The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-17
Jir GorhD ~ MN srREEr.
His Black FRIDAY Invo,vcmcnts-An Explnna
ton Of his Conduct.


His Black FRIDAY Invoivemcnts-AnEx plnna.
ton Of his Conduct.
TO THE EDITOR OF The SUS-Sir. The
singular actions of Jay Gould in Wall street
Lately, IN regard to the employment Of brokers
10 transact his business, have been commente d
on extensively by the members OF the stock tx.
change. For long time, Osborn, Heath and Mills
were the brokers who were especially prominent
In the sales and purchases Of Gould's specula-
tive fancies, and they are known TO have realized
handsome fortunes from the commissions which
naturally accrued ny compensation for their deal
incs. Toward the close OF 1875, however Goul i
managed to create feeling Of dissatisfaction
which broke up the friendly and remunerative
relations which existed between two Of the
brokers mills and OSBORN and himself, and
which caused Mills TO 60 away for q Yachting
tour around the world, and Osborn to embark In
sfecnlaiions mainly on his own account.
The reasons for this change OF base on Gould's
part are generally conceded TO have been Of m
extraordinary nature. Mills was pndeared to
business ability. Osborn had been Identified
with his movements I'm the stock market for
years. and many Of Gould's most hazardous
operations were mainly conducted through his
once As nearly rs the matter Ia susccptibc
OF explanation, IL Is conjectured that Mr.. Gould
thought IL wise to take care Of two parties who
wera c0rnizant Of his operations in the cold
panic OF Black Friday Ia 1869, and for the time
leave the brokers who have been principally
past 20 speculate uuon their own hook.
la 1869, on Black Friday. w: l.. Conner, a mem
iiertial clerk 20 WIN. l.. Belden, Of the firm ~
FISK Bclden. and as the accounts OF Fisk aud
Gould while hey were bayns at fictitious
former, Conner was posted "a to the rcspectiv i've
liabilities. He knew that FISK and Gould were
the buyers Of the gold. ard that the orders
which were given out TO different brokers to
purchase came from these Spectators " sides.
he had the orders in writing from Fisk AMI
tp he ur.
counts, and these would be conclusive evidence
as to their responsibility. In this way Conner
knew who Gould owed fnr differences ia the
settlement OF that disastrous otV. and VS. one
of only few BY whom LIS lauinty could tie
proved. Fisk. Bclden. Could. md Conner we're
probably the only men who could positively
swear a. TO the Identity Of the movers OF the
IN INV cannot be obtained. licdon made certain
statements before the Congrcssioual mvcsti-
eating con uittee which would nullfy any he
might make now; Gould Is the part sued, rni
NOBODY supTo-'s nc would fix tho responsibility
upun himself. Conner alone has the evidence
which would unlige Gould t. pay the money
wnich he lost on Black Friday.
Conner. however at the time OF the great ex-
element had no considerable interest IN the
market and SO would now have no motive in
aiding claimants In pressing thei~ suits. About
wear ard Il half ago he mudc un for this by
going about t. brokers IN Wili street who had
large claim and bv assuring them Of his ability
20 prove the justice nj their demands. he sue
cecd.d in obtaining powers Of attorney to settle
WIN Gould IN their behalf. The differences
which his clients claim aggregate about Sl.5UO.-
90. lie retained lawyers Birdsgli and Friend IN
the brcAel nuilding ana suits were begun by
them In the Superior Court, lust in time ~ pre-
vent the claims from being uutnwed. " course
with Corners knowledge of Gould's liability
for these heavy debts, besides millions Of dol
lars OF Others which had not been assigned TO
him. he became an object OF interest TO Gould
Belden. 100 who might in some way corrObo-
rate Conners Information, was also an object Of
sOiCiLude.
IL happened. therefore. that two Of Gould's
brokers who had grown rich by his business
were Displaced ana the vast current OF his COM
missions was absorbed toy the house Of W. T..
Conner Go. This change occurred some time
ago. and nothing happened to mar the harmony
OF tue new arrangement until the suit OF lie
VIII C.l1 Tor against Gould (which had not been
assigned To- Conner came NJ for trial. This was
for difference on the Black FRIDAY oporati Gus
HE to those which Conner held bV assignment.
or course 1t would he of advantage to Con-
ncrS hackers 20 have tins suit decided against
Gould. But what does Conner doY lie suddenly
disappears just when he is wanted as witness
I'm the case. lie was seen bY Jacob Ruuiuo in
Washington las' weok. lie is said TO be in III h
needed ov the parties IN the Ia, Tor SUIT for his
LAWYERS admit mat they ar IN daily commune
cation with MIN, although they deny that he Is
pnrposely absenting himself,
The following are the claims which have been
assigned To- Conner, ana viii IA are dependent
lAf success upon ms ihlr dealing. Incy are all
against jay Could Hapi. 81 0i: WASHINGTON Il.
Nermih I've n dl.: lhomes Gwynne. john 4. bond
q a.; Ernest otter. Geo. II. k-uneoy Il ui: Paul
J. Armour - A.; Henry /. Nerhueseu. Leslie
Cnase Il al; m. l.. lilnngnHst, Daniel II. Bald
win. Constantine =. Ralli. lranrls Skiddv Jorn
J.. -harer Frederick lerequA. Albert * Richards.
These claims were assigned To Conner, with
three or four Others which have been dcuurrod
not Tar from Si.5N.ooO.
II Is rot amsttsr which can be proved mathe-
ma'icallN az present, that Conner has run away
because hould paid him Nv his large bushes. to
not for him aud against this great body of cred
it"rs. The conclusions arrived at may be stated
best oy one ni these creditors, who says:
Conner came to me about one year and a
hall ago and said ho had books, p1pcrs. and
memoranda. Which would enable MIN 10 co. ID NJ
% d o. oil
lie said he was anxious TO take hold of my
claim, ana would guarantee t. 90 the best he
could for me If would make out an assign
mout 10 him. hesitated time, bat finally was
Induced To- sign uNrr my iiEut to lin. Very
many ut nav friends also did the same thiu-.
Nnu Nc eApecied ne would use us risht IN the
matter, particularly ns be WAS 20 Ie 'c,yc agnod
percentage Tor MS tfouule. conner entloNVd
lhid.ml Friend, lawyer, 30 bling the SUI g
against Gould. and the} did 50 on most II our
claims Just before they were outawod. We
supposed everything would 80 on uruptriy until
tne Taylor suit WAS likely 10 be brought ~ for
trial Then leldcn suddenly appeared in Wall
street. and Ia SHORT time he ana Conner were
having and selling stocks for Gould by the cart
load. Ihis seemed IA little hshN, ana We brought
II down 70 the point that hclden, Gould, aud
Conner had comc t. some understanding; but
We were not ia possession OF any money un our
claims. aud II looked u il some one from our
camp mad gone oycrto the enemy. ConucrKept
deal for anybody who had SOAP &c: but lust
when lac was needed the most to testify In the
TAYLOR SUIT against Gould he suddenly dlsap-
pears and leaves us all In u very uncomfortable
frame Of mind. 40 don't seem lust right To me,
and ana afraid We have heen sold out. How
can Corner gct such patronage from Gould II
ne rlousI intends to push our suits against
him to an lssuef
Corners lawyers evidently have more faith In
hls Intentions than Wall street generally. The
following Is tue account which has been given
by Mr.. Brdsal the IA ad lawyer Of the nrm .
W. H. Conner las been client Of ours for
some years past. Over one year ago he en-
lloyed US to commence actions In behalf OF
seNenteen persons having claims against Gpuld
on account Il Black Friday, aggregatng more
Than SlUJJ,VOo. We commenced the actions in
the regular course Of such matters, and have
been retained and paid for our services. All ct
our causes, with one or two exceptions WIN h
have been intericred with rs dcmuIrsrs, are on
the calendar and viii be reached by and uy for
trial. We expect t. try these when tneY are
called, and hope To obtain verdict for our eli
ems in each case, We are sitis fed FROM our
acquunt nee with Conner that those who have
gwen him their powers OF attorney VIII in tAc
oni be peril city satisfied tLat he has acted for
their interests, nutW iths nGinP the Sock TX
change talA to the contrary. lie was in our
Office tWo weeks ago to-day, and COmi laiuing Of
feeling unNei. advised him II 20 away for
lis heall; lac went. lie seemed to be suffering
from nervous excitement. have seen hun hut
once since then, but am In communicated with
nim dmly expect he Will return pretty soon.
ANY assertions that he Is working ia Gould in
ter,sl, or J. violating his trusts, or has left the
city to AVOID being called as awltness In the suit
against uould, believe to be groundiess."
While III, statement Is a natural one TO be
MADE by Conners LAWYERS, It Is quite eyident