Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-10-24
STORMY LIFE PASSING
8. STOKES, AFTER MOST
REMARKABLE CAREER, Is
NEARING DEATH.
is TIE SLAYER OF jim" FISK.
tory Of Adventure, Romance and
Tragedy in Which the Spec.
ulator Figured.

New YORK, Oct. 18.-~At the age CT
so Edward S. Stokes Is dying Of old
age. His life has been one Of the most
remarkable and strenuous Of any pass
ed in New York. In his sixty years
he has lived more than a century.
Mr.. Stokes is barely able to recog-
nize his nearest relatives and friends,
and now in pain and semi-conscious-
ness, is ending the career Of the man
who killed Jim Fisk, and whose sensa-
tional threats against Jay Gould and
the other Erie Railroad managers were
a worldwide topic Of discussion thirty
years ago.
Stokes is best known to the present
generation as the proprietor Of Hoff-
man House, his interest in which he
sold out TO Grahams Polly, Of Brook
Ign, for 100000.
ATTRACTS FIsK's FRIENDSHIP.
Stokes first became prominent in
1870, when be attracted attention in
Wall street through the friendship Of
Jim Fisk and Jay Gould. He came
into Wall street as a clerk In brokers
office, fresh from graduation in a
Philadelphia high school. Fisk was
attracted by his remarkably handsome
personality. and used him in his stock
deals. The great Spectator had just
installed the famous Josie Mansfield
in a brown stone palace at $50 West
Twenty-third street. Fisk gave splen-
did receptions at the Mansfield house,
Stokes always being a guest.
Finally Fisk became insanely jeal-
Gus. He cast off the Mansfield woman.
He bought up all of Stokes many
debts and pressed him for payment,
suing him and threatening him with
He manipulated the stocks
In which Stokes was interested, cut
ting of millions from the Stokes
fortune.
Although Stokes maintained a de-
meanor Of outward calm, he planned a
fearful revenge. 1t seems that the
Mansfield woman had secured posses
sion OF many letters written by Fisk
In connection with the Erie frauds.
she turned over to Stokes, who
sued Fisk for 100000, and, it was
alleged, threatened to publish the let
ters unless the money was paid.
Fisk is said to have secured posses
sion OF the letters before the trial. A
warrant for Stokes was issued. Then
Miss Mansfield sued Fisk for $4,000
and Stokes accompanied her to court
on June 8, 1872, 1t was a day Of awful
revelations for all concerned and the
city was shocked with the scandal.
QUARREL CAUSES TRAGEDY.
From the courtroom Stokes and
Miss Mansfield went to the house Fisk
had bought for her in Twenty-third
They were just sitting down
to luncheon when a man dashed In
Fisk had secured a bench
warrent for the arrest Of Stokes. An
hour later Stokes shot and killed Fisk
on the stairway leading from the Office
Of the Grand Central Hotel, now the
Broadway Central, on Broadway.
Public denunciation hurried Stokes
to a speedy trial. He was found guilty
Of murder in the first degree, and was
sentenced to be hanged. as the YER
dict was read be sprang to his feet and
cried out;
"Jay Gould has done this.r
During his confinement in the
Tombs he had continued his operations
in Wall street, using his cell as IN
office. Cassius Reed served as his agent
in the street. With his money he goi
a new trial, but when the day Of tria.
came he was penniless. Reed let hin
have $500 to use for the trial. HI
was convicted and sentenced again
Again a new trial was secured, ant
this time w. f. d. Stokes, a cousin
came forward for the family honor
and after spending 900, 200, a yerdic|
of manslaughter was won and {
sentence Of four years in Sing Sing wa
imposed. His wife, Inundated by thu
scandals, went abroad and he
daughter died there.
RETURN FROM PRISON.
When Stokes came out Of Sing SIM
he was a white haired man, but h
had lost none Of hisgood looks, healtl
or energy. But be was bankrupt an'
besides owed q large sum to his cousin
W. E. ID. Stokes. He met John W
Mackay, who, attracted by his pei
sonallty, lent him considerable money
| With this be again became wealthy
Stokes quarreled with Read an
W. f. d. Stokes, who had befriendei
him, and for years has spent much 0
his time in lawyers offices and IN
courts, fighting suits brought agains
him or suing them.
-Four months ago Stokes returne
from Canada and went to his home !
West Seyenty-nlnth street. Tie o.
came m and delirious and frightene
his attendants by his rawlings. AT 81
request his sister, Mrs. Mary MeNut'
was sent for, and she took him to he
own home, 13I st. Nicholas avenue
nn.u Iine diving