At the regular quarterly meeting of the Norwood Historical Society, held at Day House, on July 25, James M. Foley of Natick showed two Interesting and most unusual sound and color films.
The first one, entitled “Island Oddities off the Bahamas.” showed pictures taken by a man and his wife who cruised for months off the Bahamas in their yacht “Luray,” landing frequently to photograph wildlife in the rocky shores. Among the most interesting pictures were those of various birds such as oystercatchers, black neck-stilts, Bahama mockingbirds, yellow tropic birds with long slender tail feathers, • city terns with their sleek black coats and white vests, and nodding terns that greet each other with friendly nods. Tiny baby stilts were also seen. Although they were about the size of one’s thumb, they soon learned to heed the various calls given by the parent birds. On one occasion the photographer saved a group of baby birds from a school of fish.
Huge hermit crabs, protecting themselves with unusual shells used as portable houses, were shown, also a termite’s nest and lizards feeding on termites, tiny jellyfish of strange shapes, spiny sea urchins, an octopus, and large starfish. Several of the photos were secured at risk of life and limb. By means of the wonderful photos those present were able to view marvels of nature which it would be impossible to see in real life.
The second film, winch was a decided contrast to the first, was one put out by the American Petroleum Institute, It showed the beginning of the oil industry in the United States. In this motor age of 1950 It is hard to realize that a century ago oil wells were unknown.
In 1855 a Yale professor reported that many valuable products could be secured from a type of oil discovered In Titusville, Pa. Only three to six gallons a day were being obtained by the crude method of skimming oil from the surface of the water Dr. Breuer, of the Brewer Watson Co. of Titusville, thought on other method was possible. It remained for Edwin L. Drake of New Haven, Conn., who was financed by New Haven Interests, to prove that oil could be obtained in large quantities through drilling operations.
Although Drake, who was given the honorary title of “Colonel,” was ridiculed and scoffed at, he started his men digging After they had made an excavation several feet deep, they were almost drowned when water rushed in. It was then decided that the use of a drill would prove to be the solution. Drills were being used near Pittsburgh for mining salt. Drake ordered a similar drill and engaged a man to work it, but that man and several others failed to appear after being hired.
After many months’ filled with disappointment and frustration, Colonel Drake, who was still an object of ridicule, secured the services of a driller known as “Uncle Ben” Smith who agreed to work for $2.50 a day. Drilling started on August 4, 1859. By the 27th a depth of sixty-nine feet had been reached. Suddenly and almost miraculously oil appeared, and soon the well was producing four hundred gallons a day.
Thus a new industry was born due to the patience, perseverance, and faith of Colonel Edwin Drake. The news spread rapidly with the result that men crowded into the area, leased land, and began to drill wells. Such was the beginning of the petroleum industry which has grown to such huge proportions and which furnishes the lifeblood of our industrial and economic life today.
Following the showing of the films a social hour was enjoyed during which refreshments were served by Mrs Katie Hunt and Miss Helga Peterson.
(All articles originally appeared in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)