Morning journal and courier., 1883-08-20
Jay Gould's Early Life.
"Reminiscences by a SchOOlmate who
 Takes an Un1avOrabIe View.

t60mln11cehCeB Oy "hO
 Takes an Un6avOrable View.
 Correspondence of the New York sunl
 RoxBURY, Delaware County, Aug. 1.-John Gould, the father of Jay Gould, was the first white child born in this town. Jay was the fifth son and tha fifth child born tN bis. faahse. 11e wRs hgrn' fin sNs 1aeser pass Of 1881, which makes him ffty-two years of age this present year. No statements rela- tive to his age which have appeared from time to time in the public journals during the past few years, so far as have observed, have hit upon his exact age. His retieence upon this point is, no doubt, the principal cause of these inaccuracies.
 He began to go to school at an early age in the little village of Roxbury It was soon observed by his school fellows that Jay was different from other boys of his age. He was not what is generally termed Ca manly boy ;" not one who would join heart and hand in their rough but good-nat1red games. He preferred rather to remain indoors dur ing recess and noon time, safely ensconced in some remote corner of the school house, and busy about no one knew what. When sp- preached by his mates with rough but hearty invitation to come out and join their games he would E1llenly refuse. If In banter the boys attempted to force him to join them, he would at once make 8 great outcry, and, breaking away from them, sit and nope until the school was called to order. 4uou n6 WOuLO db OAC0 BO up bO bAo uhotCE chair and enter fearful and highly watered complaint against his enemy. His accusa tions usually resulted in a vigorous application of the birch to the back of the offender. Many sound thrashing has the writer received at the instigation of this same Jay, for no greater an offence than that he has downed him in a friendly wrestle.
 It sooH became generally understood among the boys that little Jay was 8 "bawl baby" and tattler, who could not bear, like other lads of his age, trifing defeat at play without endeavoring to be revenged by blabbing to the teacher. I can see now the look of satisfaction upon his face, the gleam of his black eye, the rubbing together of his hands, as he gazed upon the squirm- ing victim of the masters rod, or heard the culprit's yells coming from the dark entry sacred to punishment. Although at the present time, and, in fact, all through our lives, we have been friends in certain sense, yet cannot rid myself of the impression that Gould has to-day the same revengeful spirit. I believe that he would sacrifice $1O,- 900, nay thrice that amount, in gratifying that spirit of revenge upon one who had worsted him to the extent of one-tenth that sum
 As scholar Jay Gould applied himself with diligence to his books, but in all branch, es, save mathematics, he was regarded as regular dunce. In mathematics, however, he excelled all others of his age and many of his elders. He seemed, in fact, to have special faculty for this one study, and he i'm proved 1t to the utmost. When he was twenty or whereabouts he had already be- come skillful surveyor, and he conceived the project of making map of Delaware county, and of compiling a history of it's earliest settlers. Not wishing to allow anyone, even his father, to profit by his venture, he first perfected an agreement with Gonld, senior, by which, for certain sum, he (Jay) should be allowed his time until his majority. His plans resulted in a careful survey of the country, and in map of 1t, which, by the way, is marvel of accuracy. Many of these maps may still be seen hanging upon the walls of the homes of the inhabitants of that county and the surrounding counties. His history has some merit, too. Many copies of it are still extant. In this venture he cleared $5,Oe0-quite fortune in those days-and gained the reputation of being smart and sharp young man
 Shortly after this his shrewd business tact and ability as 8 financier attracted the favorable notice of Zadoc Pratt, wealthy tanner of Prattville, who sent his son, after ward a colonel in the Union army and killed in the late war, to invite young Gould to call upon him at his earliest convenience, as he thought that by pulling together they might make money. Pratt, although very wealthy, was of fntemperate habits, and was generally
 
 business. It is needless to say that Jay lost no time in calling upon his wealthy neie ehbor, and it was soon known that together they had purchased large and valuable tract of hemlock timber land in Bradford county, Pennsylvania. In this transaction Pratt put in his money and Gould his business talents. Soon, an immense tannery was built, and the place was called Gouldsville. Here Pratt and Gould conducted operations for several years. When they dissolved partnership Gould had the capital, and Pratt retained as his share a dearly bought experience. Gould's next move recalls to my mind the Fisk and Gould transactions in Erie few years ago. Having now amassed large capital, he turned his attention to railroads, as offering Q speedier avenue to the accumulation of wealth. In short time after becoming an investor in them he obtained entire control of the Saratoga and Rensselaer, railroad of New York, whose stock he quietly watered to thrice it's real value. He then pulled it to the highest possible point, and suddenly unloaded, pocketed his profits, and left the stockholders to their meditations. His later achievements are familiar to every one therefore it Is needless to recount them. He is to day what he WAS forty years ago, retir-