The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-08
INCIDENTS In THE LIFE OF JAMES FISK, JR.

would 60 up to par.
INCIDENTS In THE LIFE OF JAMES FISK, JR.
In the strange, eventful history of the extraOrdt
nary man who on yesterday morning babe farewell
to life. its pomp and vanlties, there were many
remarkable chapters. IL would be strange indeed
were 1t not so, for no mau can rise IN few years
from comparative insignilcance to great wealth
and wide celebrity without the performance OF acts
bearing the stamp OF genius.
The story OF the elder Rothschild's journey from
Brussels London after he had been assured OF the
overthrow OF Napoleon ut Waterloo, and OF his
immense and successful specuatons there In conse-
quence. is well known. Hut James Fisk, Jr.,
conceived and executed an equally brilliant
stroke at the close OF our war OF the
rebellion, the particulars OF which we think, have
never yet been published With that sagacity
which distinguished him In ali his career Fisk saw
that when, the I'd OF April. 1865. General Lee was
driven from Petersburg his surrender could not be
far distant
BRILLIANT IDEA.
He Immediately went TO Boston, consulted with
some OF his financial friends aud made them part
In his scheme. This to get the news OF the
surrender OF Lee and collapse OF the confederacy
for use on 'Change in London IN advance OF the
mail 1t will be remembered that rne Atlantic
cable was not then laid. small swift steamer,
formerly blockade runner was purchased. fitted
out and sent Halifax IN ballast. Neither the cap
tain officers OF the steamer knew her destlna-
ton. The secret Of her mission was solely confded
TO agent Of Fisk. who Was the only passenger on
board.
sTRAM WAS KEPT UP
day and night and everything was In readiness for
q start across the Atlantic. Days went by and
still the steamer lay quietly In harbor OF Hall.
fax, awaiting the expected message from Fisk At
best he could not have matted ashorter despatch.
but one word
The blockade runner started for Queenstown i'm.
medately and got there two days ahead OF the mail
steamer. The agent speeded across Ireland to Lon
don and commenced his operations. BEFORE TWEEN.
ty.four hours elapsed ne sold 'short" that is, sold
what he had not goD S., 600, 900 in Confederate
bonds. He had orders from Fisk to sell as long as
he could get buyers, but was restrained by part
ner Of one Of the Boston men, who was cursed with
prudence. But the operation was pretty success
ful; the Syndicate" divided between So, 900
and s. 00O 900, the proceeds oil the speculation"
This was lit for James FISK, Jr.. which very
elcOme.
vANDERBILr EUcERED.
tilty OF resource when closely ccrnered by power
a FISK aa 70 s @ e reueS
way to DO that lie thought would be by destroying
ae views s Is e an eer the @ Ga
freight from chicago and asked Erie to do likewise.
Fisk assented and cattle were consequently
brought from the West IN great numbers aud at
small cost. by special asreqment the rates on Van
derbilts tine and on Fisks were made uniform.
his hand. Giving the Erie officers short notice he
BROKE FAITH WITH FISK
and announced that for twenty days the freight on
the Central Railroad for cattle from Chicago would
be 81 so per head instead OF s. He expected to
crush Erie by this move but he recKoned without
FISK. The later made no alteration in the rate the
Erie road. but quietly directed his agent In the West
VanderDiiVs route. The Cattle were soon pur..
chased, and Fisk had the pleasure II seeing Van
cost OF running the trains. OF course the Commo-
dOre soon grew tired OF fighting against such odds,
fRS 'nG FISK ee % this III
direct from the Central But this was not the full
the Central was blocked with Fisks 10000 head Of
cattle the Erie was open anu carrying other freight
LEGAL SHARP PRACTICE
Fisk appeared to 90 utterly reckless In his con-
pearance. He was really sharper than the best Of
his legal advisers When the great Erie litigation
were "watering' the stock OF the road-tuat is,
issuing extra certificates OF stock TO an unlimited
tanned an Injunction from Judge BalcomD RESTRAINING
the President Vice President secretary aud Trea-
Ss 81 ns ERE wsre ea
ance This was damper ON the hopes o. Fisk aud
his colleagues; but the cunning Vice President soon
discovered o way Of deliverance Fisk got hts
counsel to get out legal document which would
have the effect OF compelling him tFsK) and the
other officers OF the road TO do their duty. And nc
directed 1t to be done, and 1t was done, Ia this
ner:-Applicatl0n was made to Judge Gilbert, in
BROOKLYN. on behalf OF the directors Of tue Erie
duly. Judge Gilbert issued the Order. It was
something new III law and was called
~. ~ "" "AANDATORY INJUNCrON.n
Armed with this document, some Of the directors
went to the officers OF the ROAD. and demanded that
they Immediately sign the certificates oil stock
which were prepared. Jay Gould, James Fisk and
the other 0ficers were thus forced to do their
'dutyr as required by law. Before the Vanderbilt
people realized the situation and got out another
Injunction $100O0,00v OF certificates OF stock were
signed and issued
But the bright side OF the character OF the de-
ceased ID more pleasant to dwell on especially at
this time.
MS OPEN-HANDED GENEROSITY -
when our citizens were sending reilei to Chicago
VIII not soon he forgotten. he drove TWO OF his
best carriage horses, with TWO others, 10
his relief wagon, through tho streets, and col.
lected from the people large quantity OF
stores which he sent by special train to the suffer-
ing city OF the West. This relief was timely and
prevented GREAT suffering. IL Is now SAID that lie
Wwas i,osr Charitable 10 the poor, anu 'naL TOO,
without osentatlon; that ne was generous ana KIND
oil heart. These things should be remembered by
those who are ready 10 cast on his bier the stones
OF wrathlul condemnation. Poor, murdered jim
FISK he was popular, as was demonstrated the
day OF the Alexis reception. whom he was cheered
from one end OF Broadway to the DINER, and many
will to-day sympathiZe with his relatives. and
gret that the greatest character OF our city and or
our day was not reserved for better late.
TIE MORSE FAMILY.