The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1870-12-31
"COAL OIL JOHNNY.


The Ups and Downs Of a Petroleum Prince.
correspondent of the Commercial, writ
ing from Oil City, Pennsylvania, gives the
following interesting account OF the career
and present whereabouts of Steele, known
throughout the country few yers since as
Goal Oil Johnny
Some four miles from the city, directly on
the line of the Oil Greek and Allegheny Riv-
er Railway, lies n tract once celebrated as
the "Widow McCintock Farm" There is
now nothing to distinguish it particularly
from other sections in the immediate vicinity,
all being played out alike. but these are the
barren acres formerly brought into promi-
nence by the extravaganza and dissipation of
John w. Steele. Here, for some years. igno-
rant Of the houndless wealth beneath their
feet, the McClintocks, in common with the
other natives of that little more than half
civilized region, plodded along day after day,
their sole care being the prospects of the
buckwheat and bean crops, as the failure of
either was almost certain to breed a famine.
No children came to cheer the solitude and eat
the fiap!acks of the worthy matron, proba-
bly, wise dispensation Of Providence, as the
products of the farm were not extensive
enough to fill many mouths with any degree
of certainty. At last, however, as old age
came creeping in their direction, thoughts re-
garding the disposal of their valuable prop
erty began to trouble them, and the conclu-
sion was at last reached to adopt some healthy
boy and make him sole heir.
But short distance from McClintock's liv-
ed a man by the name of Steele, and as the
barrenness of the land had not extended to
his wife, he found himself the father of q nu-
merous progeny, and was often sorely puz-
zled about plans for keeping the wolf from
the door. To him due application was made,
and without hesitation he gave them the pick
of the flock, remarking that he had ten or
twelve more to dispose of on the same terms.
As the most promising one, johnny" was
selected. and, thereafter, he was trained up
in the way he ought always to have gone.
In the fullness of time came the discovery
of petroleum, and the accompanying army
of seekers after the greasy fluid. One irrup-
ton after another swept across the McClin-
took farm. literally trampling out the expect
ed harvest, and at the age Of three-score-and-
ten the old man saw starvation staring him
in the face. Besides this he was continually
pestered by offers for the purchase of the old
Homestead, until finally his ancient body sue
cumhcd. and he was gathered to his fathers.
For long time the old lady refused to have
any thing to do with the outside barbarians,
but Mt last, in sheer despair, she leased
portion of the farm every part of which after
ward proved wonderfully productive. Being
forever ruined for agricultural purposes.
the venerable widow now employed some
household assistance, ard spent her DAYS in
cording up bonds and greenbacks in the cell
lar, though she was afterward induced to pur-
chase safe, as being more secure. In this
pleasant pastime she might have past the re-
manning period of her useful life had she not
attempted to make the fire burn one morning
by pouring on it bucketful of crude oil. In
an Incredible short space of time she was in
country where petroleum is supposed to be
unknown, and from that date began the ca
of her heir. soon known far and wide as
"Coal Oil Johnny"
After the mortal remains of the old lady
had cooled and had heen properly inferred.
Steele, who. up to this time had been busily
engaged in hauling OIL took SIS 900 from
the safe. and with three ur four fellow-team-
sters, started out on a cruise into that out
side world of which they had heard strange
rumors These companions were soon shaken
off, however, and their places seized by
number Of parasites, who chung to the Young
nan as long as he had a penny left. Promi-
nent among them was one Seth Slocum, who
installed himself as Financial agent" and
Afterwards inseperablc, the two then plunged
into the widest species of excess. Spending
the greater portion of their time ia Philadel-
nhia and New York; one may hear there yet
the stories of their extravaganza and orgies.
DCuhtless many of these tales are exaggerat-
ed. hut enough is known to mark Slocum
down rs most successful swindler and
Steele as the most consummate fool OF the
present generation. The chief aim of the lat
ter's life appeared to be to literally throw
away his fortune as rapidly as possible, and
he snccee led so well that he squandered
nearly two million dollars in less than twelve
months. His methods of doing this were
verv neculiar and perhaps original. Gifts of
5000 and $4,000 sets of diamonds to bis
male and female friends were matters OF eve
~ day occurrence. while TO vary the monot-
ony he would sally into the street, purchase
the finest bnrouche and span he could find.
take a short ride, and give the turnout to the
driver.
Another favorite freak was to lease the ho-
tells where he might be stopping, and allow
none of the guests to pay bills during his adj
minstration, while his loses at faro were
heavy and continuous. John Morrissey's
bank having won $50. 900 in one night. But
what, perhaps. gave him as much nosoriety
as ANYTHING else was the organization of q
troupe Of negro minstrels-Skif Gaylord's