The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-05
NOT A MEARrLEss MAN.

nasteneu MS Gnu uuleu run tuab Wy
ing time.
NoTA HEARTLEss MAN.
For the tinanciers and spectators
who bestow their ample selves in the
easy chairs OF the Windsor hotel lobby
in the evening and placidly discuss the
possibilities OF early dividends there
was practically only one topic last night,
the passing OF Mr.. Gould. Mostly those
who debated the subject were men be-
yond the middle age, and mostly. also,
they we're disposed to speak kindly OF
the dead millionaire.
"Ohn one of them said, when the eS-
periences OF Mr.. Gould with Erie rail-
road affairs and gold were touched upon,
at is undoubtedly true that no did not
exercise then the same calm discretion
and the same conservative judgment
which in later years characterized his
course"
1t was interesting to hear acts which
have often been denounced as I'M.
scrupulous and unlawful thus described
as the result Of the lack OF discretion,
but it indicated how death may dull the
edge Of the axe of recrimination.
"Gould," SAID another Spectator,
twas most gentle and kindly man per.
sonally. He never spoke loudly, and
think that few will recall any public
display OF anger or even annoyance by
him. His smile was ready and his frown
rare. OF course, ! can speak only OF his
demeanor before people. How he con-
Quoted himself when alone ii disappoin-
ted or hindered l don't know, but pub.
licly he was admirably self-contained
under all conditions.
"And l do not believe he was heart
less, as he was often accused OF being.
l know OF men who have been his
staunch and loyal friends for years, and
l am sure he was q most atiectionate
father. / dined at his house one even
ing, and after the dinner his two boys,
George and Eddie-they were both full
grown-when they said goodnight to
him and kissed him, which seemed to
please him."
"What Gould did," said a third gen
tleman, that was susceptible to crit.
Cism was always known. may say
that few OF his acts that warranted
praise were ever published. Now l re-
call that during the great Missouri Pa
citic strike, man who was guarding the
railroad property was shot and killed.
The day after ! walked into Mr.. Gou!d's
private Office in the Western Union
binding. He was sitting at his desk
and had just signed check.
Without thinking OF what l was do
ing l glanced at it and saw that it was
for s., 900, and that it was drawn to the
order OF the widow of the murdered
Waterman. Mr.. Gould, noticing that !
was observing it, smiled at me and
turned the check face down.
"'You're too late,' said, 4 saw 1t
"Well,' he said, still smiling, we
must look after the families OF those
who stand by US, you know"
As indicating that Mr.. Gould was
aware some years ago that his lungs
were weak and his stomach unreliable,
this gentleman said that one morning
as he was leaving the Windsor Hotel he
saw Mr.. Gould, to whom he wished to
speak, walking down town very rapidly.
Mr.. Gould was about half block from
him, and although he hurried he did
not catch the railroad king until Forty
second street was reached. There he
complimented him on his abilities as q
pedestrian.
"AhN' he replied, "if the upper half
OF me were as good as the lower hall I
should be all right"
1t was said by persons in the Wind
sor hotel that Mr.. Gould told q few
friends that he had in tin box $40, 000-
900 or $1,000, 600 worth OF Manhattan
Elevated railway stock, and that the
box was not to be opened until after his
death. As to Mr.. Gould's holdings OF
Western Union and Missouri Pacific, it
was estimated that he owned $50 100000
worth OF the securities OF the former
and that his investments in the latter
were fully S50,000,000.