The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-08
SCENES IN THE ERIE RAILROAD OFFICE.

waen the news OF the death Of Colonel Fisk
reached the Grand opera House yesterday the
element, which mad been momentari,y increasing
as his condition became more critical, reached O.
fover heat Erie maguates hurriedy rushed to and
fro; officers OF the Ninth, with downcast faces and
saudened looks In mourniul tones bewaed the
fall OF their chief; actors who md lived upon the
comprchended the force OF real tragedy. which all
the mlmicry OF the stage had entirely tailed TO teach
Those who doubted
THE POPULARITY OF FISK,
and believed that the manifestations OF esteem and
love to which ne was occasionally treated were
only empty ceremonies had only to visit the Grand
Opera house yesterday anu form their own opinion
OF the sincerity Of the regrets poured forth from The
assembled hundreds. There was not one 10 utter q
harsh word relative to the dead man. No one
denied that he had grave faults but all agreed that
his virtues overbalanced his VICES and sometimes
his fangs leaned to virtues side. HIS large
hearted iberalty his numerous acts Of generosity,
the attachment to his friends and his charity to
open enemies formed the scene OF universal COM
ment and IN all the crowd there was none to say
an unkind or harsh word.
THE ERIE DIRECTORS
mustered In force with gloomy and perturbed looks.
seemingly overwhelmed by the greatness OF the
catastrophe which mad 0ve,taken the road by the
them were gathered III earnest consultation, eagerly
discussing the probable effect OF the death OF Fisk
on the standing and security OF the corporation.
Clerks were everywhere despatched to gather IN the
executive wisdom OF Erie, ana some Old men
ana young, iniirm and strong, were prOdering
assistance and ADVICE 70 jay GOuld, on whose
shoulders great responsibility had sud-
denly lalen. 1t was eviuent from the troubled
Jocks of those who were present that the loss was
no common one, ami many, under the influence OF
strong EMOTION gave vent 10 their sorrow in tears
The extent oil the calamity to the Erie road Is only
known to those VINO are deeply int rested IN its
concerns, but 1t requires all the executive ability
1t can command 70 weather the slurnl ana with.
stand the formidable ddngers with which It Is
threatened both from foes wltnln ana without. The
splendid business Qualities OF FISK ms tact nis en-
ors 10 be one OF The principal causes which mas 80
long made the road successful; anu grave ques.
CAPABLE or FILLING HIS rLAcEYn
The splendid likeness Of the Colonel which
Erie Office suggested i''' startling lesson son
saw the original leave the Office u Of life and
vlgor, and IL Is said III excellent spirits,
had considerably eiatei him. and he left in Hign
good humor. WHAT change Il few hours mad
sai. they could scarcely realize the awful fact, Dut
looked upon 1t rs some hideous dream. But the
iondest explosions OF grief aud indigna.
men OF the Ninth, as the regiment and Its
success had been the pet PROJECT or the
departed Prince. 1t was 1elt 10y all that the main
prop aud stay Of the organization mad gone, with
no PROBABILITY OF any one rich enough or generous
enough arising to I'LL the vacant place. Many OF
the oiccrs looked as II they had been weeping and
the seftlod gloom OF the men and the vengeiul de-
termination displayed in their features bodied Ill
for the author OF the calamity had ne been within
reach When The hea1se containing the coffin,
which was taken from the hotel appeared In sight
the agltaIion became intense, ana a low wall Of
sorrow went up from the assembled multitude.
Long after II had been taken into the residence
which Fisk lett u few hours beore, all unconscious
poI the tragic Termination oI his career which
awaited him, the excitement continued, and did not
IN any way lessen as the night came on. About tour
O'Clock notice was posted 10 the soldiers or the
Ninth at the entrance 10 tile Erie Railroad Office,
calling upon all members OF the regiment to assem-
BILE this morning 10 do honor 10 their departed chief
and participate In the solemn ceremonies OF HIS
funeral Night came on, and the crowd on the
streets was undmnlshed, while inside welghty
matters OF life and death 10 the Erie Railroad
beng anxiously debaGed. IL was not until the
lights had been all extinguished and the last
director had taken his departure that the soldiers
and Civilians slowly returned 10 their homes