The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-07

Wilson, or Massachusetts, obtained conuhcs
for furnishing the troops In the field with
underclothng. To make the acquaintance OF
this lady Fisk's ambition, but he did not obtain
an Introduction until after she had awarded her nrst
sub contract Pierce Brothers Flanders. He was
not inundated or discouraged by this fact. how
ever; for he Immediately sought TO influence Mrs.
Moore to revoke her arrangement with the firm
above me ltioncd and award the contract to Jordan
Marsh 4 Co., ana in this effort he was eminenty
successful. From this contract grew others from
the same source, and the profits realized by the
Jordan 4 Marsh arm were immense. MIR. Jordan
and the other partners at once became convinced
that Fisk was more useful IN other spheres than that
OF pedler and he was soon taken into the concern;
lie continued as actiye and energetic as before, ana
IN every speculation IN which he engaged the caplta
invested was speedily doubled, aud IN some IN
large lot OF cotton blankets in the
store, which had beep on hand for several
less one day Fisk told HIS partners mat he thought
he could dispose OF tnem TO good advantage but pre-
laughed and told him 10 go ahead ana sell them AT
any price. lie went TO Washington and hlred an
elegant suit OF apartments In WIZARDS, ana COM
nenced entertaining, on grand scale, the various
officers OF tile army. Inc Quartermasler 1enera,
among others, became fascinated with MS acquaht-
ance and hospitality, and IL was not long before
Fisk found out that The army was In pressing need
OF large supply OF Just such blankets as those ne
had in Boston. Fortunately, II not accidentally, ne
happened TO have few hundred with MN az specl-
mems, and when they were exhibited the govern
ment not only bought all that Jordan. Marsh j. 90.
had ON hand OF q fabulous price, but awarded con-
tract for large number 10 addition IL - estimated
exceeded over NIL lou dollars Win clear proht
| of from 5000 900 to 100000.
Yhe next original stroke for wealth was in the pur
chase OF cotton, which was now selling for from
III 70 to 81 50 per pound IN New orK anu Boston.
Large quantities OF 1t he ascertained we're held
inside the rebel lines and could be bought for mere
song, say from ten TO Thirty cents per pound How
| 10 set " through was an enigma which had been
considered by mar. but Fisk was the first 20 solve
| 1t. There was a young man from Boston, an old
| friend OF Fisk, who was government superintend-
| ent OF the military railroads in Tennessee and In
that vicinity was stored large amount OF the de-
sired cotton. he TOOK nasty trip to memphis TO
ascertain The situation and learn II there was not
| some way by which 1T could be purchased and
brought safely through the lines TO the Northern
e thing nc could be az done the
| ton OF Some military officials could be OBJ
tanned, and this having been assured he returned to
Boston to make his preparations. To do tie buy ing
| and shipping inside the rebel lines was difficult
| and somewhat dangerous task; but If it could be
done successfully there was an Immense fortune to
| be made. LIE did not care to engage in the business
himself but like the late Artsnus Ward, he was will
ing to sacrifice his relatives. lie therefore secured
| the services OF his father; also those OF O woman,
the latter doing most OF the business inside the rebel
lnes ana MI Fisk, ST., attending TO the shipping OF
| the cotton NoriA after it mad been purchased.
| Everything rs previously arranged by young Fisk
aud carried cut .uader his direction worked 10
charm, and not less than q million dollars profit
| was reali2ed by the operation.
lie also engaged in other schemes In rapid suc-
cesslon, opportunities were afforded from time 10
time by the war; and in nearly every Instance large
| amounts or money were made.
Among other paying revolutions which Fisk H.
| augurated III the irm OF Jordan Marsh S co. WAS
| that OF manufacturing their own goods, as tar al
/
| turers aid commission dealers. The senior members
OF the lirm looked distrustfuy upon this sheIne at
advantage and they at once went to work building
| and purchasing ali the mls they could, and they
| have not relaxed Their efforts in this direction
| since Fisk left tile concern One tinlo he was In
New York city, and learning that there was likely to
be great demand for certain kind OF nannels, he
conceived the idea OF obtaining control Of tho
market By purchasing the only mill in the country
then engaged in the manufacture OF that particular
| q
| W, forthwith and conclude a bargain for
tine % at all and h fne an ssaf was
quite favorable terms. but inside OF an hour alter
the transfer had been effected there came telegram
from rival firm In New York, offering Mr.. Green
| banks the former proprietor, $4,000 more for the
| property than he had just received. The mill was
| operated by the nrm OF which Fisk was member
| for about year, at profit OF about $500 900, and
then the property was sold back to Mr.. Greenbanks,
During his business career In Boston, os well as
since, Fisk dealt WITH lie everywhere on grand
and magnificent scale. He was always before the
| conspicuously as during the past year or two. lie
| sailed around upon the surface Of the best
society in Boston, and upon all social occasions
| there We're few present more gay and festive
than Jim Fisk. About the time that he left
| was grand complimentary bail In honor OF him at
the Boston Music Hall, and at the line it was justly
regarded as one Of the most brilliant and magnld-
cont affairs OF Lhe season. Everything provided
| In the most elegant and liberal manner, ana the oc
casIon was the theme Of happy gossip in Boston TOR
| many weeks after. When ms military reputation
was at its height General Mcclellan came on visit
TO Boston, and there was nucn dissatlslac ton on
the part Oh the public because he became the guest
| OF Mr. Fisk ana few other gentlemen. Wherever
| the irrepressiDic Jlm and the then gfeat military
| hero OF tho Gay seemed to be very much carried
| away with him.
Company firm the foremost In Boston, It's business
not sufficient to satisfy his ambition. He there
FORE alter connection Of about TWO years. drew out,
with fortune variouSy estimated from 100000
100000. He then engaged Unfortunately In cot
ton anu other sDecuiations, and had store on the
corner OF summer and Chauncey streets, In Boston,
From this time forward he was not always success
often 1 his operations were attended with financial
failure. heavy loss now and then dld not dis
courage him, however, and what would have made
some did not seem TO scarcely rufe his tenl
per. He always ready to consider fresh enter
prise ana II it promised TO yield profit he en-
barAed IN 1t at once. Thus twas. with this perseyer
ing and indomltabla energy, combined with original
method, that he managed to earn the distinction
which is now accorded to him. He carried on his
summer street store IN Boston only few months
ana whcn ne closed It up the popular impression
was that ne had lost heavily Inasmuch as he paid
hundred cents the dollar II Is fair to presume
that II the store failed to pay he was successful IN
| many OF the other speculaons In which lie was en-
gagged AT the same tine
TIE lact is not generally known that Mr.. Fisk was
the first to conceive the idea oil running line of
passenger steamers from Bristol to New YORK. Two
years before tie line was established he discovered
that by tue shortening of railroad travel line from
any OF the passenger boat routes between New
York and Boston, and he, having suggested the I'D
VataBes, MS pltu was carried OUT Dy otners Dut, as
Will be soon seen, they reiounded to his own profit
o few years later.
Almost his first prominent connection with rail-
roads or steamboats, was when he purchased the
Stonlngton line OF steamers, some two or three
years SINCE There were parties In Boston anxious
60 obtain control OF them, and Fisk, becoming aware
OF the TACT, undertook to put himself In the way OF
making few dollars out OF the transfer, Ii 1t could
be effected. He Immediately went TO New YORK and
procured an Introduction to Daniel Drew, who 1t
viii be remembered was at the head or the company
owning che Stonngton boats. Mr.. Drew was at
and placing the utmost confidence his ability and
sagaclty nc authorized HIM TO act his agent In the
sale OF the steamers. Fisk conducted the sale
Mr. Drew. and mutual friendship and conf
deDce were greatly strengthened thereby Still
renlarknnie fnrefhnilqht In an his tra ntinns