the octave carried its refined oil a mile or more by pipe to the railroad mile or more by pipe to the railroad mile or more by pipe to the railroad although most of the refineries at this although most of the refineries at this although most of the refineries at this period sold their products to dealers period sold their products to dealers period sold their products to dealers and exporters and exporters and exporters the building up of markets by direct the building up of markets by direct the building up of markets by direct contact with new territory contact with new territory contact with new territory was beginning to be a consideration with was beginning to be a consideration with was beginning to be a consideration with all large manufacturers all large manufacturers all large manufacturers the octave of titusville for instance the octave of titusville for instance the octave of titusville for instance chartered a ship in 1872 chartered a ship in 1872 chartered a ship in 1872 to load with oil and sending charge of to load with oil and sending charge of to load with oil and sending charge of its own agent its own agent its own agent into south american ports the odds into south american ports the odds into south american ports the odds against the oil men against the oil men against the oil men in developing the business had not been in developing the business had not been in developing the business had not been merely physical ones merely physical ones merely physical ones there had been more than the wilderness there had been more than the wilderness there had been more than the wilderness to conquer more than the possibilities to conquer more than the possibilities to conquer more than the possibilities of a new product to learn of a new product to learn of a new product to learn over all the early years of their over all the early years of their over all the early years of their struggle and hardships struggle and hardships struggle and hardships hovered the dark cloud of the civil war hovered the dark cloud of the civil war hovered the dark cloud of the civil war they were so cut off from men that they they were so cut off from men that they they were so cut off from men that they did not hear of the fall of sumter for did not hear of the fall of sumter for did not hear of the fall of sumter for four days after it happened four days after it happened four days after it happened and the news for the time blotted out and the news for the time blotted out and the news for the time blotted out interest even in flowing wells interest even in flowing wells interest even in flowing wells twice at least when lee invaded twice at least when lee invaded twice at least when lee invaded pennsylvania pennsylvania pennsylvania the whole business came to a standstill the whole business came to a standstill the whole business came to a standstill meant abandoning the drill meant abandoning the drill meant abandoning the drill the pump the refinery to make ready to the pump the refinery to make ready to the pump the refinery to make ready to repel the invader repel the invader repel the invader they were taxed for the war taxes rising they were taxed for the war taxes rising they were taxed for the war taxes rising to ten dollars per barrel in 1865 to ten dollars per barrel in 1865 to ten dollars per barrel in 1865 one dollar uncrewed and 20 cents a one dollar uncrewed and 20 cents a one dollar uncrewed and 20 cents a gallon unrefined gallon unrefined gallon unrefined the oil barrel is usually estimated at the oil barrel is usually estimated at the oil barrel is usually estimated at 42 gallons 42 gallons 42 gallons they gave up their quota of men again they gave up their quota of men again they gave up their quota of men again and again at the call for recruits

and again at the call for recruits and again at the call for recruits and when the end came and a million men and when the end came and a million men and when the end came and a million men were cast on the country were cast on the country were cast on the country this little corner of pennsylvania this little corner of pennsylvania this little corner of pennsylvania absorbed a larger portion of men absorbed a larger portion of men absorbed a larger portion of men probably than any other spot in the probably than any other spot in the probably than any other spot in the united states united states united states the soldier was given the first chance the soldier was given the first chance the soldier was given the first chance everywhere at work everywhere at work everywhere at work he was welcomed into oil companies stock he was welcomed into oil companies stock he was welcomed into oil companies stock being given him for the value of his war being given him for the value of his war being given him for the value of his war record record record there were lieutenants and captains and there were lieutenants and captains and there were lieutenants and captains and majors even generals scattered all over majors even generals scattered all over majors even generals scattered all over the field the field the field and the field felt itself honored and and the field felt itself honored and and the field felt itself honored and bragged as it did of all things bragged as it did of all things bragged as it did of all things of the number of privates and officers of the number of privates and officers of the number of privates and officers who immediately on disbanding who immediately on disbanding who immediately on disbanding had turned to it for employment it was had turned to it for employment it was had turned to it for employment it was not not not only the civil war from which the oil only the civil war from which the oil only the civil war from which the oil regions had suffered regions had suffered regions had suffered in 1870 the franco-prussian war broke in 1870 the franco-prussian war broke in 1870 the franco-prussian war broke the foreign market to pieces the foreign market to pieces the foreign market to pieces and caused great loss to the whole and caused great loss to the whole and caused great loss to the whole industry and there had been other industry and there had been other industry and there had been other troubles troubles troubles from the first oil men had to contend from the first oil men had to contend from the first oil men had to contend with wild fluctuations in the price of with wild fluctuations in the price of with wild fluctuations in the price of oil oil oil in 1859 it was twenty dollars a barrel in 1859 it was twenty dollars a barrel in 1859 it was twenty dollars a barrel and in 1861 it had averaged and in 1861 it had averaged and in 1861 it had averaged 52 cents two years later in 1863 52 cents two years later in 1863 52 cents two years later in 1863 it averaged eight dollars and fifteen it averaged eight dollars and fifteen it averaged eight dollars and fifteen cents and in 1867 cents and in 1867 cents and in 1867 but two dollars and forty cents in all but two dollars and forty cents in all but two dollars and forty cents in all these first 12 years these first 12 years these first 12 years nothing like a steady price could be nothing like a steady price could be nothing like a steady price could be depended on depended on depended on for just as the supply seemed to have for just as the supply seemed to have for just as the supply seemed to have approached a fixed amount approached a fixed amount approached a fixed amount a wildcat well would come in and knock

a wildcat well would come in and knock a wildcat well would come in and knock the bottom out of the market the bottom out of the market the bottom out of the market such fluctuations were the natural such fluctuations were the natural such fluctuations were the natural element of the speculator element of the speculator element of the speculator and he came early buying in quantities and he came early buying in quantities and he came early buying in quantities and holding in storage tanks for higher and holding in storage tanks for higher and holding in storage tanks for higher prices prices prices if enough oil was held or if production if enough oil was held or if production if enough oil was held or if production fell off fell off fell off up with the price only to be knocked up with the price only to be knocked up with the price only to be knocked down by the throwing of great quantities down by the throwing of great quantities down by the throwing of great quantities of stocks on the market of stocks on the market of stocks on the market the producers themselves often held the producers themselves often held the producers themselves often held their oil though their oil though their oil though not always to their own profit a not always to their own profit a not always to their own profit a historic case of obstinate holding historic case of obstinate holding historic case of obstinate holding occurred in 1871 on the mccray farm occurred in 1871 on the mccray farm occurred in 1871 on the mccray farm the most productive field in the region the most productive field in the region the most productive field in the region at that time at that time at that time prices were hovering around three prices were hovering around three prices were hovering around three dollars and mcrae swore he would not dollars and mcrae swore he would not dollars and mcrae swore he would not sell under five dollars he bought hired sell under five dollars he bought hired sell under five dollars he bought hired and built iron tankage until he had and built iron tankage until he had and built iron tankage until he had upward of two hundred thousand barrels upward of two hundred thousand barrels upward of two hundred thousand barrels there was great loss from leakage and there was great loss from leakage and there was great loss from leakage and from evaporations and there were taxes from evaporations and there were taxes from evaporations and there were taxes but mcrae held on refusing four dollars but mcrae held on refusing four dollars but mcrae held on refusing four dollars four dollars and fifty cents and even four dollars and fifty cents and even four dollars and fifty cents and even five dollars five dollars five dollars evil times came in the oil region soon evil times came in the oil region soon evil times came in the oil region soon after after after and with them dollar oil mccrae and with them dollar oil mccrae and with them dollar oil mccrae finally was obliged to sell his stocks finally was obliged to sell his stocks finally was obliged to sell his stocks at about a dollar twenty cents per at about a dollar twenty cents per at about a dollar twenty cents per barrel to develop a business in face of barrel to develop a business in face of barrel to develop a business in face of such fluctuations and speculations in such fluctuations and speculations in such fluctuations and speculations in the raw product took the raw product took the raw product took not only courage it took a dash of the not only courage it took a dash of the not only courage it took a dash of the gambler gambler gambler it never could have been done of course it never could have been done of course it never could have been done of course had it not been for the streams of money had it not been for the streams of money had it not been for the streams of money which float unceasingly

which float unceasingly which float unceasingly and apparently from choice into the and apparently from choice into the and apparently from choice into the regions regions regions in 1865 mr wright calculated that the in 1865 mr wright calculated that the in 1865 mr wright calculated that the oil country was using a capital oil country was using a capital oil country was using a capital of 100 million dollars in 1872 of 100 million dollars in 1872 of 100 million dollars in 1872 the oilmen claimed the capital in the oilmen claimed the capital in the oilmen claimed the capital in operation was operation was operation was 200 million dollars it has been 200 million dollars it has been 200 million dollars it has been estimated that in the first decade of estimated that in the first decade of estimated that in the first decade of the industry the industry the industry nearly 350 million dollars was put into nearly 350 million dollars was put into nearly 350 million dollars was put into it it it speculation in oil stock companies was speculation in oil stock companies was speculation in oil stock companies was another great evil another great evil another great evil it reached its height in 1864 in 1865 it reached its height in 1864 in 1865 it reached its height in 1864 in 1865 the flush times of the business stocks the flush times of the business stocks the flush times of the business stocks in companies whose holdings were hardly in companies whose holdings were hardly in companies whose holdings were hardly worth the stamps on the certificates worth the stamps on the certificates worth the stamps on the certificates were sold were sold were sold all over the land in march 1865 all over the land in march 1865 all over the land in march 1865 the aggregate capital of the oil the aggregate capital of the oil the aggregate capital of the oil companies whose charters were on file in companies whose charters were on file in companies whose charters were on file in albany new york was 350 million dollars albany new york was 350 million dollars albany new york was 350 million dollars and in philadelphia alone in 1864 and and in philadelphia alone in 1864 and and in philadelphia alone in 1864 and 1865 1865 1865 1 000 oil companies mostly bogus 1 000 oil companies mostly bogus 1 000 oil companies mostly bogus are said to have been formed these are said to have been formed these are said to have been formed these swindles were dignified by the names of swindles were dignified by the names of swindles were dignified by the names of officers of distinction in the united officers of distinction in the united officers of distinction in the united states army states army states army for the war was coming to an end and the for the war was coming to an end and the for the war was coming to an end and the name of a general was the most popular name of a general was the most popular name of a general was the most popular and persuasive argument in the country and persuasive argument in the country and persuasive argument in the country of course there came a collapse of course there came a collapse of course there came a collapse the oil bubble burst in 1866 the oil bubble burst in 1866 the oil bubble burst in 1866 and it was nothing but the irrepressible and it was nothing but the irrepressible and it was nothing but the irrepressible energy of the region which kept the energy of the region which kept the energy of the region which kept the business going in the panic which business going in the panic which business going in the panic which followed

followed followed then there was the disturbing effect of then there was the disturbing effect of then there was the disturbing effect of foreign competition foreign competition foreign competition what would become of them if oil was what would become of them if oil was what would become of them if oil was found in quantities found in quantities found in quantities in other countries a decided depression in other countries a decided depression in other countries a decided depression of the market occurred in 1866 of the market occurred in 1866 of the market occurred in 1866 when the government sent out reports of when the government sent out reports of when the government sent out reports of developments of foreign oil fields developments of foreign oil fields developments of foreign oil fields if there was oil in japan china burma if there was oil in japan china burma if there was oil in japan china burma persia russia bavaria persia russia bavaria persia russia bavaria in the quantities the government reports in the quantities the government reports in the quantities the government reports said why said why said why there was trouble in store for there was trouble in store for there was trouble in store for pennsylvania the oil men argued pennsylvania the oil men argued pennsylvania the oil men argued and for a day the market fell it was and for a day the market fell it was and for a day the market fell it was only for a day only for a day only for a day men forgot easily in the oil regions in men forgot easily in the oil regions in men forgot easily in the oil regions in the 60s the 60s the 60s an evil in their business which they an evil in their business which they an evil in their business which they were only beginning to grasp were only beginning to grasp were only beginning to grasp fully in 1871 was the unholy system of fully in 1871 was the unholy system of fully in 1871 was the unholy system of freight discrimination which the freight discrimination which the freight discrimination which the railroads were railroads were railroads were practicing three trunk lines competed practicing three trunk lines competed practicing three trunk lines competed for the business by 1872 for the business by 1872 for the business by 1872 the pennsylvania which at least the the pennsylvania which at least the the pennsylvania which at least the philadelphia and erie philadelphia and erie philadelphia and erie the erie and the central the latter road the erie and the central the latter road the erie and the central the latter road reached the oil regions by a branch from reached the oil regions by a branch from reached the oil regions by a branch from ashtabula on the lake shore in michigan ashtabula on the lake shore in michigan ashtabula on the lake shore in michigan southern division to oil city southern division to oil city southern division to oil city this branch was completed in 1868.

this branch was completed in 1868. this branch was completed in 1868. the pennsylvania claimed the oil traffic the pennsylvania claimed the oil traffic the pennsylvania claimed the oil traffic as a natural right as a natural right as a natural right for the oil regions were in pennsylvania for the oil regions were in pennsylvania for the oil regions were in pennsylvania and did not tom scott and did not tom scott and did not tom scott own that state the erie road for about own that state the erie road for about own that state the erie road for about five years had been in the hands of five years had been in the hands of five years had been in the hands of those those those splendid pirates jay gould and jim fisk splendid pirates jay gould and jim fisk splendid pirates jay gould and jim fisk naturally they took all they could get naturally they took all they could get naturally they took all they could get of the oil traffic of the oil traffic of the oil traffic and took it by free booting methods and took it by free booting methods and took it by free booting methods corners and rings were their favorite corners and rings were their favorite corners and rings were their favorite devices for securing trade devices for securing trade devices for securing trade and more than once their aid had carried and more than once their aid had carried and more than once their aid had carried through daring and unscrupulous through daring and unscrupulous through daring and unscrupulous speculations in oil speculations in oil speculations in oil the central in this period was waging the central in this period was waging the central in this period was waging its famous desperate war on the erie its famous desperate war on the erie its famous desperate war on the erie commodore vanderbilt having marked that commodore vanderbilt having marked that commodore vanderbilt having marked that highway for his highway for his highway for his own along with most other things in new own along with most other things in new own along with most other things in new york state york state york state all three of the roads began as early as all three of the roads began as early as all three of the roads began as early as 1868 1868 1868 to use secret rebates on the published to use secret rebates on the published to use secret rebates on the published freight rates in oil as a means of freight rates in oil as a means of freight rates in oil as a means of securing traffic securing traffic securing traffic this practice had gone on until in 1871 this practice had gone on until in 1871 this practice had gone on until in 1871 any big producer refiner or buyer could any big producer refiner or buyer could any big producer refiner or buyer could bully a freight agent into a special bully a freight agent into a special bully a freight agent into a special rate rate rate those on the inside those who had polls those on the inside those who had polls those on the inside those who had polls also secured special rates the result also secured special rates the result also secured special rates the result was that the open rate was enforced was that the open rate was enforced was that the open rate was enforced only on the innocent and the weak only on the innocent and the weak only on the innocent and the weak serious as all these problems were serious as all these problems were serious as all these problems were there was no discouragement for there was no discouragement for there was no discouragement for shrinking from them shrinking from them shrinking from them the oil men had rid themselves of bunker the oil men had rid themselves of bunker the oil men had rid themselves of bunker men and burst the oil bubbles men and burst the oil bubbles men and burst the oil bubbles they had harnessed the brokers in they had harnessed the brokers in they had harnessed the brokers in exchanges and made strict rules to exchanges and made strict rules to exchanges and made strict rules to govern them govern them govern them they had learned not to fear the

they had learned not to fear the they had learned not to fear the foreigners or take with equal sanctuary foreigners or take with equal sanctuary foreigners or take with equal sanctuary the dry hole which made them poor or the the dry hole which made them poor or the the dry hole which made them poor or the gusher which made them rich gusher which made them rich gusher which made them rich for every evil they had a remedy for every evil they had a remedy for every evil they had a remedy they were not afraid even of the they were not afraid even of the they were not afraid even of the railroads and loudly declared that if railroads and loudly declared that if railroads and loudly declared that if the discriminations were not stopped the discriminations were not stopped the discriminations were not stopped they would build a railroad of their own they would build a railroad of their own they would build a railroad of their own indeed indeed indeed the evils in the oil business in 1871 the evils in the oil business in 1871 the evils in the oil business in 1871 far from being a discouragement rather far from being a discouragement rather far from being a discouragement rather added to the interest added to the interest added to the interest they had never known anything but they had never known anything but they had never known anything but struggle with conquest struggle with conquest struggle with conquest and 12 years of it was far from cooling and 12 years of it was far from cooling and 12 years of it was far from cooling their order for a fair fight their order for a fair fight their order for a fair fight more had been done in the oil regions in more had been done in the oil regions in more had been done in the oil regions in the first dozen years the first dozen years the first dozen years than the development of a new industry than the development of a new industry than the development of a new industry from the first from the first from the first there had gone with the oil men's there had gone with the oil men's there had gone with the oil men's ambition to make oil to light the whole ambition to make oil to light the whole ambition to make oil to light the whole earth earth earth a desire to bring civilization to the a desire to bring civilization to the a desire to bring civilization to the wilderness from which wilderness from which wilderness from which they were drawing wealth to create an they were drawing wealth to create an they were drawing wealth to create an orderly society from the mass of orderly society from the mass of orderly society from the mass of humanity which poured helmel humanity which poured helmel humanity which poured helmel into the region a hatred of indecency into the region a hatred of indecency into the region a hatred of indecency first drew together the better element first drew together the better element first drew together the better element of each of the rough communities which of each of the rough communities which of each of the rough communities which sprang up sprang up sprang up whiskey sellers and women flocked to the whiskey sellers and women flocked to the whiskey sellers and women flocked to the region at the breaking out of the region at the breaking out of the region at the breaking out of the excitement excitement excitement their first shelters were shanties built their first shelters were shanties built their first shelters were shanties built on flat boats which were towed from on flat boats which were towed from on flat boats which were towed from place to place place to place place to place they came to rooseville a collection of they came to rooseville a collection of they came to rooseville a collection of pine shannies and oil derricks pine shannies and oil derricks pine shannies and oil derricks built on a muddy flat as forlorn and built on a muddy flat as forlorn and built on a muddy flat as forlorn and disreputable a town in appearance disreputable a town in appearance disreputable a town in appearance as the earth ever saw they tied up for

as the earth ever saw they tied up for as the earth ever saw they tied up for trade trade trade and the next morning woke up from their and the next morning woke up from their and the next morning woke up from their brawl to find themselves brawl to find themselves brawl to find themselves 20 miles away floating down the 20 miles away floating down the 20 miles away floating down the allegheny river allegheny river allegheny river roosevelt meant to be decent she had cut roosevelt meant to be decent she had cut roosevelt meant to be decent she had cut them loose them loose them loose and by such summary vigilance she kept and by such summary vigilance she kept and by such summary vigilance she kept herself decent herself decent herself decent other towns adopted the same policy other towns adopted the same policy other towns adopted the same policy by common consent vice was corralled by common consent vice was corralled by common consent vice was corralled largely in one town largely in one town largely in one town here a whole street was given up to here a whole street was given up to here a whole street was given up to dance houses and saloons dance houses and saloons dance houses and saloons and those who must have a spree were and those who must have a spree were and those who must have a spree were expected to go to petroleum center to expected to go to petroleum center to expected to go to petroleum center to take it take it take it decency and schools vice cut adrift decency and schools vice cut adrift decency and schools vice cut adrift they looked for a school teacher they looked for a school teacher they looked for a school teacher children were sadly out of place children were sadly out of place children were sadly out of place but there they were and these men but there they were and these men but there they were and these men fighting for a chance fighting for a chance fighting for a chance saw to it that a shanty with a saw to it that a shanty with a saw to it that a shanty with a schoolteacher in it was in every schoolteacher in it was in every schoolteacher in it was in every settlement settlement settlement it was not long two before there was a it was not long two before there was a it was not long two before there was a church a union church church a union church church a union church to worship god was their primal instinct to worship god was their primal instinct to worship god was their primal instinct to defend the creed to defend the creed to defend the creed a later development in the beginning a later development in the beginning a later development in the beginning every social contrivance was wanting every social contrivance was wanting every social contrivance was wanting there were there were there were no policemen and each individual looked no policemen and each individual looked no policemen and each individual looked after evil doers after evil doers after evil doers there were no firemen and every man there were no firemen and every man there were no firemen and every man turned out with a bucket out of fire turned out with a bucket out of fire turned out with a bucket out of fire there were no bankers and each man had there were no bankers and each man had there were no bankers and each man had to put his wealth away to put his wealth away to put his wealth away as best he could until a peripatetic as best he could until a peripatetic as best he could until a peripatetic banker from pittsburgh relieved him banker from pittsburgh relieved him banker from pittsburgh relieved him at one time dr egbert a rich operator at one time dr egbert a rich operator at one time dr egbert a rich operator is said to have had one million eight

is said to have had one million eight is said to have had one million eight hundred thousand dollars hundred thousand dollars hundred thousand dollars in currency in his house there were no in currency in his house there were no in currency in his house there were no hospitals and in 1861 when the horrible hospitals and in 1861 when the horrible hospitals and in 1861 when the horrible possibilities of the oil fire were first possibilities of the oil fire were first possibilities of the oil fire were first demonstrated by the burning of the rouse demonstrated by the burning of the rouse demonstrated by the burning of the rouse well a fire at which 19 persons lost well a fire at which 19 persons lost well a fire at which 19 persons lost their lives their lives their lives the many injured found welcome and care the many injured found welcome and care the many injured found welcome and care for long weeks in the little shanties of for long weeks in the little shanties of for long weeks in the little shanties of women women women already overburdened by the difficulties already overburdened by the difficulties already overburdened by the difficulties of caring for families in the rough of caring for families in the rough of caring for families in the rough community community community out of this poverty and disorder they out of this poverty and disorder they out of this poverty and disorder they had developed in 10 years had developed in 10 years had developed in 10 years a social organization as good as their a social organization as good as their a social organization as good as their commercial commercial commercial titusville the hamlet on whose outskirts titusville the hamlet on whose outskirts titusville the hamlet on whose outskirts drake had drilled as well drake had drilled as well drake had drilled as well was now a city of ten thousand was now a city of ten thousand was now a city of ten thousand inhabitants inhabitants inhabitants it had an opera house where in 1871 it had an opera house where in 1871 it had an opera house where in 1871 clara louise kellogg and christine clara louise kellogg and christine clara louise kellogg and christine nilsson sang nilsson sang nilsson sang joe jefferson and janashek played and joe jefferson and janashek played and joe jefferson and janashek played and wendell phillips and bishop wendell phillips and bishop wendell phillips and bishop simpson spoke it had two prosperous and simpson spoke it had two prosperous and simpson spoke it had two prosperous and fearless newspapers fearless newspapers fearless newspapers its schools prepared for college oil its schools prepared for college oil its schools prepared for college oil city was not behind city was not behind city was not behind and between them was a string of lively and between them was a string of lively and between them was a string of lively towns towns towns many of the oil farms had a decent many of the oil farms had a decent many of the oil farms had a decent community life community life community life the columbia farm kept up a library and the columbia farm kept up a library and the columbia farm kept up a library and reading room for its employees reading room for its employees reading room for its employees there was a good school house used on there was a good school house used on there was a good school house used on sunday for services sunday for services sunday for services and there was a colombium farm band of and there was a colombium farm band of and there was a colombium farm band of no mean reputation in the oil regions no mean reputation in the oil regions no mean reputation in the oil regions indeed by the opening of 1872

indeed by the opening of 1872 indeed by the opening of 1872 life in the oil regions had ceased to be life in the oil regions had ceased to be life in the oil regions had ceased to be a mere makeshift a mere makeshift a mere makeshift comforts in orderliness and decency even comforts in orderliness and decency even comforts in orderliness and decency even opportunities for education and for opportunities for education and for opportunities for education and for social life were within reach social life were within reach social life were within reach it was a conquest to be proud of quite it was a conquest to be proud of quite it was a conquest to be proud of quite as proud of as they were of the fact as proud of as they were of the fact as proud of as they were of the fact that their business had been developed that their business had been developed that their business had been developed until it had never before on the whole until it had never before on the whole until it had never before on the whole been in so been in so been in so satisfactory a condition nobody realized satisfactory a condition nobody realized satisfactory a condition nobody realized more more more fully what had been accomplished in the fully what had been accomplished in the fully what had been accomplished in the oil regions oil regions oil regions than the oil men themselves nobody than the oil men themselves nobody than the oil men themselves nobody rehearsed their achievements so rehearsed their achievements so rehearsed their achievements so loudly in ten years they were fond of loudly in ten years they were fond of loudly in ten years they were fond of saying saying saying we have built this business up from we have built this business up from we have built this business up from nothing to a net product of six nothing to a net product of six nothing to a net product of six millions of barrels per annum we have millions of barrels per annum we have millions of barrels per annum we have invented and devised all the apparatus invented and devised all the apparatus invented and devised all the apparatus the appliances the forms needed for a the appliances the forms needed for a the appliances the forms needed for a new industry new industry new industry we use a capital of 200 million and we use a capital of 200 million and we use a capital of 200 million and support a population of 60 000 people support a population of 60 000 people support a population of 60 000 people to keep up our supply we drill 100 new to keep up our supply we drill 100 new to keep up our supply we drill 100 new wells per month wells per month wells per month at an average cost of six thousand at an average cost of six thousand at an average cost of six thousand dollars each dollars each dollars each we are fourth in the exports of the we are fourth in the exports of the we are fourth in the exports of the united states united states united states we have developed a foreign market we have developed a foreign market we have developed a foreign market including every civilized country on the including every civilized country on the including every civilized country on the globe globe globe but what had been done was in their but what had been done was in their but what had been done was in their judgment judgment judgment only a beginning life ran swift and only a beginning life ran swift and only a beginning life ran swift and ruddy and joyous in these men ruddy and joyous in these men ruddy and joyous in these men they were still young most of them under they were still young most of them under they were still young most of them under 40 and they looked forward with all the 40 and they looked forward with all the 40 and they looked forward with all the eagerness of the young who have just eagerness of the young who have just eagerness of the young who have just learned their powers learned their powers learned their powers to years of struggle and development

to years of struggle and development to years of struggle and development they would they would they would solve all these perplexing problems of solve all these perplexing problems of solve all these perplexing problems of overproduction overproduction overproduction of railroad discrimination of of railroad discrimination of of railroad discrimination of speculation speculation speculation they would meet all their own needs they they would meet all their own needs they they would meet all their own needs they would bring the oil refining to the would bring the oil refining to the would bring the oil refining to the region region region where it belonged they would make their where it belonged they would make their where it belonged they would make their towns the most beautiful in the world towns the most beautiful in the world towns the most beautiful in the world there was nothing too good for them there was nothing too good for them there was nothing too good for them nothing they did not hope and dare nothing they did not hope and dare nothing they did not hope and dare but suddenly at the very heyday of this but suddenly at the very heyday of this but suddenly at the very heyday of this confidence confidence confidence a big hand reached out from nobody knew a big hand reached out from nobody knew a big hand reached out from nobody knew where where where to steal their conquest and throttle to steal their conquest and throttle to steal their conquest and throttle their future their future their future the suddenness and the blackness of the the suddenness and the blackness of the the suddenness and the blackness of the assault on their business assault on their business assault on their business stirred to the bottom their manhood and stirred to the bottom their manhood and stirred to the bottom their manhood and their sense of fair play their sense of fair play their sense of fair play and the whole region arose in a revolt and the whole region arose in a revolt and the whole region arose in a revolt which is scarcely paralleled which is scarcely paralleled which is scarcely paralleled in the commercial history of the united in the commercial history of the united in the commercial history of the united states states states end of chapter 1 recording by tom weiss