The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-01-10

in his thirty-frst year. His parents, who
were possessed of o moderate fortune, and
moved in the best society, removed to this
| city in 1850. He received an excellent clas-
sical and English education at the Phiadel-
phia High School. he acquired knowledge
readily, hut was especially noted for his fond
hess for athletic sports, In which he always
| excellcd. From early youth he Is said to
have exhibited fierceness Of passion and un-
govcrnable temper amounting ut times al-
most to insanity. Always sensitive to insult,
and quick to resent an injury, he has fire.
quently involved himself in serious difficult
ties. He began life as clerk in his fathers
provision establishment in Chambers street,
and showed considerable business tact and
ability. Stokes is five feet nine inches high,
and weighs about 40 pounds. lie is slightly
built, but is very wiIy and active on his feet.
In conversation he talks quickly and to the
point, and hur1ies his affairs through as rap
idly as possible.
Stokes is man of fine appearance, of a
dark complexion, with piercing black eyes
and regular features. His hair, which was
jet black couple of years ago, is now partly
gray, and were it not for bis active move
lnents he would pass for a man of forty-five
yealN. Mr.. Stokes married lady Of good
one child---a very beautiful girl of nine years
of age. In June Of last year Mrs. Stokes,
who was III bad health, visited Europe to
seek some benefit from the mineral springs
Of Central Germany, and when last heard
from, as late as December 3, was in Paris.
The family, while In New York, had an
elegant suit of apartments Mt the Worth
House, corner Of Fifth avenue and Twenty
sixth street. These apartments were fur
nished with every article Of luxury and re-
1incment that taste could devise or that
money could buy.
Nearly two years ago Stokes becAme ac-
quainted with Fisk, and engaged with him
in various business enterprises. Through
Mr.. Fisk he formed the acquaintance OF
Helen Josephine Mansfield, the ci-derant
wife of IN actor. An intimacy sprung up
between the two, which has just resulted in
the tragic death OF Mr.. Fisk.
The suits and counte1-suits between Fisk
on the one hand and Mansfield and Stokes on
the other hand have occupied the courts and
filled the columns of the newspapers for a
year past. Stokes accused Fisk Of endeavor-
ing to deprive him Of property to the amount
of 100000, which he had accumulated in the
oil-refning business. This charge was re-
PEELED by Fisk, who arrested Stokes on q
charge of fraud. The fraud not being proven,
the latter was released, and brought suit
against Fisk for false imprisonment. The
litgations growing out of this and other
causes have continued without interruption
for nearly twelve months past.
These expensive proceedings have rapidly
absorbed the remainder Of Stokes's fortune,
and it is said that he would not have been
able to maintain the fight longer from lack OF
funds. He has expended nearly forty
thousand dollars in lawyers fees alone in the
hope that he would recover ten times that
amount from Fisk. The quarrel has ull-
doubtcdly been stimulated and the fued in
creased by Miss Mansfield, who was herself
pecyniarily interested i'll the result Of the
| proceedings. .-Ne,r York Star.