Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-07-09
NEW YORK.

New YoRK, July BY far the most
interesting days proceedings in the
great Fisk and Stokes tragedy took
place yesterday. The trial is now draw
ing to a close, and viii soon be submit
ted to the jury. Helen Josephine Mans.
field, accompanied by her mother and
sister, appeared in the courtroom to-day,
causing great sensation. Miss Mansfield
was rather handsomely sttired. Stokes
mother was also present. Miss Mansfield
recognized and bowed TO the prisoner
who returned the salutation. The pris-
oner was placed on the stand; he is
thirty-one years old went into the oil
business in 1865; continued till 1870; first
knew Fisk in 1869; had business
relations with him. TIE prisoner was
asked whether the relations were friend
" or otherwise, but the District Attorney
objected. The prisoners counsel said
they proposed to show that Fisk took
Stokes legal rights away from him, and
that through the Judiciary being corrupt
he could not get any legal redress, and
al these circumstances operated on his
mind to such an extent as made him
temporarily insane. Tremaine followed
with viyi2 descriptions Of the wrongs in
aicted on Stokes BY Fisk during the
last two years. Beach. for the prosecu-
ton. said the basis should first be estab-
lished before the insanity theory was set
up; be ridicUled the charges concerning
q corrupt Judiciary as absurd and irrele-
want. Tremaine replied vigorously,
characterizing Beachs remarks as i'm
proper and out Of place. a tedious dis
cussion followed. The Judge decided to
admit the testimony regarding the general
relation of Stokes and Fisk at or about
the time of the killing, out no specific
cause had been entered on. The exam
ination Of the prisoner was resumed.
He sal his relations with the deceased
at the time Of the shooting were hostile.
Stokes, in the course Of his examination,
said that when on the hotel stairs on the
day Of the shooting, and as soon as Fisk
saw him. Fisk sprang up few steps and
drew his pistol. Stokes cried dor't
fire." but seeing Fisk cock his pistol
Stokes pulled out bis pistol and fred at
Fisk, who at the FIRST shot cried "0hT
As Fisk pointed his pistol at Stokes the
latter fred again; Fisk then fell. Stokes
then turned and went up stairs. The
pistol drawn by Fisk was silver plated.
Stokes met Hill on landing, and told
him there was man shot and to send
for DR.. Thomas. Hart was there all the
time. The prisoner claims he did the
shooting purely 10 selfdefense.
The election Of Erie directors was pro
ceeded with this morning at the COM
panys Office, Twenty.third street. The
following ticket was elected: Peter II,
Watson, President; Alexander Diven,
Vice President Samuel D. Babcock,
Samuel S. Barlow, John j. Cisco, Charles
Day, John A. Dix, W. B. Duncan, John
j. Johnston, Henry L. Lansing, J. 7.
Oliphant, Edwin D. Morgan, J.lv.L.
Pruin, Homer Ramsdsll, Fred. sehuek.
hardt, VIM. W. Shipper, VIM. R. TRAY.
ers, Directors.
General Shaler states that all the regi-
ments will be ordered on duty at their
armOries. July 18th, and that although
no trouble is expected between the Hi
bernian lodges and 0rangemen, every
preparation will be made for any posi-
bic emergency.
President Grant has accepted an invi.
tation to attend Strauss ball in this city.
A majority Of the trades on strike
have resumed work under the old sys-
TEN. The workingmeH in their weekly
meetings still discuss the Fedastion Of
the hours Of labor and the methods fsr
making future movements with that
view more successful The employers
are still organizing and expect TO form