National Republican., 1873-09-16
THE FIsK-srOKEs MURDER.

Mrs. Beutes, The MissiaG Wttueas," and
What she knsws About lt.
Mrs. Benton, the "misslng witness In the
stokcs-Fisk murder case, who was recently
captured by the Now York police, was born
In Lexington, Ky, In 1880, and Is, therefore,
thirty.sevcn years Of age. Her maiden name
was Minnie White. HrG
Soon after reaching womanhood she went
to New Orleans, and In that city remained for
over aftccn years. She there lived the life Of
an adventures, being especially notorious
during the war. In the year 1868 she mar
ried General Benton, Of the United States
| army, who died very suddenly three months
after tho marriage. Mrs. Benton In 1865
came 10 Washington, remained three years.
and then went to New York, where she has
slnce resided. In the year 1871, II is alleged
/ she became acquainted with james Flsk, jr.,
| and Edward 8. Stokes. A few days after the
murder Of Fisk she visited Stokes at the
Tombs prison and told him that she could
give mest important testimony In his favor.
Stokes told her TO tell what she knew to his
lawyers. ..
| Ia relation to what passed at TINT inter
view, Mr.. John d. Townsend, one Of Stokes
counsel on the flrst trial, made the following
statement; Mrs. Benton profcsscd TO Mr.. John
McKeon that she could testify to such fact
that Stokes would certainly be acquitted
For this service she asked 10000. Mr. Nc
Keon replied that she ought to be willing Z
give evideucc which might save mans lif'
without pay. lie would not glyeher penny
for her evidence, and was couhdent, from be
asking such prepostcrous amountas $4,000
that she knew nothing whatever about th'
murder. Mr.. McKeon therefore did not Cub
1 pnna her to appear at tho trial, declaring he
profession Of knowledge Of the murder
ialsehood. The prosecution were apparent!
1 NJ Mra Rantnna pytstpnCp Mt tho frs
r trial also, District Attorney Allen asking on
Of the witnesses q question respecting her
4 The prosecution at that time were cyidentl.
I not dcsirous Of hearing her as witness.
The friends of Mrs. Benton alleged that tn
: evidence which che would give would DO tn
0 following, She had been visiting friend Il
tho Grand Central hotel half an hour bcfor
Q tho commission Of the murder. Happening
: accidentally 10 look out OF the parlor windo,
: she saw on the opposite side OF the way Ed
ward 8. Stokes. She had bcckoncd to him
, , and hc had crossed Broadway aud entered tn
1 hotel. lie had then come up to the pario
| and conyerscd with her for over fifteen min
Il utes. She had then left him In the parlor, d.
4 scended the ladies' stairway, and was jus
n going out of the street door when Fisk drey
g up In his carriage. Fisk lcaped out Of hi
carriage, met her on the sidewalk, and talko
! with her then In front Of the hotel for q fe'
e moments Fisk then entered the hotel, an
= She started TO walk up Broadway. She ha
walked only few feet when she heard tl
II report Of pistol and saw boy run out I
d the hotel In evident fright. She went back
l. the ladies' entrance, and had again entere
E. the hotel, when, looking up the stairway, 81
. saw two men carrying Fisk up tho stairs.
\. she was going up the stairs she found on OF
- Of the lower steps revolver, and from !
y position thought that Il must have bclongt
!. to Fisk She had concealed the revolver, al
had gone up the stairs to her friends room
n. That friend had persuaded her not to revc
IN her finding tho pistol and she had consente
st to suppress her discovery. Since the day I
" the murder she had not said anything to Il
le authorities concerning Fisks revolver, fca
!" Ing 1t might ipjure the chance Of Stokes a
. | aulttal,