The earth beneath Sour Spring Mound roared to life on January 18th, 1900, not with a gentle trickle, but with a violent, earth-shaking eruption. The Kingston Gusher, as it would soon be known, or the Kingston Geyser by some awestruck onlookers, spewed black gold over 150 feet (approximately 50 meters) into the air, a thick, powerful stream that coated everything in its vicinity. The initial estimates put the flow rate at an astonishing 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day, an unprecedented volume that dwarfed any oil find the world had witnessed up to that point. It was a shared triumph for the Kingstons and the Gladys City Oil, Gas & Manufacturing Company, their combined faith and investment finally yielding a monumental reward.
The gusher raged uncontrolled for nine days. It took the expertise of the renowned Hamill brothers, hired for their specialized drilling skills, to finally bring the well under control. Using an innovative device known as a Christmas Tree, they managed to cap the gusher, stemming the flow and preventing further loss of the precious resource.
The news of the Spindletop strike, and particularly the sheer magnitude of the Kingston Gusher, spread like wildfire across the nation. It was front-page news in every major newspaper, heralding the dawn of a new century and ushering in an era of unprecedented fortune for the Kingston family.
The Kingston Gusher, after its initial spectacular eruption, began to settle. While it had started by spewing 100,000 barrels a day, after nine days, the production declined to just above 10,000 barrels a day, and further decreased to around 5,000 barrels a day in the subsequent weeks.
And their initial gusher was not an isolated incident. In the weeks that followed, two more significant gushers erupted on land directly owned by the Kingstons, further cementing their position as major players in the Spindletop field. The family's stay in Texas, initially planned to last until the New Year, was now extended indefinitely as they navigated this extraordinary turn of events.
The two initial gushers on the Kingston land also followed a similar pattern, starting with an impressive 60,000 to 70,000 barrels a day before falling to a more sustained rate of approximately 4,000 barrels a day each.
By April of 1901, the Spindletop field was a frenzy of activity, boasting eighteen producing gushers. Of these, six belonged to the Gladys City Oil Company, now partners with the Kingstons; eight were solely owned by the Kingston family; and the remaining four were owned by others. Collectively, these wells were producing more than a 50,000 barrels of crude oil each day, an astounding figure that highlighted the sheer richness of the Spindletop reservoir. Of this, 40,000 barrels were produced from the Gladys Oil Company and Kingston oil wells.
The Kingstons now had the lifeblood for their refinery. Located on a sprawling 500-acre plot of land they had acquired near Beaumont, the Kingston Refinery stood ready. Its construction had cost nearly $1.5 million, a significant outlay, and its initial processing capacity was around 5,000 barrels per day. With a production rate almost ten times that amount, the Kingstons recognized the immediate need to sell the excess crude oil to other established refining companies.
The discovery of oil at Spindletop triggered a land rush unlike anything seen before. People from all corners of the United States descended upon Beaumont, eager to buy any available land in the hope of striking their own black gold. What these hopeful speculators soon discovered was that the Kingston family had quietly and strategically amassed an enormous landholding of nearly 33,000 acres in the vicinity of Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange City. Their foresight had secured them a dominant position in this burgeoning new oil region.
This unprecedented oil production sent land prices near Beaumont into the stratosphere. Acres that had once sold for a mere $100 were now fetching upwards of $2,000 to $3,000. In the immediate vicinity of the most prolific gushers, prices soared to almost tens of thousands of dollars per acre, even momentarily crossing the $100,000 mark in some instances, though few were foolish enough to part with such potentially valuable land.
The Kingstons, recognizing the speculative nature of this immediate price surge, decided to capitalize on a portion of their vast holdings. They sold 2,000 acres of their land, netting nearly $5 million in profit. This single transaction more than covered their initial investment in the refinery and the land acquisitions, with a substantial return. The decision was immediately made to significantly expand the capacity of the Kingston Refinery to handle the flow of crude oil from their own wells and their partnership with the Gladys Company, solidifying their place at the forefront of this exciting new era in American industry.
*********
With the money generated from selling a portion of their land in Beaumont, the Kingston General Stores expansion became remarkably easier. Within a short period, they were able to establish two hundred new stores in major cities across the United States, including San Francisco, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Cleveland, and St. Louis, along with numerous other growing urban centers.
By June of 1900, the Kingston family had returned to their New York home, leaving their burgeoning Texas operations in the capable hands of executives they hired.
As they settled back into their routine, a significant piece of national news began to circulate. Following the death of Vice President Garret Hobart in late 1899, the Republican party was considering its options for the upcoming presidential election.
Word began to spread that the Republicans were strongly leaning towards supporting Theodore Roosevelt as their vice-presidential candidate. Roosevelt, the popular governor of New York, had garnered considerable national attention for his dynamic personality and progressive policies. However, behind the scenes, there were other political machinations at play.
Thomas C. Platt, the powerful "boss" of the New York State Republican Party, held a less favorable view of Roosevelt. While both men were Republicans, Platt found Roosevelt's reformist zeal, which extended to challenging the established Republican order in New York, to be problematic.
Platt, along with other influential Republican leaders in the state, saw an opportunity in the vacant Vice Presidency. By encouraging President McKinley to accept Roosevelt as his new running mate, they could effectively remove Roosevelt from the New York state political scene, thus lessening his impact on their established control. The Vice Presidency, while a prestigious position, carried significantly less direct power than the governorship of a major state like New York. In essence, Platt aimed to kick Roosevelt upstairs, out of his way.
******
On June 11th, John, Mary, and Michael found themselves being ushered into the elegant dining room of the New York Governor's mansion in Albany. They had traveled to the state capital for the grand opening of two new Kingston General Stores, and Governor Theodore Roosevelt, upon hearing of their presence, had extended a warm invitation for dinner.
Roosevelt greeted them with his characteristic enthusiasm as he shook John's hand. He then introduced them to his wife, Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt, a woman with a composed and intelligent demeanor, and several of their five children. Roosevelt also mentioned his eldest daughter Alice, who was away visiting friends. The dining room buzzed with the warm chaos of a large family, a stark contrast to the usually quieter Kingston household.
As they dined on a hearty meal, the conversation flowed easily, covering topics from the success of the new Kingston stores to the latest news from Texas. Eventually, Michael, turned to the Governor.
"Governor Roosevelt," Michael began, his tone respectful but direct, "there have been… rumors circulating about the possibility of you becoming the Vice-Presidential candidate."
Theodore Roosevelt's cheerful expression dimmed slightly. He sighed. "Ah, yes, the Vice Presidency. Platt and the others seem quite keen on the idea."
"Are you not pleased with the prospect, sir?" Michael inquired.
Roosevelt leaned back in his chair, a wry smile on his face. "To be frank, Michael, it strikes me as a rather powerless role. A gilded cage, some might say."
Michael's gaze sharpened slightly. "Mr. Roosevelt," he said, his voice carrying a surprising weight for a ten-year-old, "perhaps it is not about power, but about perception."
Roosevelt looked at the young boy, his curiosity piqued. "Perception? Explain that to me, Michael."
John and Mary exchanged a calm glance. They were accustomed to Michael's insightful and often unconventional way of thinking. However, the Roosevelt family around the table seemed rather surprised by the depth of the conversation and the directness with which this young boy addressed the Governor.
"Sir," Michael continued, "if Vice-President McKinley completes his second term, as is expected, the next Presidential candidate will likely be the individual with the most national exposure. The Vice-President automatically becomes one of the leading contenders."
Theodore Roosevelt nodded slowly. He had heard similar sentiments from others, though perhaps not articulated with such clarity. "That is true," he conceded. "But one must also consider how many Vice-Presidents are actually elected President through election, and how many ascend through the unfortunate circumstance of a President's death."
Looking back up to 1900, there were only a few instances where a sitting Vice-President was directly elected President: John Adams in 1796, Thomas Jefferson in 1800, and Martin Van Buren in 1836.On the other hand, several Vice-Presidents before the turn of the century ascended to the Presidency upon the death of the incumbent. These include John Tyler after President Harrison died, Millard Fillmore when President Taylor passed away, Andrew Johnson following President Lincoln's assassination, and Chester A. Arthur when President Garfield was assassinated.
Michael shook his head slightly. "That, sir, sounds like a cop-out. Surely, the focus should be on performing the job to the best of your abilities and having confidence in your own merits. One cannot always rely on statistics or morbid possibilities. Sometimes, sir, you need to be the one to change something."
Theodore Roosevelt absorbed Michael's words, the arguments he had heard from his seasoned aides echoing in his mind, yet somehow carrying a different weight when spoken by a mere ten-year-old. He looked directly at Michael, his gaze intense. "Michael, would I make a good President?"
Michael's clear eyes met his without flinching. "Governor Roosevelt," he replied thoughtfully, "I believe that is not the right question to ask."
Roosevelt's bushy eyebrows rose in surprise. "Oh? Then what, in your astute opinion, is the right question?"
"The right question, sir," Michael stated, "should be: do I make a great leader? Not just President, but a true leader. Do you aspire to be merely a politician, or do you strive to be a leader? There is a profound difference between the two."
A hush fell over the dining room as Roosevelt considered Michael's words. The conversation, once lively, now held a contemplative stillness.
Later, as the Kingston family was preparing to leave, Roosevelt called Michael as Mary and John moved towards the door.
"Michael," the Governor called.
"Yes, sir?" Michael replied, turning back.
"I want to be a leader, Michael. A great leader." Roosevelt said, his voice carrying a new sense of purpose.
Michael simply nodded, a knowing glint in his eyes. He understood the Governor's unspoken decision.
******
At the Republican Party Convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from June 19th to 21st, 1900, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. President William McKinley was the clear and unanimous choice for the Presidential nomination. Despite his initial reservations, Theodore Roosevelt, the popular Governor of New York, emerged as the overwhelming favorite. In a unanimous vote, with 926 delegates voting in favor he was nominated as the Republican candidate for Vice President, solidifying his place on the national stage. The convention, chaired by Henry Cabot Lodge, marked a pivotal moment in Roosevelt's career, propelling him towards the path of national leadership he so desired.