Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-11-10

For nearly FIVE years Edward s. Stokes,
the slayer of Col. James Fisk, Jr., has
been trying to fight his way out of prison.
He knew that he was entitled to short
time through the Communication law, but
yet he doubted that they would free him,
as he had been told that trick would be
played and he would be detained in
prison. He sent to Hon. Lyman Tre-
maine, in Albany, and told him his story
at an expense, all told, of 81 800. A
hd6eds corpus was in waiting to serve
upon the Warden of the prison, Warden
Duston understands the battle of men
with money. He went to Stokes on
Thursday and said: "You are to be dis
charged on Saturday morning." It
seems that thereupon Stokes sent to his
brother Horace and ordered an elegant
suit of clothing. An overcoat of the
richest material, with black satin facing,
was with the luggage that burdened
Horace Stokes when he bounded into
Auburn with Col. huffman, the we'll
known Californian and veteran friend
of the prisoner.
When the reporters from the various
papers wished to see the prisoner,
the Warden said "There is system
of telegraphy in this prison, l am afraid"
When Stokes was marched from the
workshop on Friday afternoon, he was
in lock step, and large number of Au-
burn bellies were on the stoop in the
prison yard admiring him. At six o'clock
on yesterday morning he was aroused
with his fellow-convicts and put through
the regular motions of the march to the
mess-room. There were a few country
reporters whom the Warden wished to
please, and he kept Stokes until nearly
eight o'clock waiting in the State shop.
Then he gave him the suit of clothes
Horace brought. Stokes was very soon
himself again. Diamond studs sparkled
on his shirt-front; a heavy gold chain,
with watch attached, was conspicuous.
The clerk of the prison put the usual
questions to him concerning his pedigree,
and then, finding that there were no black
marks against him, the clerk authorita-
| lively announced that the law was satisfied
and that Edward s. Stokes was free
man. The Warden neglected to offer
him suit of clothes as the law directs.
He handed him $3.50, the sum which is
given to every convict that is discharged.
Stokes took the money and laughed. He
to be earnest: "I would have come
back after that had forgotten it." Then
he was told that Gilbert Clinton, his
uncle, had sent him check for $175.
"Can you cash it?" asked Stokes. eyes,
Ed," said the Warden, and he handed
him the money. $50 long," said Stokes,
and he, his brother Horace and Col.
huffman entered coach and went to
neighboring hotel.
All Auburn was awake. Snow was
falling. Lawyers of all grades swarmed
around the hotel entrance. One man
said: "He was good friend of mine
1 was in the Tombs with him for nine
months and he kept me from starving"
Unlike the day he was taken to Sing Sing
Prison, none was in humor to say un-
pleasant things in his presence. He
laughed, however, as he heard one man
say: "Well, he's a good-looking fellow
if he did kill his man" The party en-
tered the smoking-car, and when the
train arrived at Syracuse a compartment
| in a drawing-room car was engaged.
Stokes was stared at by thousands on the
| journey, but didn't finch. He said that
he felt good, and he joked consider
AMY Inc party IedCneu IulS cry dDOuI
ten and took rooms at the Hoffman House.
N. 2. Dispatch.
The murder for which Stokes has suf-
fered is still fresh in the memory, though
nearly five years have elapsed since the
Heed was done. On Saturday, the 9th of
January, 1872, shortly before dark,
Stokes shot James Fisk, Jr., on thesstairs
of the ladies' entrance to the Grand Cen
trail Hotel. The notoriety which had
been attained by Fisk, connected with
his tragic death, caused immediate and
widespread excitement. Stokes was inn
mediately arrested and confined in the
Tombs, and on Feb. %, 1878, aft
er undergoing trial for murder in
the first degree, he was SEN
fenced to be hanged, a sentence
which was finally annulled. A new trial
was granted, and on Oct. 30, 1878, he
was sentenced to four years imprison
ment in the State frison. The length of
his incarceration has been reduced by
good conduct, so that in reality Stokes
has served but three years under the last
sentence.