Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-01-27
HOOSIER OIL TOWNS
Philosophical Reflections On Indiana Cltl-
zenS and Their Character.

The readers of the entertaining
"Hooser Schoolmaster or even the
more recent" Gentleman from Indiana
have some conception of the Hooser
town and the characteristics that in
dividualize the average citizen of that
State. 1T has been written that the
ideal and unadulterated IIoosier differs
vastly and strangely from the denizen
of other States. the statement purpos-
ing to refute the widely accepted re-
mark that human nature is the same
| the world over" But yet "a touch of
nature makes the whole world kin"
and nature and human nature are
strongly related. inasmuch as the
one was created for the other, and ac-
cordingly there is a great truth under
lying the latter quotation. The people
of the State of Indiana are not different
from those of another State In the
rural districts they show the same
characteristics as villagers the coun-
try over Political. commercial and
social chat on the street corners; gen.
ial social intercourse in the corner
grocery store or whatever place suffi-
ces as a mecca for the "dropper in
visits to the station to watch the daily
trains come putting in--all these traits
are discovered here as they are noted
in every country town from New York
to California. These are the luxuries
that dispel the monotony of country
life, and when one causes to consider
the bond of social unity that predomi-
mates in the rural districts and the en-
viable spirit of liberty that marks the
disposition of the neople there is "a 81
lent regret that ones own lot has not
been cast where trivial indulgences AMI
humble environments create such an
air of happy satisfaction. Happy,
twice happy, is the man who finds in
the field and forest the abundance of
exquisite enjoyment and whose "pleas-
ure ground" is stretch of land can
opied by an endless exranse of clear
sky free from the blemishes of the
scot and smoke of industrial cities.
Montpelier is an ideal Indiar'a town
of between 1000 and 5000 inhabitants.
1t may De said to lie in the heart of the
Indiana oil fields, and besides the pc
troleum industry. which has unques-
tionaibly favored it's growth and pros
perity. there is to be sean the evidences
of progress in business aL.tivity. Near
by lie Hartford City. Warren. Geneva
and number of towns where oil is
still furnishing inducements to the
Oil man. This captivat-
ing and much sought for fluid. pump
ed from the bowels of the harmless
EARTH" has caused the existence of
well-to-do towns throughout the State |
and others. which would5 today be
waste land but for its discovery. In |
great portions of Pennsylvania. West |
Virginia, Ohio and Indiana. not to
mention the States of the fer West and |
those of the South. oil Is king, and |
truly no king ever had more loyal sub
iects Within a few hours after the |
announcement of the big gusher strike |
in Beaumont, Texas, was sent over the |
wires it was the sole topic of conver1a-
tion among the gatherings of oil men
the oil regions. and the
promise held out by its wonderful and
discovery has led "a mum
Der of men to seek that locality. They |
go with tho spirit of venture strong in
The human brea:t.
Indiana like Ohio. is neither north
nor south 1t is extremely difficult to
yocate 1T sectionally. When you attrib-
lite the rroverbial term "Hoosier' in
describing it you might stop with "nuff
;ef" That nickname. implies a good
leal, although to some minds it has
1een accepted in wrong light. In a
certain sense it flavorc of the South,
md then again you are reminded of the
West, but whatever the association it
'ecalls you may put down Indiana,
lside with Ohio, the Mother of Presi-
lents, as a State dotted here and there
with cities, towns and hamlets that are
booming under prosperous conditions.
lanes Whitcomb Riley. the "Hoosier
)oet," has put in verse the gentler SEN
iment of the Hoosier people and has
pictured them as he would have the
world know them.