The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-11-13
AGAIN IN THE PUBLIC BYE.
Chicago Trihune.l

Edward S. Stokes, formerly president
of the Hoffman House. in New York,
whose name has been prominently be-
fore the public in various matters, rang
ing in Importance from trivial law suits
to a terrible tragedy, who has made
and lost fortunes, but is still rich, is
once again in the courts, this time to
defend himself in a suit for an unpaid
board bill. If the assassination of
Jim Fisk did not overshadow all other
events in the career of Ed Stokes, his
life would still be remarkably pic
turesque. He has probably done more
to give lawyers employment and pre-
vent the courts from falling into state
of deSuetude than any other man who
lives. If he did not sue he was sued.
Feeling, doubtless, that much of his
own misfortunes had been brought
upon him by the law and the use of
the courts which his enemies had made
against him, he seemed to try to make
two-edged sword of the law and turn
it against those who had sought there
by to accomplish his own ruin. Not
only enemies but one-time friends,
came to be the objects of this mans le-
gal pursuit. Styled ''the prince of good
fellows" handsome, magnetic, affable,
and courteous, drawing to him even
those who distrusted his methods, he
seems to have been an utter stranger
to gratitude, and the thought of others
was never in him. Backed by his cous-
in, w. E. D. Stokes, to the extent of
100000 to defray the expenses for the
second trial which he stood for the
murder of Jim Fisk. he sued shim in
later years for $250,00O for alleged libel;
befriended and financially helped by
the California millionaire, J. w. Mac
kay, Ed Stokes pressed with great de-
termination and bitterness suits to re-
cover $50, coo or more; taken up by
Cassius H. Reed, the owner of the
Hoffman House, and fed and clothed.
and supplied with money at a time
when Stokes had just finished his SEN
tence in the penitentiary, this prince
of good fellows" gradually crowded
his benefactor into the background
and it was not long until all one heard
as to the proprietorship of the house
was Stokes. Jim Fisk, his friend, his
enemy and his victim, fascinated
though he was by him in the days of
their association, used to have moments
of doubts, and in one of these he said:
"Ned's a fine fellow, nice fellow, but
| wouldn't trust him farther than
that swapping his fingers to mark
the utmost bounds.
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And with such a history is it won
der is it different from natural laws
is 1t opposition to human nature. that
this brilliant, self-seeking man should
find himself alone in the world, his own
family alienated, and at a time when
he should be expected to be ENJOYING
the peace and quietude of life's waning
years, involved instead in petty dis
putes, quarreling by means of the law.
sued forsooth for board bill?
This suit which brings Ed StoIroz
once more before the public is at the
instance of the Hoffman House corno-
ration, for the recovery of S536. 65 for
lodging, food. LIQUORS and cigars which
1t is claimed were furnished Stokes
from Sept. q, 1897, to Jan. 16 1898.
This is the hotel side of it, But Mr..
Stokes says that after he ceased his
connection with the hotel he was re-
quested to remain in charge for a time
IN order that the new management
might profit by his advice and expert
ence and that while there in that ca
paclty he was to have his lodging free
and his meals, cigars and LIQUORS at
half rates. He says he does not owe
the hotel anything. This is Mr. Stokes
second suit since he retired from the
management of the hotel a little over
year ago. Then he sold out to Ora
hams Policy for $140, 000, but it was not
long before the apparently inherent
propensity for litigation manifested it
self and Stokes was suing Policy for an
unpaid balance of $4,000 which he re-
covered.
A year ago it was said that Ed Stokes
was broken-down man. He was said
to be victim of nerves and was fast
failing, haggard and worn-he was a
physical wreck. The report arose from
his going to Hot Springs, but from
there he denied it and his activity since
has confirmed his words. He retired
from business, he said, to take a rest.
and he was taking it.
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But above all the spectacular Incl
dents in Ed Stokes career there arises
one event which fixes him in the
memories of those who lived then and
those who have learned of it from its
repetition since. The famous tragedy
in the Broadway Central hotel, 27 years
ago. will be recalled when every other
point is forgotten. The fact that he