The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-12-21
Sketch of His Career.

Although the foremost fuaucier OF the
century and q man whose powerful IN
f1uence was perhaps mora widespread than
that wieidei by any other one man at the
present day, comparatively little Is publicly
known Of the early history and domestic
career Of Jay Gould.
Law Could was born at Stratton Falls,
Delaware County, N. Y, May "a, 1887. bis
father. John B. Gould, was q farmer and
also kept q general store at that place.
When sixteen years old young Gould was
EMPLOYED as clerk in the variety store OF
SQUIRE Burnhan, and devoted his leisure
time to the study of bookkeeping and
geometry, becoming expert IN civil engl-
FEARING also. having great natural aptitude
for figures. -,
he adopted surveying as business mak-
ing many maps Of Rensselaer, and Albany
Counties, afterward writing history OF the
former county and peddling it, together
with his maps, among the residents. with
the profits from these sales and the Invention
of a mousetrap during idle moments whlle
a cle1 K he was enabled to buy out the sur
veyiny firm by which he was employed. De
subsequently became interested In tannery
at Gouldsboro, Penn, with Zadoc Pratt for
a partner. Mr.. Pratt sold his share to
Charles NJ. Leupp, who died, and tbs con-
Germ was sold to q. d. n. Snyder.
About this time Jay Gould came to New
York to reside and fell in love with the
daughter Of q grocer at whose house he
boarded. and as bis affections were recipro-
Gated speedy marriage followed. bis nrse
stock transaction was made about this time
His father-iu-law held shares in the Rens-
selaer and Saratoga Railroad, which was In
bad financial condition, aud the young BEN
edict was asked to negotiate sale on the
best terms possible. Instead Of placing tina
stock on the MARKET young Gould exam
lned the road and saw possibilities or
future for it. He therefore took the shares
himself at their market value, purchased
more. obtained control OF the entire prop
erty and sold it to rival company at
large profit,
Jaw Gould first entered Wall street as
PARTNER in the firm of Smith, Gould
Martin. A little later he ebecametconnectad
with the Erie Rsilroad, trst as Drector
then Treasurer and aftsrward President IL
was as managing power OF the Erie that
Mr.. Gould laid the foundation of his for
tune. and his money and influence, applied
with his shrewd, unerring business instinct.
enabled him to extend his acquisition OF
railroad property to the control OF the
Union Pacific and its various connexions,
giving him an immense control OF transcon'
tnental railroad affairs.
His force and the determination with
which he carried out the boldest OF plani
amazed even the heaviest operators In rail-
road matters, yet his connection with 8
sdeap' was rarely suspected until the busi-
ness had been consummated, as bis trans
actions were usually made through others.
But one case Of defeat in q project is on
record against him, namely, the attempt OF
the Erie to absorb the Albany and Susque
hanna. After long legal fight the road
was leased to the Delaware and Hudson
Canal Company, but the battle was not re-
linquished until victory was beyond hope.
The pet hobby of Mr.. Gould was un.
doubtedly the Western Union Telegraph
Company, and to secure its control he de-
voted the best energies OF his life, soon plac'
Ing himself in position to dictate terms to
the gigantic corporation. His control Of the
elevated railroads was acquired as easily and
as simply as his telegraph transaction. With
his immense wealth and thorough knowl
edge Of how effective weapon it could bs
made Jay Gould had apparently but to wish
to have his desire granted.
His unyielding firmness was never more
strikingly illustrated than in the strike o.
telegrsphers against the Western Union.
The company lost over half a million dollars,
and the stockholders became much alarmed
and urged yielding, but Gould held out until
the strikers were compelled to give in.
When the Missouri Pacific was sought by
Mr.. Gould he made an offer Of 81, 500, 600 for
the controlling interest, then owned by
Commodore Garrison, and was met with au
offer to sell at $2,S10,000. Mr.. Gould re-
torted that he could have had the property
for $4,000, 600 on the day previous, and re-
tired. The next day he returned to accept
the terms. but was told that the price was
then s3, 800. 600 or a million more than the
dav previous Mr.. Gould remarked simply,
stPn take it." apd he did.
II was his habit to travel frequently over
every mile Of his railroads and learn for
himself by a tour Of inspection exactly
what state his property was in at all times.
His private car Convoy" was used for such
trins. and the owner has often spent two OF
three weeks in the car, dining and sleeping
aboard. His inspections were all minute to
the smallest detail. and questions were
asked directly Of employees as to their dut,es
and the progress of the work performed oS
them.q
personally Jay Gould was man OF very
unimpressive appearance, and gave no evil
dence outwardly of his wealth. His manner
was quick and nervouI, and even wnen ar
riyine at the Western Union Building ne
would dart from his cab door to the elevate,
with surprising swiftness. He was small IN
stature, slightly built, and weighed about
11O pounds. One of the most complimentary
things ever said about him was: HE Is ONLY
three feet high, but then two feet OF 1t Is
head"
In the matter Of dress Mr.. Gould was, as
inall his habits. very precise, yet never
shovy. His habits were domestic in the ex-
treme. and he was devotedly attached to his
Family, being as considerate and kindly a
father and husband as could be imagined.
The family mode Of living was always SIM
/ Die and unostentatlous. the winter residence
kbeinz at Fifth and Forty-seventh street.
His psrsonal habits were abstenious, and ha