The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-01-19
STARTLING TRAGEDY.

A leading item of news received by
steamer is an account OF the murder
of the noted and notorious James
Fisk, Jr., by Edward Stokes. This
tragedy took place ut the Grand Cen
trail Hotel in New York city on the
afternoon of the 9th inst. Stokes is
one of the companions and admirers
of the women Mansfield, between
whom and Fisk there were also rela-.
tions OF scandalous intimacy, which
some months ago were broken off.
The difficulty between Fisk and the
woman Mansfield was finally carried
to the courts Stokes has been her
champion in the affair, and this mur-
der is simply tragic end to the not
ed Fisk Mansfield scandal. Follow
ing are the circumstances OF the mlr-
der:
About o'clock, p. M., on the 9th
inst. Fisk's carriage, containing Fisk
himself and companion drove up
to the Grand Central Hotel. Fisk
alighted and entered the hotel for
the purpose Of proceeding to his
rooms. As he assembled the first step,
Stokes came out of an adjoining pas
sage way. unperceived by Fisk, un-
bottened his coat, drew out reyol-
yer and rapidly discharged three shots
at Fisk. The first lodged in Fisk's
shoulder; the second whistled close
by his head; the third, with more
fatal direction, took effect in his alb
domen, inHicting mortal wound.
Fisk at once staggered and fell,
while Stokes cast look Of hatred on
the PROSTATE form OF his victim, and
said, in savage tones: ~ have done
for the son OF b-this time. !"
Fisk evidently recognized his assail-
ant before falling, but made no re-
mark. Immediately after the shots
were fred the hotel employees rush
ed TO the rescue; while some cared
for the wounded man, others seized
Stokes, who, seeing escape was i'm
possible, made no resistance, and
was promptly handed over to the po-
lice. Fisk was quickly conveyed to
his room, where the surgeon Of the
hotel was soon in attendance upon
him.
The wound in the abdomen was
very similar to that which caused the
death of Vallandigham. Fisk, after
being removed to his own room, be-
came calm and recited the circum-
stances of the assault. His lawyer,
David Dudley Field, was called, and
Fisk dictated his will In about three
hours Mrs. Fisk arrived, and the scene
was very moving one. Fisk himself
was never deserted by his coolness
and fortitude. He died about IL
o'clock on the morning of the 7ih, or
about nineteen hours after receiving
his wounds.
In his will he gave to his sister,
Mrs. Hooker, 100000 in Naragan-
sett steamship shares; to his father
and mother 5000 a year each during
life; TO each of the Misses Morse
g, 600. and to the Ninth Regiment
| New York Malta (of which he was
ColoneD $1,000. All the residue of
his property, amounting to great
but unknown sum, was bequea:hed to
his wife.
The press universally denounce
the act of Stokes rs n cowardly mur-
der which should be expiated on the
gallows.
Immense crowds rushed to the
Grand Hotelto see the corpse. The re-
mains were taken TO the Opera House,
where they remained in state and
were visited by $4,000 people The
funeral took place on the S,h. Not
less than l5O,0J0, persons crowded
the streets on the occasion. The
procession was over a mile long.
Stokes, the murderer was commit
ted 10 the Tombs. The Ninth Regi-
meet was very much excited and ut
tered threats of taking him and lynch
ing him.
Jay Gould, Fisk's partner in Erie,
was greatly affected by the event
lie visited Fisk while he was dying
and gave vent to his grief in tears.
The remains have been taken to
Brattlcboro, Vermont, for burial
Here was Fisk's birth place, and here
his aged parents still reside.