Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-01-28
KOPP,s COMPANY (LIMITED).

One autumn, not long since, / was
staying with my family at Brighton; and
asf strolled along the beach enjoying the
fresh air and the sight of the equipages
that dashed along | was accosted by a
gentleman with whom / had made a
slirht acquaintance in London. knew
little of Mr.. Kopp-such being his name
farther than that he seemed perfectly
Yespectable and was spoken of as being
in business ia the city. On the present
occasion he was lively and chatty, max
inc remarks on the fashionables who
were driving along in their smart car
riages. Drawing my attention to a
handsome phaeton driven by man
showily dressed, he said That's a
smart fellow. He was once clerk in
some Government office, but getting dis
gusted with the drudgery he watched his
opportunity, attached himself to good
concern in the city and is now making
his three or four thousand year" In
this intelligence l felt degree inter
ested. was not i'll off, for | had fair
competence; but why might not /, like
into "gcod concern in the cityg'
"What sort of concern is the gentle,
man connected with?" / inquired of my
companion.
"oh! he is a promoter of companies
and managing director in one of them,
and | don't know what besides You
must have heard his name Fitzbarton.
He is rising man, member OF two or
three clubs, and will probably soon be
in Parliament"
On parting with my acquaintance
thought a great deal of Fitzbarton and
the easy way in which he had glIded into
a fortune. | got restless and made UP
nv mind to ask Kopp if he could point
out any way by which might follow the
successful example of Fitzbarton. AT
next interview Kopp expressed himself
delighted with the inquiry.
at is very curious you should have
mentioned this TO me; for only this morn
ing was thinking of you in connection
with an affair am shortly to bring out
and it is just the thing that is likely to
suit you. Come and sit down here, and
will explain the nature of the undertake
ing-a splendid piece of business, if an
not greatly mistaken" We sat down
and Kopp opened his budget. cit is,
he continued, "a joint-stock concern K
supply want which every one mus
have experienced more or less in life
and which has for its intention to Offer
aid TO our fellow men as much as to put
profit in our own pockets. 1t is to raise
a capital of about ESQ, 900, which is to bt
lent to small tradesmen, to officers in the
army or navy when they require outfits
to help clergymen to buy livings-to give
assistance, in fact, to every person whose
position and character render such an in
yestment safe one. AT present mal
may be ruined for want of fifty pounds a
short notice, or he may miss making
fortune for want of few hundreds
The business in this way is done now by
Jews, money! lenders, and extortioners
who charge their so and 80 pc
cent; whereas we, as a company, woult
be content with 10 or 10. You see
the extent to which our business could b.
carried is unlimited, practically, and GU
success is certain. provided we have bust
ness men on our Board Here is a prelimi
nary prospectus; look over it, and let M
know tomorrow what you think OF it."
Hooked over the prospectus; It's sta
tstics, compiled apparently with grea
care, were really most promising, AM
the affair seemed likely to succeed
What my position was to be in connec
ton with the company was yet to learn
but on the following day ] was enlight
ened. / met Mr.. Kopp in the afternoon
and he told me that though he was bese
by applicants, yet he would take car
that had seat on the Board, and shoui
commence my experience as director
"The directors fees" he said, wi
amount to something considerable
probably to $500 year; and the wor
will be very light because snail
nearly all the work"
knew but little about companie
then, yet I was aware that ! must pos
sess some shares in order to be qualihe
as director, SO / asked my generou
friend what sum must be invested u
me.
IF you work hard" he replied, :"
will tell you what I will debut 20
must not mention this to the other q
rectors-I will hand you over E50O wort
of shares fully paid up, and you can r
pay for these out OF your directors ices
will make that all right"
! now began to see before me veI
bright prospects. was to pc cou
rector with some very weil-known naIn .
"a Scotch peer, an M. F., a general Oh
Ger, an Admiral and two city men. a
the preliminaries being settled, Iouh
that Kopp was going to supply al "
money for the preliminary expenses, an
that none of US had any risk. ouch
safe affair was very satisfactory, ana
! found should not have to attend IN
Board meetings more than once wee
l could spare sufficient time to DC Y
rector of two or three companies, an
might, therefore, net $1,000 per annun
1t was by no means unpleasant W =
ones name in the paper as director OF
fourishing company as Kopps Con
pany Limited)" and associated with "
respectable names on our Board. ! wa
congratulated by many Acquaintance
but cautioned by one or two oVer-Pi,
dent friends, who no doubt meant VIZ
bu. whom dared not tell that incurrs
no risk, tn consequence OF being 9ua
fed as o director by my friend mop
We took offices in the city and had Boal
meetinas 1T which however, our m.