The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-07-13

net band composed of employees OF the cons /
pany. among hom We recognized the familiar /
face Of Mr.. Jacob Holtzworth, formerly of AL
toona and Johnstown, Here also, without be-
ing made aware of the fact we were received ,
and accompanied in our tour of inspection
among the wells by one of our earliest plays
mates, Mr. George Bolton, Superintendent of
the works, and whom are glad TO know has
made his mark and much money in the oil res
gions He and Nr. John Z. Barefoot manas
ger, did the honors of the occasion with all the
grace and dignity becoming gentlemen, which
most emphatically they are. Columbia Farm
is claimed to be the best managed oil territory
in the world. 1t cost the company $50, 900 Gust
when We cant say1, and has yielded dividends
but title short of S4 900, 900. There are 95
steam engine es on the premises, all which are in
operation, some pumping oil and Others boring
new wells. Last year 20O rOGO OOG gallons of
crude oil was brought up from the bowels of
the earth on this property alone, and the yield
this year, it is expected. will far exceed that
amount. Our stay here was brief but interest
ing, and when about to depart our friend Boil
ton very kindly rendered US the use of the band
for the rest OF day, which offer was of course
gratefully accepted.
On to Oil City was the next move, where we
arrived about noon, but before alghting the
train was run down to SiveIley Vile, HheCe we
we're afforded an opportunity to inspect the gil
gantic works of the Imperial Refining Compa-
ny, which has capital stock of $500 900 and
does an immense business. The process of re-
huing oil ut these works was lucdly explained
by Mr. Jehn Pitcairn, jr., but want OF space
forbds further reference to visit here.
Returning to Oil City, the excursionsts were
welcomed to the free hos pia lities of the city by
Mayor Sewers, whose name is no indication of
his disposition. The Mayor is gentleman of
fine PITY sique. and likewise Democrat of the
strictest school. Briefly but heartily did he
welcome US, and thankfully and becomiEglI
was the invitation accepted by the Association
through its Pregldent, Mr.. II. G. Smith After
that came dinner for the party at the Taylor,
National, Petroleum and Duncan-all tip~top
hotels-and ii is the universal sentiment of all
concerned that better grub than that served
up at the several tables on this occasion never
tlckled the palate of an editor And it didn't
cost us red" either. Oil City has suffered
in its time, having been twice destroy ed by fire
and once by food, besides having had its husI-
ness for the most part ruined by financial cri-
sis. II it didn't suffer from our presence it
was much more fortunate than the good things
so beuntifuily spread before US. SeveLty>six
regular trains daily arrive at aud depart from
Oil City, and in this as in all other things it is
a live town, bot its greatest prosperity is vet to
come. Here We met another OF the Bolton
family, an elder brother of George and just as
clever and whole souled, the inimitable Capt.
Dan, wis made things lively Tor and did
the handsome by ali whom he knew became
acquainted with. hurried visit 20 the DEM
ocrauc club room, a large and handsomely fur
nished apartmont, ended our sightseeing ia OIL
City, which we left with feelings akin to regret
I in parting with people so generous, so warm
hearted aud SO full of enterprise and good will.
And ROW comes part of the story which we
feel that our feeble pen can scarcely do Justice
to. IL was the princely reception and unpaT>
alleled ovation youchsaied TO at the beastiS
ful city of Tiusvile, which place we reached
, about o'clock in the afternoon. Here we
mo nv lar If cir rrN
more elegant coruct bands, handsome coaches,
carriages and other conveyances in large nuns
bers, ant by spirit Of cordiality and generosity
that, hguIatively speaking, knocked US cons
pletely OF our pedal extremities. 1t the
intention TO enScOnce US in those veh icles and
place :he three bnnds in the line of procession
At proper distances, and thus provided Tor,
we're TO be driven about the city. but Just then
a violent wind and rain storm iItIuded upon
the scene, and for the time being our triumphal
march WAS changed to an exciting stampede
( for the several hotels. 1t was good fortune
to be driven TO the PaTshall House, not because
: the gentleman who diG the driving was more
partial to us than he would have been to others
OF the party under like circumstances, bp: like
I ly because his instructions led him. ia that di-
rectien. Be that as it may, experience at
tue Psrshall House made us partial TO its
management and 40 partial to its excellent ae~
commodatiops, that we became partially inn
pressed with the idea that part Of the house
belonged TO US, and under that impression (or
some otherl put the key of Room No 80 in our
pantaloons pocket and carried il all the way to
Cresson. (P 5. We don't drink, IN. B. II
We owned the substitutes who run the Reed
, House Erie, while We were there, we would
indenturo them to the prOpretorS of the Par
shall House, to learn how to keep hotel.)
After early supper, the vehicles aud the
music we're again brought out, and through all
the principal streets OF that gay and lovely city
we were conveyed in grand style, its l5 OuU
pha bitants, or a gOOGly number of them at
least, greeting US with smiles of welcome,
! wing haudk erchieis. fl wing flags, and like evil
dences of good feeling. God bless them all
they made US forget for the time being that We
were nothing more than a hard W. ork ing coun>
try printer, and one OF the poorest class.
Thirteen years ago Titusville WAS a ha inlet
of three hundred ihhabit1nts- tO>day it is with-
out q superior, if indeed = rival, in the magnif-
cence of its bui'din5s, the beauty OF its yards
and gardens, the elegance OF its streets, the
terprise, Intelligence and generosity OF its citi.
zens, and the ltberal;ty of its Oil Exchange
under W hose auspices and at whose expense the
two hundred ladies and gentlemen who made
up our party were entertained so supeIbly.
In the evening most brilliant hop was in
augurated at the Parshall Opera House one of
the finest exhibition halls outside the larger
cities, a temporary floor having been erected
over the parquette for that purpose, and here
the beauty, grace, dignity and fashion of the
city 0lsplayed It's most gorgeous attractions -
The fair daughters of Titusvillle a class are
as handsome and attractive any of tn cir sex
the sun of heaven ever shone upon the sous
of men ever smiled upon. and if the bachelor
hearts among US didn't go pit pat while con-
templating the enchanting scene before them,
we are much mistaken in our guess What say
We, Bros. Sni h, Menlmin, Hodgson, Easily,
ard others? Following the ball, or rather IN
terpolated with it, came the banquet at the
Parshsll House. and it a banquet well de-
serving of the name. Ali who pdrtook of it
were highly pleased with it, and that is its best
euIogy. Before the feast p. W. Garfield, ESQ
President of the Oil Exchange, made a very
happy speech of welcome, to which President
Smith replied in his usual fe1icitous style.
All in all, we had glorious time in the oil
regions, and in our heart of hearts we shall
ever cherish kindly remembrance of what we
experienced among its noble hearted PEOPLE -
Especially will pleasant memories henceiorth
tie us tight in snirit to IilusYIle and II ANY