Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-15
MAKING $4,000 A DAY.
James McCray'S Experience in the
Palmy Days of the Oil Boom.
DEATH OF A BONANZA OPERATOR,
Bodies of the Flood Victims Are Still Be-
ing Discovered.
ALL THE NEWS FROM NEARBY TOWNS
DEATH OF A BONANZA OPERATOR.
ALL THE NEWS FROM NEARBY TOWNS
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE p1srArcH.l

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE pIsPATcH.l
OIL CITY, October 14-The death oil
James NJ. McCray, at his residence in
Franklin, at 1910 A. NJ, October IA, will
bring to the minds of many of the old-timers
of the oil regions the recollection of the
palmy days of oildom, when money flowed
like water and the bootblacks would go
down in their clothes, fash their money and
offer to bet you $50 with the utmost non-
chalance. Late in the COS, about 1869,
one of the largest wells of the district was
struck on the McCray farm, owned BY the
subject of our sketch. Oil at the time
was ranging in price from S. to 81
per barrel, and inside of six months
McCrsy's production was netting him over
$1,000 per day. Great was the excitement that
followed and fabulous amounts were offered
for his farm or a lease for part of it, Having
enough ready money for his moderate wants
he refused every offer and stored the bulk of
his production in enormous iron tanks declar-
ing he would hold it until it was worth $40 a
barrel, uutil he had over 200 900 barrels stored
IN different sections of the country. where it
stood unguarded and was the prey of every
dlshonest man IL this section.
One party, consisting of three men, tapped
ms tanks IN what is now known as the Third
ward OF Oil City, and stole over 10000 barrels
amounting in value to the sum of at least $780,
OJO Owing to the fact that they had substi-
tuted water for the oil the loss was not dis
covered for some time, when they were ar
rested. Notwithstanding the fact that their
quit was clearly proven, he allowed them to
compromise by paying about a third of what
the stolen oil was worth. After refusing sew
eral offers of S. per barrel for the balance he
nnally sold Il at trifie over 81 per barrel tax
ing IN part payment therefor his present resi-
oence IN Franklin.
Many interesting "reminiscences are ex-
changed Of his eccentricities. The following
viii illustrate the character of the man. Being
in the county while the oil thieves were
being tried. be stopped the weIl-known banker
Foster Mitchell, with the exclam ton: Il
want to borrow little money" 'All right"
says Mitchell, You can have it if you nave
name is Jim McCray and my farm is covered
with OIL" 'All right Mr.. Cray how much do
you want was the next answer "Twenty-
ave thousand dollars" was the answer. So
well known was he by reputation to the banker
that the latter took HIM to his bank and gave
MIN the amount in crisp Greeubacks only TAX
ing his note in hand for the same
Noted far and near for his generosity and
prodlGalIty, 1t was no wonder that he was the
prey of sharpers of every descriptioo, but snch
was ms disposition up to the last that no man.
worthy or unworthy, was allowed to 60 away
with his wants unsatisfed. 1t was a standing
saying IN this section that when every othnT
means was exhausted to secure a lease from
the OLD gentleman, it was only necessary TO
send some female sharp to him in the guise of
poor widow IN distress, and with her tale of
woe she would by working on the old man,s
sympathy, accomplish what the sharpest bnsi-
ness man with plenty of money failed to do.
WlIh all his prodigality and benevolence he
pnhke the majority of old-time ''highfiyers,"
has Kept his farm in tact owing TO the Greatness
of his income and his almost ipexbaustibIe
wealth, and by the good management of his
vile, who died a short time since