The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-09
a FORTUNE ON ONE THROW.
Probably the Stiffest Game of Dice
Evec Played in the On Regions.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Probably the Stiffest Game of Dice
Eve: Played in the On Regions.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
A difference of but two in the upturned
dice dots, but each dot represented $50, 900,
and the winner was made that much richer
by his single throw. The details of this
occurrence, recalled in sojoining contempla-
ton OF the fast departing traces of other
days, in the town whore il occurred, may
be of interest.
From the time of its first Importance as
an oil town Petroleum Center, in Pennsyl-
vania, was known as a famous place for
gambling. There was, however, no par
ticular place in which this gambling was
carried on. An engine house, saloon, Office
or private roonl-any place served the pur-
pose-snda rickety table, greasy writing
desk, or a board laid across The head of an
oil barrel answered as well as the equip
ments of a gambling palace.
In 1S66'69 the vicinity OF Petroleum
Center was the richest in the oil region and
one of the richest in the world. The lands
all about the town we're making their own
ers rich. Among these pieces of property
was the Woods farm, lying upon the hill to
the west OF the place. It's big production at
that time was selling at from 50 to S. bar
rel. Samuel A. Woods was the owner of this
rich deposit Of oil, aud his royalty
from it yielded him a princely income He
was then about 80 years of age, and was as
full Of !un as he was Of business. He
dressed we'll, wearing daily diamonds
worth from $4,000 to $1,000, lived high,
and was foremost in all the enterprises in
oil developments. In 1868 he built the
largest and first complete iron tank-40,000
barrels-then along Oil creek and into it
his farm poured its liquid wealth. Woods
had e. .J,,1. ~. IL
was usually lucky. He was ready at any
time to throw for stakes ranging from $50
to 500 or $1,000. 1t was seldom he would
throw for less than the first named sum.
One night in the winter of 1S6S~'69 he was
spending the evening with a party Of
friends in the Rochester house at Petroleum
Center. Among the party was Col. Brady
another rich producer and man who had
earned his title on the battle fields of the
war.
In the course of the evening Woods said:
Colonel, I'll toss the dice with you
for $50"
IAN right" was the colonel's prompt re-
ply.
The first throw Brady won, continuing to
do so until he had won $3.50 of Woods
money. This trife just whetted their appe-
titles and the chance contest then began in
earnest.
from time to time and w Gods losses rapidly
crept into the thousands. Luck was against
him, but as he was perfectly sober and the
friends present knew that he would regard
as little less than insult any suggestion that
1t was time TO quit, feeling abundautly able
to pay any amount he lost, all they had to
do was to watch the two men with increas-
ing interest.
TO pass on from the process to the result.
Wh1D or The TDOruinoT hnnrz ,,ab al
in, Woods had lost $50, 900, and Brady held
his check for that sum. At this juncture
Woods sap to the colonel: NOW, am
willing TO double the amount and lei each
OF us take but one throw, and the highest
take the stakes. You already have INV
check for the 5000. II lose l will write
you another for the full amount here to-
night, and it will be cashed at the bank
tomorrow"
"All right" said Col. Brady. 81 ac-
cept"
The interest of the bystanders was now
worked up to the highest notch, the dice
were produced and Woods had the first
throw. Eleven spots turned up as his
count. Col Brady then threw, and but
nine black dots turned up to be counted.
Woods, therefore, saved good-sized fort
tune on the throw, for had he lost that $64,-
900 would have been paid with as much
promptness as though it had been a
part Of legitimate business transac-
tion. Woods then proposed that they start
in anew with $40 as the amount of the
stakes. The colonel responded, and soon
all the cash he had with him-about $500
was transferred to the pockets Of Woods.n
Here, COLONEL" said Woods, lis 500.
can't SEQ man go away dead broke"
And so the greatest game of dice on
record in the oil regions came to a closs.