Sistersville daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1902-1905, 1903-02-02
THE MERCER CROWD
Ceniinusd frosn Ist Page

hour, and even before. the S. r. o.
sign is usually OUT until the vice.
sna hours, The topic Is almost
invariably oil. Such technical
phrszes ard expressions as leases,
royalties, division orders, sands,
anti cl'nals, levels, rentals and
market certificates are hurled about
as promlscuously as foot ball In
one Of the big coll &c games
Lines and pipes and Gazing and
rods and tubing and jars and stems
and bits and rigs and boilers and
engines and pumps and cordage are
as familiar IS the abc's to the pupil
In the fourth grade N our excellent
schools. Every field and every
pool Is familiar portion OF geog-
raphy to the crowd" The record,
depth and history of every
we'll from Olean to Beaumont
Is common knowledge. Where
oil was found aud where
1t was not, why 1t was
found and why It was not, Is also
common knowledge. Where 1t
may be discovered causes many
side discussions, N which but a
portion of the crowd" engaged at
one time. Not all think the same
way, consequently what Is CON.
demned by some IS approved by
otheis, with the result that the
check book Is used by few. Then
the whole gang discuss the propo
sition, 10 the end that either the
few or the many look sad when the
proper sand has been reached. 1t
IS then either a case of champaign
from the few or regrets from the
many.
Oil Is the Principal topic OF con-
yersation. But other matters are
discussed on stormy days. Elections
are held lo' g In advance of the date
prescribed W law and the results
foretold. The trusts are curbed,
and the policy OF the administration
condemned and upheld. Even the
attitude of Bill Hoherzellor toward
little Venezuela Is frequently COM
rnented upon with considerable
ssres, and disfavor. The Philippe
problem and ever free silver re-,
ceive their just dues. But little In
the catalogue of public or local or
private thought falls to receive due
consideration. As there ale no
Judges, no rules Of debate, no limi,
to time, no limit to the number vt
speeches, the result frequently
leaves the visitor in quandary. but
any one familiar with the crowd"
knows that q great effect upon
,4any potent and potential measures
has frequently been made.
The especial object of affection
of the "crowd" Is the Standard Oh
company. Whenever 1t Is mention
ed, those surrounding the stove In
the Mercer Office assume an ex-
preston of rare affection. They
delight In what 1t Is doing for the
independent producer and resist
with great zeal and earnestness and
force any attack upon the integrity
ofany of the members Of this organ.
ization or the Righteousness of Its
purpose In alleviating the condition
of the poor wild. cater" 1t
would do any OF the readers of the
Review good to drop into the meet
Ing place of the crowd. and hear
the tender manner in which they
handle the topic ofthe "Standard'
In Its many ramifcations. occasion.
ally a representative of this ma
llgned organiz alton drops In, and
then you should see with what arder
he Is received and how anxious are
the boys around the stove to throw
Bouquets at the oil colossus. But
the representative smiles, and adj
vises John D. at once what a
crowd of earnest and faithful friends
he and his have In Sistersville.
The personnel of the crowd" IS
interesting. The best known and
representative OF the local oil pro
ducers are among Its membership
Their names are synonymous with
energy and ability and keenness In
the oil business. They have nerve
and grit. They never falter. One
dry hole but adds to their deter
mination. They are self made men
who have fought up from the ranks
until they have become Captains
OF Grease" They have endured
ali the hardships of the walking
beam and the bull rope, and are as
proud of til cir experience as boy
&c I,tc ErcS common tpe5 honfS Most