in fall 1849, the foundry was destroyed by fire, along with all of company's machinery, tools, and inventory. in an effort to rebuild his business, fisk borrowed $15,000 from two investors, john g. forbes, member of the 49th new york state legislature and horace white, 37th governor of the state of new york. the following year, fisk began experiencing declining health, fully unable to work in fall 1850. at this time, he transferred his patents and business to forbes and white.