Page 21 - 6200

these saltwater wells also produced oil, which the salt drillers considered a nuisance because it
contaminated the salt.

Another issue facing the fledgling oil company was the need to hire someone to oversee the
drilling project in ________ (7). Eventually, board member Townsend met and hired ________ (8)
to represent Seneca's interests at the Oil Creek site. At the time, Drake was an unemployed rail-road
conductor, but he had two things going for him. First, because he was out of work, he had plenty of
time to devote to the project. Second, Drake had a railroad pass, which allowed him free travel to
Pennsylvania. As a final touch, Townsend gave Drake the rank of _________(9), which sounded
considerably more prestigious than just plain mister. With that, Colonel Drake went to Titusville.

20