Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-09-06
JAY GOULD's STORY.
How He Rose From the Humble
Walks of Lite,
BY HIS OWN UNAlDED EFFORTS,
And Once Bowed Down Beneath the Weigh.
Of Adversely, Now ReYeIs in the
Midst Of Increasing
0pulence.

New York, September 5.-Senators Blair
and Call waited patiently for Jay Gould 10
appear before them this morning to testify
to the relations Of capital and labor. There
was a large audience in attendance. Gould
delayed his appearance. The committee
heard statements from George W. Weston,
lawyer of this city. who appeared in op.
position to the theories Of Henry George
and Moody. Just as the witness was be-
ginning his testimony Gould entered.
Weston merely stated that the tendency to
monopolize land was not so great as II was
one hundred years ago in this country.
Gould then took the stand, and on being
sworn Senator Blair requested him to give
The History Of His Early Life
and first business adventures and then 60
on and give the story of his progress TO his
present condition. Gould seemed TO be
somewhat staggered al the request, but
turning with a smile toward the reporters
table, began in low voice: ! was born in
Roxbury, Delaware county, this State, May
2G, 1856 My parents had a small farm and
kept twenty COWS, which | assisted in tend
ing. ! attended school about fifteen miles
distant, and when | was about II years old
obtained q situation in store in neigh
mathematics and used 10 get up AZ three
O'Clock and study until six, when the store
opened. | remained IN the state two years
when |
Made the Acquaintance OF a Surveyor
who was making survey OF Ulster coun-
ty. He took me into his service al a salary
Of 800 month. / learned my employer 5
credit was not very good, and | was 10 re-
ceive no money for my work until the map
was completed so made sun dials for
farmers at one dollar piece TO pay my
running expenses. | made surveys after
wards OF Delaware and Albany counties
and made on these contracts about 5000. !
then went into the tannery business with a
Mr.. Pratt OF Prsttsville, and finally enter
ed into partnership with Charles NJ. Leupp,
who committed suicide.
The First Railroad
with which had any connection was what
is now a portion OF the Rensselaer, and
Saratoga, OF which was superintendent.
During the panic OF 1853, the stock went
down very low aud was able to buy in a
large amount, which afterwards rose in
value and made handsome profits. The
next road in which Gould said he in.
terested himself was the Cleveland
and Pittsburgh road, which afterwards
be leased to the Pennsylvania railroad.
Gould then rehearsed the story OF his con-
nection with the Union Pacific road, As
he had interested himself in it, and the
stock was falling, he made up his mind to
carry it through at any cost. II was on
the point of being placed in the hands OF
the receiver. Afterwards, when the road
became paying one, and dividends were
declared regularly, there was great cry
from the public that it was Jay GouIds
road.
As II this Was a Dangerous Thing.
He said, however, that he was then en-.
gagged in selling out his stock, which was
soon in the hands OF more than 1,OOo in
vestOrs, representing the earnings Of many
widows and orphans. This ended his con-
nection with the Union Pacific, and the
stock is now higher than when he sold IT,.
The next venture was the building up OF
the Gould railroad system in the South
~ Nt;.s,. NJ. !, began with the purchase OF
rison. Other roads we're purchased and
connections made to different points.
Gould said he had al this point passed the
point
when Money MaRing Was An Object
and his only idea was in carrying out the
system to merely see what could be done
by combination. The lines now spread
through Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
Missouri, Arkansas, the Indian Territory,
Texas Louisiana and Mexico. There are
central connections at Cincinnati, -. LOUIS,
Chicago and New Orleans. All the con-
structiOn Of this system Of roads was com
lleted last year snd represents abou! 10
Goo miles road The earnings OF the lines
when he took possession Of them were
about $1,000 per month.