The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-08-16
Ghe9ntelIiqstHeK:
JAY GOULD's CAREER.

from "lnB bWhhup ~ say
Street--Darlng Beginnings Of
the Now Great Operator.
S,T York Graphic.
The early history. Of Jay Gould Is very
little known by the public. Yet 1t is full
of remarkable episodes thu. prove him
ia he an extraordinary man, quite apart
from the accidents Of life, and show that
lie /. one who makes events, not one who
;,entireiy controlled by them.
HEpABDLEs IN LEATHER.
Law Gould was born in Rensselaer,
County, in this State. He has published
a book giving the history Of that county,
and containing some biographical details.
ia VISA, Il seem,, in early life book ped
der, an engineer, and speculatOr in a
mail way, Iii, important introduction
IN bn.inen affair. was through the WELL
krorn leather tannery Of General Zadock
bath who had made a fortune in the
Syt Of New York in tanning leather
b1t when the Chestnut trees became
scarce in his nstive State, he moved to
Galesburg, Pa, ard there established q
large tannery. Here Gould became ac-
qaainted with him. II seems he had
mentioned Pratt very pleasantly in hil
book, and the old gentleman took rather
kindly to the young alventurcr. Indeed
Could ia represented IA having a strange
power Of iacination. During hi1 career,
even before he became known, he has been
able to interest some OF the leading men
in the different kinds Of business in which
he has been engaged. lie once said to a
iriend-thiS was in early life There
Is no difficulty about getting acquainted
with any one you please. You have only
to seek their acquaintance and interest
yourself in their business. It Ia quite as
ra.y to know noted rich people as it is to
know poor people" Upon this theory
Gould has acted all hfI life. His first
conquest, so far as known, was old Gen
eral Pratt, whom he induced TO take a
Kind OF partnership in his business, al
though without any proprietary interest.
While in this position he persuaded Pratt
to make n great many speculative ven
lures. Chance finally brought Gould to
New York, where he became acquainted
with the firm Of Loup & Lee, leather
dealers in the Swamp. Ice had just re-
turned from Europe, having been in bad
health. He and Gould soon formed 4 very
intimate acquaintance. Pratt had, in the
meantime, become suspicious, and wish
ed to get rid Of his associate, butthe tan.
merry had become involved and he could
not free himself. Here Gould's ingenuity
manifested itself. lie induced Loup 4
Lee to advance the money to buy this
tannery, representing that he held one.
third interest, and, rs the story runs, he
occurred the remaining one.third interest
in the tannery, the two.thirds advanced
by Loup & Lee being sufficient to pay for
the whole property. A partnership OF
course resulted. Gould then being a
member OF the firm, and on Pennsylvania
,oil his signature comitted his partner.
Immediately he launched out in his
daring schemes. He bought another tan.
merry at Fonda, New York, and still an
other in a different part Of Pennsy lvania.
lie went into all kinds Of enterprises, but
here was brought TO light the curious
limitations OF this strange and strong
mans genius. He had no head for de-
tall. He knew nothing OF the obliga-
tons he assumed, and could never tell
what became Of the money he spent.
Being without the education OF book
keeper, he had none OF the sense which
even small storekeepers have OF know
lax how their accounts stand. For time
all went swimmingly, but finally the large
sun. that were drawn upon the firm OF
Loup : Lee in New York caused alarm.
Bills were presented for 81 600 and s., 900
and no account was ever rendered Of the
expenditures. Mr.. Charles NJ. Loup
WHO was merchant OF high standing
sensitive to his honor, accustomed to old
fashioned ways, and who, although not 8
keeper himself, had a natural fond
ness for balance sheets, and liked to be
able to account for his finances, was really
distressed and alarmed. lie sent book
keeper to the tannery at Galesburg 10 in
vesiigate the affairs Of the firm in thai
quarter. The man Of figures was puz
lied and COMPOUNDED. He copied every
document he could lay his hands on, but
there was neither head nor tail begin,
ming nor end to Jay Goulds accounts
Oae thing, however, was certaln-the firm
had become tremendously involved. and
it was doubtful whether the New York
house was not insolYent on account Of Jay
ioulPs eccentric and daring speculations
For it seems that in addition to what he
did in Pennsylvania, he had persuaded the
junior partner, Lee, to embark in all
manner OF outlandsih ventures. II these
turned ont well, they would have realix
ed immense sums Of money, but il they
turned out badly, complete ruin must re-
suit. Among other things u corner wa
gotten up on hides. Not only were all The
hides in New York bought up, but all
that were expected to arrive within sil
months were purchased in advance. A
corner was also gotten up on sole leather
Altogether, things seemed to be in such
state that when Mr.. LOup obtained 1
glimpse OF the ENHANCEMENT he became
IlirIy bereft OF reason.
MS ENTERPRISE BRINGS FORTH A SUICIDE
person, who was present, tells the
story ola remarkable interview with JAY
Gould. Mr.. Loup, the honorable, sterI
merchant, who had been deIuded into
these unheard.ot ventures, whose name
had been used by Gould for speculative
purposes, was beside himself with rag,
aud excitement. Jay Gould remained
cold, calm, collected, betrayiug no uueas
mess OF manner, although compelled t
listen 10 terrible outburst Of wrath frou
the merchant. The English language wa
rlnsacked for epithetB with which IA
characterize his conduct. The interview
terminated by Gould turning upon hit
heel and leaving the office without sayin,
awOrd. That night Charles N. Loup sho
himself. He was tile owner Of what i
NOW known a. the Barretta mansion, a
the corner Of Twenty.ftth street ant
Madison avenue. This is to-day in al
probability the finest house in New York
except the Stewart Mansion, and Is cer
lainly the best constructed. 1t was bull
by days work, without regard to expens,
aud coat, in these low.priced times, $3.50
600. The furniture was the finest eve
placed in any mansion up to that time i
New York, while the pictures and statu
Ary were as rare ~ money could pur
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