New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-06-28
LAST WINTERS TRAGEDY.

EIGHTH DAYS PROCEEDINGS - SCENE IN THH
COURT ROOM-M MRS. FISK LISTENING 70 THE
STORY OF THE MURDER - TESTIMONY OF
CHARLES G. HILL, PETER COUGHLIh, JOHN
CHAMBERLAIN, PATRICK HARTE, AND THOMAS
HARrE-SATURE OF THE EVIDENCE.
The interesting part Of the Stokes trial has
at last begun After seven days Of wearisome labor
twelve jurymen obtained and seven panels were
exhausted The latter part Of Wednesday was consumed
by the opening address Of the DstrctAttorney, atei
the twelfth juror had been secured.
Judge Ingaham is evidently determined TO push the
trial speedy conclusion possible, and TO make
up for what he seems TO consider waste OF valuable
time In collecting the jury
The appearance OF the Courtroom yesterday was very
different from that presented the previous days
Though it was not than comfortably fu thanks TO
the Intervention Of the Court, yet air Of Intense
peryaded the ROOM and the closest attention
observed Stokes sits large share of the time on the
very front edge OF his chair leaning anxOusy forward,
his resting the back Of Mr. Tremain's chair, and
his thumb at times nervousy rubbing the wood. One
remarkable feature Of sokess manner IL the uneon-
scous habit induced by his extreme interest and anxiety
Of bowling shaking his head as the questions are asked
as he would fain anticipate the answers in his own
favor. This much noticeable during the ex-
aminatons OF jurors the questions simpler and
the answers yes " or "no"
Among those in the courtroom who have interest
in the trial. either friends OF the prs
~.
Miss Mitchell The ladies were SO closely vailed and
draped in mourning that they almost escaped reeogni
ton They in the opening Of the Court and sat
through the session with their heavy black walls closely
drawn around their faces, continually tanning them
selves under their walls and gancing witness,
jury or Stokes himself. Miss Mitchell has been Mrs
Fsks companion for number Of years, and ~ said to
be friend OF Mrs. Fisk She took TO all appear
ances, as deep interest in the proceedings Mrs
Fisk and clad in the same somber robes They
attracted great deal of attention and the curiosity Of
the spectators found vent in frequent inquiries and in
those conjectures which are always floating about a
criminal cOurt room.
Scattered about the room in groups men prom
nent in fields Of legal controversy wen known In
journalistic circles Coroner Young stood at hand
An editor the witness in his usual place during
important trials conspicuousy in front Matthew Bren-
nan, the Sheriff occasionally leaning against
the wall near the bench and smiling pleasantly upon
the crowd At his left sat Count Caznsk the nterpre
ter of the Court of General Sessions in readiness TO
translate the words OF any witness Europe might pro-
duce. Five six ladies sat within the bar space
being crowded with lawyers, witnesses and other. Tho
press accommodations comparatively meager. Seats
not reserved for reporters and they not allowed
TO 90 inside unless a vacant seat can be seen.
The jurymen looked upon generally as an unuzualy
fair and intelligent body of men, and stokes himself IL
understood to be well satisfied with the selection.
StOkes's father not present yesterday during tho
first part Of the session. but came in after recess aud
remained until the adjournment Of the Court.
The first witness called Charles G. Hill, an intelll.
gent man. residing In West Troy, N Y. and engaged in
the lumber business He had come 10 this city upon
relating his business and had taken az
the Grand Central Hotel the fatal day the shoot
ing When the pistol was fired he was standing by the
elevator tired with his days tramp, and waiting for the
elevator TO carry him mp to his AS the report
struck his he started, and hurried down the
That fnao Ba hper
There goes the man that shot Fisk He turned back
TO keep the prisoner in sight, and up just sStOkes
had been seized OF the door. Mr.. Hill gave his test
mOny in loud clear. emphatic voice. with very little
hesitation, and in a very positive manner Mr. Hill was
followed by Peter Coughlin, young man OF %, who
employee of the hotel and who at the moment OF
the shooting getting uel in the coal room. He did
Stokes when the latter out but he Fsk
lying the foot Of the stairs and OF those who
assisted in conveying the wounded man up stairs. MIR.
Coughin has been detained the House OF Detention
long time a witness and must be glad any
one else be to have the trial 20 on at Last.
John F. Chamberlain, the proprietor OF the sporting
house No. West Twentyiftl-st, created no little
by his attempts eyade the searching
tons as TO the nature Of his business He claimed
that he was speculator;" his house was a club
house." where gentlemen played cards" although he
reluctantly admitted that they play ior something
than tile fun Of the thing" His testimony was To tho
effect that he IN Fis's private at the Opera
House on Jan g. and Stokes drive by in coupe and
look UP at the windows OF Fisk's room.
Probably the most important witness OF tie day was
Thomas Harte referred 10 in the testimony OF Coughn
This is the who Stokes come ont Of parlor No.
2O7 and walk seathly along, and heard him say he
reached the head OF the stairs have got to do it
now" The witness then saw him throw up his right
hand and heard two reports OF a pistol. The witness
was instrumental in securing the capture OF Stokes
having followed him, and called outhat prsoncrwas tho
man that fired the shot
PROCEEDINGS IN COURT.