The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-14
The Quarrel, the Reconciliation and
the Final Break.
A TANGLED WEB OF LEGAL WEAVING.
The Modern Paris and His Judi
cial Apple Of Discord.
"A STRANGE, EvENTFUL HISTORY"

Fisk and Stokes first met In the summer OF 1869.
Stokes was then comparatively poor. having only
small amount OF money, which ne mad made from
several speculative operations, Including an Illicit
distillery.
. stokes parents were wealthy and lived in sood
style on Fortynntn street. few years ago he
married most charming wife, formerly Miss
southck, who is now living in Paris or on ncr way
TO this country.
Ayear before Fisk had made the acquaintance of
Helen Josephine Mansfield, who was then In poor
circumstances. She was introduced TO Fisk at her
own request at the residence OF Anna Wood. on
West Thirty.fourth street. "Jose" had just been
divorced from Frank Lawer through mythical
divorce lawyer, named I'M. House." Miss Mans
field, at this time, was in poor circumstances She
told Miss Wood that she had not decent
change OF clothing. Fisk Immediately took great
fancy to her, established her in nice quarters, fur
nished her with plenty Of money and she became
the mistress Of the Prince OF Erie, and the power
behind the throne, which Fisk admits In his
letter to her. Their intimacy now ripened into
strong affection. especially on the part of Fisk He
consulted her on all matters, lavshed money on
her. and Fsks best friends say he got 70 regard her
with perfect worship OF aiection.
STOKES AND FISK.
At this juncture, in September, 1869, Stokes be-
came intimate with Fisk He used TO spend
much time at the Erie ONCE. He was natty, hand
some lively fellow and Fisk liked him. On the 10Th
OF September Stokes called at the Erie ONCE and
suggested to Fisk his mothers oil refinery Brook
Ign. He SAID 1t might be put In working order,
crude oil shipped over the Erie road and big
scheme for making money was opened M to
Fisk. Immediately o copartnership was formed
and Stokes made treasurer. The oil refinery be-
longed to Stokes mother. Stokes paid his mother
$12 900 per annum for it, while Fisk, out Of friend
ship and good feeling to Stokes, allowed him $27 900
for It's the company. In this oil transaction
Fisk furnished all the funds. Crude oil was trans
ported over the Erie Railroad az o small tarin, puri-
fed and sold at good profit.
Stokes PROFITS.
As we said, Stokes was at first made treasurer Of
the company; but, having drawn out over thirty.tw0
thousand dollars In the course OF four months, the
company was reorganized and ne was appointed
secretary Of the new corporation. From the new
company he drew out over thirty-seven thousand
dollars IN the course OF Six months, and January
g. 1871, he collected 10 day $27. 900 of the COM
pany's money, no part Of which, FISK claimed, was
due him. and put It IN his pocket, telling some or
his friends that he had got $4,000 OF Fisks money
and meant to keep 1t. For this he was arrested In
the manner hereafter stated but upon MS discharge
from arrest q compromise was entered into by
which he was allowed 10 keep what money was In
sell and $4,000 Tor his mother In order to induce
him to sell out his interest and from the COM
pany. In one way with another Stokes managed
to leave the company with $4,000 more money
than he had when he went into 1t. all OF which he
derived directly from mis- relations with FISK.
STOKES DISSATISFIED.
But stokes was always generous and even pro-
nigate IN his financial expenditures. He spent all
ne could make and then complained that he did
not make enough, so one day he drew out 1900,
seized the refinery and laid secret pipe connecting
$50, 600 vat OF oil In store with neighboring re-
npery with the idea OF running OF the oil. This
was discovered. Stokes was arrested for embezzle.
ment at the instance OF Fisk, and confined In the
Tombs over night This embezzlement trial came
on before Judge bowling, who decided thai there
was no embezzement rs IL was O partnership
AFFAIR, and each member could draw out what
money he chose. It might be moral crime, but 1t
was not legal cmbezzlement.
END OF TIE OIL REFINERY.
The oil refinery business was now wound up Fisk
paying, through Mr.. Beach, $4,000 to Stokes Tor
rent OF the refinery, which cost him $4,000, and
nfty per cent profit on the money which Fisk had
advanced to Stokes to carry on the business at the
commencement. Everything was quiet.
STOKES STILL MORE UNEASY.
500 Stokes began to feel still more uneasy. His
finances were running low. lie had already been
introduced by Flax to the house Of his friend, Jo-
ss0n'as &apsaaIa en- apsp! Gays and nights ltpsre