Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-08
ETC.

OI44GR NEW 1OhA m0A LANH
New YORK, Jan. flames Fisk, Jr., was
shot, MORALLY, yesterday, by Z. S. Stokes. The
circumstances of the case are as follows: The
suit of Stokes and Mansfield against James
Fisk, Jr,, was being heard in the Yorkvillc pO-
lice court The evidence was strong in favor of
Fisk, and tended to show that Miss Mansfield
and her paramour, Edward Stokes, were en-
deavoring to levy blaCkmai on Fisk Fisk was
not present in the court; Miss Mansfield and
Stokes were. The cross examination Of the last
two was very severe, so much so that Miss
Mansfield burst into tears as her case broke
down. aud Stokes lost all self-conTol. The case
at the Yorkville police court adjourned shortly
after three O'Clock till Saturday next
THE MURDERER's WORK.
Shortly before o'clock Mr. Fisk was descend
ing the stairs of the Grand Central hotel, when
Stokes, who it seems had been waiting for Fisk,
came up to him and saying 81 have you now"
fred three shots. One missed, one struck Mr..
Fisk in the arm, and the other and probably
fatal one entered the abdomen Mr.. Fisk was
carried into one of the rooms of the hotel, and
an officer having been summoned, Stokes was
arrested and taken to the 18th precinct station.
He was there Intercepted on the subject of the
shooting, but on the advice of his counsel, ex-
Judge McKcon, refused to make any statement
The most intense Indignation was universally
expressed against the cowardly manner in which
Stokes shot Fisk. Among the hundreds who in
qured at the Grand Central hotel as to the con-
ogt
intense Indignation against the assassin, and
commiseration for his victim. DIS. Sayres,
Wood and White were in attendance on Mr..
Fisk
STOKES DENOUNCED AS A BLACKMAILER.
A large number of prominent citizens assem-
bled during the evening in the corridors of the
Grand Central hotel, eagerly nouiring as to the
TSNsS1 H'Tisc ~
condition of the patient. Among Others was
Charles S. Spencer, the well known lawyer lie
made statements which in view of the critical
condition of Mr., Fisk were of much interest. He
denounced Stokes as mere blackmailer who
had already obtained $4,000 from Fisk, $4,000
at one time through Mr. Beach, and $40 600 sub
sequently. This last attempt had, said Spencer.
proved a failure, and Stokes finding that his
game was played out, had, like coward, shot
Fisk. There could, said Mr.. Spencer, be no in
sanity plea in this case, for when he, Stokes,
left the court he was perfectly cool and collected
TALK OF LYECHING STOKES.
There is no doubt that there is an intense
feeling of Indignation against Stokes, and in
the bar-roOms of the hotel and in the saloons in
the vicinity, all of which were filled with great
crowds all night, there have been repeated I'M
disguised threats Of lynching Stokes 1t would
not be very difficult matter as there are but
few police at the station where he is confined
HOW THE TRAGEDY TOOK PLACE.
The tragedy of shooting Fisk took place I'M
der the following circumstances: At four and
half P. NJ. carriage stopped opposite the en-
trance of the Grand Central hotel 1t contained
Mr.. Fisk and companion. The former aiighted
and entered the hotel for the purpose OF pro-
ceeding to his rooms, and as he assembled the
first step Stokes came out of an adjoining pas
sage-way, and, unperceiycd by Mr. Fisk, I'M
buttoned his coat, drew out revolver and rap
idly discharged three shots at MIR. Fisk. The
first lodged in Mr.. Fsk's shoulder, the second
whstled close by his head, and tine third, with
more fatal direction, took effect in his aldo.
men.
EFFECT OF THE SHOTS.
Mr. Fisk at once staggered and fell, while
Stokes, casting a look of hatred on the PROSTATE
form of his victim, said in savage tones: 81 have
done for the soC Of b. this time" Mr.. Fisk
evidently recognized his assaiant before falling,
but made no remark. Immediately after the
shots were fired the hotel employees rushed to
the scene, and, while some cared for the wound
ed man, others seized Stokes, who seeing that
escape was impossible, made no resistance, and
was promptly handed over TO the police. Mr..
Fisk was quickly conveyed to his ROOM where
the surgeon of the hotel DR.. Fisher, was soon
in attendance upon him. Meanwhile telegraphc
messages were sent for further surgical aid, and
for the friends of Mr.. Fisk.
THE CAUSE OF STOKES ExAsPERATIoN.
1t is said that the order of Judge Brady re-
straning Stokes aud Miss Mansfield from pub.
fishing the letters in Miss Mansfields possession
affecting Mr.. Fisk, Peter b. Sweeny and Others,
has had an exasperating effect upon Stokes,
and it is believed that he was aroused to desper-
alton partly in consequence of rumor, gener-
ally received as well founded that the rand
jury have found an Indictment against himself
and Miss Mansfield for attempting to backmail
Mr., Fisk.
THE MURDER DELIBERATE ONE.
Stokes is reported to have come upon Fisk
suddenly and unexpectedly in the private en-
trance of the hotel, and to have said 'You
id son of a b., I've got you now" and at
tbo TINA g., ho,a Sac
down stairs into the rear of the hotel and was
there arrested. The rumor current that Jose
phne Mansfield prompted Stokes to commit the
crime appears wholly unfounded Stokes is
said to have threatened lately to kill Fisk if he
couldn't get justice, He must have been hunt
ing for Fisk at the time of the shooting, knowing
Fisk had gone to the hotel to see some of his
feminine friends, who hal been staying there for
several months.
FISK, AFTER HE WAS SHOT.
Mr., Fisk was quite calm and collected and was
able to converse with his friends. Shortly before
Or. NJ, Coroner Young waited upon him, and re-
ceived from him a statement of the outrage, sub
stantially as given above. About 81 p. NJ, he
was engaged with his lawyer, David Dudley
Field, in making his will. He made his will,
leaving the bulk of his property to his wife
GONE WHERE THE wooDBINE TwINErn."
Jay Gould had been with him all the evening
and seemed exceedingly nervous end troubled,
pacing up and down the hall outside OF the
chamber where Fisk lay. VIM NJ. Tweed is
said to have called TO express sympathy, and
a number of other prominent Tammanyites
have been at the hotel. Its rumored that when
Gould entered the room Fisk put out his hand
and said "Well, Gould, guess that assassin
Stokes has finished me. fear am going
myself where the woodbine twineth. Old fell
low, this looks as IL you'd have to run Erie alone
now
ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
The weapon used by Stokes was four cham.
l.a..aa l.al.