The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-12-19

contrast t. life In modern city, or
IIrural community, where anything
IIolher than oil Is the principal yield
Ilof the earth. The hardships In the
Goil fields include practically every
HORN which human nature can endure
IA true test Of real men, strenuous
llabor; dangerous surroundings, both
Nat work and at leisure; sacrifice or
Hamusement and comforting commo'
lIdities of life, all are included in the
I!daily routine Of an oil field workers
llife. Great credit and praise is due
9tto the man who works in the OIL
|Ifields, even though it may be the only
Hkind of labor which he could perform
Ito gain q living; great credit ana
Ipraise is due TO the man who works
lin the oil fields because he loves the
nssmen of the oil and the sounds OF
the oil field machinery; but the
greatest Of credit is due to the man
|who has a college education, who
could gain comfortable livlihood at
uplnces other than the oil fields, who
lean gamble in an effort TO ainass a
fortune, and yet who throws aside
Hau of these more comfortable methods
Iof gaining n living. dons the khaki
breeches and high top shoes and affi-
bates himself directly with the life
in the oil fields. And when such
man finally emerges from the ranks
of the oil field workers, and gains
L..
position as leader in the petroleum
Industry, he is entitled to the high
|est rung in the ladder OF successful
men.
The biography Of such a man would
serve as wonderful plan for men.
who are just beginning the battle OF
life, to follow. For 1t demonstrates
nn most conceivable manner that
life is not gamble after all, and
khat hard work combined with ambi-
hon to gain success, is bound to bring
Desired. results.
Such man is Z. II. Royer. presi-
hent of the Roger Oil Company and
khe Westmoreland Oil Company. Born
1t Greensburg, Pa, in 1889, he grad
bated from the public schools In his
hative city and went to Easton. Pa,
where he successfully completed
eourse at Lafayette College and won
the degree OF Bachelor Of Science.
While there he proved himself to be
hn all-round athlete, and gained a
bosition on teams participating in
practically every sport with the ex-
teption of baseball. He was n MEM
bor of the varsity football team of the
rSllege for four years, during his en-
tire stay at Easton. playing the posi-
ZION OF right tackle.
II was MS member of the football
team that Mr.. Royer displayed his
,irst signs of the grit which later
won him his high position in the oil
game.
Immediately after his graduatiot
from Lafayette, Mr. Roger was tend
bred n position as football coach ~
Eonway Hall. well-known eastern
ropara ory school. located nt Carlisle,
r.. Although IN ardent lover Of col
bogc. sports. nevertheless Mr.. Roger
Har rot satisfied with his position IN
kiNetir circles, and memories Of his
n1Nr """th NJ GrconSburg filled his
r'rd. nnd with thom came the desire
o rnmc to Oklahoma and get In the
"or o1mn." For while boy at
3Grorrshu,g n had ac'cd as mnsscng-
er "i'h ." Western Union Telegraph
JC.r.u NJ ard his employer was
;ii' orgc !, a man who had interests
Mr. ycral small wells near Boynton,
'lOklnhonn. and who had oftcn spoken
to MIR. Eoyor rbout them and the
jwondCrful possibilities that cXis In
.Iehe oil Industry. John Emory. anoth-
Jsr Grccnsburg man, whom Roger
Knew. was also al the time interested
In the oil game In Oklahoma as n drill
llng contractor.
/ So Rpyer decided 10 take hand in
llt. and planned the trip 20 oklnhoma.
lrhree days before he started the
1journey. he was married to Miss
'lyane Firth, of Phillpsburg y. j..
WHOM he had met while attending
sollege, Three days after he wcd-
fling. and with 5000 aggregaiing his
Asotal capital. Mr.. Roger, accompanied
1by his wife, left for Ardmorc.
After exponding money for railroad
hires. etc. Mr.. Roycr found himself
In Ardmore but with S2a. In his
pockets. The first four days hero
were spent ut the Randol Hotel. at
an expense OF 1880. which left him
"a balance OF $3.50. with which Co
commence housekeeping. lie rcn.cd
house at $50 per month, and sue
seeded. after strenuous oratlon. IN
convincing the landlady that It was
'ust as conceivable for her 10 permit
him TO pay the rent at the end Of
Ehe tDety days. ~ 10 pay In advance
Groceries he Obtained on credit, and
Furniture on the installmcnt plan.
Whom the grocery bill became due. Il
Was Walter Critcholow whom Mr..
12oycr names as the good Samaritan
Who came to his rescue and loaned
t,im money TO pay Il.
Immediately upon his arrival here.
Mr.. Roycr was offered several posi-
lions In offices. but he gamcly refused
lhem all. being dcslrous OF learning
E ihc oil gnmc from every angle. SO
H. accepted employment with 'hc
3aundec Petroleum Company. In the
1icaliton field, as roustabout. the
most laboriuus job In the fields and \,
With his wife. he established his
home beside the dcrricks and lived
IN unc-room isxi2 foot shack. at
tngtown ,now Writ. lie worked ai
Is job from September 20 March, |
kh,n his employers promoted him and I
kaccd him IN charge of the ware
kusc. In March he was made sup I
Nn,ondent of the company. Latter I
br took charge If some " the tools I