Here is a list of the original DOW components from 1896 American Cotton Oil, American Sugar, American Tobacco, Chicago Gas, Distilling & Cattle Feeding, General Electric, Laclede Gas, National Lead, North American, Tennessee Coal and Iron, U.S. Leather U.S. Rubber. So these are the big cap companies of the time.GE is the only one left. So do we buy and hold that lot or trade. When and what do we trade ? What do we buy? Standard Oil isn't even on this list was it the new age spec stock at this time? Easy in retrospect virtually impossible living fowards
Bonds what do we buy? 19th Century Canal bonds, Railway Bonds. Sovereign Government bonds... Russian Empire Bonds?
I reckon the chances are that over the time frames you mentioned eventually you lose your shirt through War, Depression, Inflation, Theft, corruption etc. Gold hold up well I think
