Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-03
JAY GOULD is DEAD
The Great SpeeuIator Expired
Yesterday Morning.
CONSUMPTION WAS THE CAUSE
or His Demaoo--Skstch Of the Gress
Fsnsnesss. and the Dsais That
Mads Him yamouA

<kU YORK, Dec. z.--Jay Gouid osed
at nis home. Forty seventh street and
Fifth avenue, ~ s.i5 this morning.
The causs Of death was pulmonary
consumption
The news Of Mr.. GouId's death was
not made known 70 those outside the
EoGss of the millionaire for . half
hour after the event The tirss anthem
tic and reliable news Of the event came
from the colored butler. who came to
tns door OF the Gould mansion and IN
response TO . question said, IN . chok-
ing voice:
"Yes. Mr.. Gould 10 dead"
Mr. Gould died surrounded by the
members OF hls family and faithful
physicians. All day yesterday and in
the evening contradictory reports re-
gard,ng Mr.. GouId's condition was
circulating, but IN the evening it Was
acknowledged that be was failing fast,
and Ia ali probability he would not re-
cover. 10 fact, at II O'Clock il WAS
SAID ne could not live the night out.
Conscious to shs Last
However at | O'Clock this morning
he seemed To rally somewhat. anu the
lights were turned down aud the FAM
ily retired TO try and get some rest.
Or. Mum anu the nur Ses remained with
toe patient. At daylight MIR. Gould's
condition became more alarming, and
gradually the members of the family
again assembled st his bedside. Is was
apparent to all that the end VAS fast
approaching. Dir. Gould seemed to
realize the truth himself. No pain At
tended the last moments of the dying
man. The end came peacefully and
qaletly. just before he died Mr..
Gould. realizing that he had but . little
while longer To live, expressed desire
that al the members of ms family be
called that ne might LOOK upon them
for the last time. He was perfectly
conscious and entirely composed, meet
ing his end with calmnsss. HIS mind
Was clear 70 the last, - was demon
strstst by the tact that ne missed the
face Of member of the family who
had left the room for . moment.
Mr. Gould's last words were In the
form OF . request that ne might at the
cioslng moments of his life be sur
rounded by the beloved members of his
family.
HE Itrss nrsak Down.
Tho real condition Of Mr.. Gould's
health vas not revealed until = year
ago, when be broke down in the fam.
ous Missouri Pacific meeting. This oc-
Cured 10 November. 1891.
The Missouri Pacific was Mr.. Gould's
pride. He had built il up and had
made ID Q dividend-paying road. He
yas Jealous af the reputation which
the Vanderbilt roads enjoyed and al
Ways pointed 70 the Missouri Pacific
when hs wxs charged with being rail-
road wrecksr and not . railroad
builder.
The Gould boys at this time were re-
ported to be heavily short Of the
market. A great bull movement,
based on the enormous crops Of the
year. wss in progress. The directors Of
the Missouri Pacific met and both Mr..
Gould and his son, George. favored the
passing Of the dividend.
Qsarressa wuh Rssssn sage.
According 10 reports st tho time,
Russell ssgs, who was ''long" Of the
market, was violently opposed to the
move. Mr. Sloan. tbs CONSERVATIVE
president OF the Delaware, Lscks-
wanna 4 Western railroad, was also .
. director of the Missouri Pacific. He,
too, vas opposed TO the step. The de-
hate between George Gould and Rus
sell sage grew TO . heated alteration.
Jay Gould broke down. and. il is said.
actually wept- He tainted away and
showed that his constitution was
broken. The dividend Was passed and
the bull wave restored.
This action was at first charged 70 q
dssrs TO manipulate the market, so
that the Gouids could cover their
s'shorts." But when the facts were
", ads known Wall street at last real
ised that Jay Gould bad nearly run his
course.
Last summer Mr.. Gould again broke
down 1T Q directors meeting. He WAS
said to be constructive. His sons said
that hs was suffering from . bronchial
affection. In bis private car he went
20 the southwest and lived there for
tnrsesnontha
He returned TO New York in time
for the Manhattan elevated and West
ern Union annual meetings IN Septem-
Der.
The once slsrs snd brisk man moved
Ike an satomstou. His shoulders
dropped forward. Great wrinkles hoi-
lowed his cheeks. and . lack Iuster
stare replaced the keen. piercing
glance that was 40 familiar in his dark
eyes. He moved and acted like . man
80 years Of age.
GoVLD's FAIRLY IrrE.
His Story Of How III. Detained HIS First
Ss.ooo.