New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-11
RELATIONS OF WARD AND FISH.

PERSONAL GOSSIP ABOUT THE MEN-How THE
YOUNGER GAINED INFLUENCE OVER HIS ELDER.
| To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR Having been acquainted with Mr. James d. Fish FOR
some years. and had slight acquaintance with Mr. Ferd-
| nand Ward, I suspected soon as I heard Of
the failure last Tuesday that the younger man
through his bold operations in the private banking
firm had caught the conservative bank president In equ-
pose az It and given him time TO think Of any
thing but to protect his depostors from blows that might
yet be coming Mr.. Ward has about half tho years
OF Mr. Fish, but all his years have been lived IN
hdent flush times lie with the impulses OF youth
into the very centre Of business starting at the Produce
Exchange the clerk, where men were on the jump
during business hours and there no time TO stop and
read character but each takes every other TO
be perfectly solvent because he is there in the building
doing business In this life OF action without much fore
thought young Ward instantly matred like beefsteak
broed the fire which comes TO us both rare and done
All no wanted capital to carry out ideas he saw as
| clear before him as his nose in the glass
Being a sutton for the daughter of officer Of the
Marine Bank not Mr.. Fish's daughter MI. Ward made
some money his prospective faherin-lsw, and when
the latter died he left his Judgment with Mr. Fish that
Ward was OF the most remarkable young men OF the
day Ward then called Mr.. Fish, and inmodest and
persuasive said that he could make money for
both Of them and for the family looking to him for
business advice and This was not many years ago.
but the interval has been rapid enough.
Mr. Fish had never made great money. though he had
always weto do with capital TO spare, and he be-
leved In waiting and letting things develop The sue
cess brought 20 him by Mr. Ward parted any doubts or
arguments he might have had for it almost uniform
success for long time. and the bank president some
times said TO his confidential lfrendsi have never
made largo money til within these few years past since
have known Ferdinand Ward" Beginning his opera
tlons with buying and selling Produce Exchange cert-
oates Mr.. Ward. through a brother who was mining
engineer struck lucky mine and 1t was carefully de-
vcoped held out long In tho course OF time he told
Mr. Fish that he thoughlheiwoud go up othe Stock Ex
change presenting quicker field tor business Wit than
the Produce Exchange. The president Of tho Marine
Bank advised against this stop and most Of the steps
which ny tho young mans initiative the
older man hesatod about but he could not argue down
the luck that seemed 90 come with the holder policy
From having desk-roOm pear tho Stock Exchange and
executing rapid transactions often IN unlisted and ex
perfmenta securities Mr. Ward meeting with the second
son Of General GRANT. who also operating the
street IN much way but hardly with the general
success OF Mr. ward discussed partnership. and having
introduced young Grant to Mr. Fish, asked tho latter 10
come In with them Mr. Fish asked TO put his
up with the Grm but he declined and became special
partner with the boys, and so tho nrn was Grant
ward They thryed. Ward doing most OF the business
and consulting with Mr. Fish generally IN the mornings
At breakfast m Brooklyn These breakfast conversations
were almost always ia the light OF ideas from Ward and
ouiet objections from Mr. Esh In little while General
Grant wished 10 enter the nrm and after lac had come IN
he desired 90 have his son Jesse made member This
would have made three Grants or anumerfcalnaloriiy
General Grant was SLOWED TO Increase bis subscription
from $4,000 To 100000. the whole OF which was to
stand IN his name mt either OF his sons FRED or jesse
IA ght get the dividends from their father
The partnership was now moro tightly grasped in
Wards hands he having indicated himself the best
OF business Initiatives and In the future, II WAS ar
ranged that no only should sign checks and should keep