Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-01-19

secured Dut lnfOrmat1On.
Mr.. Jay Gould came out of the Office door
leading to the veranda of the Iron Springs
hotel, at Manitou, Colo, one morning in
July, 1888, accompanied by his physician
DIR. Mum. The two stood at the head Of
the stairway overlooking the canyon on
the Iron Springs for few minutes, and
had an opportunity to note the great
change in the wizards appearance since
the last time | had seen him-two years
before. His face bore the impress of suf-
fering, the lines in it were drawn, the
eyes heavy, and when he started down the
stairway his steps We're slow and his body
swayed slightly, as if his strength were not
sufficient to encourage vigor Of movement.
DR.. Mum told me Il few minutes later
that Mr.. Gould was not in very robust
health.
HE has come here TO rest and don't
think he would like to be interviewed"
said the doctor. argued that had come
a long way to secure from Mr.. Gould an
expression of opinion on two matters of
the greatest importance to the west-the
rumored extension of the Union Pacific
railway from Denver into the southwestern
country and the amalgamation of that
road with the Denver, Texas and Fort
Worth railway, which was then nearing
completion. | requested the doctors per-
mission to ask Mr.. Gould one or two ques-
tions, which would serve the double pur-
pose of setting at rest doubt as to the
Union Pacifics intentions and relieving
Mr. Gould of much future annoyance. /
think the last suggestion influenced DIR.
Hunn's negative permission, "Well, 1
don't think you will get anything out Of
him."
Mr.. Gould was walking slowly up the
bride path that led to the old Pixies peak
trail, his hands clasped behind him and
his attention riveted ON the snow capped
summit of the peak fifteen miles away up
In the air as you looked to the southeast.
He did not see me until had made a
misstep few yards behind him and sent
the gravel and loose earth scattering down
the mountain. Then he turned and peered
ut me under the half drawn lids of his
beady eyes. lie remained standing per
fectly still in the same attitude until had
come up with him.
stopped a few feet from him and stated
my mission in these words, as nearly as
can recall them: "Mr. Gould, the Denver
News has sent me to secure, IL possible, a
confirmation or denial Of the reports cur
rent in New York and Chicago concerning
the plans for extending the Union Pacific
south from Denver, and also amalgamat-
ing with the Denver, Texas and Fort
Worth road. hope this explanation will
serve as an apology for intruding upon
your privacy"
Mr.. Gould listened patiently, and then
looking upward again at the snow capped
peak, said: 81 don't know that / can give
you the information you seek. have been
away from the east-from business /
mean-so long that am not familiar with
the projects you speak Of. l should like to
tell you something worth your journey,
but am not well enough informed to do
So"
perhaps you could tell me enough in a
general way TO stop these reports" l sug-
gested.
What do they say | am going to dor'
he asked, turning his eyes on me again as
l briefly retailed the gossip concerning
the future Of the Union Pacific, of which
Mr.. Gould was supposed to be seeking the
control. He smiled once or twice-that 10
his eyes lighted up trife, though his
face lost none Of its Magazines
When had concluded be said: "Well,
they must talk about something. They
appear to be much better informed than l
am on these subjects DO you know this
country out here?" he said, abruptly
changing the subject.
told him that | had visited Manitou
and Pixies peak and had been up the range
to the cascades. He started to ask me a
question, but anticipated by saying: "Mr.
Gould, think you would be saved much
annoyance for the next week OF two IL these
reports about your railway plans, and also
this sensational statement about your
health could be disposed of now. num-
Der Of newspaper reporters are on their
way to investigate them. They could be
easily turned back If you denied the re-
ports"
Iheld out to him a telegram from Chi
cago, which stated he was seriously i'll.
He eyed it, but didn't like il.
so they're talking about my health, too,
are theyi Well I'm used to being talked
about. II denied all the rumors circulated
about me and my affairs l would not have
time to visit so charming place as this.
About that report concerning my health,
you see that ! am still alive 1t is true
that l have been slightly troubled with my
face. That has interfered with my sleep,
but my appetite is very good. / am not as
sick as some people hope. About the rail
way stories have nothing to say"
We had walked slowly along as we
talked, but when we reached the steep part
of the trail he turned and we retraced our
steps. His attention was attracted by a
fragment of pirates that some one had
dropped to tie ground. lie indicated it
with the toe of his boot and said:
"There are many chances to make money
in this western country. That rock may
contain valuable mineral. A little money
and perseverance will make any man rich.
/ came very near coming west when was a
young man. A friend named Miller lit
was either Miller or Muller) wanted me to
accompany him in 1854 or 1855 | was half
inclined to do it, but changed my mind.
i was always sorry that did not come I'M
til heard four OF five years later that my
friend was killed in Nevada. / guess it's
just as well that remained in the east.
might have been killed too"
BY this time we had reached the hotel
a Il