Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-03
SATURDAY. DECEMBER 8. 1S9.
Wall Streets Wizard Dead.

He whose plans were 30 artful. whose
projects we're so ambitious, whose pro-
ceedings at times were 80 marvellous as TO
earn for himself the sobriqiet of 1.-The
little Wizard of Wall Street." is now face
70 face with the mystery of mysteries.
He was remarkable man. of a remarka-
Ole country. He was born of parents
whose circumstances were so humble as to
compel them TO put their son TO work at
the age of Ia years. And that work was
bookkeeping for the village black
smith But at intervals he attended the
schools and colleges of his native place.
Thirty or forty years later this son con-
trolled 10000 miles of railway and was
credited with fortune exceeding hun
bred millions of dollars.
Something of this metamorphosis of for
tune we may credit TO luck, but more was
doubtless due to pluck and persistence
and TO that genius for money-making
which was so strongly developed in Mr.
GoULD.
Professor AGAssIz said, Il have no time
TO make money" Mr.. GoULD appears to
have had time for little else. Thrown
early upon his own resources he became
hardy and self-reliant. Impressed with the
value OF knowledge he studied men and
business. True, early ia life he had some
love for mathematics as q science and
likewise for literature, and essayed author
Rhlp: but these were only the passing hu-
mors of a man whose mind was in forma-
tive stage. Still they were experiences
which proved valuable TO him in after life,
when all his ingenuity was taxed to carry
ont his great schemes.
Mr.. GoULD was born on farm near Rox-
bury, in Delaware county, New York, IN
1886, and was successfully bOok-keeper,
suryeyor. map.publisher, author, land
Spectator, lumber-man, stakeholder and
director in bank. Spectator in railroad
stocks. and railroad manager. In 1859 he
went TO New York and began business as
broker. and there laid the foundation of
his colossal fortune. There 1t was that he
subjugated many bulls" and bears y;
there he acquired control of railroad and
telegraph companies by the score; there
he became tho wizard of Wall street,;
there he got to be theruler of the stock mar
fet, pulling it down or running it up as
his interests required; there no lived
sumptuously, and thence his soul took its
eternal fight.
THE street" was but little prepared for
its ruler's death. 1t was probably known
that he was in i'll health, for 80 he had
been for years, but that he was in danger
was denied by all tine members Of his
household until late Thursday night.
Then it was admitted that he was uncon-
scious and was sinking. Death came about
b O'Clock yesterday morning.
Mr.. GOULD had good and bad qualities.
We daresay that his domestic life was COM
mendable. That he gave in charity we
doubt not, but he was not particularly
distinguished in that direction. Yet We
recall that when Memphis was writing IN
b yellow-fevsr epidemic he opened wide
bis purse to succor her sick and poor.
Doubtless, too, he gave to charity much
that the public knew not of. The world
was not over-anxious TO think we'll of him.
He had done cruel things and cruel things
were said about him. In his great deals;
jn the deathly dances into which he led
Wall street on ''Black Fridays" and :" blue
Mondays" he was not accustomed to con-
slider the misery he might iniict upon
Others when there was an object TO be
gained. He looked out for himself and
left others to look out for themselves.
Ambition seldom counts the costs when
those costs are to be levied npon Others.
At one time In his life-it was period
covering many years, indeed-Mr. GOULD
was looked upon as a wild and dangerous
speculator. People did not know whether
he was worth much or little; he was dis
trusted by many; yes, by not few whom
he afterwards made pay roundly for their
lack Of faith in him. About ten years ago
sumors were circulated discrediung MIR.
GoULD's financial standing. Hearing of
them, he called in half dozen of the
most prominent Wsll-street men and laid
on table before them for their inspection
securities standing in his own name OF the
value of $4,000, 900. and told his friends
that with little more time he could pro-
duce $20,0O0.000 more. After that hls
wealth was rarely questioned.
Only within few years past did Mr.
Coup begin to enioy--or seem to enjoy
his fortune. His yacht carried him on
long voyages to distant seas and he
eeemed to be taking life easy. Then his
wife died. Next he became a prey to !
disease. Now he is a corpse.
He has left his family great wealth. But |
BE Is poor indeed if he has not treasures
laid mp in Heaven.