The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-01-08
The Hcntesac4 or Deatza Passed nssOsi
the slayer or EfsEx--xTew nc uRs Re-
ceiyed-1Iistory OF che Crime or
Stokes. III

what have you to say why sentence Of death
should not be pronounced upon you for the
crime of which you stand conticted9
REMARKS or gtiE PRISONER.
The prisoner, looking on vacancy, replied,
after brief pause, In a low and somewhat
complaining tene Of voice: /" have only to
say am innocent of the crime for which |
now stand convicted. I did not intention
ally 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, think it is, In which
he stated to the reporter that 1t would
been better that should not have gene ,ipoh
tho stand and the reason was that testi.
fed that the pistol with which Mr., Fisk fnet
his dcath | Ind never fired Of, when the
jury all knew that l had fired it at
Saratoga with Colonel Fellows. / have only
to say if that interview Is true, that never
fired that pistol OF at Saratoga, and that It
never has beeh discharged by me but twice.
know that all the testimony given for the
defence was viewed lightly by the jury.
feel convinced Of it. know public clamor
has been raised from the frequent murders
in New York city. know thatthe 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 alluded to it
when addressing the jury on the last trial."
PASSING SENTENCE.
Judge Boardman then, fixing his eyes
upon the prisoner, thus addressed him
Edward 5. Stokes, you have been defended
by most eminent counsel with most extra.
ordinary skill md devotion. You have been
supported and sustained by the sympathy OF
loving relatives and ardent friends. All that
wealth, affection, or Industry could do for
YOU has beer well and checIfully done. A
jury, carefully selected of intelligent and
upright gentlemen, have listened patiently
and kindly to your own account of this most
terrible act, as well as to the other evidence
that has been put in on your hchaf. They
have 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 Judgment, not prompted by their
hearts. | am sure | do each juror but JUS
ticc 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 unkndncss to you, but of
Just respect for and obedience to the law.
| The evidence in the case, even your own
testimony, am constrained to believe, sane.
tons their conclusion and justifes their yer.
dict. lam not conscious. so fur as am per.
sonally concerned, that | have erred in any
respect against you during the progress OF
the trial. ! have endeayorcd. in all cases Of
doubt, to give you the benefit of such doubt
To me remains the painful duty oil
pronouncing the Judgment of the law
not alone as punishment Of YOU
crime, but also that by your example
others may take warning from your sad
| unhappy fate. So young and attractive in
person. with 50 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 dis
grace is reelected upon them who are pure,
and your diShonor casts an uni list but incyi-
table stain upon their truth and virtue. II
is Il frighttul legacy to leave your family
spectre that death alone can make vanish.
'Twerc idle il it were possible for ME to
trace the path from innocence TO crime to
tell the tale of unrcstrained passions.
can't do it. Let the time which the law
gives you be devoted to reflection upon the
past and repentance for your sins, and il
preparation for the great change so terribly
near to you. DO not dcludc yourself with
| uncertain hopes of pardon or clcmency.
Edward 5. Stokes, in obedience to the re
quirement> of the law, this Court orders ant
directs that you be 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 Gus
tudy by such sheriff until the 2Sth day o
February, 1878, and that on that day, be-
tween the hours of II O'Clock in the morn
ing and o'clock in the afternoon, you bt
hanged by the neck until you are dead; anC
may God have mercy on your soul!
The prisoner was then handed over to thu
sheriff, and renewed.
TO THE CONDEMNED CELLS.
Stokes was conveyed back to The Tombs il
close carriage, accompanied by his brother
Sheriff Brennan. and Deputy Sheriff Shields
The greatest excitement prevailed at thu
Tombs, and when the carriage stopped at thu
entrance an immense crowd rushed forward
and almost blocked up the thoroughfare. Tht
long balcony which extends across the build
ing opposite was crowded to its utmost eX
| tent, and it was found necessary by the polio,
to remove some Of The people.
The prisoner alighted from the carriage
perfectly cool and self-posscssed, was taksr
| at once into the rcccption-room, from whence
| he was removed, after a few minutes, to eel
| No. 4, on the ground floor. 1t is esreem(
the safer to lodge him there. The furniture
| is Of the scantiest and paincst description
and he will be allowed none of the com(orta
| Die appurtenances which adorned his othel
cell. He refused to enter into conversation
with any one, and 1t seems probable that HI
| will continue to maintain the samc reticence
His brother appeared bowed down will
grief and sympathy. He retired after few
| moments conversation with his unhapp,
brother.
THE HISTORY OF TIE CRIME OF STOKES.
from the Times Of Sunday.l
Singular is the coincidence that yestcrda,
evening, the first Saturday in the presen
year, Edward ;. Stokes was convicted of TIT
murder Of James Fisk, IT., perpetrated OF
the afternoon Of the first Saturday in Janl
ary, 1872. The history Of the crime has be
come almost Il household story through tb'
land. Stokes, a young merchant and sport
ing character, had been in business will
Fisk during the period when the Prince o
Erie plunderers controlled the railway sys
tenn and the judiciary. Their acquaintance
was of friendly character until Stokes wa
introduced to the wrctchcd woman, Joseph
inc Mansfield, the Delilah Of Fisk's fortunes
upon whose head will doubtless rest TIT
blood of both her lovers. Stokes's beauty o
personal appearance alienatcd her mercenary
affections from Fisk, and the Ierd of Fish
against Stokes and Mansfield began.
Stokes was arrested on a suit by Fisk
growing out Of an oil manufacturing bust
ness partnership in Greenpoint. Mrs. Mans
field then sued Fisk for recovery of certain
moneys, which she alleged he held for her II
q tid,,ciary capacity. Fisk published affidayits