The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1888-04-14
COAL OIL JOHNNY.

AAo'NAO' OA3 ~ "
quite bit in my time. In fact,
I've been around the world three
times" This was remarked by
William Gaylord, the contortionist,
to writer for the St. Paul MINI.
Globe, the other evening. "And
I've had many queer experiences"
he resumed. "Do you know, Coal
Oil Johnny was my particular friend
in his palmiest days? Well, he was.
Indeed, I was his roommate when
he cut up his antics, which made
him celebrated as the most eccen-
trio millionaire on earth. 1t was
from 1863 to 1869. You see I was
with the Skiff Il Gaylord Minstrels.
Johnny, whose real name is John
w. Steele, saw our performance in
Philadelphia, and got stuck on the
business and bought third inter
est in the show. His first move
was to get 5000 worth of wood cuts
at his own expense. They were all
the way from a one-sheet to a "a
sheet size, and the largest amount
any concern had ever owned. The
cartoon, which attracted SO much
attention, OF Bring That Skiff Over
Here" was in the lot. We went on
the road, did a monstrous business
everywhere, turned away people
and were prosperous. Reaching
Utica, N. Y, Johnny treated to a
supper for the company which cost
$1,000. He then conceived the idea
of travelling by his own train, and
purchased an engine, a sleeper, and
a baggage car at an enormous ex-
pense. All dates for two weeks
were Cancelled and we went junket-
ing, Johnny footing all bills. In
Erie we had a $500 supper, and so
it went. It was here that Johnny
bought his first hack. After q, short
ride he presented it to the driver.
Our dates being cancelled, Johnny
insisted on indemnifying US for loss
of time. He paid all salaries, and
then estimated the probable bust.
ness receipts upon the basis oi
packed houses, and paid that over
to Seth Slocum, our treasurer.
In Chicago, Johnny gave another
exhibition of his eccentric traits.
He leased the Academy Of Music
lor the season, and we did a good
business. Finally he proposed g
benefit for Skiff & Gaylord, and
sent over to rent the Crosby Opera
House, then the first in the country
The manager sent back the insolent
reply to the overture, "We don,t
rent our house for a niger show.
Johnny got warm in the collar. He
and l went down to his office in
Root & Cady's music store"
"What will you take for yeui
house, and sell it outright" asked
Johnny of Mr.. Root.
81 don't want to SELL" said he.
"I'll give you a liberal price
Money is no object" :,
Then Johnny pulled out his roll
from his valise and counted out
100000 and asked Root if that was
an object. Root was thunderstruck
.'If YOU are that kind of a man
YOU can have the opera house fol
the benefit free of charge" Well
the benefit was the biggest success
ever known in minstrelsy. The re-
ceipts were &25, 600, and more were
turned away than could be giver
admission. Next day Johnny
hunted up one Of the finest carriage
horses in the city and presented i
to Mr.. Root in recognition OF th'
courtesy. =,
ooh, Johnny was q prince Will
his money. His income at tina
time was $15, 900 per day. but | hav, az,
seen him spend as high As $l6O,W
in one day. That was the tame o.
hired the Continental Hotel II
Philadelphia and bought the Girart
House.
You have doubtless heard OF tn
IL came about II