New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-01
CHANGES or TWO DECADES.
WAR TIMES AND PEACE TIMES MEMORIES OF
TWO TYPICAL OLD SCHOOL AMERICAN
MERCHANTS


Dur,lng Slip between South and Front sts. two
decades ago during the final years ~ the Rebellion
and for several years after 'ts closing. was the
scene Of many large auction sales OK bales OF cot
ton and hogsheads Of sugar and molasses. most
~ which had been captured from Confederate
storehouses by Union soldiers. or from blockade
runners by Federal warships Now the sip Is oc-
clpieI hy several street railroad tracks which CON
stituic The eastern terminus OF the line running
from Fulton Ferry across town - the Cortlandt
and Rarclay-st ferries. and 4 shabby lot ~ cars
IS frequently left standing on the tracks The late
4 A. Low viewed the sales from his office win
aows in the ve-story brownstono tea and silk ware
house ~ 4 \ Low Il Brothers. Nos. 81 30 and 30.
on the east side Of the slip while the ate william
II Togg his warm friend. though active CONNER
clal competitor. looked out on the same spectacle
from his office windows in the hve-story granite
warehouses OF William H. Fogc Co. Nos. S2. 81
&c am IS on the side Of The slip.
Both were stanch. loyal Republicans and liberal
contributors u the snews ~ war for UNFOLDING
the Union. and both complcenily witnessed the
great sales ~ contraband merchandise Occasionally
they mingled with the crowd " buyers and spec
,ators. and listened 20 the resonant bass voice Of
tall ana stately Daniel II. Burdett. The veteran
auctloneer who still carries business at the old
stand" his salcsrooms being at 40 % In front OF
which the historic vendues were held
Messrs Low and Fogg were then each extern
slNclN engaged IN the emma Tea ana SILK ttd'N.
Mr. Low whc went to China in 1879. founded HIS
firm In this city in 1870 and 1t built and owned
many fine ships The firm OF which Mr.. Fogg was
the head succeeded that ~ H. Fogg & CO.. IS
tahlished many years before the Rebellion 10y III
ram FOgg elder brother. the home office being
IN this city. with a large ship chandery and gem
cral store and ship lumber and timber yards at
Both were OF widely different personal appear:
ance. but each was pre-enfnentlv public spirited
and benign as the kind hearted Cheeryble Rroth-
ers by whom young Nicholas Nckleby was 50 be-
ncvocntly ''patei on the back Mr Low was
short, stout and smooth shaver while ms lrlehl.
Mr.. FOgg was tall broad shoullered ana wore
flowing side whlskers. Both were OF kindly thought
by no means "of those wise phi,anthropists who IN
time or famine would vote ior nothing but supply
OF toothpicks for In periods Of distress or national
eNigency they promptly and literally responded
with unstnted expenditure OF both time and money.
Half "A century ago I'm 1874 Mr. Low became
member Of the New-York state chamber of Com
merce and it, president from 1863 To lssi lie
was treasurer Of the Union Defence Committee OF
this city during the civil War and in the after
years OF the unpopular income tax ne was as
sessed upon net annual Income OF $500" re
also for many years president or the hoard OF
Trustees OF The Packer institute IN roo nosn.
~ identified with many financial ana charitabe
Mr. Fogg was one Of the early and most promi-
nent directors OF the Park National Bank. whose
ornate building. adjoining the old Herald office IN
Broadway, between Ann and Fulton SITS, was vr-
tuaAy the pioneer ~ the many large and handsome
business structures which have since been erected.
He was an intimate persondl ifehI OF ~ re-
President Levi +. Morton the banker ana was
largely Interested In several Leading banking. IN
surance and other institutions. Having long served
as chairman Of various important committees OF
the Chamber Of Commerce. Mr.. Fogg was vice.
president OF that influential and timehonored or
ganizatlon from 1882 1894. when he died. null
tl-mionare. Mr.. Low dying much more recently.
The business Of the Old firm OF n, \. Low "
Brothers Is now carried on by the Oriental and
Occidental Tea Company, which ~ managed ny
Mr. Lows surviving brothers, Josiah O. and Sd
ward q. Low his son. President Seth Low. OF Co
lumbla College having withdrawn from active
partnership when he became Mayar OF Brooklyn:
William II. Fogg Co business Is now condn Sich
the president ls Mr. Fcgg's nephew. ex-Assembly,
man HoratO y. TwOmbley. who was admitted 70
The firm OF william n. Fogg Co. before the Re
bellion during the early years OF which he was the
resident partner at Shanghai
Mcssrs Low and Fogg were two OF the most
perfect types OF the genuine odd school American
merchants Of whom few now survive. Thelr
portraits adorn the walls OF the Chamber OF Com,
merce where they ably and faithfully laoored
TO promote the country's best commercial ana
financial interests.