tect itself and the president of the company, Joseph Ramsey, was suspended. A judge appointed Jim Fisk as temporary controller of the company until the ownership argument was settled. Ramsey and the board of the company fought Gould buy acquiring more shares of the company. Both sides had judges that placed injunctions on the opposing sides of the war. Mr. Ramsey soon found himself with not enough money to keep up his contention for the 142 miles of track. The board of directors and Ramsey asked Morgan for his financial support. Morgan deposed the Erie railroad directors and was more than happy to assist the Ramsey plea. Through legal feuds with Boss Tweed and other characters and holding covert stockholder meetings, Morgan was able to obtain a lease over the company. The state supreme court upheld the lease and ensured ownership over the company to Morgan, Ramsey and the original owners. It was an astonishing victory for Morgan and one that set precedence for his future dealings. The true beginning of the "Age of Morganization" was his deal with William H. Vanderbilt. The legislature, at the time, began to propose control of railroad management, prevent stock watering, and tax profits. Vanderbilt inherited eighty seven percent of the stock of the New York Central Railroad. He made a secret agreement with Morgan to sell 250,000 shares of his stock to English investors. Vanderbilt also agreed to combine the Central railroad with the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad. When the news broke out about the deal, Morgan was praised as an economic genius and stepped out of his father's shadow. Pierpont also received a seat on the board of the New York Central. Morgan was achieving the influence he desired and had an appropriate venue to express the opinions of the English businessmen he dealt with oversees. As Morgan enjoyed his position on the board of the New York Central, he used his position to settle a dispute of railroad organization...
