The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-01-13
"COAL-OIL JOHNNY"

The discovery of oil on the little
property of Mrs. McClintock, and the
experiment of the widow which in
volved the destruction of her life and
the wreck of her homestead, were the
stepping stones by which youth, who
had been reared upon charity, rose to
wealth and TO an era of extravaganza
and dissipation. Some time previously
Mrs. McClintOck, who was q lone
widow, had taken the boy out of a
charitable institution to assist upon her
farm, and she adopted him as her son.
After her death it was discovered that
by will she had bequeathed her little
holding to her adopted son, who, in his
0bscurity as farmers hand, was known
as Johnny Steele among his few
associates, but who, when he came to
roll in wealth and to live life of dis
sipation, attained notoriety as the Oil
Prince, or Coal Oil Johnny. When his
foster-mother died and he succeeded to
her little property, Johnny was only
nineteen years of age. He cut up the
farm into small plats, which he let to oil
spectators, from whom he extracted
royalties that for period of two or
three years brought him $4,000 day.
Where he had previously been ignored
he found presumed friends, who lowered
about him like a swarm of bees, and
some of the more subtle of them, weav-
ing themselves into his ''good graces''
allured him into habits of extravaganza
and dissipation, instead of into walk of
life where his suddenly-accumula
wealth night have been employed in
the prosecution of good works, that
would have brought comfort to others
and happiness to himself. But he was
supple in the hands of his newly-found
friends, and his inclinations being
twisted into the crooked ways of the
s'Prodgal Son." he went on spending
his nrincely income in riotous living,
fondling theidea that the stream of wealth
flowing to him day by day, would con-
tnue, without limitation or check.
Some of the stories of the wild career of
the coil Prince" and the butterfly
friends who hung upon his skirts in the
DAYS of prosperity may be interesting.
He married young woman in the same
rank of life he had himself occupied as
help to Mrs. McClintock, but he soon
left her pretty much to herself, while he
and his companions went in search of
scenes of dissipation. He got the idea
that he should like to see that worlds
wonder, Niagara Falls, and as he could
have no indulgence without his friends
participating therein, he decided to take
a troop of them along with him to. see
the mighty cataract. To travel in a
hired conveyance. was mira dig even
in an soil prince" and he must needs
buv horses and superb vehicle to ac-
oomplish his journey, and when this had
been completed, made present OF the
whole ..turn- OUT to one of his compan-
ions, who all looked upon him for food;
raiment and catering to their Vltlated
tastes. On one occasion, beng on
spree in Philadelphia with his associates
he went to a hack stand to hlre hack'
hut the drivers, seeing the splrltuous
condition of the party, severally declined
.except One. an Irishman, who Volun-
teered to drive the party wherever it
wished 10 proceed to. The party was
token Ia n hotel some distance away,
and 6nlarrivinS there, the "Oil Prince
ooIled,the driver into the hotel, treated
him with some liquor, and inquired his
naroe and that of his employer. Re
nnestin6 the driver to take him to the
I,oooiof iIA1siness Of his employer, ne
was soon in the presence OF the owner OF
The horse and carriage. chow much
doyou want for the whole LOTT" SAD the
.'0iI Prince" pointing to the horse and
carriage at the door. The owner .t ma . neu
tbe nrice. and, after paying the sum
witbout question, the .Oll FrinGe
turned to the driver and said; -. ~ : :
'T gD "On Prince was soon in the com nm,
Inc Of his companions again, and the
hack driver went on his way rejoicing
n ,ver his newly-acquired turnout !,I out
War Wandering, one day into the famed