The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-07
JAMES FISK, JR.
What Became of Vermont Pedler-Inci'
dents Of His Early Life-Proiitable Com
bination Of Cotton, Army Contracts,
Gold and Railroad S.ocks-The
CGpture OF the Eric Rail load
Some New and Interest
ing Revelations.

There are very Jew men WHO nave not DeeH ionFcr
upon this mundane sphere than he whose opera
tons In life have attracted such universal attention
as those OF the rrepressiblc James Fisk ar. He Is
most emphaLlcay one OF the .men Of the period"
and it may as well be said or HIM now, as IT was
in earlier life 'that he IS remarkably emart for his
age.n He has always been regarded as rather pre-
Coclous and II he is not what may be properly
termed '.fasr man,nt 10 certainly true that be .
one OF those who most seriously threatened WIN
speed, and the man or woman Is not yet born who
dares to call him IN the least degree unsophisti-
Gated. During the past two or three years he has
scarcely been less held up TO public view and crti-
cism than the most distinguished politician In the
country; but notwithstanding all this there
are O great many interesting Incidents Ii
his early and late career which WIN pro-
baby now be given 10 the world Tor
the first time. 1t is somewhat surprising that the
biographers have not dug up his history before; but
as the HERALD IL generally ahead in everything 1t
ts perhaps, not astonishing after all, that the
story OF Jim Flsks lie should first appear In its
columns. 1t Is true that not a lew OF the little
episodes in his past career have appeared In the
public prints from time to time, and IL Is possible
there would have been more but for fear engendered
among the journalists generally IN consequence of
his treatment Of Samuel Bowles, OF Springfield,
when ne gave little historical sketch OF him about
libel suits or the terrible visions Of night or two in
the Ludlow street jail Of New York, the HEnAIDs
historian will endeavor to do his duty in aording
the public curiosity moInentary relief concerning
the birth, growth ana ripening OF the renowned Mr..
Fisk, Jr.
TO Vermont that grecnest Of all the green noun
tain States in New England, belongs the distinction
of his nativity. 1t was on cold, frosty morning,
about thirty years ago, that tue elder Mr.. ana
Mrs Fisk had came to rejoice at their first born, ana
before evening all the old gossps in the little town
ofPouney were talking over this great local event OF
that eventful day. If they could have foreseen the
great commotlon or coming years which that lnno-
cent little babe was then destined to create there
would probably have been great jubilee and carni-
val Of all the townspeope. The village bells world
have been rung, cannon would have been
fred, silver cups would have been showered
upon the little youth abundant profusion ana AL
the girls in town would have gathered around
the cradle and almost smothered the little fellow
with Kisses But unfortunately for al these little
events which might otherwise have characterized
the birth Of Jim Fisk, the inhabitants OF Poultney ad
no prophet among them, his brilliant career was not
foreseen and he came into the world with only the
same demonstrations OF Joy az hundreds OF others
have met with before and since. He was always
very healthy boy, and managed to weather the
measles, Group and whooping cough in manner
every way worthy OF the hero OF wall street and
Erie He was also a good looking little fellow, the
envy Of all the other boys around ana the admira-
ton and pet of the girls. Furthermore, he was
very obedient son, ana seldom meriled an applica-
ton OF the birch either from MS paternial guards
ans or the school mistress.
His father was q pedler of dry goods, Yankee
notions, &C., and being away from home much OF
the time the early training OF the boy deyoved upon
the mother. He attended the common district
school OF the town, and there obtained the only
education he ever had but he would probably have
been put through collegiate course II the parents
had but possessed fragment OF the fortune which
the son has since acquired. But, In the case OF Mr.
Fisk, Jr, with hundreds Of Others whose lives will
cover the pages OF history, he managed to pick MP
more than on ordinary education by rough contact
with the outside world. He was quick and sharp to
perceive and possessing remarkable memory he
seldom forgot anything once learned by experience,
particularly II 1t promised to DO of any practical
advantage 70 him, ana it is, perhaps to this
quality more than any other that he Is indebted for
his peculiar success IN life. IT has been stated and
Is very generally believed that almost the rst bust
ness In which Mr. FISK. Jr., engaged was in driving
q caravan wagon for Van Amburg; that he subse-
quently had charge of the animals and that after.
wards he remained Tor eight years Ia the service OF
the great wild beast exhibitor In the capacity of
doorkeeper, during which time he travelled all over
Europe, America and the Canadas this story IS
pure fiction FROM BEGINNING 10 cnd
There Is no question however, but this very re-
markable man was once peddler, ana very sue
Cesslul one, too. iio began IN the employ of his
father, but soon proved himself more than match
for the senior FlsS and after while tho old man
trade consisted chiefly OF dry goods and such
like, and the country merchants In New Hampshire,
Vermont ana Western Massachusetts found
him a formidable rival among Their customers, and
his visits were nylhtng but welcome in their re-
spective neighborhoods the teams which he used
70 drive through the country were very elegantly
and elaDoratey decorated, ana his advent INTO the
country towns Of the connecticut valley was long
and eagerly anticipated by his lady patrons Some
times he would drive four anl often Elk horses, ana
his heavy wagon, Respectfully sized retail store IN
ITSELF was always tasteuly painted aud ornarented
and was an admiring sight as wen as good adver-
tisement ell along his various routes. sometimes
he and his father went together, and occasionally
they would take separate teams and drive
over different routes. The old man thought
at one time thar young Jim was not
were too Wild that he would bring ruin upon him,
and that their labIlities-then hlghtfully large
would, with the young mans reckless management,
result IN the fathers early and complete failure. 1t
was when the old man gave vent to these fearful
antcipatons that the enterprising son made the
bold proposition to BUY out the fathers interest but
retain the father IN MS employ at regular salary.
They were both ridilg upon the box OF the wagon
between Putney AMI Drattiebcro, aud after having
discussed tho matter pretty freely, the elder FISK
said
mefn
~ win give you $4,000 year, father" was the
quick reply OF Fisk, Jr.
'It's q bargain, tnen,n responded Fisk Sr.
---xAu rght,n said young Jim; ''but want You to
understand distinctly that you are my clerk, and
don't want you 70 pHI On any 81 your Id airs.n
The adventurous Jim dld not cunttnue roHg- in the
pc0ding business on his own hook. lie did weTf
however, but he thought he could do better lie, as
well as his father before him, had bought most OF
their goods from the firm OF Jordan, Marsh Co.. in
Boston. Tho old man had run largely in debt but
when the son took hold OF the business he was more
amount OF goods he disposed OF attracted the atten
tlon OF the firm by which hc supplied. Wishing
to secure the services OF such an energetic young
man, Jordan, Marsh Co. made proposition TO him
to enter their employ. This was IN 1861 just before
the war broke out. lnasinuch as old MI. Fisk
owed Jordan, Marsh h Co. considerable OF a bill an
arrangement was made by which portion of the
salary for the sons services should be applied
towards the liquidation OF this debt, and with this
understanding Young Jim went to WORK as clerk.