Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1897-07-21
A FAMOUS MONEY LENDER.
Story of a Man who Won UnenviahSe
Fame IN California.

Story of a Man Who Won Unenviak1e
Fame IN California.
In the passing of Asa Fisk drops out
from California life an individuality
so marked that 1t was proyerbial in
the community, says the San Francisco
Chronicle. Asa Fisk gave a name to
methods in finance as Machiayeli gave
name to methods in politics The
common remark Of those who knew
him only by repute is" Cent per Cent,
Cent per Cent, the money lender is
dead" Jealous for his farthing Asa
Fisk may have been, and in a grasping
posture, was he photographed In the
opinion of his fellows generally. but
in this lenders nature was kindly,
even generous phase and there are
tears that he rs dead. For Asa Fisk
was loving man to his own. liberal
parent and husband, and, in stealth,
ne made charitable gifts that might
astonish those who were called upon
TO pay to the last dollar the debts they
incurred when In stress. Indeed, Ia
such contradiction were the aspects
OF this man that one cannot bring
them into harmony unless he applies
4 one lens to his business life and an
other to his domestic life Asa Fisk
was one man to his debtors and an
other man to HIS family. His character
is to be read from his ancestry and the
4 struggles of his early life. He was
+ farmers boy in New England born on
/ Christmas day. 1918, at the town OF
| Holliston, Mass, and until IA years Of
4 age he lived and worked on his fathers
farm. Then he made his way to Bos-
ton, and for wage OF SO a week
worked in a grocery store. With thriH
that showed higher development in his
later years, Fisk bought board and
lodging and clothing from his meager
compensation. Seeking advancement.
he sought and obtained employment
with the firm Of Daniel Kimball & Co.
dealers in tailors goods and supplies.
His income at first was 500 a year.
HIS industry and intelligence caused
bis salary to be advanced and his res
/ possibilities to be increased He moved
steadily forward and before he was 30
!eaL VI age was a partner Suisse
saentIT FISK became the sole owner OF
ehS business. His fortune developing
ne turned to railroads and politics.
building the East Boston & Suffolk
railroad and serving term in the
state senate of Massachusetts,. In 1859
ne came to California for his health
That visit determined the location O,
his residence. Returning to Boston he
sold out his business interests and
with pile of ready money, amount.
Ing TO about $4,000, he came, in 1859
to San Francisco to live. He started In
business as a money lender, by his
methods gained the notoriety that
gave an unpleasant attachment to his
name. He announced the rate of inter.
est upon which he would lend money
per cent month, or per cent
week, according to the applicant or
Fisks judgment of him, but always
compounded. The applicant might
take the money or leave It, as he chose
| but usually he took 1t, for few went 10
Asa Fisk's dingy Office on Montgomery
street except in dire need. As a credi-
tor he was relentless. He vigorously
fulfilled every engagement he made
and he expected every other man to do
likewise. II a debt of $3.50 grew to
/ $4,000 by the increment OF compound
interest he used every means known
to the law to collect the last cent,
Withal he loaned money to distressed
applicants when none others would
listen to their requests. A clerical coat
on borrower was always deemed
sufficient security for loau-oi
course, at the usual rate of interest
and several young lawyers might have
gone hungry If Asa Fisk had not re-
garded their pride as collateral for an
advance. Asa Fisk gained large for
tune, amounting probably to about
100000. Most of his money was care
fully invested in productive real es-
tate and all or nearly all Of this real
estate he transferred to his wife by
deed. In the probate court the estate
Of Asa Fisk. deceased, will appear OF
small rppasIra