The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-02-21

supper to the company that cost
him $1,000. He then conceived the
idea of travelling by his own train
and accordingly purchased an engine,
sleeper and baggage car. Dates for
two weeks ahead were cancelled and
we went junketing, Johnny footing the
bills. It. was in Philadelphia that
Johnny bought his first hack. After
a short drive he presented it to the
driver. Our dates being cancelled,
Johnny identified us for the loss.
estimating the probable business re
ceipts on the basis of packed houses.
Johnny was prince with his mon
ey. I've seen him spend as high as
100000 in a day. That was the time
he rented the Continental hotel in
Philadelphia and wanted to buy the
Girard house. He sent to the Cont
mental and politely said to the clerk:
Will you kindly tell the proprietor
that Mr.. Steele wishes to see him.
'''No, sir said the clerk, the land
lord is busy.
Johnny suggested that he could
make it pay the clerk to accommodate
the whim. The clerk became disdain-
full and Johnny tossed the bell boy
$40 gold piece with the request.
The result was an interview with
the landlord. Johnny said that he
had been mistreated and requested
the summary dismissal of the clerk.
The proprietor refused and Johnny
offered to buy the hotel The man
said he couldn't sell because he was
not the entire owner. A bargain was
made to lease it for one day for S.
900. The cash was paid over and
Johnny installed himself as land lord.
He made me bellboy, while Slocum
Officiated as clerk.
Open House for All.
"The doors were thrown open and
every guest in the house had his fill
of wine and edibles free of charge.
A huge placard was posted in front
of the hotel, Open house today; ev-
cry thing free. All are welcome It'll
was a merry lark. The whole city
seemed to catch on and the house was
full. When Johnny thought he had
enough fun he turned the house over
to the landlord who reinstated the
odious clerk. Johnny was frantic with
rage. He went over to the Girard
house and tried to buy it. He ar
ranged with the proprietor to buck
the Continental by making the prices
so low that everybody would come
there. The Continental did mighty
little business as long as that ar.
rangement lasted"
While Johnny was away from his
oil farm it dwindled in production, Mr..
Wickham declined to purchase it, then
Johnny came to himself. When he
hurried home he had very little mon
ey and no self respect. He was thor
Oughly ashamed of his course in
Philadelphia. In 1867 he was sold un-
der the sherffs hammer to George
w. Hinckle, of Philadelphia, for $685.
900. 1t was at this time that Steele
"shook" Slocum.
Steele became wanderer with on
ly a few hundred dollars in his peck
cts. Wife and child he left behind.
Try as he would he could not get
away from his past and he was heart |
sick, but he says he never once
thought of suicide.
Forgiven by his wife, Steele re-
turned home, was warmly received by
Mrs. Steele and his relatives and
started to live down the past. For
a few years he lived in the west with
his family and engaged in railroad
work. In the COS Steele returned to
the oil regions. Since then they have
all been living on farm of Steel'es
father-in-laW, where the former oil
king enjoys himself leading the simple
life and working about the farm. He
has enough to live on comfortably and
is contented.