The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-11
JIM FIsK'S DEATH.

Some Revelations just Mads--The woman In
the Case Was Not Josie Mansfield.
New York Cor. Philadelphia Times
Ever since the recently and falsely rumorsd
death ct Delanco. N. j.. of the notorious Josie
Mansfield, the male gossips of New York, par
ticularly those who frequent the Hoffman
House. have been discussing anew the features
Of the tragedy of sixteen years ago. OF course
no two Of them are agreed as to the inner
history Of the famous case, and, strangely
has the truth Of it ever been publicly
told. Any reawakening of interest in the
matter is extremely repugnsnt TO the quiet,
unobstrusive and popular man whose keen
business ability has made the Hoffman House
and its cafe the most talked-of public resort in
this country. But the recent discussion has in
duced him to talk frankly the subject to a
few of his intmates. As q consequences, let me
say. although the declaration will be received
with incredulous surprise. that Josie Mans
field was in no way related to the tragedy IN
the Grand Central Hotel in January. 1872
For sixteen years she has been spoken of as
the woman in the contest for whose favor
Fisk fell. As q matter of fact, Fisk had long
before his death abandoned Josie Mansfield
for Montaland, the ballet dancer, and subse-
quently for another woman. who lived with her
mother, brother and two sisters at the Grand
Central Hotel. where the killing OF Fisk took
place. The origin of the fatal quarrel was really
In an oil refinery belonging to Stokes's mother
y
the then embryotic Standard Oil combination
that he prosecuted ana pursued Stokes with
hired detectives Of the Erie railroad until Stokes
turned and shot him. Il is that Stokes
and Josie Mansfield were close friends at this
time, but she had ceased to have any relations
with Fisk. And yet there . woman liz the
case.
Isat in the Hoffman House restaurant at
breakfast with friend and saw her pass. Mr..
Stokes sat at another table, and saw him and
my friend exchange glancss and a smile as she
went by the windows Both evidently recog-
nized her. She was portly. and had passed the
middle age Her hair was tinged with gray.
She was richly yet not loudly dressed She
had once been q handsome woman, and had
been notorious for years asked who she was.
II will tell you later on" WAS his reply, and
subsequently, he did SO. beginning with the
remfrk THAT WAS the woman in the Fisk
| case" Then he told me the remarkable
story in detail. which has never been published,
| to my knowledge. Isuppress the present name
OF the woman. a. it il that Of . renowned officer
Of the army who was the hero of q remarkable
engineering feat of the late war that saved to the
| Union cause a feet OF gum boats This woman
| was his wife. She was from Lexington. by.
| where she was known Minnie White. At q
very early age she drifted into wild life in New
| Orleans. She had husband who went into
| the confederate service, but that did not deter
| her from marrying General B. of the Union
forces. After the occupation of New Orleans BY
| Butler the force under General B. was
| for q long time confronted by the confederates
under her first husband. She frequently passed
| from one camp to the other. and she so man
| aged that large amount of cotton was carried
| TO New Orleans for her account General But
| Ter seized il. Her husband in the Union army
! suddenly and mysteriously died. She WAS ar
| rseted, charged with his taxing OF. court
| martial, headed by Gen. James B. Stesdman, o.
| Ohio tried her. but could not prove her guilt ant
| she was released. But Butler held on 20 the cot
| ton. She went 90 Washington and appealed
| to President johnson to release her contrahant
! goods AMI did not appeal in vain. But ther,
arose = scandal and johnson had to fight littl,
| shy of her for time. She bad some sort o
| connection with the famous French arms scan
| DIAL" Of the johnson Administration. and wa
supposed to be the woman who negotiated I'll.
sale Of arms 10 the French government Sh,
| came New YORK and for time lived With
James Fisk. jr.. before be met either Mans
| field, Moutsland or the Morse woman
On the day OF the shooting Of Fisk. Edwart
| s. Stokes was passing the Grand Central Hofs
| when Mrs General B. beckoned to him FROM
the parlor window. and he crossed the stree
and Joined her in the public parlor He knew
nothing OF the presence Of friends OF Fisk in TIT
hotel nor that he visited the place. After some
| conversation Mrs. B. left by the entrance foI
| ladies, Stokes agreeing to remain until she VA
fairly ont OF the way. As she left the hotrl doo
| Fisksearriaee drove mp. She stepped into \ druf
! stor~ frightened st the prospect OF the two men
meeting. A moment latsr Fisk had entered
She ran 60 the door 10 prevent meeting Too
late! Stokes. ~ the head Of the stairs, had
fred. Fisk fell on she steps. Mrs B. picke<
no the pistol which fell from Fisks hand an<
lied With II Fisks pistol never eeuld - found