Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-08-14
OIL---BRAD DFORD.
A DESCRIPTION or THE NEW OIL
CENTRE.
HISTORY OF THE M'KEAN couTY METRoP-
oILs--ITs PUBLIC SPIRIT AND PUBLIC
BUILDINos-PETRoLEu AND
POLITICS.

n correspondent OF the fhllauelphla
Record, in writing from the Bradford
oil field, says;
In the northern part Of our noble
Keystone State near the border OF New
York State, in the county Of Mex can,
has sprung up this fourishing place, q
city of almost magic growth.
Few who have not been on the
ground have any idea Of the wonder
ful growth OF these oil towns. A lit
tic more than two years ago this coun-
try was comparatively Wilderness,
inhabited by few old settlers denom-
mated now as "Buckwheats," but since
that time an era of speculation has set
in which has attracted thousands to
this place and Bradford to-day is built
solidly for mile square, with a popu-
lation Of over 10000, three railway de-
pots, money-order postoflice, daily
newspaper, also Sunday paper, three
banks, hundreds ofstore3 and offices, a
well.considered police system, public
school house "a large handsome build
ing), three churches, with a new one
in course of erection, large variety
theatre open every night, an opera
house and new one now building,
water works, gas works, fire depart
ment, hose carriages and hook and lad
der truck, almost wholly the work of
the past year. This is moro than any
other oil town or Western mining camp
has yet been able to boast OF in the
way OF rapid progress. 1t has been
predicted that the bottom would fall
out of Bradford ere long, but there is
no doubt but what this will always be
town.
Land which two years ago command.
ed $500 per acre has been cut up and
leased for building lots, 1sx60, which
command s75 and 500 per month
rent. Our buildings are all frame and
nearly all stand on leased ground A
new brick block, however, has Just
been finished and the Oil Exchange
have their new building under way--a
large structure, to be entirely of brick,
rs feet front by 100 feet deep, making
this one of the finest and handsomest
buildings in Bradford. Our town sus-
tanned very serious fire during the
month of May, which consumed over
an entire block, but such is the recupcr-
ative energy OF the place that the burnt
district has already been rebuilt and
business resumed by the ontcrprising
merchants. You may ask what is all
this prosperity due to2 Simply one
word-"Petrolcum." With n prodrc-
ton in the county exceeding that of
all the other oil counties Of the State
combined, we offer in this country the
surest and safest and most legitimate
business for the return of capital in the
shortest time that was ever offered.
The average of 'dry holes" in this sec
tion is only in every 100 wells, while
in the lower oil country it averages
about IS in every 100.
The average production of the wells
in this section is only twelve barrels
per day, and at the present low price
OF oil drilling hardly pays. The cost
Of sinking well amounts TO $4,000 in.
cluding all expenses. AT the present
low price of oil tho money would be got
out in about nine months time while,
should the market take an upward turn
(Which is not unlikely, it would be
forthcoming in less time
The oil market was never in worse
condition, but is confidently believed
that the plan announced by the Pro
ducers' Union has secured an outlet
which will soon give us relief We
have in this section the most gigantic
monopoly that ever existed. That hy-
dra.headcd monster, the Standard Oil
Company, is pronounced by the press
and tho public TO be the cause Of the
depression. With capital unlimited,
and with transportation facilities un.
cquallcd, they WELD power which
controls tho market, and thcy offer to
the producer whatever they choose for
his oil
The Standard Company are playing
a big game TO freeze out tho outside
rcfiners. Having almost obtained q
monopoly Of the refining business, they
now seek TO drive out the small pro
duccrs by forcing the market 30 low
that IL will be Improbable 10 drill. BY
causing general suspension they ex-
| pect an ultimate advance In the mark