Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-09
The Funeral Procession.

defence for their client:
The full history OF Fisk's relations with
Stokes will be called up, and an attempt
made to convince the jury that the prisoner
has for long time been martyr to Fisk's
selfish, overbearing spirit They will bring
witnesses to show how Fisk first became init
mate with Stokes, and engaged 20 supply the
Erie railroad with kerosene oil from his fac.
tory on Long Island; how the two progressed
together and became more and more stead
fast rs friends, until third party appeared
in the person Of Miss Josephine Mansfield
The counsel will dwell upon all that followed
showing how the woman favored her new ac-
quaintance; how the rival became jealous
and tried to estrange the lover. frs; by fair
means and then by foul how he caused the
arrest OF his former friend, Stokes, and sub
sequently seized his property, on the pre-
tence that he took it for debt. They will at
tempt to show that Fisk having almost effect
ed ruin upon Stokes financially, continued to
persecute him, and finally after getting his
antagonist completely cornered, closed his
mouth by getting decision from the court,
forhidding the admission in evidence of Ger
tain letters and documents calculated to
throw light upon the subject. How Stokes,
after paying $3S 900 counsel fees, and being
unable to keep up the controversy, saw that
still another decision was going against him
in the Y"rkville' police court; finding himself
at the end Of his terher, and his antagonist
fresh as when he came into the fight, having
an unlimited src,'* of money to back him
sees nothing Ala but ruin and dishonor.
They will undertake to show that the charge
of Matchmaking was groundless, and that
Fisk really retained in his own posses sion
money which he promised to Miss Mansfield
Finally, they relate how Stokes came from
10 nf
only to meet face to face the judge who has
just issued the order for his arrest. and that
Judge a warm friend of his hated antagonist,
and how he became suddenly exasperated,
and changed from an adversary to an assas-
sin.
Stokes the assassin, is still in cell fifty at
the tombs, which has been r. fitted for him,
John Graham and the rest Of his counsel held
an interview. with him about tive o'clock
There is no excitement about the tombs and
no signs ola riot. The court Of sessions is
held in the toAbs building.
The Coroner's jury met at the tombs at 8
o'clock. Stukes's counsel were present. also
Judge Fullerton and Charles s. Spencer, to
watch the interests of Fisks relatives. Stokes
was brought into court and attempted to ap-
pear unconcerned. Coroner Young called
the names of the jury, when John Graham
said that there seemed to be a murderous
feeling in the air, and he wished to submit
two legal points.
The coroner said that the inquest was reg
ular and would not allow any interference Of
the counsel.
Mr.. Graham persisted, saying that he de-
manded testimony to be taken as to the state
of Fisk's body at the time he received the
fatal wounds, in order to see if he were as
pacific man as represented, and if he were
point on the act of 1871, which forbids inter-
ference with the body of murdered man be-
fore the arrival of the coroner
The coroner here checked Graham, saying
that he would do his duty. He called John
j. Redmond the door boy of the Grand Cen
trail Hotel, who testified to the arrival of Fisk
at the hotel, asking fer Miss Morse. The
boy said that he would see if she was in.
Fisk was going up few steps ahead of him
when the first shot was fred and Fisk fell,
saying ooh" Fisk then rose and a second
shot was fired, Fisk falling and sliding down
some six feet. He then got up, and after
looking to see il Stokes was there walked up
stairs and was taken to the reception room
Saw Stokes with his left arm on the balus-
trade; had something in his hand, but could
not see what. Stokes went into the hotel ten
minutes before Fisk.
A large crowd blocked up the streets
| around The Grand Opera House all the morn
ing. The body of Fisk was removed from
his residence to the large hall of the Erie
railway directors in the Opera House, where
it was placed on a catafalqus. The hall was
| covered with network Of black and bite
festoons. black drapery depending from the
cornices and covering all the doors. On
either end Of the casket containing the body
were beautiful devices of anchors. crowns
&C., in white -cameias. On either side of
the casket were national flags and the regi-
mental standard of the 9th regiment, and
large picture of the deceased stationed at the
end of the casket. The officers of his regi
ment bore the body from his residence to the
Opera House where it lay in state, and an
immense concourse Of people filed in to take
last view of the deceased. The body was
dressed in the uniform of Colonel of the 9th
| regiment. The face wore slight expires.
sion of pain but was otherwise natural. His
cap and sword lay on the top of the casket
A large number OF prominent citizens joined
in the ranks which filed past the remains to
take a last look at the murdered man. The
members of the 9Th regiment are very indig-
nant to-day over the assassination of their
Colonel, and say they are determined to hang
Stokes. The employees of the Erie road ex-
press desire to lynch Stokes also, and the
authorities have decided to hold the inquest
in the building of the tombs SO that there
shall be no necessity of removing him from
the prison. No one will be admitted but the
coroner's jury, Witnesses, members OF the
press and the prisoner.
! The funeral procession to day marched in
the following order, from the Grand Opera
House: Double platoon of police, full
band of the 9th regiment. playing the dead
march of Saul, about 1000 Erie officers and
employees, the 9th regiment with full ranks
and arms reversed. Next came the hearse,
followed by Col. Fisk's favorite black charg-
er, fully caparisoned and led by colored
groom. Following were officers of each
regiment, the national guard, a long line of
carriages extending half mile, in the fore
most of which were Jay Gould, President
and other officers of the Erie railway, officers
of the Narraganset Steamphp Company, &c.
| The whole procession was over mile long.
All the windows, balconit s, steps of houses,
| and all the walks of the streets and avenues
were crowded with spectators. Scores of
carriages fell into the line on the route. The
procession proceeded to the New Haven de-
Dot where the remains were placed on the