Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-02-23

ing it as a conspiracy by Warren, Law
Tor and his wife. He also sent a
friend 10 Lawlor warning him out Of
California within 80 days on penalty
of death. Lawlor was discharged by
Mr.. Mcguire, and, finding it impossible
to obtain an enga cement on the Pacific
coast, he sailed with his wife for New
York.
In New York Josephine found a field
suited to her tastes. She got 4 divorce
from LaWlof in 1861, SOON after her
arrival here, and met james FISK, Jr.,
that same year. Mr.. Fisk, thea oac
Of the most conspicuous and successful
business men, soon established her in
the private residence 3J9 ". Twenty
third street, near Lric place-tAc
Grand Opera House block. Here hey
extravaganza became the talk of the
town.
III November, 1868, Just two years
after she met Fisk, Josephine became
acquainted with Edward S. Stokes, in
philadelphia Stokes WAS a friend
and protege Of Fisk. and Fisk often
took him down to the TWcnty-tnird
street palace for its appointments
were palatial Stokes became infatu-
ated with Josephine and she with
him. Then came quarrels with Fisk,
who finally brought u suit against
both Stokes AID Miss Mansfield, ask
ing that they be restrained from US
ing certain private letters and docu-
ments of his To his detriment.
Fisk Det.aIne very bitter against
Stokes. and Josephine took delight in
embittering Stokes against Fisk.
About o'clock on the afternoon OF
Jan. 6, 1872. Col. Fisk drove i'll his
carriage from the Grand Opera House
down Broadway TO the Grand Central
hotel. He entered at the ladies' en-
trance, and was shot by Edward S.
Stokes as he assembled the stairs. He
was carried to a bedroom, and after d
difficult surgical operation and having
made his will he died. Stokes was
indicted on Jan. II. 1872, for murder
in the first degree. and was three
times tried for his life. On Jan. &,
1873, on the first anniversary Of his
crime, Stokes was sentenced to death
by Judge Broadman in the court of
oyer and terminer. and the date OF his
execution was fixed for the last Fri
day in February, 1873.
The scene in court when this verdict
was brought in was thrilling to de
gree Stokes marvellous nerve never
for moment seemed to quail or fal
ter.
Stokes got new trial escaped with
l.,
served his time, came out and prosper
ed and is today a power of Tammany
Hall, second only to Richard Croker.
Josie Mansfield went to Paris. On
the witness stand to save Stokes life
she had testified that while receiving
the caresseS and money of Fisk she
told Stokes the secrets Fisk impaired
to her.
Mrs Lucy ID. Fisk, who was lucy
D. Moore. Il stepSiSter of Col. Geo. w.
Hooker, of Vermont, and the own sis
ter of Mr. john y. Moor. Il respected
resident of New York city, is now liv-
ing in Il little wooden house in Il Sc
cl1,ded quarter IF South Boston.
! With the enormous sums, including
! her half OF the Grand Opera House
and adjacent buildings, and specific
sum of $4,000 Il year, the payment of
which was expressly promised. with
all this enormous fortune, which those
who knew tie facts best believed and
still believe was due this widow from
her husbands powerful friends and
PARTNERS, this article has not to do.
! During the lifetime of Jay GOuld's
wife, Mr.. Gould, on more than one oc-
/ caSion, sent money in sums varying
| from $50 TO $500 After the death Of
Mrs. Gould, the letters that she wrote
| to JAY Gould were not answered, "eyi-
IDENTITY never reaching him.
| Nj. Fisk had been king of Erie for
nearly five years when he left this
world. His zeal in defense Of Erie,
indeed. was far greater than was to
! be expected simply from an official
of the road. Everybody believed in
his lifetime that he held an enormous
lot of Erie stock. which he had care
| fully treasured away against Il rainy
day. and the possession of which,
could it be found. would have done SO
much since to Sooth the declining
years for his widow. Six thousand
| shares ut 500 share would mean
$500, 900. and just 4 few days before
his death Fisk made q statement to
William II. Morgan that he, Fisk.
had a large block of Erie stock. If
he said anything about it on his death
/ bed he said it to one who never re
peated the conversation. and neither
/ his estate nor his widow. nor any Of
his relatives. have ever been able to
discover one solitary trace of that
enormous holding of Erie values.