The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-03
PUTTING JAY GOULD.
he Is Assaulted on the Street by
Major A. A. Selovsr.
A PASS OVER THE RAIL.
As Usual the Great Spectator Alighis
On His Feet.
A PASS OVER THE RAIL.


nity-What II Is all About.
Wall street, in one way and another has been the
scene OF many exciting events. II Is place where
crime in every shape has the gamut from pocket
picking to selfmurder, whore people have grown cal
lous the spectacle Of ruined men and broken
hearts, and sensation Is anything but luxury. II
often however that the locality hos undergone
such soulagitating spasm that which thrilled the
street yesterday from centre to circumference,
when 1t became known-and the news seemed
TO fly tho wInd-that Mr. Jay Gould
was the victim OF an assault, which, for the moment,
threatened serious consequences TO life or limb In
che speculative names better known than
those Of Jay Gould and Major A. A. Selovcr, aud for
than year they have boon associated with some
Of the most important movements IN tho market
True ono operated with his millions the othor only
with hts thousands, but for time he understood
TO be the advance guard or skirmisher of Mr. James
Kecnc OF California millionaire operator, and
thus DO In position indicate shrewd observers
the probable course OF events.
CAUSE THE FRACAs.
Briefly stated II is reported that the yencontre was
due the fact the Major acting under the advice
of Could who 1t IS said had befrendcd him many
previous occasions, sold large line Of stocks short
and expected early day to realize handsome
scene at this uncture the holder Of many thousand
shares stocks with which no loaded himself be-
fore the STRIKE and In alliance with Mr. Gould for the
purpose of inaugurating "bup' movement that
would enable the former 10 realize on hts in
vestments or at least himeelf from loss.
Whether this compact maintained is not
necessary rart OF the story; but 1t appears that
Kecnes brokers did not understand why prices re-
fused to advance rapidly under their persistent
buying and, in tracing tho cause discovered that Mr.
Gould had been freely selling stocks at the figures
which best suited his own plans and purposes leaving
his California partner in the cold. II reported
that interview between the magnaos took place in
which lively exchange OF adjectives made the
sion interesting, and that the twain separated any
thing but 'sweet by and by'' frnmo Of mind. Mr..
6eover is said to have shared In the indignation Of his
friend, and to have given expression to formidable
epthets Of abdominal origin, not only his own ac-
count but on general principles.
NETTING
Be this as II may the Major evidently was not In
peaceful frame Of mind whcn fcw minutes before
twelve yesterday, walking down Exchange place from
his Office corner Broadway and Exchange place, he
espicd Mr. Gould turning the corner OF Broad street.
They met halted, the compliments OF the day were ex
changed, business talk was commenced and appa
rentiy grew warm from the fact that ono OF the wit
OF the transaction heard Mr.. Seover make the
remark damn you! III teach you what 1t to tell
me lies" Sutng the action to tho word he seized
Mr. Could who had his heels by the nape of
the neck ana dealt m powerful blows on
the head Tho place is not convenient Tor fair
dght between the best Of men, and tho conditions
unequal First, the sidewalk is narrow ono side Of it
being the street, and the other eight or ten
feet deep and three feet wde An iron rail along
the inner SIDE and In the basement is barbers shop
Secondly, Major Selover stands nearly six feet in hts
stockings and weighs about two hundred and twenty
five pounds He Is a we'll built powerful looking man.
about forty FIVE years OF age, and his face
that determination OF purpose which Is usually to DO
seen those who have struggled through the difficulties
Of early life in q new country Mr. Gould, on the other
hand weighs probably less than 120 pounds Is small
fragile could probably be handled by any sized
fifteen year old boy. II is this great disparity In
physique that has cost the Major whatever of eclGt
might have attached 10 personal encounter with The
'Secret OF Forty seventh street" and robbed the
event OF much Of tho interest which would otherwise
have surrounded tho OCCASION Mr. Gould on being
struck fell against the rail alluded TO and before he
could himself Mr.. Solovcr struck several ad-
d,ona blows and had him of his tcct and dangling In
the tho area, with clear drop OF eight
iect. From his position IL wass impossible for Mr.
Gould make the slightest defence. He could only
appeal the few bysanders who had quickly gath
cred
"Hep me- help met" ria' sene
Then the Major letting 60, the suspended fell
the bottom IL was doubtless fortunate for all con.
cerped that struck his feet only severely
shocked. Had he Como down head nrst, which was
his position for moment. he would probably have
been instantly killed. Ono Of the BARRIERS raising q
window at the bottom OF the area now hastily camc 10
tho assistance OF Mr. Gould and led him into the shop
where no rested for two three minutes and then,
accompanied by friends, walked to the olco Of tho
Union Pacific Railway Company, IN Nassau street. He
looked palo and labored under intense emotion, but
outwardly--as Is the habit or the man--shOwod won
dcrul scli.contro. Some inquired OF him
"Are you hurt, Mr. GouldY''
''Not much" was the quiet reply; "only little
bruised"
''Who did this ?" said another, just coming In.
"Major sclover," answered Mr.. Gould. "Its unfor-
tunatc and IT'S curious, Tor gavo him no cause.
blow was the last thing expected IRON him."
Meanwhile Mayor Selover, somewhat flushed, but
otherwise composed, retraccd his steps his office.
which he had left barely three minutes before. The
affair, however, brief as II was served to gather q
crowd Of tundreds and the story OF the encounter took
as many shapes there were maginations, that in
order to get the actual facts both sides the re-
porter of the HERALD found II necessary Interview
the respective principals.
WHAT MAJOR sELovER SAYS.
When the reporter called upon him tho Major WAS
sitting as quci, rosy and undisturDcd AS II had
IRON camp meeting or lunch In fact, he
looked us II he rather enjoyed the change ami was
glad that anything had disturbed the prevaiin g
monotony. a clerk just darling out Of the door
with order from him for tho Stock Board.
~ have Called SAID the reporter, 40 ask n you
will make statement OF tho occurrence that has just
taken place down the streetf''
"Certainly SIR. You say that Jay Gould was
thrown into cellar by A. A. Seover-l don't
pun In Exchange place. this morning, little before
twelve O'clock"
show ala tho difficulty originate slrY"
"lt grew out OF stock operations between Mr. Gould
and myself For the last thirty days he has agreed TO
leave the Western Union stock alone or Other
words 10 let IL take Its natural course. He advised
10 sell the stock Short ana did SO. IL not long
before discovered that through hrs brokers, William
Bclden 4 Co nc q steady and large buyer the