Rock Island Argus., 1895-12-02

: FISK became commodore CT lines q
steamers running cut of New York and
held prominent position In many on, the
greatest enterprises Of the day. Ambitious
for political and social hopors, he became
colonel Of the Ninth regiment, but that
he was unified for a military command
was shown by his conduct as a soldier
during the Orange riots OF 1871.
Soon after Fisk settled in New York
Edward :. Stokes. who Wis born in Phil
adelphia in 1871, came to Wall street to
seek his fortune. Stokes belonged to q
good family and had made some money in
Pennsylvania oilfelds, but being what
was known as "a fast liver no ordinary
income could keep him in funds. Stokes
and Fisk became friends at once, and the
latter helped him n many of his enter
prises.
All might have gone we'll between these
two men, but. unfortunately. there was a
woman in the case. This woman was
Ellen Josie Mansfield. Mansfield was .
large, fine looking woman about 80 years
OF age and of uncertain antecedcnts. She
had lived III California, and the little
known of her on her arrival in New York
would not lave warranted a gentleman in
introducing her to his family Fisk had
wife in Boston, whom, 1t seems, he sup
ported but although there Lad been no
Quarrel between them they had by mutual
agreement been living apart for years.
Soon after her arrival Josie Mansfield,
by careful scheming. became acquainted
with Fisk and succeeded in attaching him
to her. Having no fear of society and feel
ing that his wealth and position would
shield him from the law, Fisk secured a
splendid mansion for the Mansfield woman
and installed her in it as mistress. Fisk
was not an attractive man physically, and
his early education was not calculated TO
give him the graces Of a gentleman. When
re introduced his friend Stokes to his
house and To Mansfield, he never imagined
that the woman would give him up for his
more attractive friend, but such was the
case. jealousy soon stirred the breast of
Colonel Fisk, and he brought suit against
his late friend Stokes for embezzlement.
stokes retaiiated by bringing suit against
Fisk for false imprisonnient. On the 9th
day of january, 1872, Josie Mansfield
made this legal contest triangular by sid
ing with Stokes and suing Fisk for libel
and for moneys advanced, but these cases
never came to trial, and for the following
reasons:
AZ Id minutes AFTER on Jan. u, Colonel
Fisk entered the Grand Central hotel to
make a social call on Mrs. Morse and her
daughters, who were stopping there, and
who were old and respectable friends As
was his habit. Colonel Fisk was expensive
ly and conspicuously dressed, with mil.
itary cloak over his short, stout figure. He
entered the hotel by the ladies entrance
and had ascended the stairs about half
way to the first landing, when. to his kor.
TOR and aniazcment. he saw the tall hand
some figure of Edward s Stokes at the
head of the stairs, and with pistol in his
hand.
IT, Fisk, who was anything but physically
brave, turned rs il to retrace his steps,
when Stokes, without word of warning.
fired two shots. The first shot struck Fisk
in the right breast and was fatal; the sec.
ond shattered his left arm He started
down the stairs, but, weakened from the
shock. he fell and dropped in heap ut the
bottom.
Stokes hurried Down the stairs, and
meeting porter ut the door he said:
There's man shot back there. Be
quick and send for doctorr'
Stokes surrendered himself to Mr.. Pow
ers, the proprietor of the hotel. who turned
him over to the police, and Fisk was taken