Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-01-10
Murder Of James Fisk. Jr.

NEW YORK, January 6.-James Fisk,
Jr., was shot twice in the breast, by
Edward Stokes, at the Grand Central
Hotel, at twenty minutes past four this
afternoon. The affair took place in the
vestibule. Stokes was arrested and con-
veyed to the Fifteenth Precinct Station
House. Fisk had just alighted from a
carriage and entered the hotel when he
was shot. As he assembled the first step,
Stokes came out of the next passageway,
unperceived by Fisk, u~nbuttoned his
coat, drew out a revolver and rapidly
discharged three shots at Fisk. The first
lodged in Fisk's shoulder; the second
whistled close by his head; the third,
with more fatal aim, took effect in the
abdomen, infiicting a mortal wound.
Fisk at once staggered and fell. while
Stokes, casting a look of hatred at the
PROSTATE form of his victim, said in saw
age ZONES: 81 have done for the son of a
bitch this time" Fisk evidently recog-
nized his assailant before falling, but
made no remark.
1t is said that the order of Judge
Brady, restraining Stokes and Miss
Mansfield from publishing letters in
Miss Mansfeld's possession, affecting
Mr.. Fisk, Peter B. Sweeney and others,
had an eXasperating effect on Stokes.
1t is believed that he was aroused to
desperation, partly in consequence OF
rumors generally received, as well as
founded, thas the grand jury has found
an Indictment against himself and Miss
Mansfield, for attempts to blackmail
Fisk.
Charles s. Spencer, one of Fisk's law
yers, stated to the crowd at the Grand
Central Hotel, that Stokes had already
obtained $4,000 from Fisk that falling
in his last attempt, he had, like a cow
ard, shot Fisk. He also said that when
Stokes left the court to-day he was very
cool and collected.
NEW YORK, January "A few min
utes before eleven o'clock this morning.
James Fisk, Jr., expired. The news OF
Fisk's death spread rapidly, and every
where produced a profound sensation
and regret. All the aspersions that his
enemies had heaped upon his character
were in a moment forgotten, and only
his noble qualities of head and heart
were remembered-his frankness. his
generosity and his charity.
The body will be conveyed from his
late residence, No. 3I3 West Twenty
Third street, to the New Haven depot.
at two o'clock Monday afternoon. The
funeral Will take place at Brattleboro,
Vermont, on Tuesday, at l o'clock, p. N.
Stokes was taken to the Tombs this
morning, and placed in a cell on the
second tier, where the worst criminals
are confined. When he heard of Fisk's
death, he expressed regret, and said he
did the deed in a state of frenzy. The
Indignation Of the public finds vent in a
general wish that the criminal may be
tried, convicted and hanged without
delay.
Thara cop ha No otha- o,i,;o, b,.
that the shooting of Fisk was a deliber-
ate, cowardly murder. That any man
however conspicuous OF humble he may
be in the public eye, should thus be
struck down by an assassin. in so public
a place, and in clear daylight, is q fearful
thing to occur in this country, and no
excuse or apology is admissible. Fisk
had gained great notoriety as a bold and
desperate operator and gambler in stocks
and bonds, and was no doubt unscrupu-
lous, and had enriched himself by de-
frauding others OF their property. His
adventures with the Erie railroad were
astounding feats OF financial vaulting
even to the sharks of Wall Street. His
example has been morally baleful but
his tragic death, while it may appear to
many as almost an inevitable conse-
quence to the defiant career OF a moral
desperado,was broughtabou by the hand
ofan infinitely greaterand more heartless
villain, who has proven himself, what
ever his talents and social position may
be, unfit and unsafe to mingle with his
fellow-men. What his fate should be il
is not u province to say; but whatever
it may be, it is 10 be hoped that it may
prove an example sufficient 70 deter
others from the crime Of shedding hui
man blood under the frenzy Of devilish
revenge.