The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-03
AS TOLD BY HIMSELF.

Jay Gould Relates the Story Of His Life TO q
Congressional COMMITTEES.
A dozen years ago Jay Gould was per-
haps the most unpopular man in the country.
HIS methods OF accumuIating wealth had
aroused public sentiment against him to
such an extent that. after q time, Q con-
gressional committee was appointed to in
vestiRate some of his acts. He willingly
and frankly gave history of his opera
tions so far as they concered the public or
the laws, and by his great knowledge of
both, showed his investigators how the re-
sponslbility for any evils that might exist
lie in their own doings "You can blame
no man for taking advantage of In adequate
laws" he told them, "but you must make
laws which will prevent such advantages"
Nor did he stop here. but in q clear. COM
prehensive way he directed the attention
OF the committee and the people to other
evils which had never appeared to them.
and by practical demonstrations. sub
stantiated By statistics. which came TO
his tongue as spontaneously as intelll-
sources of numerous evils which menaced the
peoples welfare, and then. too. while his hear
ers marveled at his knowledge, suggested reIne-
dies, many OF which have since been applied
with great benefits. Instead OF investigating
Mr.. Could as the congressional committee had
intended, Mr.. Gould investigated the committee.
"Why DO you ask me these thngsf" he interrogat-
ed senator Blair, the chairman snake your
laws to protect the peoples interests and do not
plane th any & man & ne pr1n. oy ane nn OF
In answer To another question Mr.. Gould
said. after giving the date and place OF his
then and kept a dairy Of twenty cows. was
the only boy in the family. so had 10 attend TO
the cows in the morning and assisted my sisters
In milking them used to take them out In the
morning and so for them at night. did not like
farming in that way, so went to my father and
told him wanted to go to school He said I
was too young. but finally gave me permission.
and started of and showed myself at school 1
had le armed to write and, as wrote a pretty
the job to write up his books at night and in
that way supported myself through school,"
BEGINNING OF HIS CAREER.
"Hhat was your age at that timer
"About fourteen when left home, and spent
about year at this school; then I got into q
country store. and made myself useful sweeping
1t out in the morning and learning the business
during the day. My duties employed me from 8
in the morning until 10 o'clock at night. In the
meantime 1 had acquired q taste for mathemat-
les. and especially for surveying aud engineer
ing. / took them up after left school. used
TO get up at o'clock and study from until 8.
when had to open the store, and finally got a
TO start out as a surveyor. i do not know that
this Is at all interesting" with bow TO Senator
Blairl
"That is just what I want" replied the sena-
tor. "and we are much obliged To y0u."
al heard OF aman In Ulster county," continued
Mr.. Could that was looking for an assistant
He was making map or that county, and
wrote TO him. He engaged me at 800 a month
When left my father offered me money, but
concluded TO burn my ships behind me. and 1
took only enough for my fare. This man started
me out to make the surveys, TO see where the
roads were and to locate the residences. The
map was 10 be useful as q record, and whe n L
started he said to me:
Z" Now. while you 90 along you get trusted for
your bills, what you eat. ETC., and will come
afterward and pay them.'
"I think two or three days out / had to stay
over night at place where they charged a shill
Ing for supper, shilling for lodging an six
pence for breakfast 1 explained the arrange
meDt for payment and took my book out to en-
ter the amount of the bi but the man who kept
the house declared with an oath that he would
not have nythinR OF the kind.
=" .You don't know this man. said he. He
has failed three times You have got the money,
know you have, and want my bill.'
81 had not a cent, and pulled my pockets out
70 show him that had not and said:
"'You must trust me- He answered:
"'Well. trust you. but won't trust him.
"This had such an effect upon me-" continued
Mr.. Gould. "that II seemed 10 me as IL the world
had como TO an end that day. did not know
lContinued ON second Psge.l