Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-10-04

WHOSE TeceliG eAdlullldtloH UclOlC Vic oollttlS
Committee of Labor and Education, has ex-
cited so much comment, and whose life, as
given by himself, has been so extensively
copied.
He is interested in the largest systems of
railroads in the United States. TO the pop
ular mind, the quiet but effective measures
which he adopts, as a speculator, constitutes
an attraction akin to mystery. Mr. Gould's
career and his personal characteristics and
habits encourage the peculiar interest man
ifested in him. The most powerful man in
Wall street, he is never seen in the Stock
Exchange; without an avowed political
preference or party, no statesman in the
country equals him in power. Stealthy as
a tiger, his movements are concealed, we'll
considered and forcible.
Jay Gould was born at Roxbury, New
York, in the year 1886. His father kept
store and TILED a farm. His mother died
when he was six years of age. The widow
third wife when, in the year 1866, he
died. Young Gould received a fair educa-
tion, and gave evidence of that love Of
books and art which now afford him the
leading pleasure of his domestic life. He
was but sixteen when he began his busi-
ness career, but his famed invention of a
mousetrap preceded his engagement in the
store of esquire" Burhan. The story is
familiar how the young inventor, carrying
his precious trap in snowy mahogany
case, was robbed of it in New York City,
on the occasion of his first visit to that
place. The lads chasing the thief resulted,
first, in the fellows disgust upon discover
ing that he had risked his liberty for a thing
of so little value, and second, in his being
dealt with under a requisition from the
Governor Of neighboring State. AT the
"Squire's," young Gould's historic feat was,
buying a piece of land in Albany, pro-
ceeding in the matter upon information he
had gathered by overhearing a confidential
disclosure Of its cheapness, addressed by his
employer to some friends. In 1856, a map
of Delaware county was published in Phila-
delphia, containing the words, "From Ac-
tual Survey by Jay Could"
Gouldsboro, Penn, was named after the
subject of this sketch, who, in his early
manhood, formed partnership with Colo
mel Zadocl< Pratt in the tanning business, at
that place. Pratt was busy, prating poll
tician, and it is said his most popular speech
was the work Of his young partner, to whom
he paid one hundred dollars for the produc-
ton. At Gouldsboro, Gould fell into trou-
bic with the authorities by persistently de-
Tending his possession of an old building
from which he was finally expelled by the
military. He managed to get clear of what
threatened to be serious scrape, and during
the last period of his tanning experiences
was the proprietor of the business. Mr..
Gould removed to New York City, in 1859,
and began business as a broker. Then as
now, he had no ordinary vices, and showed
clear-headed perception in availing HIM
self of the condition Of the country, before
and throughout the war, during which he
became n millionaire. When he entered
into the railroad business, in connection
with the Erie, that corporation owed him
four millions of dollars. With his skillful
handling of Erie stock began his greatness
as a railroad king.
TO detail Mr.. Gould's operations in Cleve-
land and Pittsburgh stock, his gigantic in
vestments in Union Pacific, his dealings in
the stock of Wabash Kansasand Texas and
other roads, would be tedious task were it
practicable. He owns, it is said, several in
fuential newspapers. The most careless
reader will remember Mr.. Gould's organiza-
ton and manipulation of the American I'm
ion Telegraph Company, whereby he OBJ
tanned control of the Western Union Com
pany.
Mr.. Gould is married man. His bride
was Miss Ellen Miller, daughter of we'll
known New York merchant. He has sew
eral children, of whom the eldest, George D.,
is in business on Wall street. The firm Of
which young Gould is member, started in
business with capital of one million dol
lars, one half of which is said to have been
provided by his father.
Mr.. Gould loves his home, which, Wheth-
er made in his mansion in New York, or at
his country seat, Lyndhurst on the Hudson,
is as refined and elegant as wealth and cul-
tivated taste can make it. Rare books, rare
works of art and curiosites abound in the
wealth of his personal possessions. He pur-
chased his country seat at Irvington for two
hundred and tifty-fve thousand dollars. 1t
is now worth about half million. Nearly
two years ago, the conservatory, valued at
two hundred thousand dollars, including the
plants, was almost entirely destroyed by
fire. Jay Gould is fond of solitary rides on
horseback. Outside of this, his enjoyments
are indoor, and those Of the husband, father
and student.
His appearance is remarkable, notWith-
standing that he is a small, light man,
weighing not over hundred and twenty
pounds. He has a swarthy complexion,
well-made features, and pair of black eyes
whose searching glance is not soon forgot
ten. His manner is quiet, gentle and cour-
teous, and an admirer remarks on the ''can-
did and humorous intonation of his voice."
Mr.. Gould has many admirers and many
detractors, as matter of course. His ene-
mics allege that he is unscrupulous, and
claim that the disasters of "Black Friday"
the dark day of September, 1859, were at
tributable to his schemes. Nobody accuses
him of quarrelsomeness. He loves retire
ment and peace, but has the courage neces-
sary for vast undertakings. An apocryphal
story is told at the expense of his veracity.
A sppcuIator in a small way of business got