Benjamin E. Bates, Namesake Of Bates College

1865, New York. 7 ¼” 8 ¼” stock certificate for 100 shares. Light purple text on white paper with attached adhesive revenue at bottom. Signed twice, as President and on attached stub by Jay Gould (1836 - 1892) Railroad magnate; Financier; Stock market manipulator. Gould began his rise by gaining control of a small Vermont railroad in 1860 at the age of 24. Over the next 10-15 years he made a fortune by buying and selling railroads and manipulating their stock. His most famous railroad battle came in the late 1860s when, along with Jim Fisk and Daniel Drew, he struggled for control of the Erie Railroad against "Commodore" Vanderbilt. Gould went on to become "the most hated man in America" when his attempt to corner the gold market caused a panic termed "Black Friday" in September 1869. Turning towards western railroads in the 1870s, he came to own or control numerous roads, including the Union Pacific and Kansas Pacific. It is estimated that he controlled about 10% of the railroad track in the U.S. by 1880. He went on to gain control of the Western Union Telegraph Company, and the New York elevated railroad. At his death, his fortune was estimated to be $72 million. Issued to Benjamin E. Bates (1808-1878) a New England industrialist and philanthropist, who was the namesake and a founder of Bates College and the Bates Mill in Lewiston, Maine. Bates College was founded in 1855 by abolitionists. Bates College is one of the first colleges to be coeducational from establishment. The college is also the oldest continuously operating coeducational institution in New England. Glue residue at left from stub. Pen cancellation affecting Gould’s signature as president, his signature on stub is unaffected. Very Fine.