The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-11-25
JOHN D.'s OWN STORY.
STANDARD OIL MAGNATE TELLS
OF HIS START.
Head of Great Combine Relates How
HIS Company Has Attained Its Pres
cnt Crwth--An Interesting Wit
ness.


story with the air of country gentle
man OF kindly mien entertaining
host OF friends with incidents OF days
long past. John ID. Rockefeller. presl-
dent OF the Standard oil company.
though for nearly 10 years retired
from the active cares OF company di-
rection. for over two hours today re-
viewed the history OF the early oil
trade and the development OF the first
companies that later grew Into the
present so. called oil trust Mr.. Rock
efeller wai' a witness for the defense
In the suit to dissolve the standard.
which IL being prosecuted by the
United states government. and his ap-
pearance lt the hearing before For
mer Judgl Franklin Ferris. the ref
cree. broy ght large crowd to the
customs building.
The bead OF the oil combine was
surroundei by an imposing circle OF
counsel Mr.. Rockefeller appeared 1t
complete ease. and when John q.
Milbourn OF counsel for the Standard
propounded his first question. the wit
ness spokl out In full tones. Mr.
Rockefeller told of his start in the oil
business and how under adverse con-
ditlons thist business grew to the pro-
portions ol the Standard oil Company
Of Ohio. With its capitalization of ST.
100000. Mr.. Rockefeller's eyes spar
killed. In reflection on that early imam
ciai organization. and. speaking OF
It's gmillIon-dollar capitalization. with
almost bt'ylsh enthusiasm. he said
~ seemed very large to US. who began
with only $4,000 In 1882"
Thus ths proceedings lost In a sense
their oHciai aspect because OF the en-
gazing manner In which MIR. Roclefel-
Ter displayed In his answers, which
now and then contained flashes OF
Kindly humor. A glow of health
showed In AR. Rockefeller's smooth
shaven face.
Mr.. Rockefeller was dressed In a
plain business suit OF dark material
and across his vest was suspended
heavy gold watch chain. \ dark purs
PIE necktle. In which large pearl pin
was set. snuggled close to high col.
lar.
Tne devc.opment Of Mr. Rockefel
lers tcstlmeny today. WHICH carried
him 90 tite organization of the Stan
dard OH Company OF Ohio. indicated
that one OF the lines OF the defense
would be that the standard company
a. not the result OF an aggressive poli-
cy TO .obt.in a mastery OF the oil trade.
as charged. but rather the natural
outcome OF M economical develop
ment. which the exisencles of the oil
industry demanded.
During brief recess Mr.. Rockefel-
Ter taiktd 20 the reporters on the
Standards growth. saying:
What wonderful thing Il all has
been--ths growth Of the business. 1t
all seems like dream to me. aud
here ! am ACCUSED OF doing the very
wicked thing OF selling a good article
AZ lower price than ary one else.
''Thls testimony here today bring
back to my mind so clearly early days
in Cieveiafd. where we were al
friends and nclghbors together. How
well remember that day In Clevc-
land. when went into the bank of r.
y. Pady. who afterwards became one
OF my dearest friends. 1 wanted To
borrow money. but did not have any
collateral nor any onn To endorse my
note. 4 told him what I wanted to do
with Il. and then he asked me how
much / wanted. 4 need $4,000 said.
and got u. To that loan / attribute
whatever success l have had In life
since"
The first question put to Mr.. Rookie
feller by counsel brought out his
name and residence.
when was your first connection in
the oil buslness?"
About 1860 or 1899. not earlier
than 1850 nor later than 1862. / was
quite young man-nuch younger
than I am now"
"a copartnership was formed" said
Mr.. Rockefeller. known as Andrews.
Clark a Co. which operated at Cleve-
land. Ohio"
Mr.. Rockefeller said the refinery
was a smali one and the copartnership
continued until 1895. when 1t was dis
solved. II bought the business and
the property and / organized the firm
of Rockefeller & Andrews he said.
4upta vos, continue an the refinery