The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-14

few have initiated since. His first draw on what was considered an inexhaustible supply of wealth was s100,0O0.
 "Gimme it in hundred dollar bills" he said to the cashier of the oil City bank, to where he had walked from his home up OH Creek at Housewife. T want to show some of the boys a good time" And the boys were shown that good time. Johnny Steele started down the street with his 1000 one hundred dollar bills, and to every one he met he pre- sented one of the bills. Those who hesi- tated and wanted to know why got two of the bills. He had not gone far until some of those who had for months been waiting for this windfall got Steele in tow and stopped his indscriminate giv- ing-they wanted it themselves.
 The history of that day will long be remembered in oil City. It was not yet dark when young Steele borrowed few thousands to continue the days spend ing To Steele, with his new millions, borrowing was the easiest of things.
 One of those who early attached him self to young Steele in the hour of his wealth was Seth Slocum. @ gambler and 1t Is to the work of this man that friends of Steele attribute his downfall. It was not long until Coal OH Johnny" as he was now known, was the biggest plum ger of them all at the gaming table. He seldom won, and when he did he would
 
 the dealer or some bystander saying:
 Buy yourself a new hat and have a drink on Johnny Steele" But the ord- nary roulette wheel or the faro deal was too slow for Coal oil Johnny. He want ed action, and wanted 1t in punches. He seldom if ever played poker. There's too much time lost dealing and drawing the cards" he used to say when pressed to sit into a game of draw with no limit. "It's too slow: it's an old ladies' game"
 One of the favorite stunts of Coal oil Johnny was to walk into a gambling room with a few choice friends and ask the proprietor to sell him the place He usually bought at a fearful figure, and then would take his place at the dealers desk and loan his friends money to play against himself He did not know any thing about dealing faro. could scarcely tell whether a card won or lost for the house. and so this was the easiest of picking for the sharks who had asso- ciated with the little king of finance.
 Gathering of the Sharks.
 The news soon spread throughout the world of this modern lad of finance and that he was easy. From the north, south and east, and from the gold camps of California came gamblers with the old brace games for feecing Johnny Steele. For him it is now said especially crook ed faro boxes and roulette wheels were made. for he did not long remain in ig- norance of the games, and the time came when he had to be shown he lost on such a turn of the card. He was always shown. His losings at the gaming table in the first half of his moneyed career were something fabulous. Then he seemed to tire all at once of the game. and sought new fields for enjoyment. | One night at Bradford Steel rode down the main street at full speed on a beauti- l full horse, for which he had paid 5000 and rode right into the swinging doors of saloon, where a hundred oil men were doing their best to emulate him in getting rid of their money. He did not know soul. but that didn't matter. I'm Johnny Steele. Close the doors and everybody make a night of it with | me. Give Bess bottle of champagne | to start with"
 | Bess was the beautiful little mare he rode, and much interest was shown in | the horse whom her owner said drank champagne. BesG, however. was the only