The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-01-11
The murder of James Fisk, Jr.

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The great sensation of the day is
the shooting of the notorious James
Fisk, Jr., at New York on Saturday
afternoon. The daily papers are fill
ed with the details of the affair, the
causes which led to it, and the history
| of the parties concerned, for which we
have not the room to spare, even were
it desirable to>publish it. From the
mass of dispatches relating to the hor-
rible affair we copy the following:
Col. James Fisk, Jr., was shot and
mortally wounded in this CITY. Sat-
urday afternoon, at half past four o.
clock, by Edward S. Stokes, one of
the parties who has figured promi-
nently in the Fisk Mansfield suit. AT
the hour named carriage stopped at
the entrance of the Grand Central Ho-
tel which contained Fisk and his COM
panion the former. alighted and en-
tered the hotel for the purpose of pro-
ceeding to his rooms. As he ascend
ed the first step, Stokes came out of
the adjoining passage way, unper-
ceived by Fisk, unbuttoneG his coat,
drew ont revolver and rapidly dis
charged three shots at Fisk. The first
lodged in Fisk's shoulder, the second
whistled close by his head, the third
with more fatal direction took effect
in his abdomen, infiicting mortal
wound. Fisk at once staggered and
fell, while Stokes, casting a look. of
hatred, on the PROSTATE form of his
victim, said in savage tones 81 have
done for the son of bitch this time"
Fisk evidently recognized his assail-
ant before falling, but made no re-
mark. Immediately after the shots
were fred the hotel employees rush to
the scene, and while some cared for
the wounded man others seized Stokes
who, seeing escape was impossible,
made no resistance, and was prompt
ly handed over to the police. Fisk
was quickly conveyed to his room,
where the surgeon of the hotel was
soon in attendance on him. Mean
while telegraphic dispatches were
sent for further surgical aid and for
friends. = :
In view of the certainty that the
wound would prove fatal the ante
mortem statement of Mr.. Fisk was ta-
ken in which he stated substantially
o6 ANY anu CCOS 4l1C0 fllu -.
Stokes as the perpetrator of the act.
fore eleven o'clock on Sunday morn
ing. All that unremitting medical
skill and attention could do had been
done but without avail. -.
Mr.. Jay Gould was in attendance
from an early hour this morning. His
face wore, while, there was yet hope
that his friend might recover, its ,usn-
al calm expression s,..1 ;,ss..5
No sooner had Fisk died, however
than Gould's fortitude gave way, and
his grief found vent in tears. 5,-
The news of Fisk's: death spread
rapidly, and everywhere produced
profound sensation and regret. ,g. !
All aspersions that his enemies had
heaped upon his character were in a
moment forgotten and only his noble
qualities of head and heart were re-
membered-his frankness, his .gener-
osity and his charity. -
The scene in and around the room
where the body lay was touching in
the extreme. 1t, became necessary to
admit upstairs only those who came
at first on business. Notwithstanding
a very large number of the friends of
HlSk anu ucSbo VI lllc lOl6lrs WHO Flo-
tied the body there were many ladies
among them. Later in the afternoon,
and prior to the removal of the body
to Fisk's late residence, the general
public were admitted to view the
body. 49, S.. $50.
The funeral took place at Brattle-
boro, Vermont, Tuesday, at one o.
clock p. M. The brigade to which the
Ninth Regiment is attached was order
ed out to escort the remains to the
depot. The Ninth acted as special
funeral escorts The officers OF the
brigade wear the usual badge of
mourning for thirty days. Stokes
was taken to the Toombs and placed
in cell on the second tier, where the
worst criminals are confined. When
he heard of Fisk's death he he express
ed regret, and said he did the deed in
a state OF frenzy. The indignation of
the public found vent i'll a general
wish that the criminal may be tried,
convicted and hanged without delay,
This affair grew out OF the long and
bitter fight between Fisk and Stokes
originating with Mrs. Mansfield.