Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-08
Last Scene OF the stokes Trial.

THE PRISONER SENTENCED
IL was briefly mentioned in yesterdays STAR
that Edward s. Stokes was. on Monday morn
ing sentenced by Judge Boardman, in New York,
10 be hanged on the 2sth of February next, for
the murder Of James Fisk, jr. The prisoner re-
ceiyed the sentence without betraying any visi-
BILE emotion, with the exceptionof shiver which
ran through his whole frame when the word
changed" was pronounced.
WHAT STOKES SAID.
The usual question being put by the clerk of
the court, Mr.. Sparks: Edward ). Stokes. what
have You now 10 say why the sentence of death
should not be pronounced upon your the pris-
oner rose in his place, and with a steady voice,
said:-'.l can only say that am innocent Of the
crime of which now stand convicted. I did not
intentionally violate any of the laws OF the land
would also like to say that notice in one of To-
days papers an interview with one OF the Jury
Mr.. Bowles, l think il is-in which he stated
that probably il would have been better that
should not have gone on the stand, for the reason
that testified that the pistol through which
Fisk met his death I had never fired of, when
the jury all knew had fired il of repeatedly at
Saratoga with Col. Fellows. have only to say
If that interview was true-that I never fired
that pistol OF at Saratoga, and il never has been
discharged by me but twice. I know that all
the testimony which was given FOR the defence
was viewed lightly by the jury. | feel con
WINGED OF that L know that public clamor hss
been aroused on account of the frequency OF
murder in New York city. Here he paused for
several secondsl know the evidence of homi-
eide on which WAS convicted is false from be-
ginning to end and is manufactured. and be-
lieye the prosecution knew il, and the District
Attorney knew it. and the counsel for the prose-
cution knew il when he summed up the case.
nope your honor viii make the sentence a. brieI
as possible"
With scarcely a pause, Judge Boardman, ia
the most solemn and impressive manner and
tone, pronounced the doom of the waiting man
CLOSING SCENES.
The Tribune says: During the delivery of what
must have been to the condemned man a pun
ishment next 10 death itself, the silence was So
deep in the courtroom as to be oppressive, and
every face reflected the gloom on Stokes feat
ures. His brother Horace wept not so profusely
as on Saturday, when the blow was new ami
unexpected, but silently. Stokes himself showed
a perfectly impassive front, although MANY
imagined that his face was paler than ever
before. Only once did he manifest the slightest
trace Of emotion and that was at the close Of the
solemn sentence, when the words banged by
the neck until You be dead" thrilled through
his brain like a fearful monody. Then he gave
a sudden gulp, which those watching him re-
marked as the only sign OF perturbation. When
he rose to address the court, dressed Handsomely
in black oyercOat, black pantaloons and black
kid gloves, many remarks OF commisseration
always rather hollow and wanting in volume
was lowered 20 much that il was with difficulty
that the nearest reporters could catch his words
After the sentence the death warrant was read
TO Stokes by the clerk. The prisoner was then
taken back to Jail, and once more the bolts were
drawn behind him.
COINCIDENCE.
The Sun saws IL was precisely nine mnutes
TO eleven O'Clock Yesterday when Judge Board
man delivered hls charge consigning Stokes "a
death by hanging. At nine minutes TO eleven
O'Clock on the 9th day of January, one year
before, Colonel James Fisk, jr., gave a conyul-
siye gasp and died.