The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-01-16
Sentence of Stokes.

On Monday, the 9th inst, the pris-
oner, Edward S. Stokes, was brought
into Court to receive his sentence.
There was intense excitement all
through the building, and in the Court
room there was scarcely standing
room at half-past ten o'clock. Many
ladies were glad TO obtain standing
places, and such was the jam that no.
body was able to offer them a chair.
From the New York Adcertiser's ac-
count of the scene we extract the fol-
lowing: s.
After some discussion by the coun-
sci relative to the " settling of the
bill of exception in the case the Pros
ecuting Attorney moved the Court to
pronounce judgment on Stokes
The clerk, having intimated to the.
prisoner that he must now stand up,
asked him in a loud voice: Edward
S. Stokes, what have you to say why
sentence of death should not be pro-
nounced upon You Tor the crime of
which you stand convicted?
The prisoner, looking ON vacancy,
replied, after brief pause, in a low
and somewhat complaining tone of
voice: / am innocent of the crime
for which now stand convicted. l
did not Intentionally violate any of
the laws of the land. ! would, also,
like to say, noticed in one of to-day's
papers an interview with one. of the
jurors, Mr.. Bowles, I think it is, in
which he stated to the reporter that it
would be better that I should not have
gone upon the stand and the reason
was that testified that the pistol with
which Mr.. Fisk met his death, I had
never fired of, when the jury all knew
that had fired it at Saratoga, with
with Colonel Fellows. l have only
to say if that interview is true, that
never fired that pistol off at Saratoga
and that 1t has never been discharged
by me but twice. [ know that all the
testimony given for the defence was
viewed lightlyby the jury. feel con-
vinced of it. 1 know public clamor
has been raised from the frequent
murders in New York City. l know
that the evidence of Thomas Hart, on
which was convicted, is false, and
manufactured from first to last, and
believe the prosecution knew it, for
District Attorney Garvin never al
luded to it when addressing the jury
on the last trial.
Judge Boardman then fixing his
eyes upon the prisoner, thus addressed
him " Edward S. Stokes, you have
been defended by most eminent coun-
sci, with most extraordinary skill and
devotion. You have been supported
and sustained by the sympathy of low
ing relatives and ardent friends. All
that wealth, affection, or industry
could do for you has been well and
cheerfully done. A Jury. carefully
selected, of upright and honorable
gentlemen have listened patiently and
kindly to your own account of this
most terrible act, as we'll as to the 9TH
er evidence that has been put in on
your behulf. They bave found you
guilty of murder in the first degree,
the highest crime known to our laws,
in having caused the death of James
Fisk; Jr., one year ago to-day The
verdict was wrung from their judg-
ment, not prompted by their hearts.
4 am sure do each juror but justice
in saying that, and in assuring you
that their concurrence in this verdict
was the most painful act of their lives.
That result is not the fruit of unkind-
ness to you, blu. of just respect for,
and obedience to the law. The evil
dence in the case, even your own tes-
timony, am constrained to- believe,
sanctions their conclusions and justi-
ies their verdict. / am not conscious,
SO far as ] am personally concerned,
that have erred in any respect toward
you, during the progress of the trial.
/ hA doov .>d ir,4 4<,lt - e.<a, ri
doubt, to give you the benefit of such
doubt. To me remains the painful
duty of pronouncing the judgment of
the law, not alone as the punishment
of your crime, but also that by your
example others may take warning
from your sad, unhappy fate. So
young and attractive in person, with
so many fountains of joy yet untasted
still greater is my sorrow to realize
the unmerited anguish you have
brought upon your family and friends.
Your disgrace is reflected upon them
an unjust bat inevitable stain upon
their truth and virtue. It is fright
full legacy to leave your family-a
spectre that death alone can make
vanish. 'Twere idle if it were possible
AOA AhC W tlACO buS pssbu lIOiu luuO-
cence 10 crime, to tel the tale of un-
restrained passions. can't do it. Let
the time which the law gives you be
devoted to reflection upon the past
repentance for your sins, and in prep.
aration for the great change SO terri
bly, near to you. Do not deluCie your
self with uncertain hopes of pardon
or clemency.
CfNl-a. 0hn
the requirements of the law, this
taken hence, in custody of the Sheriff
of the city and county OF New York,
to the prison from whence you came,
and that you be there confined in
close custody, by such Sheriff, until
the 2Sth day of February, 1878, and
that on that day, between the hours of
eleven O'Clock in the morning and
three O'Clock in the afternoon, you be
hanged by the neck until you are
dead: and God have mercy on your
soull
The prisorer was handed over to
the Sheriff and removed.
Stokes was conveyed back to The
Tombs in close carriage, accompa-
MED by his brother. The greatest ex-
citement prevailed at the Tombs. and
when the carriage stopped at the en-
trance an immense crowd rushed for
ward, and almost blocked up the
thoroughrarc. The long balcony,
which extends across the building op-
posite, was crowded to its utmost ex-
tent, and it was found necessary by
the police to remove some of the peo-
pie.
The prisoner alighted from the car
riage perfectly cool and self-possessed,
was taken at once to the reception
room, from whence he was removed
after few minutes, to cell No. 4, on
the ground floor. 1t is esteemed safer
to lodge him there The furniture is
of the scantiest aud plainest descrip-
ton. and he will be allowed none of
the comfortable appurtenances which
adorned his other cell. He refused to
enter into conversation with any one,
and it seems probable that he will con-
tinue to maintain the same reticence.
His brOther annaare1 howa1 1own