The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-10-20
STOKES, FIsK's MURDERER.
His Changed Appearance--Hls Future.

1
| Auburn Letter to the New York Heraldl
l was passing through rapidly when l
heard my name called, and, turning
around, saw Edward S. Stokes, the sol
disant hBroadway elegant, who five
years ago paid $4,000 year to his tailor
| to keep him attired in the latest fashions
| OF the day. But, oh, how changed the
man was! l saw a middle-aged man
Stokes is now thirty-eight years of age
bent in chair over ste am-heater,
the hospital beds all around him, the
-sheets bleached to ghostly whiteness,
his face unshaven, his hair prematurely
gray, his figure stooped-the whole man
broken with sickness and irritability at
what he believes firmly to be long term
of persecution and conspiracy.
walked over to where he stood and
shook hands with Stokes, and he smiled
pleasantly, but l noticed his face was
very white and full OF lines OF care and
suffering. His sickness is asthma, and
he bore every trace and indication of
victim to pulmonary disease whose
days were numbered. Since the fatal
day with Fisk at the foot OF the Grand
Central staircase, the worst enemy of
Stokes might be satisfied with the mis-
fortunes that have betallen him.
His brother Clinton is dead OF con-
sumption, old Mr.. Stokes died year
ago, worried to death by grief for his
sons disgrace, and he has had various
domestic Affections which need not be
enumerated. On the Sing Sing Prison
Register, three years ago. Stokes an
swered to the question "Are you mar;
ried or sngler' the one brief word
"Single." None but few friends--near
and intimate friends-can tathom the
mingled romance and despair that lies
concealed by that one word descriptive
of his civil status. Stokes had a blanket
shawl around his shoulders although he
sat by the heater and was reading
book.
Z The man is entirely changed in nearly
everything. Five years ago, although a
well-inlormed man, he hardly ever took
up book to read, for the gay life Of
man about town did not permit of study
or reading; but during the last two
years OF his life Stokes has received and
purchased a great many books, and
though his people were Baptists, 1 be-
lieVe, Stokes has read during that time
principally books treating OF the SUBJ
jects Of philosophy, history and science.
stokes has not as yet determined what
he Will do when he comes out of prison,
but 1t may be understood that he is not
any longer married man, though his
wife lives, and he has daughter, a
beautiful and accomplished girl Of eigh-
teen years. That he will be compara-
lively rich man when he is released it
may be here stated, as his oil refinery
works, which were carefully looked
after by Mrs. Stokes, his mother, who
has been very devoted to her unlor.
tunate son, while he has been impris-
oned, will be returned to him.
1t was about these very same oil works
at Hunters Point that Stokes had some
of his tiercest legal contests with the
late James Fisk. Stokes has speculate d
also since he has been in prison, and is
now the owner of valuable patent,
which he purchased while in Sing Sing
from convict, for paving streets. The |
pavement is in long oblong blocks, and
is OF some kind Of composition whose in
gradients | can not specify.
Stokes stated to me before he left Sing
Sing for Auburn tnat he might 90 to |
Europe for short time on his release. |
but it would only be for short time, as |
he would be compelled TO look after his |
affairs at once. But it is more than
probable, owing to the present state OIL
his lungs, that Stokes may have to take
a trip to Havana this winter if he wishes
10 prolong his life, for his constitution
IS completely broken and needs patching
up.