Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-08-24

correspondent of the New York Sun CON
tributes to that paper the following sketch of
Jay Gould, who was born in Roxbury, Della
ware county, N. Y, in 1881:
He began to go to school at an early age in
the little village of Roxbury. 1t was soon Oh
served by his schoomates that Jay was differ
ent from other boys of his age. lie was not
what is generally termed "a manly boy"-not
one who would join heart and hand in their
rough but good natured games. He preferred
rather to remain indoors during recess and
noon time, safely ensconsod in some remote
corner of the schoolroom, and busy about no
one knew what When approached by his
mates with rough but hearty invitation to
come out and join their games he would sui
lenly refuse. II in banter the boys attempted
to force him to join them he would at once
make great outcry, and, breaking away from
them, sit and NOPE until the school was called
to order. Then he would at once go up to
the masters chair and enter fearful and
highly -watered complaint against his enemy.
His accusations usually resulted in a vigorous
application of the birch to the back of the
offender. Many sound thrashing has the
writer received at the instigatou of this same
Jay, for no greater an offence than that he
had "downed" him in friendly wrestle.
1t soon became generally understood among
the boys that little Jay was "bawl baby" and
a tattler, who could not bear, like other lads
of his age, a tri1iug defeat at play, without
endeHvoring to be revenged by blaObing to
the teacher ! can see now the look of salts.
faction upon his face, the CLEAN of his black
eye, the rubbing together of his hands, as he
gazed upon the squrming victim of the mas
ter's rod or heard the culprits yells coming
from the dark entry sacred to punishment.
Although we are at the present time, and in
fact, have been through all our lives, friends
in certain sense, yet cannot rid myself of
the impression that Gould has to day the
same revengeful spirit. l believe he would
sacrifice $40, OOO-yes, three times that amount
in gratifying that spirit of revenge upon
one who had worstcd him to the extent Of one
tenth that sum.
As a scholar, Jay Gould applied himself
with diligence to his books, but in all branch
es save mathematics he was regarded az a reg
ular Ounce. In mathematics, however, he
exceed all others of his age and many of his
elders. lie seemed, in fact, to have a special
faculty for this one study, and be improved
it to the utmost. When he was 20, or there
abouts, he had already become a skillful sur
veyor and he conceived the idea of making
map Of Delaware county and compiling his
tory of its earliest settlers. Not wishing any
one, even his father, to profit by his venture,
he first perfected an arrangement with Gould,
senior, by which for certain sum he (Jay)
should be allowed his time until his majority.
His plans resulted in careful survey Of the
county and in a map of (which, by the
way, is a marvel Of accuracy. Many of these
maps may still be seen hanging upon the walls
of the homes of the inhabitants of that coun-
ty and the surrounding counties. His history
possessed some merit, too, and many copies
of it are still extant. In this venture he clear
ed Sj0OO-quite fortune in those days-and
gained the reputation of being q smart and
sharp young man.
Shortly after this his shrewd business tact
and ability as n inancier attracted the favora-
BILE notice of ZAdoc Pratt, wealthy tanner
of Prattsville, who sent his son, afterwards
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 intemperate habits, and was generally CON
| sidered to be more lucky than shrewd in bus-
ness. II is needless to say that jay lost no
time in calling upon his wealthy neghbor and
it was soon known that together they had
| purchased a large and valuable tract of hem
lock timber land in Bradford county, Pa. In
this venture Pratt put in his money and Gould
| his business talent. Soon an immense tanne-
ry was built, and the place was called Goulds-
| vile. Here Pratt and Gould conducted ope-
rations for several years. When they dissolv-
ed partnership Gould had secured large
capital, while Pratt retained his share
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 cap
tal, he turned his attention to railroads, as
offering speedy avenue for the accumulation
of wealth. In short time after becoming
an investor in them, he obtained entire con
troll of the Saratoga & Rensselaer, railroad of
New York, whose stock he quietly watered TO
thrice its real value. He then bulled it to the
highest possible point and suddenly unoaded,
pocketed his profits and left the stockholders
to their meditations His later achievements
are familiar to every one therefore will not
recount them. He is to-day what he was 40
years ago-retiring and reticent, but revenge
full aud cowardly withal; a COOL crafty, long
headed and far seeing strategist, whose great
est delight is to revel amid the fallen fortunes
of his opponents. He hates all but one, he
loves none but one, and he is for that one first
last, and at all times-and that one is himself
That's Just my opinion of the man, and I've
known him since he could creep. He has
never injured me; on the contrary, as l said
before, we are still friends. But rs sure as
you live, that's a pen picture of what little
Jay Gould of Roxbury was and Is.