The bearded man wearing the top hat is Colonel Drake, the man to the left, Mr. Wilson, a merchant from Titusville. The well was 69.5' deep and was first pumped by a hand apparatus. A few weeks after the well was completed the pumper held a lantern into the tank one night to see how much oil was being produced. The gas ignited and the engine house and derrick were consumed. The oil boom along Oil Creek did not really flourish until 15 years later.