Why do jay gould and Jim fisk do to thwart vanderbilt's plan to buy the Erie rail line?

Jay Gould and Jim Fisk sought to thwart Cornelius Vanderbilt's plan to buy the Erie Rail Line by engaging in a scheme of stock manipulation. They issued fraudulent stock and created a false narrative around the company's financial stability to mislead investors and raise capital. This strategy allowed them to undermine Vanderbilt’s efforts and maintain control over the railroad, ultimately leading to a fierce battle for dominance in the industry. Their actions exemplified the cutthroat nature of railroad financing during that era.