The Hartford herald., 1885-04-01
A Railroad King.
Jay Gould.
The MIGHTY MILLIONAIRE, OWNING
RAILROADS IN THE WEST AND
SOUTHWEST, A THOUSAND
EMPLOYEES ON WHICH
LATELY STRUCK
AGAINST A REDUC-
TION or WAGES.

What is known as the Gould system
Of railways comprehends those roads in
the West and Southwest, on which y
thousand men struck recently, rather
than take lower wages than they had
been receiving. This event brings into
even more than his usual prominence
the man whose name is known
throughout the world as that of a
shrewd finsncier at the head of the
largest system of railroads in the
United States. Jay Gould is one of
the most interesting men living. His
power in business and in politics is rs
subtle as it is real. He is "A man with-
out presence or address; but the silent
expression of his intentions affects the
markets of the world.
This singular person was born at Rox.
bury, New York, in the year 1886 His
father kept a store and titled a small
farm. When Jay was six years old his
mother died, but his father not long
sfterward took another mate. The boy
received a fair education and acquired a
love of books. The story is told that
when he was sbout fifteen he invented
q mousetrap, Of which he was robbed on
his first visit to New York. A year
after this amusing incident in his career
he was engaged as a clerk in a country
store. We hear of him while in this
place buying piece of land i'm Albany,
acting upon advice which he had over
heard his shrewd employer give to
another person. The famous "Jay
Gould" map Of Delaware county, pub.
lished in Philadelphia in 1856, was
'from actual survey" b, that active
young man. In his early manhood Mr.
Gould formed partnership with Col
onel Zadock Pratt, in the tanning busi-
ness, at place in Pennsylvania, subse-
quently called after him, Gouldsboro.
He removed TO New York City in 1859,
and began business as broker.
The time WAS well chosen for the ex-
pertinent, and the man had that clear
! far-sighted Judgment which ens bled
him TO 50 utilize the events preceding
and during the war that he was a mil.
lionaire in few years. Since then his
operations in railroads, telegraphs and
other property have been SO far success
full as to make him unquestionably one
Of the richest men in the world and GER
tainly one of the most influen-
tial. The amount of his
wealth Is not even approximately
known. He is said to own several
newspapers with which, among other
means, he forwards his vast financial
schemes. His politics, according to hi.
own statement, vary with due regard
to the acquisition of wealth. Jay Gould,
is first Of all, financier, but this leading
characteristic of the man is accompan-
led with amiable traits.
He is free from the vices. great and
small, and always has been correct in
his moral department. His tastes are
domestic, and whether in his New
York mansion or at his country seat
Observation-Disclosures his appre-
citation of the enjoyments of home is
remarkable. These include literature,
music, painting and sculpture, and the
raising Of choice plants and flowers.
He takes frequent rides on horseback
Mrs. Gould, whose maiden name was
Miller, is the daughter of a well-known
merchant Of New York. OF several
children born to the couple, enc is doing
business in the Empire City, as partner
in firm OF brokers.
When, a few years ago, some leading