The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-02-22
LITTLE INFORMATION
A REPORTERS STORY OF AN INTER-
VIEW WITH JAY GOULD.

A REPORTERS STORY OF AN. INTER-
VIEW WITH JAY GOULD.
The Great Railroad Man Was Never In
olinod to Discuss in Advance His Plans
with Newspaper Mem Tho Reporter
Secured but Little Information.
Mr.. Jay Gould came out of the Office door
leading to the veranda II the Iron Springs
hotel, at Manitou, Colo. one morning in
July, 1888, accompanied by his physician,
Dr. 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 1 had seen him-two years
before. His face bore the impress of suf-
fering, the lines in 1t were drawn, the
eyes heavy, and when he started down the
stairway his steps were slow and his body
swayed slightly, rs il his strengthwere not
sufficient to encourage vigor ofnovement.
DIR. Mum told me a few minutes later
that MIR. Gould WINS not in very robust
health.
HE has come here to rest and don't
think be would like to be interviewed, !"
said the doctor. l 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. l 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 Paciiic's intentions and relieving
Mr.. Gould of much future ANNOYANCE.
think the last suggestion influenced DIR.
Munn'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 peercd
at me under the half drawn lids of his
beady eyes. He remained standing per.
fectly still in the same attitude until had
come up with him.
stopped few feet from him and stated
my mission in these words, as nearly as /
can recall them: Mr.. Gould, tho Denver
News has sent mo to secure, if 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 rs an apology for intruding upon
your privacy"
Mr.. Gould listened patiently, and then
looking upward again at the snow capped
peak, said: ~ don't know that can piyeI
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. 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
general way to stop these reports" | sug- |
gestcd.
what do they say I am going to dor,
he asked, turning his eyes on me again as
briefly retailed the gossip concerning
the future OF the Union Pacific of which
'N' '''' StppcSNh w bc SttklIlR tile |
control. He smiled once or twice-that In
his eyes lighted up triile, though his
face lost none Of its haggardness
When had concluded he said: "Well, |
they must talk about something. They
appear to be much better informed than |
am on tAese subjects. Do You know this |
country out heret" he said, abruptly |
chGngintstbe subject.
told him that had visited Manitou
and Pixies PEEK and had been up the range
TO the cilscade.S4}Ie started e. ask lus N
question, but anticipated by SAVING: Mr. i
Gould, l think you would be saved much |
annoyance for the next week or two il these |
reports about your railway plans, and also |
this sensational statement about your
health could be disposed of now. A num-
Der of newspaper reporters are on their
way to investigate them. They could be |
easily turned back if you denied the re-
ports.''
held out to him a telegram from Chi.
cago, which stated he was seriously I'll.
lie eyed it, but didn't like it.
80 they're talking aboutmy health, too,
are they? Well, I'm used to being talked |,
about. II denied all the rrrmors 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 have been slightly troubled with my
lace. That has interfered with my sleep, |.
but my appetite is very good, l 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 IA
fragment OF pyrates that some one had
dropped TO the ground. He indicated it |.
with the toe of his boot and said:
There are many chances tomake money
In this western country. That rock may
valuable mineral. A little money
and perseverance will make any man rich
| came very near coming west when twas a
young man. A friend named Miller dt "
was either Miller or Muller) wanted me to
accompany him in 1854 or 1850 was half /.
inclined TO do it, but changed my mind.
was always sorry that / did not come I'M
til heard four or FIVE years later that my
friend was killed in Nevada. | guess it's
Just us well that remained in the east. Ia
might have been killed too" p
BY this time we had reached the hotel y
lgaln. Mr.. Gould turned, as he placed his
loot ON the step above, and said: at is too
bad you came SO far for nothing, but Isup- /;
pose you will write an article anyway. j Ii
hope you will be accurate" l.
As turned to 20 down the trail toward !
The ID. and II. G.. station, half mile away,
thanked Mr. Gould for his courtesy and
the information that an cxcu,-
sion party of 200 Boston school teachers Ii,
vas to arrive that afternoon.
Il am sorry for that said lie. II hoped
% have all this grand scenery to myself, )
,ut l can assure that they went get any !!
more information than you."-Louis Sci. l.
)old in New York World. =
Coming Down N Tree Ii,