Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-05-28
Edward S. Stokes Divorced.

dSTceu upon UcIWoell LuWaluD'DeoheS
the murderer of Fisk, and his wife
who at present resides in New Jersey
have been concluded, and a decree OF
divorce granted, Of which case the N
Y. SIN says, that Mrs. Stokes, less
than a fortnight since, privately obtain
ed, through her counsel aud the coun,
sci for Stokes, decree OF separation
from her husband. AT the time Of tho
Fisk tragedy it was thought strange
that Mrs. Stokes, who is beautiful
and cultivated woman, was not brought
to public view. 1t was said that she
was in Europe, and that Stokes had
maltreated her and then abandoned
her. 1t was well known that she did
not see him in the Tombs while he was
on trial for his life, or after his covic-
ton. Her whereabouts were known
to only her own family and a few
friends, who said she was in Paris.
Stokes, while passing the ordeal Of Il
trial, told those who spoke to him upon
the subject Of his wife's absence that
he had not neglected her, had always
cared for her, and had not given her
cause to desert him. He was unwill-
ing to speak of her, and seldom men,
toned her name. Upon learning that
decree of divorce had been obtained
by Mrs. Stokes, a reporter visited
Stokes in Sing Sing Saturday, and
learned that the prisoner desired no
secrecy about the divorce; although
he was of the opinion that the other
side did. In justice to himself, he
wishes the story that he had abandon
ed his wife and child contradicted
lie declared that he had never been
guilty Of such a contemplate act
He was married when scarcely 81 to
Maria Southacl, daughter Of a gentle
man Of wealth, and his life ever since
had been wretched. Their tempera-
ments were dramatically opposite and
her society became distasteful to him,
His little daughter, of whom he was
ever-iond, created SO strong link be-
tween him and his wife that he prefer
ed to endure almost anything rather
than insist upon a separation. He
always treated his wife with kindness,
and every luxury that money could buy
was lavishcd upon her She had her
carriages and servants, and no one in
New York was more comfortably sit
uated than she. In the Spring of1S7l
he sent her to Europe with her daugh-
ter and aunI. She parted from him
aftctlonately and he sent her $1,000
in gold O month. He received endear-
ing letters from her by every steamer
until January, 1872, when she re-
preached him for neglccting her.
She referred to her daughters pro-
gress i'll her studies, and begged of
him that he would not ask her to re-
turn home while his quarrels with
Fisk continued. The letter was sign
ed "Anna," the name of his little
daughter, and this was her first attempt
at penmanship. This was the last
time he ever heard from his wife. The
letter was handed to him inthe Tombs,
three days after the tragedy. lie wrote
to her several times, but no answer
came. A tlitling remembrance he
sent his daughter on her birthday was
returned, and he could learn nothing
Of her. Mrs. Stokes concluded to re-
main in Paris the atmosphere was
more salutary, and altogether more
pleasant than to visit a husband in
the confines Of Tombs dungeon, and
particularly when he had suchprospects
ola speedy execution. She returned to
this country some months ago and is
in New jersey with the child, They
mutually agreed upon adiyorce a short
time ago. lie made no opposition to
her application, and decree was pri-
vately granted in her favor. Stokes
had nothing further to say about the
affair and concluded the interview
with the remark that were he in her
place and she in his he would hasten
to her relief.
The President, aswas anticipated,
bor Do,+o, -,