The New York herald., 1873-10-29

sessing facts which qualify them for witnesses.
In this instance the mere fact that lady was
stopping at the Grand Central Hotel, in company
with her brother and son, for some days preced-
ing and subsequent TO the shooting OF FISK was
made the ground for most shameful intrusion into
her house ana rooms and humiiatng commit
ment, after it was too late to obtain ball, TO the
House OF Detention. The people are stu In
quirng why this witness was not subpenaed to ap-
pear on trial when she is under $1,000 bail This
query prompted the sending OF representative or
the HERALD TO the residence OF Mrs. Minnie j.
Benton No. $40 Lexington avenue, with view to
ascertaining the grounds for her arrest and the
Identification OF her name with the trial OF Edward
s. Stokes.
THE 'MYsrERIoUs" WITNESS.
Mrs. Benton was found at her residence as above,
where she has been living for nearly two years,
and where she says she was 10 have
been found at the time OF both the pre-
vious trials. The name OF the lady, with
her address, appears in the "City Directory"
She resides with her mother and brother,
without any attempt at display further than is
warranted by the enjoyment OF such comforts as
any one with means can be expected to possess.
Mrs. Benton received the HERALD representative
courteously, and the following conversation oc-
cured
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY CENsURED.
OF Edward S. Stokes9" inquired the HERALD re-
porter "and il so, what excuses have been offered
for not calling youf'
al have not been subpenaed at this or any pre-
vious trial,n replied Mrs. Benton Il never nave
declined TO serve as witness, as has been
charged because never have been asked to go.
l know little about the case, aud what
/ do is in Stokes favor. My family and
| friends feel very much mortified by the attacks
which have been made upon me, which are
| as unkind as they are untrue, and they one and
all seriously censure the District Attorney for the
unusual and extraordinary course ne mas pur-
! sued.n
VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
| has been assertedsn asked the HERALD man.
81 never did; scarcely know that there is such
| hotel,u replied Mrs. Benton.
''Have you any objections to stating how your
name became associated with the trialtn
| "NOne in the least. had secured this property
| and was staying at the Grand Central Hotel, with
my brother and son. while this house was being
! the time OF the homicide, and know absolutely
nothing OF my own knowledge concerning 1t. !
returned soon after. however from this house,
where had been superintending the workmen and
| scrubbing women and was met In the hall by lit
tie girl, whom afterwards ascertained TO be Miss
| Morse, and was told by her that Fisk had
been shot. / did not know, neither did she say
how bad, and did not inier from the girls man
rooms with parlor No. S2e. Mr.. Powers IS mistaken
| when he says came in and went up by the ele
| did not use the elevator on that occasion. re-
| member 1T distinctly for had been around in the
and hurried to my room to change my Clothes"
DID NOT KNOW THE MEN.
| 'Did You know either Fisk or Stokes ~
II only knew Fisk by sight, but hau never. to my
| knowledge, ever seen Stokes" replied the lady.
~ should like to hear your story OF the arrest"
'The dates are all matters OF record" replied
the lady, 80 | shall not bother with them. Ny
servant came to tell me about two O'Clock one
! afternoon tnat gentleman was at the door, who
| wished to see me privately ] told her TO say TO
| the caller that Mrs. Benton did not see any gen.
on Monday, and have since ascertaIned that
three men had been watching the house
since the preceding saturday. y, day me he man ian
| did not send in his card, as any gentleman would
! have done, and, as had lain down TO rest, de-
depuues, took charge Of the house. Ny brother
came home soon afterwarc. He said that the man
the first lntimation l had that the intrusion was
made by the police. My brother said at once that
the first flight OF stairs and was presented with a
large blue piece Of paper, on which 1t was written
'''''' '' PRODUCE ME DEAD OR ALIVE
before superintendent Matsell Inspector Dilkes
nTh tod h% that wss armed and
neither he nor any other man could come into my
chamber After the arrival Of an additional 10, force
front OF all the doors, very much as the roughs al
the Grand Opera House kept guard over the Erie
Offices the memorable night OF the fall OF the
Gould dynasty. believe there were seven in the
house. went down the next morning. WhenI drove
to Police Headquarters, ] met District Attorney
Phelps who laid himself out to do the polite but ne
| did not impress me, as have seen men ever since
| was young Detective Tullv so far presumed on
my acquaintance as to introduce me TO Assistant
District Attorney Russell and the latter said, In a
most matter-oi-course way, $50 you the lady
who picked up the black handled pistolSn merely
| replied that there was
| NO BLACK-HANDLED PISTOL.
| There was only one, and IL was white-handed
weapon. was taken to the House OF Detention,
at half-past six O'Clock in the evening, on
| Tuesday, and remained there until "Wednesday
afternoon. l had relatives who would have
bailed me, but District Attorney Russell in
| sisted upon forcing upon my notice persons
| whom had never met nor even heard Of These
| were De Witt Clinton Wheeler and Mr. Shafer. He
| went so far as to send a note TO Mr.. Wheeler. As
sistant District Attorney Lyons said, please give
| me q certified check for $4,000 told him that
did not confde my money matters to any one, and
certainly would not trust him. He then asked me
IL owned my house, and ne was politely informed
that 1t none OF his business. Assistant District
Attorney Lyons used to be policeman in New
Orleans: but he had changed very much since then,
George De We're In Divorce He was throwing his
limbs around most beautifully"
/ THREAT OF VENGEANCE.
"Were you ever engaged in the lobby at Washing
| ton ~
"I used TO visit the capital with my husband;
! do not know Mr.. Thomas Scott: never saw him
and never had any negotiations with him never
was known by t.e name Shotwell never was
interested in any beef packing scheme in Texas or
elias any apology or excuse been offered you
/ for this arrest W
'None whatever; have already secured two
lawyers and shall retain others prior to beginning
suit to test the rights OF citizen OF New York;
STOKES TO BE SAVED.