venangomuseum

According to J. T. Henry’s 1873 account, Laura Drake could find sewing work. Finding time to collect it was another matter. In his history of petroleum, Henry described the difficulties facing Laura and her husband, Edwin Drake, after they left Titusville. Financial losses and Edwin’s worsening health eventually brought the family to a borrowed cottage near Long Branch, New Jersey. Their money had run out.¹ Henry reported that sewing was available, but Laura also had children to care for a

On October 29, 1870, the Petroleum Centre Daily Record shared that a rumor had spread through town the previous “Wear such clothing as will excite no regrets should they be covered with mud or grease, as they inevitably will.”¹ Bone’s tips went beyond just clothing. He suggested bringing long waterproof boots, a light travel bag, a blanket, and some emergency food to make the trip easier. If someone couldn’t handle the mud, rough roads, bad meals, and uncomfortable places to stay, Bone said th

In 1865, J. H. A. Bone offered simple advice to those visiting the Oil Region in Pennsylvania in his guidebook: “Wear such clothing as will excite no regrets should they be covered with mud or grease, as they inevitably will.”¹ Bone’s tips went beyond just clothing. He suggested bringing long waterproof boots, a light travel bag, a blanket, and some emergency food to make the trip easier. If someone couldn’t handle the mud, rough roads, bad meals, and uncomfortable places to stay, Bone said th