New-York tribune., 1885-03-28
MR.. FISH'S TESTIMONY.
HIS ACQUAINTANCE WITH wARD-LETrERs ABOUT
coSTRACTs-wARD's PROSPECTS,.

HIS ACQUAINTANCE WITH wARD-LETTKRs ABOUT
coNTRAcTs-wARDs PROSPECTS,.
When James ID. Fish, the defendant in the
already famous trial. called to the witncss-stand
yesterday he removed his specaces and started up from
the middle of his back on which he usually reclines
when I'm the court room. Opinions may differ az to
whether his look is OF childish simplicity or hard
ened impudence, but no enc certainly would Jhdge
from his that he exceptionally bright or tAat
he knew such thing as emotion o. sentiment He is
always npassive and usually acts II the proceedings
were an uninterestng from which he could not
decorously escape but to which he did not intend 10
listen. He is abort of stature. with qneerly-shapea
bald head and short white beard He dresses PLAINLY
He was examined by William stanley OF the hrm VINO
who are defending him. His answers 10 questions were
delivered I'm lond distinct tone, which the jurymen
could easily hear born In StOnDgton, Conn.,
he said and came TO this city In lsil. / had preV
oGsly been clerk my fathers store. In New OEK
went into the ship chandery business IN Southsl Iho
name of the firm was Ashley & Fish. year later II
was Ashley, Cole & Fish aud 80 remained TIL 1898.
when it was changed to James d. Fish Co. Ny inter
est in the firm ceased In 1873 became director In
the Marine Bank after It's organization in 1888
becatae its president in 1861, and the bank became
Natioual bank in 1868"
Mr. Pish said that there nothing unusual in the
president remaining in other active business lie
first became ACQUAINTED with Ferdinand Ward In 1876.
He was introduced by Mr. Green, who was the cashier
and president Of the bank until he died in January
1871 Young Ward went Mr.. Fish about the time OF
the death OF Mr. Green and said that he young
man Of limited acquaintance and capital and asked MI
Fish to be friend him he had been TO Mr. Green
whose daughter Ward had married. He sall," Mr..
Fish testified" that If would give him chance lie
would show that he was worthy OF confidence" He
asked the bank president TO give him advice In business
matters He gave references David DOws, Franklin
Edison and s. Hastings Grant Of the Produce Exchange
Ward said that he knew how money could be made by
buylng Produce Exchange membership certificates ana
selling them at advance. certificate might some
times he bought $500 and SOLD advance of from
$50 TO $50. Mr. Fish lent money for these opera
tons sharing the profits with Ward. letter from
Ward to Fish, dated July 6, 1873 read to show the
nature of these dealings. Ward then spending a
short vacation in Stamford, Conn. He writes:
"The Board of Managers talking strongly OF buying
in some Of their certificates and canceng them. This
will OF course increase their value, and IL they do It,
think they WILL want TO have few on hand. II at any
time you feel that you must call In these loans
tcates will raise the money but feel that the larger
the venture In hands the better 1t will be for for
watch them carefully and things look there is
every chance of their going up am in constant com
munication with the superintendent Of the Exchange,
and when he up here last week TO visit US he told
me that II 1t became evident that tke Board going TO
retire some OF the certificates he would 10 in and buy
up what he could and advised me to do the same"
The business OF buying certificates kept up for
about two ears There also transactions IN hour
and graiR and othersspeculatOns. On New Years Day
1880, Ward In reflective mood wrote tie following
letter:
NEw-YoRK, jan !. 1850.
HAPPY AsD PROSPEROUS NEw-YBAR.
nv Dear Mr.. FISH: owing to Mrs. Wards illness
have been Unable TO leave the house to-day have
been employin the time In settling mp all my accounts
and seeing now stand at the opening OF the New Year
find that after paying ali my liabilities TO you Thave
good baanee left. own house in Brooklyn also lots
In Asbury Park and East Haddam these together with
my bonds and stocks will suffice TO care for both wife
and In my faculties for business should give out.
But still you know the Old saying is true that the
more one the wants and this Is with
The acquaintance and influence ! have with men OF
prominence and Influence gives me many opportunities
TO make money and feel that with care and shrewd-
shall be able by next January to more than double
The opening of the Western mining field Is well as
acquaintance with Grant and brother will help
us in making many good turn In mining stocks am
also anxious 10 increase Flour business II such Is
We will not lose that the coming year will
OF great advance In American securities.
q Your past kindnesses have been so great that an
reluctant ask still feel that appreciate
my desire young man 70 gain that point when In old
my work should like try and increase -four bus
ness feel IL u safe one aud as We have lost
nothing yet feel confident that we VIII Keep on doing
should also like in connection with Grant and my
brother well Grants Father, aud TO take advantage
OF some Mining points they occasionally give mo- Grant
did 80 well in the Crysoiie, Little Pttsburg Mountain
King etc. that TOO want 10 Join him In some OF their
enterprises They take good deal Of money; sti
always willing 10 put In what can II you Can help the
rest. also tnlnk thdt were W put s"J
$4,000 as margin on stocks we could make
good profit the investment make these suggestions
not only from selfish point Of view, out also because
eujoy making money for well as do for myself
Thanking you for yonr many generous past ayors.
would suggest that you give these matters careful con
sderatio believe that ready TO put In my little
capital and all my personal energies during the coming
year to increase the profit we have already made
Yours very gratefully, H. WkhD.
Ward had desk with Dominick 4 Dickerman Five
months after the date Of ast letter he wrote to MI
Fish
"Now word 90 to tho -four busness. infer from