Page:History of Standard Oil Vol 1.djvu/21
CONTENTS
Pages vii-xi
CHAPTER ONE
THE BIRTH OF AN INDUSTRY
Petroleum first a curiosity and then a medicine—Discovery of its real value—The story of how it came to be produced in large quantities—Great flow of oil—Swarm of problems to solve—Storage and transportation—Refining and marketing—Rapid extension of the field of operation—Workers in great numbers with plenty of capital—Costly blunders frequently made—But every difficulty being met and overcome—The normal unfolding of a new and wonderful opportunity for individual endeavour.
Pages 3-37
CHAPTER TWO
THE RISE OF THE STANDARD OIL COMPANY
John D. Rockefeller's first connection with the oil business—Stories of his early life in Cleveland—His first partners—organisation of the Standard Oil company in June, 1870—Rockefeller's able associates—First evidence of railway discriminations in the oil business—Rebates found to be generally given to large shippers—First plan for a secret combination—The south improvement company—Secret contracts made with the railroads providing rebates and drawbacks—Rockefeller and associates force Cleveland refiners to join the new combination or sell—Rumour of the plan reaches the oil regions.
Pages 38-69
