The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-11
PROTECE OF
OIL TRUST.
Grandson Of Rockef0|Ier'S For
mar Partner Cared For.
THE BOSTWICK MILLIONS FLED.
Lad Left Psnnlsss VIII Be Glna a Good
Education and Assisted 50 That He MAY
Begin the Battle Of Life.

| Columbus. o., Feb u.-Little Ernest
! Bostwick, Of Seville, o., IN a ward OF the
Standard OH Company. and probably the
only child in tho world that occupies
such a unique position.
| Jabez Bostwick. one Of The original pro-
moters OF the company and an intimate
I friend OF John II. Rockefeller IN those
early DAYS when the genius OF both was
| crystallzing, was the t-grandfather
I Of the little protege Of this mighty firm.
when John u. Rockefeller was engaged
| IN the oil refining business az Cleveland
J in 1852 with Andrews. Clark a. Co, ne
| came In contact with BostwicS, trusted
employe of that firm. Rockefeller was
then an ambitious. energetic lad OF barely
twenty-one, filled with enthusiasm and
indomitsbie courage.
/ %n Bostwick ne found congenlal spirit,
but older and more conservative possess
ing the experience and mature judgment
or men and matters that he lacked. AT
that time the oil market was in chaotic
condition. Excitement ran high and for
tunes were made and lost almost instan-
taueously.
Wells were pat down with great rapid
! ity, and each man was afraid his neigh
( bor would get more than his share OF the
underlying fiuid. AS a natural result the
production was far I'm excess of the de-
mand and tho facilities for storage and
| transportation were wofully Inadequate
The precious liquid was pumped 10 the
surface and then allowed 10 soak back
| in; creeks and rivers were covered with
shimmering sheet OF oil. an indication
! of mans greed.
CONTRIVED TO UTILIZE WASTE
This was the only cue needed by the
! progressive men: they saw their oppor-
tunity and quickly grasped A. Together
I they conducted experiments in refining
oil, planned To utilize the waste. which
at that time was prodigious and con
| triyed schemes TO lessen the cost OF trans
portation.
The tireless efforts of John ID. Rookie
| feller and his indefatigable assistant were
| rewarded by the formation OF the stand
ard Oil Company I'm 1855 and Cleveland
was made the distributing point for the
| world.
| shortly after Jabez Bostwick was gath
| cred to his fathers, leaving one son. Ab-
| ner, who had been a sore disappointment
| 10 the energetic progressive man OF busi
| ness. lie absolutely declined 10 have
| anything TO do with the making OF mon
| ey, aud particularly disliked his fathers
manipuations OF the oil markets.
4 lie married a sweet-fsced country lass.
purchased an extensive farm near Sc
! vile. o.. and. like Virgil, sought peace
| in his vineyard
l. Time went on and "A son was born to
| -Nr and Mrs Abner Rostwick who after
| passing the usual uneventful boyhood OF
| farmers son. followed the example set
/ by his father and welded early. against
the wishes OF his parents. For a number
of years the stony-hearted father re-
! jected his sons overtures of peace ana
| would not forgive the young couple. who
| undauntedly struggled along on small
| farm, fighting "A hand-to-hand fight with
| fne wolf that seems To especially haunt
young married people who are foolish
| enough TO prefer love In a cottage.
In such desolate circumstances little
! Ernest came to soften his grandfather's
heart and settle all contentious. Grandpa
| Bostwick was pleased with his new title.
| and extended the olive branch OF peace.
Alas, too late TO he OF any practical
| value to his son. who worn Que by the
! hard conflict. and weakened by exposure
10 the weather contracted pneumonia
| and died leaving his broken-hearted
young wife and little son TO the tender
mercies of his parents. The old folks
blamed themselves severely and tried 10
make amends 10 the widow aud orphan.
hut somehow the fortune left ny Jabez
I Rostwick had, with the usual fightiness
: of inherited fortunes, taken wings.
LITTLE BOY LEFT PENNILESS.
Little Ernest Bostwick, four years old.
| and the last OF his line. was left penniless.
and had not the millionaire oil man.
| mindful Of his own children. come 10 the
| rescue Of little Ernest. he would have
! had 10 remain In obscurity, unless the
\ bulldog tenacity OF hts fathers had
brought him 10 the front.
| As ia IL he receives a comfortable In
| come annually from this great company,
| and is assured of a good education. a
\ 'lift' rs it were. on the road 20 carving
out fortune for himself No better 81
I lustration OF how readily fortunes arc
/ made and lost in America could he cited
! than the history OF the Bostwick fortune
which at one time ran up into the mil
! lions.