The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-23

northern Ohio took the worlds oil king to
see his first oil well. AT that time Mr..
Rockefeller was the junior partner in a
Cleveland commission house, with which
Mr. Breed, who was miller at Titusville,
Pa, had business dealings.
When oil first began to be struck in
western Pennsylvania Mr.. Breed who was
thoroughly conversant with the country.
decided to invest in well. And l WISH
said he in later years when telling the
story, that L had decided to purchase
wells for as much money as l could bor-
row."
One day, while in Cleveland on bust
ness errand, Mr. Breed met Mr.. Rockefeller
face to face. The latter grasped his visitor
by the hand and said: Breed, you are
just the man L want TO see. What do you
think of this oil business down in Penn
sylvania? I've been doing a little in oil
myself, but l would like to get some. in
formation from man of experience as to
the probability of the flow being perma-
nent and the business a future success Do
you think there is money in it?''
Yes, Mr.. Rockefeller, | do, most assured
ly,' was the reply. Il think there are bar
rels of money in Pennsylvania at this day
in return for barrels of OIL.
You have formed that opinion. / inn
agine, from your own experience in Penn
sylvania?"
Il have replied Mr.. Breed. But, say,
why don't you come out and look over the
field yoursef?"
Il don't know but what L WILL" was the
reply L never have seen an oil well in
Tttusville at your convenience"
So day was set for the Journey Condi-
tons were rather wild and primitive in
those days. Travel from Cleveland to I'll
tusvlle was slow behind the putting wood
burning locomotives, and parlor cars did
not provide any comfort route to the oil
country But Mr.. Rockefeller arrived at
T1tuSV1lle and found his host, who had pre-
pared two saddle horses for a twelve mile
ride through snow and upon roads little
better than trails. To have attempted to
nf L. ~
impracticable. Petroleum Center, where the
wells at that time were in operation, was
little better than a wilderness. The ride
was long and dreary, but the destination
of the future oil king and his companion
was finally reached They alighted from
their horses where the road became i'm
passable and prepared to take the footpath
for the last quarter of a mile.
Just before they reached the wells gully
lay before them, across which was mar
row log for footbridge. Beneath this.
filling the bottom of the gully, was the re-
fuse from the wells, and it consisted of
everything that goes to make petroleum
unpleasant 10 the sense of SMELL as we'll as
that of touch.
Mr.. Rockefeller told me-" said Mr. Breed
when relating the story, that he never
could cross that log in the world. Isn't
there some other way to get over? he asked
me.
That's the only way. Mr.. Rockefeller,
/ replied, and I'll go first to show you
how. / crossed over and turned around to
immersed in the greasy mass below. he
took il rather good-naturedly, I'll say that.
He looked up to me and remarked, very
dryly, Breed | guess you have got me
in the oil business head and feet I"
After Mr.. Rockefeller had been helped to
the solid ground Mr.. Breed procured some
barrel slaves and scraped off as much of
the tarry mixture he could. However.
Mr.. Rockefeller's clothing and the light
overcoat that he wore were ruined.
Notwithstanding the accident, Mr.. Rookie
nFx-fh IN
connection with the wells He was abund-
antly satisfied, and in the course of an hour
they set out upon their return journey, Mr..
Rockefeller purchasing new clothing at
Titusville before he returned TO Cleveland.
1T was only day or two after that" so
Mr.. Breed used TO conclude his story. that
1 got an order from Mr.. Rockefeller for a
carload of oil, and 1 got more after that.
He always maintained every time that
met him that was responsible for making
him an oil refiner and an oil merchant, and
/ rather took most of the credit to myself
too. But he made great deal more out OF
il than ever / did"