The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-01-08
BY TELEGRAPH.
NEW YORK.
James Fisk AssaSsinated !
SHOT BY STOKES AT THE
GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL.
Full Particulars of his Tragic
Death.
Especial by International Line

was SHOU ytSttIudy dltcTHOou, uiOu w N"y ~
1915 A NJ. The following are the particulars
of the tragedy. 1t appears that at the close OF
the examination into the Fisk-Mansfield case
yesterday Stokes left the Court room and pro-
ceeded in carriage to the neighborhood OF the
Grand Opera House. After remaining there
some time he proceeded to the Grand Central
Hotel and there awaited the arrival of Fisk.
Shortly after o'clock Fisk left the Erie office
and drove to that hotel. He alighted at the
ladies' entrance to call on Miss Morse. AS he
was leisurely ascending the stairs he discovered
Stokes standing at the head with revolver in
his hands. The doorkeeper stated that Stokes
Immediately fired two shots at Fisk, who was
below him, and Fisk leaned against the wall,
saying, 81 am hurt, 1 am badly wounded
Stokes waited several moments at the head of
the STAIRS then coolly walked to the ladies' par
Tor, threw his revolver upon sofa and quietly
descended the stairway to the office. The pro-
prietor shouted to the attendants to stop that
man. whereupon the porters caught Stokes just
as he was entering the barber room and de-
tanned him until the officers arrived, when he
was taken to the 18th precinct station and
locked up. Fisk appeared very cool and gave
hasty instructions to send for number of per-
sons. In few moments he was undressed and
had at his bedside Drs. Foster, Wood, Trepler,
White Taylor and other physicians 1t was
found that the wounded man had been shot
through the right arm, and wound was dis
covered about three inches above the navel and
two inches to the right of the medium line and
downward at an angle of forty-five degrees.
The chances were pronounced to the wounded
man to be very faint. He heard the decision
calmly and Immediately sent for David Dudley
Field who, ON his arrival, drew up Fisk's will,
which was duly attested. Among one of the
first callers were VIM. NJ Tweed, Jay Gould,
Peter B. Sweeney, Miss Morse and her mother,
who she had, come to VISIT and several of Mr..
Fisk's family were the only persons admitted
to the dying mans chamber. A quarter of an
hour after the occurrence the hotel was be-
sieged by multitude clamoring for admittance.
The excitement throughout the city last eve
ming and to-day has been intense. Coroner
Young was sent for and took the Colonels ante
norton statement, which is substantially as
above related. The shooting was doubtless
caused by the way things were going in the
Courts The case at Yorkville yesterday went
against Stokes, and it was intimated that the
grand jury would probably ndict both Stokes
and Mrs. Mansfield as blackmailers. There is
a bitter feeling throughout the city against
Stokes. 3.
by Associated Press.l
Jas. Fisk, Jr., was shot twice in the breast
by Edward Stokes at Grand Central Hotel at
twenty minutes past o'clock this afternoon.
The affair took place in the vestibule and Fisk
was assisted to a chair. 1t is thought that he
cannot survive. Stokes was arrested and con-
veyed to the 18th precinct station house. Fisk
had just alighted from his carriage and entered
the hotel when he was shot.
A few minutes before IL O clock this morning
James Fisk, Jr +, expired. . Unremitting medi-
cal skill and attention were of no avail. All
night Erie employees of all grades thronged the
corridors adjoining Fisk's room, and with
mournful faces awaited voluntarily to proffer
aid The medical attendants were studiously
cheerful in their looks, especially whenever the.
PROSTATE man showed signs of consciousness.
He lay upon his side breathing heavily, his face
was pale, but before o'clock had not any
alarming expression, only around the eyes were
dusky rings that seemed to show some little
danger. In the ante-chamber few of Fisk's
most intimate friends remained all night, but
the lower halls of the hotel were entirely de-
serted At o'clock the first ominous change
appeared in the patient, although, perhaps, not
the first indication of his final end He grew
little restless his face had greater pallor and he
breathed less easy and regular, and his pulse
was more rapid, nearly 100. At half-past
Fisk said something in a broken tone and then
closed his eyes. The change in his face had be-
come more apparent, the pallor more deathlike
and moisture appeared on his forehead his
pulse being ovor 100. The doctors stood by the
bedside watching the patiently attentively. At
o'clock it was first announced that he was
fast sinking and the danger of sudden ending
very great. Pulse $780, DR.. Fisher went down
stairs in hurried manner and asked something
of the night clerk and then went back looking
bSy Ill
rage driven very rapidly stopped at the door
and the coachman helped out a lady in a dark
travelling dress, who walked quickly into the
portico. This was Mrs. Fisk. She looked worn
and haggard. Following her was her father,
Mr.. Morse, then younger lady, apparently a
relative. The carriage was Fisk's, the same
from which he stepped when shot The party
were admitted first into the ante-chamber and
afterwards into the bedroom. Mrs. Fisk was
terribly aggitated and the scene was heart
rending. At half-past7 o'clock his friends col
lected in the ante-room had been Joined by
others who asked anxiously after the condition
of Fisk. Lawyer Sherman and Jay Gould
stood near. The latter was completely over
come. The doctors were appealed to by his
wife to give some little hope, but it was gently
indicated that they dare not say there was any
chance of his life. Fisk was not much moved;
he seemed never to be deserted by the fortitude
displayed when first shot AS the morning adj
vanced his pulse grew still more alarming and
he became more and more feverish and ex-
hausted. Morphine, which had been given him
in large quantities, only kept him from terrible
suffering and as it was his fortunes were ex-
cruciating.
At 8 O clock there was little change; at half
past eight the doctors consulted again and at
o'clock the suppressed excitement about the
past his friends were permitted to go to the
bedside. He thanked them simply for coming.
The rapidity of his decline showed itself more
strongly than ever. At 10 o'clock there was
eager and hushed whispering, as it was told in
every ear that the end was surely drawing nigh.
At half past 10 he lay scarcely knowing there
were any ministering to him. He looked at
the opposite wall and noticed no one. At 1915
o'clock death put an end to his Sutferings. Jay
Gould was in attendance from early morning
His face wore, while yet there was hope his
friend might recover, its usual calm expression.
No sooner had Fisk expired, however, than
Gould's forttude gave way his grief found vent
tears. He moved about silently, giving or
ders now and again in reference to the arrange
ments for the removal of the body to Fisk late
residence in 23d street and In relation to the
funeral.
The news of Fisk's death spread rapidly and
everywhere produced profound sensation The
scene around the room where the body lay was
touching.
At 2 O clock tomorrow afternoon the body
will be removed from Fisk's late residence to
the Harlem Railroad depot and taken thence
for interrment to Brattleboro, VT Gen. Varian
has ordered brigade, of which Fisks 9th reg
ment will form part, to do honor to the occa-
sion.
Stokes was taken to the tombs this morning
and placed in cell No. 10. His counsel is with
him as also are his brothers. He said that he
did the deed in a state of frenzy.
The indication of the public finds vent in a
general wish that the criminal be friend, con-
yicted and hanged within a week Some were
heard to say that Stokes is worth $250,000, and
''you never remember man worth that much
that was hanged in this country" An inquest
was held this afternoon at the late residence of
the deceased. -..-I.e
Those who know Stokes express establishment
at the audacity with which he committed the
crime.
FIsK's WILL.
The following are the provisions of Colonel
Fisk's will Mrs. Hooks, his sister, receives
800, 000in Narrag ansett Steamship Co. shares;
his father and mother receive $4,000 year each;
to each of the two Misses Morse he bequeaths
$4,000 year; to the 9th regiment 81 900, (this
gift was made week ago but was legalized last
nght); to his wife he bequeathed the balance
of his property of all kinds; to Jay Gould, for
whom he entertained the warmest and most
disinterested friendship, he left his personal
effects and entrusted to him ''the labor of love"
$50 it is called in the willy of carrying out all
his disks projects in regard to public improve
ments. Mrs. Fisk inherits all her husbands
shares in the Erie railroad.
THE ASSASSIN.
Even the enemies of Fisk admit that in the
matter between him and Stokes, the latter was
throughout the offending party His private
his iltreatment of his wife, an amiable and
beautiful woman who is now in Paris with her
brother. She married Stokes nearly eight years
ago. -Four years afterwards her father Mr.,