The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-12-28
NEW YORK.
stokes, Own Testimanx.

INC prosecution oDJeCteu several tlIueS, CldlM
ing that as the words of Fisk after he was sho
had been excluded by the Judge the testimony
of Stokes should also be excluded, but Judge
Boardman overrued the objection and allowed
Stokes to proceed. Stokes said that when
about to leave the hotel and having partly des
eehded the ladies stairway, saw Fisk enter the
door, that Fisk pulled out pistol, and was
holding it with both hands. Stokes then spran9
to the left to be out of range, and Immediately
took his own pistol out of his pocket and fired
At the first shot Fisk exclaimed "Ohp' and at
the second shot, Fisk turned partly around
said he was shot, and seemed to drop his pistol.
Stokes testified further that he had no premed-
itation to kill Fisk, and had not time to think.
Saw Fisks pistol distinctly and believed his
life in danger. Did not take particular aim at
Fisk. Stokes denies that Hart was anywhere
around at the time, and Harris testimony that
he crouched along the corridor was not true.
Was unable to return = meeting Fisk. He
denied other testimony given by the boy Hart,
and said Fisk did not identify him as having
shot him, but simply identified him as Mr..
Stokes.
After recess the prisoner resumed: At the
time of meeting Fisk on the stairs he knew
him to be desperate, INSCRIPTIONS and vindic-
tive. After being arrested they took him to
the station, and the first persons he saw were
his brother Horace and Mr.. Bailey whom he
had parted from outside the hotel. When he
called to Rufus Andrews his object was to
know if he went to Providence about the trot-
ting match. and whether Fisk could go before
the grand jury and say that he knew he had
absconded, and Mr.. Andrews told him to CO.
Next he called to Mr.. Bisby, who gave him the
same advise. Had no idea when getting into
the coupee that Fisk had got an indictment
against him. In reference to the testimony of
Andrew Parker yesterday, Stokes said, when
he got on the stand knew that had seen
him before. Never recollect to have had any
conversation with him. Never used the words,
Fisk is a id back-mailer, and 1 will shoot
him. 1 carry pistol Never knew Parker
had a hotel in Meadville, and never heard of
the place before. 1t is all manufactured all
along. l knew Mr., Drummond, proprietor of
the Worth House of Fifth Avenue, where re-
resided for year.
Questionable he tell you anything about
suspicious character hanging around the hotel?
Ruled out.
Mrs. Williams told me it was Fisks habit to
send men after anybody that came in his way.
Mr.. Tremane offered to prove that the prs-
oner fer weeks travelled in covered cars in con-
sequence of apprehensions of an attack from
the emissaries of Fish
Mr.. Beach objected to the proof of morbid
or unfOunded apprehensions, in the absence OF
proof that Fisk threatened OF sent persons af-
ter him. No actual threats were proved to
Justify the apprehension, if any were enter
tanned.
Mr.. Tremaine SAID it was question of the
prisoners jus armigerendi at the shooting and
and circumstances bearing proof that there
was an apparent imminent danger at the time
disaster.
Brig Emily, for New York, coal laden, went
ashore on Hart Island last night during the
snow storm and sunk.
Schooners Samuel Fish aud Carrie Holmes,
and four other schooners, names unknown,
wenl ashore at the same time The Fish and
Holmes were hauled off and lowed to this city.
interruption of Mails.
The mails leaving Boston early yesterday af-
ternoon, and the New Haven mail of this morn
ing have arrived; no other Eastern Mails are
yet in. Western mails due yesterday arrived
this afternoon. Passengers who arrived this
morning were twenty-three hours coming from
New England Society Reception.
The second annual reception given to the
ladies by the New England Society, took place
at Delmonico's tonight The rooms were
crowded at ten o'clock when dancing commence
ed. AT eleven o'clock repast was partaken
OF, after which dancing was continued till a
late hour.
burn, Gen. Hancock, Hon. VIM. T. Haven
meyer, Gov Jewell, exAttorney General Hoar
Hon. VIM. M. Evarts, Chief Justice DAILY ex-
Gov. Morgan, Rev. DR.. Bellows, Judge Wood
ruff, and Gen. Burnside
Fires.
This morning fire was discovered in the base
ment of the building 156 Mercer street. The
tiremen were promptly on the ground, notw tn
standing the Snow, but the fire had gained con-
siderable Roadway, as it doubtless had been
burning some time before discovered Another
alarm drew to the fire additional force, includ-
ing the chiefs of the fire department THE
flames soon spread through the block to the
buildings GIG and 621 Broadway. The property
belonged to Stuyvesant and Tate and is damag-
ed heavily. The fire on Mercer street extended
to Nos. 15S, 160 and 1872, and caused damage ex-
ceedng $4,000. Engines are still at work at
the fire, though the flames are subdued and
Broadway is temporarily blocked in conse-
qnence at that point. Total loss about $4,000.
A Temperance Appeal
ia meeting Tonight nndar thu a,,snieAs of
the National Temperance Society, resolutions
were adopted deprecating the injurious GUS
tom OF dispensing wine and other Intoxicating
beverages ON New Years Day, and making an
appeal, particularly to women, clergymen and
members of churches and public functionaries,
to abstain at all times, but especially New
Years, from the use of wine and intoxicating
liquors, and not to proffer them to others as a
symbol of hospitality.
Twenty Families Burned Out.
Some twenty families living in the upper
stories of the buildings burned in the rear of
Mailards Hotel early this morning, were
rescued only by great efforts of the police and
tiremen. They lost all their household goods.
The total loss by the fire is now estimated at
about 100000 A German girl was fatally in
jured by jumping from third story window
Curious State of Affairs.
The debris of the great Centre street fire is
still covered with snow and ice and untouched
by shovel or pick. The owner of the building,
Robert Craighead, residing in Yonkers, has
been telegraphed to several times, but made
no reply The police have no authority to
touch stone or stick of the burnt premises
Wi tsnr ntipr, Of tI,a
afraid to employ laborers for the purpose lest
Comptroller Green refuse to pay the bill.
Meantime the police headquarters and 9th
precinct station house is daily besieged by rela-
tives of the unfortunate dead demanding that
a search be commenced, and eagerly offering
assistance.
Coroner Hemmon this afternoon officially re-
quested Superintendent Kelso to excavate the
ruins, expressing the belief that the Board of
Police or Department of Public WORKS have
the power to order the work performed, saying
no red tape ought to be allowed to interfere
with humane duty. The appeal is expected to
be successful. A formal Investigation into the
cause OF the fire will commence after search is
made for the bodies. Several young girls EN-
ployed in the building visited the rims to-day
and cried bitterly over the grave of their fellow
workers.
The investigation into the fire at Mai,lards
has commenced, and the evidence taken thus
far shows that the steam-pipes do not come in
contact with the woodwork, though running
within six inches of the floor beams. The Su.
perintendent expressed the belief that the fire
may have been caused by a lingering spark
from the furnace used for roasting cocoa
The loss by the Franklin street fire last nigh
Is covered by insurance.
Various Matters.
Commissioner Smith to-day was reelected
President of the Police Board, vice Manierre,
who resigned in his favor.
The Board of appointment to-day authorized
the issue of $4,000, 900 worth of city bonds for
public Improvements of which S500,000 is fol-
the purchase of land for Riverside Park.
Judge Blatchford has decided that the Adams
Express Co. is entitled to recover the value O
$4,000 of U. S. Treasury notes, o. which it
messenger wBs robbed IN May 1868, and which
were afterwards purchased in good faith by
Permilico & Co. The value of the notes wa
paid into the court by the United States, sub
ject to its decision which of the claimant;
should have 1t, and it will now be handed tc
the Express Co.
| Prof. Alfred Greenleaf, well known teach
er, died in Brooklyn yesterday, aged IS. HI
was born in NewburypOrt, was graduate OF
Dartmouth College, and formerly principal OF
Franklin Hall School, Salem, and the Semi
nary in Brooklyn.
| Three persons were frozen in Brooklyn las
| night, two fatally.
Boston mails Of Friday morning arrived lat
| tonight.
THE ACCIDENT LIST.