en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Drew
1 correction found
never controlled the Erie Railroad
This is incorrect: Jay Gould did control the Erie Railroad and served as its president. Contemporary and historical sources describe Gould and James Fisk as controlling Erie, and Gould as president of the Erie Railway in 1872.
Full reasoning
The article says Jay Gould "never controlled the Erie Railroad," but multiple reliable sources say the opposite.
- The Library of Congress states that Gould and Fisk "controlled the Erie Railroad" after Vanderbilt ceded control.
- History.com describes Gould and Fisk as "president and vice president of the Erie Railroad," which directly contradicts the claim that Gould never controlled it.
- The New Yorker likewise refers to "Jay Gould, the president of the Erie Railway" in March 1872.
So while Gould was later swindled by Lord Gordon-Gordon and eventually lost his hold on Erie, it is false to say he never controlled the railroad. A more accurate statement would be that Gould later lost control of Erie after having already exercised it.
3 sources
- Robber Barons: Gould and Fisk | Inside Adams | Library of Congress
"Together, they controlled the Erie Railroad" and "eventually Vanderbilt ceded control of the railroad to the three men."
- The 'Black Friday' Gold Scandal | HISTORY
"As president and vice president of the Erie Railroad, the duo had won a reputation as two of Wall Street's most ruthless financial masterminds."
- The Confidence Man | The New Yorker
"Jay Gould, the president of the Erie Railway, arrived at the Metropolitan Hotel..."