The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-17
THE STOKES "STRYCHNlNE STORY"
A Bottle Of Nux vomica Spells Great sensa.
tion-1nterviews with Warden Finley, Com
missioner Bell and z. 8. Stokes-The
Keepers Know Nothing About the
srychnine or the Revolver
The Story Pronounced q
Pure Fabrication.

Since the conviction and sentence OF Edward 8.
Stokes various rumors have been current about
his Intentions IN regard to committing suicide
rather than s1Yer the penalty OF the galows.
In one OF the morning papers 1t was stated that
there had been found in the cell in Murderers' Row
lately vacated by the prisoner a revolver and a
small bottle OF some colorless liquid which, on
being analysed by consulting chemist was found
to contain strychnine.
WARDEN FINLEy's COURTESY.
reporter OF the HERALD called yesterday on
Warden Finley, OF the City Prison, In regard to
this rumor, and endeavOred 10 CLEAN some infor-
nation from him. After stating his business sue
cinctly and briefly as possible
The Warden said 81 would like to Obge you,
sir with any information have; but in this case
must make the same answer to you tnat have to
three other gentlemen IRON the newspapers, and
that Is, that decline to say anything about this
matter.n
REpoRrER-But, Mr. Finley either the bottle of
strychnine was found or 1t was not found. Do you
know nothing of 1t, even as warden OF the prison
Mr. FINLEY decline to say anything about it.
You see Mr. Stokes is now in the hands of Sheriff
Brennan, and he is responsible for him.
REPoRTER-Mr. Finley, Sheriff Brennan would
not be liable to find anything IN his cell.
Mr.. FINLEY cannot say. do not know how
the report got out 1 am sure l said nothing to
anybody about such thing.
STOKES TELLS THE STORY.
The reporter then asked permission to see Mr..
Stokes. The Warden answered, "YOu can send in
note to him, and If he wishes to see you Will let
you in"
note was sent and an answer returned from
Mr.. Stokes asking to see the reporter Of the
Mr.. Stokes was found in his cell on the lower
tier walking nervously up and down, but otherwise
In seemingly good spirits He greeted the reporter
IN q Kindly and genial manner, and was the first to
Mr.. SroKEs-YOu wanted to see me- sir, about
this thing in the paper to-day as to poison being
REpoRTER-Yes Mr. stokes, would like to hear
what you have to say about it.
Mr.. STOKEs-Well, sir, the whole thing is simply
ridiculous It's ten days since was removed from
shat place and | never even heard the slightest
there have been all sorts of rumors circulated
about me; but am satisfied to wait my time and
stand It IKE man. KNOW now am innocent OF any
fecty confident that everything will be all right
yet.
REPoRTER-Is there anything that could have
given rise to this rumor that you know Off
WHAT THEY DID FIND.
Mr.. STOKES-They did find q couple Of bottles in
my room. one OF them was bottle OF cologne
and the other q bottle OF nux vomica, which was
paescrpea arG GS vi ic Games wUo% or h Dr. d. D.
Perhaps 1t Is the nux vomica they are raising all
the row about. tell you, my friend just ask the
N! Stokes here called out, mr. Philips Mr. Phps
KEEPERS STORY.
Mr.. Wilett Phillips one OF the Keepers, then
Mr. SroKEs-Mr. Phillips, this ia a gentleman
from the HEEALD. He has been asking me about a
volver and bottle OF strychnine found in my cell
up stairs.
1t before and II it was so would be likely to know
it. think it Is pure fabrication.
REPORrER--Mr. Philips, who has charge OF that
terf
THE HERMAN.
Mr.. PHILIPS-Mr Long has charge of IL.
Mr.. Philips then called to the Herman Long,
"Long, did you ever lind revolver or bottle Of
poison of any kind in Mr.. Stokes cell, up stairsS"
Mr.. LONG--No, sir nor nobody else, guess.
The reporter then wendell his way out OF the
gloomy precinct OF the prison and saw Mr.. Warden
Finley again. He was told that II he wished any
further Information he had better call on Commits
sioner Isaac Bell. Commissioner Bell was visited
at MS house, 20 West Twenty street. at
halipast seven in the evening.
MR. BELL, THE COMMISSIONER
The reporter rung the bell and the door was
opened by small boy In blue cloth suit, pro-
fusely ornamented with brass buttons. The boy
informed the reporter that he did not wish to dis
to take in a card. In IA few moments the genial
Commissioner appeared, his face radiant with
smiles, and seemingly at peace with all the world
REPoRrER-Mr. Bell, am sorry for intrud-
ing you at this time, but wish to ask you about
q bottle OF poison that was said to have been found
in stokes CELL
Commissioner BELI-Oh there was n small bottle
OF some medicine found which might produce death
II taken in sufficiently large quantities, suppose;
but it's perfectly farccal making such fuss about
it.
REpoRTsR-what kind of stuff was this Commits.
sioner
Commissioner BELI-Oh, don't know, exactly.
1t was handed over to Sheriff Brennan, as he IL
responsible for the prisoner now.
REPORTER-Was 1t nux vomca that was In the
bottle, Commissioner
Commissioner BELI--That's just 1t, nux vomlca.
1t amt worth talking about. can't understand
how the rumOr got out.
REPORTEb-Do you know of any chemical analy.
sis being made?
Commissioner BELLl-No, sir; do not believe
It was used merely as medicine. don't see any.
thing else in It,
Observation-Disclosures who found these arti.
cles2
Commissioner BELL-Why, Warden Finley, OF
course.
REPoRTER-But Warden Finley says he won't say
nything about it.
Commissioner BELL-Wel, ] suppose not. The
whole thing Is perfectly farcical, as said before,
and the less said about 1t the better.
The reporter, after thanking the Commissioner,
babe him good night