[Sherman Logan]

In 1865 whale oil, the main source of lighting for Americans (outside cities), cost $1.77/gallon. in 1896, the then primary source of fuel for lamps was kerosene. It sold for .07/gallon.

And of course gas and electricity were major competing sources of lighting by that time.

So were rural Americans worse off in 1865 or 1896, after Rockefeller had pillaged the country?

[Steely Tom]

In 1865 whale oil, the main source of lighting for Americans (outside cities), cost $1.77/gallon. in 1896, the then primary source of fuel for lamps was kerosene. It sold for .07/gallon.

And of course gas and electricity were major competing sources of lighting by that time.

So were rural Americans worse off in 1865 or 1896, after Rockefeller had pillaged the country?

Absurd, isn't it?