The men later decide to end their deals with Rockefeller and Rockefeller fights back by creating an entirely new way of transporting his oil across the country. Oil pipe lines began being built and the end result was over 4,000 miles1 of oil pipe lines stretching across the United States, putting thousands of other oil refineries out of business. There was no doubt that this man was being the most ruthless business owner in America, with almost no mercy. When a business turned down his offer, Rockefeller just lowered his prices to their competitors and put them out of business. A panic began in 1873, this depression went on for five years and caused very hard times on the American people. They were forced to live off what they had and what the land gave them. Many used cow chips as fuel and built their homes out of mud and grass, just to have a form of shelter.3.
In the midst of all the action between Rockefeller and his rivalries, a new competition was arising. His name was Andrew Carnegie and he was building an empire of steel and not just any steel but, steel that could build structures all across the united states. This brought new types of buildings all over that towered in the sky and also brought bridges to connect cities to one another without the use of boats. Carnegie wanted to battle with the two richest men and after the death of Vanderbilt, Carnegie was well on his way. He later hired Henry Frick,4 who helped Carnegie do a lot of the dirty work but, ensured that profits would rise and costs would become cheaper for the steel company. Although, Carnegie later realized he did not want to appear to be the bad guy so he put Frick in charge while he went on vacation back in his homeland in Scotland. Frick made sure Carnegie made profit and cut the costs of their labor force by cutting their wages and extending their hours, which led to the death of innocent works who would try and fight for their rights to have a safe workforce.