Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-09-07

The Wonderful Reformation OF Steve
HolcOmb, n Kentucky Blackieg.

The Wonderful Reformation OF Stove
Hoicomb, Kentucky BlackisE.
From Morning Edition.l
"Wsks up from your apathy and re-
alize your terribly sinful condition. would
adopt any measure to arouse you and, If it
were possible, and there were no other meth
Cd, | would knock religion into you with a
base ball bat"
The above expression WAS made before a
congregation in a gospel mission hall In
Louisville, Ky, by Rev. Steve Holcomb, the
reformed gambler, and WAS followed by .
most interesting, original and earnest eIhor-
tation to those present who had not been con-
verted.
The conversion Of Steve Holcomb had eI-
cited, perhaps. more com ment, both in world
ly and religious circles, than a similar event
had ever done in the state before. He had
been gambler from childhood, according to
his own statement, and a professional" for
twenty-five years. Up to the time of his
reformation he had been for years leading
member OF the profession in Louisville, and
was known to the fraternity throughout the
country. He was a daring and successful
player.
The numerous desperate encounters In
which he had been engaged in various parts
of the country, and in which he had invari-
ably been the victor, caused him to bs re-
garded as dangerous man to anger. At the
period mentioned he was part proprietor in
two gambling banks in Louisville, which
brought him an enormous revenue each
month. He owned real estate in the city and
was as we'll fixed, financially, as one could
we'll desire to be. His reformation was radi-
cal. There were no half way measures about
it. He embarked in a legitimate business,
but not having formed business habits and
possessing but little tact in that line, be did
not succeed. His hand was ever open 10 ap-
peals for charity and the money which he had
accumulated during his prosperous gaming
career he was not long iu disposing Of 10 sub
stantially helping unfortunate men to reform.
He went west and engaged iu mining, but
did not succeed, and on his way home he be-
came entirely impecunious At this time, in
a western town, when his skill and expert
ence in gambling would have availed him
much if exercised, he was importuned to
gamble, but withst,od the temptation. When
he reached home he sought aud obtained
position in the FIRE department. Subsequent
ly be was regularly ordained . minister in
the Methodist Episcopal conference.
For several years he has conducted gos-
pei mission in Louisville. and has been in
strunent.l in the conversion OF some of the
toughest characters that ever walked the
streets of that or any other city. The meet
ings of the mission are held every night, and
over them he presdes, as regularly and a.
earnestly as he formerly superintended the
transactions Of his faro and keno banks,
present, a gentleman of fine appearance, and
who occupies highly responsible position on
q prominent Kentucky newspaper, related the
following remarkable experience. He had
started early in life to make fortune, and
had succeeded. Up to fifty years of age he
had not INDUCED in the use of whisky. About
that age, however, he commenced to drink,
and rapidly went down the hill. His fortune
was quickly squandered, and he was reduced
to the condition of a vagabond and tramp. He
trsmped fom the lakes TO the guilt, and from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, hopelessly and
recklessly. He entered the nission one night
in a most lsnentsble condition, with scarcely
sufficient clothing to cover his person. He
vas approached by Holcomb relative to his
condition. He replied that there Was no
hope; that it WAS no use trying to better his
condtion,-he WAS too TAR gone. Holcomb
succeeded 10 getting him seriously to consider
his situation, and the result was that he wa,
reclaimed and rapidly regained his position
In busiu aud social circles.
Holcomb believes in uncompromising war.
fare with immortality. With, perhaps, thu
single exception OF Sam Jones. he "hews t.
the line" with ~ little attention 10 the ayinl
OF the chips ss any evangelist who ever eI
tstad