davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-21

of business, in interest and in population,
was in the six years following Colonel brakes
strike. The climax of that period found
fully 100, 900 people in the regions which had
been practically a wilderness but a few
years before: and in this estimate no account
is taken of the tender transients whose cour-
age failed them after they had found their
way into the regions by wagon, by raft, on
horseback and on foot, and who waded out
as soon as they could, bearing with them
nightmare recollections of canals OF mud
called roads; OF founderlng mules, horses
and drivers; of so-called hotels and boarding
houses where entrance to the dining rooms
at meal time was frequently by the flying
wedge process used by the foot ball players;
where the floors as we'll as the beds OF the
sleeping rooms were crowded with tired
humanity, and where the cracks in the drying
green lumber of the walls were often SO large
that the inquisitive red squirrel had little
gnawing to do in order to effect an entrance.
The three chief characteristics of the null
titude of people thus drawn together were
their general good nature, { their quickness
to respond to calls of distress, and their COM
mercial honor. Deals involving amounts
equal to fortunes were carried out without
the scratch of a pen. Men VINO verbally
agreed to sell the output of their wells for a
certain period at a stipulated price faith
fully kept their promise, regardless of subse-
quent fluctuations in prices. By way OF il
lustration. an incident may be recalled where
a producer thus verbally agreed to sell his
oil for a period OF several months at 20
cents a barrel. Though oil went up In the
meantime to 81 a barrel, he delivered the
product of his wells, according TO promise,
at the 2O-cent rate. 1t was the same in the
purchase or rental of lands, and in other
transactions. People kept their word.
There was a general sense OF safety, too,
which seems remarkable now, even to those
who shared in that feeling at the time, In
the transaction of business people carried
large amounts Of money with them amid
all kinds of surroundings, and at all hours
of the day ana night. Banking agents, sup
plying currency at this point and that, rode
through the regions with their saddle-bags
stuffed with money. Selling and purchasing
agents for other institutions traversed the
regions in this way, carryhg fortunes with
Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-21

arena OF the subsequent oil activities, the
Oil Creek valley. from Titusville southwark
to the Allegheny river, or to the present
site OF Oil CT y, a distance OF about twenty
miles, was practically unlnhabited. Titus
Vile was a little numbering village, whose
chief Industrial and commercial interests
consisted of the saw mill and general store
OF Brewer, Watson & Co. A river tavern,
where the Allegheny rgftsmen stopped,
marked the site Of Oil City. Back from
the creek and river hills were scattered
the log cabins OF the hardup but healthy
pioneers, whose hardships We're the trying
ones OF all settlers in wilderness regions.
and for whom substantially the only means
OF raising their tax money was by periodical
trips for extra work to the numbering and
rafting regions,
1t is not a matter Of wonder, therefore
that the disheartened settler Of whom the
Incident referred TO is related was so easily
attracted TO Canada. One of the objection
able features OF the farm he left, according
20 the story, was the oozing OF a green!sh
scum to the surface OF the streams, so much
that at the point where his horses and cattle
drank IL was necessary TO construct a sur
face dam, in order that the animals might
Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-21
and all kinds of overland freights, thrown
off to tighten the loads.
urrnr

$500 80 "''<S
off to tighten the loads.
b TIDE.
In the years 1864 and 1865 the climax
period was reached. 1t was In the latter
year that the famous Pithole, which was
located a few miles east OF the Oil creek de-
velopments, sprang into existence. Within a
few months IL acquired all the conveniences
of an interior city, and had a resident and
transient population, which caused the bust
ness OF Its postoffice to rank third among
Pennsylvania postofices, Philadelphia stand
ing first and Pittsburg second. The city van
ished almost as rapidly as 1t appeared, and
the site OF II has long heen serving the I'M
metropolitan purpose of a sheep pasture. 1t
was In 1866 also that the stock company
craze, In which many millions of dollars were
drawn from people in all walks of life, in
every quarter of the country, and In other
countries as well, reached its greatest in
fation and caused the speculative bubble to
burst.
All that now remains of what were formerly
lively oil towns are grassgrown excavations,
like those of old battlefelds, and suggestive
like them of the waste of energies In the
accomplishment of the achievements asso-
ciated with them. An idea OF the magni-
tude OF the oil business of the whole country
will be conveyed by the statement that since
its inception there has been received for eN-
ported petroleum and it's products alone, an
aggregate amount exceeding the present total
money wealth of the United States, in gold
and silver, as shown in the latest SUMMARY
of the latter In the treasury reports.
Colonel Drake was born at Greenyille,
Greene county, N. Y, March 20, 1919, and
died at Bethlehem, Pa, November 8, 1887.
He acquired a comfortable fortune through
his strike, but subsequently met with fnan-
cial misfortune, and became broken In health,
eventually becoming an invalid. Old friends
rendered him financial assistance In a modest
way, and in 1878 the Pennsylvania legislature
Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-21

caused feverish excitement at once, an in
mediate influx of people to the regions and
sent skyward the value of lands along the
creek, there was a bar to the boom IN the
limited means for storing and marketing
the product. Within three years the supply
so much exceeded the demand that the price
dropped from SO cents a gallon to 10 cents a
barrel. Among the large wells of this
period was the flowing fountain well, struck
in May, 1861, on the fats about seven miles
below the Drake well. 1t was the first well
drilled to the third sand, and the oil and
gas poured out in a manner which gave
that sand an immediate popularity. Septem-
Der 20, 1861, the Empire we'll, drilled near
Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-21

made the whole valley well-nigh a contin-
uous city. In point of rest and quietude
there was no night. Work went on by
night as well as by day, and the sound of
the hammer and saw, the creaking walking
beam and pulley, and the various other
noises of that character were heard at all
hours. 1t is left to the imagination to pic
ture in what ways and to what limits the
revelries and orgies of the tougher ele-
ments contributed toward making night as
wakeful as the day. All the roads, old and
new, were simply a series of mudholes, muck
and ruts. Caravans were wallowing through
them all the time, and the sides of the roads
were strewn with the wrecks of vehicles
Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-21
Fine Dress Goods

In strictly all-wool new spring novelties,
Scotch Cheviots, Homespuns, extra wide
imported black and colored Henrietta and
French Serges, new basket weaves, new
Diagonals and new ladies' cloth. These
known as SOC dress goods, on sale on bar
gain square at 25c per yard.
Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-21
THE OLD GRIND.
Cleveland Leader.

Cleveland Leader.
Sometimes / look upon the rich
With envy In my breast,
And think how pleasant II would be
To just saw orr and rest
To smoke cigars and loaf around,
While others worked away
With plenty "salted down" OF course,
For the future rainy day.
Oh. what a Joy 'twould be to tell
The man who bosses me
That | was tired of his style
To brace up and be free!
And, in the lazy mornings, how
I'd like to lie abed,
And what a pleasure to get out
And be a thoroughbred.
Such thoughts have sometimes, but, wheu
I'm Ill and have to stay
Indoors a day or two, ah, then
NV envy fades away,
l think Of all the boys at work,
AND know no peace OF mind
Until they let me out and l
Resume the good old grind.
Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-21
RISE AND FALL OF PlTHOLE
Where the Oil Boom Originated Now g
Sheep Pasture.
DRAMATIC CHAPTER OF AMERICAN HISTORY
Graphic story of the beginnings OF
the Great Petroleum Industry
How Colonel Drake and Bill
Smith "StruclS Ie."

1t is related OF a discouraged pioneer resi-
dent of what afterward became famous as
the Oil Creek oil regions of Pennsylvania
that his interest was sufficiently awakened
by reports, which reached him in some
way, OF possibly rich deposits of coal oil
across the Canadian border, to cause him
to leave Oil Creek and repair to Canada.
1t Is not surprising that a resident of the
then undeveloped Pennsylvania oil regions
should have easily been drawn elsewhere.
The regions were a wilderness. The chief
Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-21

granted him a pension of 81 800 a year, which
continued until his death, and thereupon
reverted to his wife.
Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-21

Money was kept in all kinds OF insecure
places, and the contents OF some common
office safes ran into millions OF dollars. Yet
with all the dissipation and wiekedness de-
%yeloped. it was not until Well toward the
close OF the six-year period indicated that
the first murder for robbery was known 10
have occurred in the whole country.
Though the striking Of the Drake well
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

shall be continued In full force and ef-
feet the same as If said act remained un-
changed and in full force and effect until
the expiration Of said licenses, and
which said licenses shall be renewed
upon application and upon the payment
OF license fees as provided by this act.
Sec. II. Whenever the term salmon
is used in this act it shall be construed
to include and apply to Chinook, steel
head, bueback. silverside, and all other
species of salmon.
Sec. ~. Nothing in this act shall be
construed SO as to prevent the taking of
salmon by the fish commissioner or
proper officers of the United States for
propagating purposes.
Sec. l3. 1t shall he the duty OF all
persons who purchase salmon from fish.
ermen, or takers or catchers of salmon
for the purpose of selling them or the
product OF the same for profit, to report
to the fish commissioner on or before the
18th day Of November of each year here
after, the number of every species OF fish,
stated separately, as purchased by them,
or, if purchased by weight, the number
of pounds of each species, and the aver
age price per pound. Such statement or
report shall be made under oath.
Sec. IA. The fish commissioner is
hereby authorized to administer oaths
and may require any statement made to
him in applications for license, or in any
report submitted to him, or in any mat
ter connected with the discharge OF luis
official business, to be made to him
under oath.
Sec. Is. The term "person or per.
sons" when used in this act, shall be
taken to include partnerships, associa-
tons and corporations. The term
"seine," in this act, is intended to cover
all forms Of nets known as seines,
purse seines or purse nets; travis, beam
travis, stow nets, draw nets, bag nets,
drag nets, drift nets and dredge nets.
Sec. 16. An emergency exists, and
this act shall be in effect Immediately.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01
Notice.

Notice is hereby given that the city
council Of the city of Aberdeen will re-
ceive bids until O'Clock p. m. of
April Z, 1897, for the improvement Of
Wishkah street, from G street to the
Wishkah river in the city of Aberdeen,
WASH, by the filling Of the same, with
sawdust in the ordinary way, to conform
with the established grade OF said street.
All materials to be furnished by the
bidder, and work completed without de-
lay; the whole cost of such improve
ment to be paid for by special warrants
issued against Local improvement Dis
trict No. 10, in said city.
For greater particulars, reference is
hereby made to the provisions OF Ordi-
nance No. 135 of said city, in relation
thereto. No bid will be considered for
g:eater amount than 5000, and the coun-
Gil reserves the right to reject any and all
bids.
The successful bidder must enter into
contract with said city for said i'm
proveinent.
Each bid must be accompanied by a
good and sufficient bond in the sum OF
500, conditioned that the bidder will
enter into contract with and furnish a
good and sufficient bond to said city for
said improvement, provided he is the
successful bidder.
Given pursuant to statute and direction
OF the city council.
Dated at Aberdeen, WASH, Mar. "a, 1897.
GEO. A. BLACK, City Clerk.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01
rom Chehalis Tribune CTTOqulam.)

County Auditor Sells says that he is
going to ION the auditors Office without
a deputy this summer.
The council at its last meeting passed
an rance prohibiting cattle from run
ming al large in the reefs.
1t is amusing to hear the man who
never did an honest days work in his
j e, who never produced cents value,
tux about other people being lazy. The
M who has no valid excuse for living
y the world is The very one who advises
O people 70 50 to work.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

Last October and November, before
and after the election, the republicans
were very warm in protestations OF love
for the gold democrats. Their aid in
saving the honor of the country was in
voked and received, and they We're hailed
as patriots and worthy OF seats at the
love feast. All that is changed now.
Poor old Cleveland is derided and de-
nounccd as an unAmeiican person who
toadied to the Spanish dollar. Olney is
almost called outright a traitor. The
organs accuse the democratic free trade
press OF whining, of canting hypocrisy,
OF having deceived the poor man. The
gentlemen upon whom encomiums were
so freely lavished are neglected and de-
spised, and the organs dcrisively say
that we are going to have an American
administration. 1t. is not long since
Hanna said that the gold democrats
help had decided the battle and the Ore
CONAN declared that without it the re-
publican party was and is helpless.
Both are silent now. The orange has
been sucked and is thrown away.-Ta-
coma News.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01
The Effects of Acids Upon Microbes.

The effects of acids in destroying microbes
have again, it is reported, been proved by
M. Girard, chief of the Paris municipal
laboratory. He finds that citric acid is the
most useful and powerful of all. One
gram. he says, added to a quart Of tainted
water will effectively destroy all the mi
orobes that are in it. Consequently he rec
ommends the use of natural lemonade as
an excellent beverage at all times, and to
neutralize the acidity of the lemon little
bicarbonate Of soda can be added if neces-
sary.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

And so, after all, it was not crime to
issue bonds in time of peace; only the
passage of deficit producing revenue
measure was the crime. This is the
present position of the Republican lead
ers and newspapers. Well, who made
the measure Il "defcit producing" one
but the Republican judges of the SUI
preme court, who decided against the in
come tax
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

Wednesday, County Commissioner
Anstie came to Cosmopolis to see what
work was needed upo the road to News
kali valley. 1t is likely that trail will
be cut at once, owe which horse can be
taken, and that the road will be improved
afterwards as fast as circumstances will
permit. Ii the advice OF the Enterprise
had been followed, and "Public I'm
provement Society" organized. the men,
bers OF which would have paid from 25c.
to dollar month each into the treasury,
the town could now have had few hun.
dred dollars to have expended upon this
road. Wake up, some OF you people who
sleep,and do something for your commu
nifty.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01
vi {,

Medicinal value in Il bottle Of Hoods Sarsa-
parilla than in any other preparation.
More skill is required, more care taken, moro
expense incurred in its manufacture.
II costs the proprietor and the dealer
More but it costs the consumer less, as he
gets more doses for his money.
More curative power is secured by its peculiar
combination. proportion and process,
which make it peculiar to itself.
" orc people are employed and more space oc-
cupied in its Laboratory than any other.
Moro wonderful cures effected and more tes-
ti1mOnialS received than by any other.
more sales and more Increase year by year
are reported by druggists.
More peOpts are taking Hoods Sarsaparilla
today than any other. and more are
taking 1t today than ever before.
More and STILL MORE reasons might be
given why you should take
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

Four years ago the republican press
made a great point against Cleveland be-
cause the English press was pleased at
his election. Now the same papers are
gleefuly publishing comments from the
English papers favorable to Mckinley.
Poor dears. they don't seem to under
stand that England is confident OF re-
ceiving just the same service from the
one that she did from the other.-Wila
pa Harbor Pilot.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

The offer made by the Washington So
ciety OF Sons of the Revolution should
stimulate the pupils Of high schools in the
state to healthy rivalry. This society,
founded for purely patriotic purposes,
promises medals for the three best essays
on the Character and Public Services of
George Washington, and the theme no
less than the reward should attract every
one eligible to compete.-P. |.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

With last weeks issue the Chehalis
Tribune, at lloquiam, began its second
year. 1t has been a fearless exponent OF
the people, and has never failed to strike
right from the shoulder when dealing
with the enemy ahd oppressors OF the
wage Garner.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

LosT-A dear little child who made
home happy by its smiles. And to think,
it might have been saved had the parents
only kept in the house One Minute Cough
Cure, the infallible remedy for Group.
Evans Drug Co.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

The Republicans are evidently prepar-
ing to get under cover, and now declare
that it was not Il crime to issu, bonds in
time of peace. They may need to issue
some themselves when this new McKin-.
ley bill becomes a law.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01
From MOntesano Vidette:

The many friends OF J. w. Divilbss
Will be pleased to hear that his health is
improving since going to southern Cali
10 la.
Mon,esano hasn't given up hopes OF
getting a mill, and in fact has now two or
tn ee pIopc Icons on foot which may de-
velope into cert,nties before long.
Some question having arisen as to
whether the six per cent charge on de-
linquent taxes, provided by the new rev.
enue law to be collected, is flat charge
OF SIX per cent to be added to the face Of
the tax delinquent or a computation of
six per cent per annum, for each year Of
such delinquency, state Auditor Cheat
ham was inteirogated Is to which is
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

Constipation in its worst forms, dys-
pcpsia, sick headache biliouaness and
arrangement of the liver are readily
cured by DeWitt's Little Early Risers
These little pills meyer gripe. Small pill,
safe pill, best pill. Evans Drug Co.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

The Hoquam Washingtonian'is pleased
because Governor Rogers vetoed the La
Push-Grand Forks road bill. OF course
1t is. Did that paper ever advocate any
public improvement that would benefit
any one in the county but the cory oration
it serves and directly the town of Ho-
u,lam2
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

the correct Interpretation OF his in
structions. The auditor stated that six
per cent per annum was intended, as the
new law explicitly directs that such shall
be the charge on delinquent taxes paid
during the period OF suspension OF penalty.
Chebalis county needs a branch OF the
State immigration association. There are
prospects of a great many settlers coming
west during the next few years, and the
county should be in position TO furnish
reliable information concerning our re-
sources to intending immigrants.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01
From Elrna Chronicle:

From Ema Chronicles
Elma will soon have two shingle mills
in operation, owned and managed by
few OF its enterprising business men.
This is only the first step towards estab-
fishing II pay roll in our midst, and the
gentlemen interested are to be COM
mended for their enterprise. Shingle
mills do not ftllv occupy the field, how
ever.
Charley Streets, a young man from
Fredonia, Kansas, while at work in
Church's mill Thursday morning, rum
ming the edger, got his left hand caught
by the saw, and badly mangled He
was Immediately brought to town and
the hand dressed by DR.. Blair, who
found it necessary to amputate three fin
gers entirely and the little finger above
the upper joint. The thumb was quite
badly lacerated, also, but will be saved.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

We offer One Hundred Dollars Reward
for any case of Catarrh that cannot be
cured by Halls Catarih Cure
f. J. CHENEY & Co. Props, Toledo, O.
We, the undersigned, have known L.
j. Cheney for the last Is years, and be-
lieve him perfectly honorable in all bust
ness transactions and financially able to
carry out any obligations raade by their
firm.
WEST & TRuAX, Wholesale druggists, To-
ledo, o.; WALDING, KINNAN & MAR
WIN, wholesale druggists, Toledo, O.
Halls Catarrh Cure is taken internally,
acting directly upon the blood and mu-
cous surfaces of the system. Price, 75c
per bottle Sold by all druggists. Testi-
monals free.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

ii he is still doubtful of this spiritual kin
ship, let him read the words of the level
ers and scctaries OF Cromwells army"
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

A. j. Quintin, OF Ocosta, has secured
the agency, for Chehais county, for Bry-
ans new book, "The First Battle" and
will make Il thorough canvass Of the terri
tory. Every friend of the cause which
Mr.. Bryan represents should have a copy
OF the work, so as to be the better pre-
pared for the comming battle. Mr.
Quntin is also authorized to receive sub
scrptions for the HERALD.
Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-04-01

England's grand old man, William Il.
Gladstone, cannot find words too strong
to express his satisfaction at the action
of Greece in her display OF historic valor
by defying the six powers and standing
out boldly for the liberty of Crete. He
would also be glad to see Cyprus, now
under British rule, given back to the
Hellenic government of which she was
once part. The continued attempt OF
the nations of Europe to maintain the
integrity OF Turkey, in the rather express
sive language of the street, makes lin
tired. May he live to see that eXcres-
the earth. 1t cannot be long in coming.