West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1883-09-15
JAY GOULD'S STORY.
HOW HE ROSE FROM TUE
HUMBLE WALKS OF LIFE
AND ONCE BOWED DOWN BENEATH THE
WEIGHT OF ADVERSELY, HE
NOW REvELs IN THE
MIDST OF oPu-
LENCE.

| AVE" Aohht oept. O.-OenaCors
Blair aud Call waited patiently for
Jay Gould to appear before them this
morning to testify to the relations OF
capital aud labor. There wae large
audience in attendance. Gould de-
layed his appearance. The commit
tee heard statements from George w =.
Weston, a lawyer Of this city, ap-
peared in opposition to the theories
OF Henry George and Moody. Just
as the witness was beginning bis tes
timony Gould entered. Weston mere
stated that the tendency to monop-
olize land was not 80 great as it was
one hundred years ago in this coun-
try. Could then took the stand and
on being sworn Senator Blair request
ed him to give the history OF HE
early life and fret business advsn-
lures. and SO on and give the at ory
OF bi, progress to his present condi-
ton. Gould seemed TO be- somewhat
staggered at the request, but turning
with a smile toward the reporters
table, began in low voice: was
born in Ro1 bury, Delaware county,
this State, May 26. 1885. Ny par
ents had small farm and kept twen-
ty cows, which assisted in tending.
l attended school about fifteen miles
distant, and when / was about four.
teen years old obtained a situation i n
store in a neighboriug village, /
Was much interested in mathematics
and used TO get up at three O'Clock
and study until six, when the store
opened. Iremained in the Ststetwo
years when made the acquaintance
Of surveyor who was making sar-
vey OF Ulster county. He took me
into bis service at a salary OF $40
month. / learned my employers
credit was not very good. and was
TO receive no money for my work
until the map was completed, 30 i
made sun dials !or farmers at one
dollar piece to pay my running ex-
penses. l made surveys afterwards
OF Delaware and Albany counties,
and made on these contracts about
$4,000. / then went into tue tan
merry business with Mr.. Pratt, of
Prattsyill. and 6nally entered into
partnership with Charles M. Leupp,
who committed suicide.
The first railroad with which had
any connection was what ia now q
portion of the Rensselaer, and Sara
togs, of which was supsriDtenden
During the panic Of 1859, the stock
went down very low and / was able
to buy IN large amount, which al
terwsrds roee in value and made
handsome pro6ts. The next rosl in
which Gould said be interested him
self wac the OlevelSnd and Pittsburg
road, which afterwards he leased TO
the Pennsylvania railroad. Gould
hen rshesrsed the story Of bis con-
neetion with the Union Pacific road.
As he had interested himself in IL,
and the stock was falling, he made
up his mind to carry it through at
soy cost. It was on The point of be-
ing placed in the bends OF the re.
ceiVer. Afterwards, when the road
became a paying one, aud divideps
we're declared regularly, there was
a great cry from tbe public that it
Ess Jay Gould's road.
He ssid. however, that he was then
engaged in selling out bis stock.
which was soon ia the hands OF more
than 1000 investors, representing
the earnings Of many widows and
orphans. This ended his connection
with the Union Pacific, and the stock
is now higher than when be sold it.
The next venture was the building
up Of the Gould railroad system fn
the South snd West. 1t began with
the purchase Of the Missouri Pacific
from Commodore Garrison. Other
roads were purchased and connect
ions made to different points. Gould
said he had at this point passed the
point when money making was an
object, aud bis only idea was in
carrying out the system TO merely
see what could be done BY combinat-
ion. The lines aOw spread through