The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-01-02
A FORTUNE ON ONE THROW.
Probably The Stiffest Game of Dice Ever
Played in the OIL Regions.

EfobaDly me Sfiuest Game OF IbICe Ever
Played in the Oh! Regions.
A difference of but two in the up-
turned dice dots, but each dot repre-.
scented $4,000, and the winner was
made that much richer by his single
throw. The details of this occurrence.
recalled in soiourning contemplation of
the tast-departing traces of other days,
in the town where it occurred, may be
OF interest.
From the time OF its first importance
as an oil town Petroleum Center, in
Pennsylvania, was known as famous
place Tor gambling. There was. how
ever. no particular place in which this
gambling was carried on. IN engine
house, saloon. office, or private room
any place served the purpose-and
rIckety table, greasy writing desk, or
board laid across the head IF an oil
barrel answered as we'll as tie equip
ments of gambling.pa!ace.
In lS6S-69 the vicinity of Petroleum
Center was the richest III the Oil region
and one Of the richest in the world.
The lands all about the town are max
ing their owners rich. Among these
pieces of property was the Woods farm,
living upon the hill to the west Of the
place, Its big production at that time
was selling from S5to - a barrel. Sam
uel \. GODS was the owner of the rich
deposit OF oil, and his royalty from II
Welded him a princely income. He
was then about 80 years Of age, and was
"a full OF fun as he was Of business.
He dressed well, wearing daily dia-
monds worth from 81, 900 10 - eco, lived
high, and was foremost i'll all the enter
prises in oil developments. In 1868 he
built the largest and first complete iron
tank--iO, 600 barrels-then along OIL
Creek, and into it his farm poured its
liquid wealth Woods had noted
fondness Tor throwing dice, and was
usually lucky. He was ready at any
time to throw for stakes ranging from
500 to 500 or 81 $50. 1t was seldom he
would throw for less than the first
named sum.
One night in the winter of lSGS-t9 he
was spending the evening with 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 rebellion.
In the course Of the evening Woods
said:
Colonel, III toss the dice with you
for $50"
''All right, " was the Colonels prompt
reply.
The first throw Brady won, continuing
to do SO until he had won $3.50 of Woods
money. This tritie Just whetted their
appetites, and the chance contest then
began IN earnest.
The amount of the stakes was in
creased from time 10 time, and Woods
losses rapidly crept into the thousands
Z 1 l., l..
perfectly sober, and the friends present
knew that he would regard as little less
than insult any suggestion that 1t vas
time 10 quit, feeling abundantIy able to
pay any amount he lost, all they had to
do was to watch the two men with in
cIeaslng interest.
To pass on from the process TO the re-
suit, when one OF the morning hours
was ushered in, Woods had lost So. 900,
and Brady held his check for that sum.
At this juncture Woods said to the
Colonel: Now, am willing 10 double
the amount and let each of Us take but
one throw, and the highest take the
stakes. You already have my check
or the 81, go. If | lose | VIII write
you another tor the full amount here to-
night and it Will be cashed at the bank
Tomorrow"
'All right" said Col. Brady, Il &C
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 4
good-sized fortune on the throw, for.
had he lost, that Sol 900 would have
been paid with as much promptness as
though it bad been part of a legit-
mate business transaction. Woods then
! proposed that they start in anew with
SO as the amount of the stakes. The
Colonel responded, and soon all the
cash be had with him-about $2JO-was
transferred to the pockets Of Woods.
Here, Colonel" said Woods, lis $50.
| can't zee a man go away dead broke"
And so the greatest game Of dice on
record in the oil regions came to close.
Il illrinHGH ERqHirPr