Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1902-09-17
BANKER FISH'S DEATH
CAUSES SENSATION
Mystery Surrounds Fate oi
Prominent New Yorker.
FOUND WITH CRUSHED SKULL

Was Descendant of One Of the Oldest
and Most Distinguished American
FamIlIes-Father Was First secre
tary Of State Under Grant.
New York, Sept. 16.--Ihe police ara
still seeking for the exact facts which
led UP to the death of Nicholas Fish
the banker, who was found with his
skull fractured In front Of saloon in
West Thirty Fourth street yesterday
afternoon. and who died early this
morning in Roosevelt hospital.
Mrs. Lbbie J. Phillips, SS years old
Mrs. Mollie Casey, 80 years old AMI
Thomas J. Sharkey, As years old, a
private detective. were arrested early
today, in connection with the case.
According to the police Mr.. Fish
entered Ehardts saloon. rs West Thlr.
ty-Fourth street, yesterday afternoon
with Mrs. Phillips and Mrs. Casey
The police say that Mrs. Phillips was
but that neither Mrs. Casey nor Shar'
key who subsequently Joined the par
ty, were aware of his identity. Shar
key who knew the women, was not
reluctant to join the party, when one
of the women invited him TO. The po.
lice say that Fish did most of the buy
ing Fish then discovered that his
money was exhausted, and he an
nonuced that he would have to draw
a check
Sharlley, ignorant of Ftsh's identity,
questioned his ability to make his
check good. Fish, 1t is said, took of.
fense at this and angry words sn'
sued. Then, according to the pollce,
some one slapped Fish's face. Ono
Of the women. clinglng to Fsh's arm,
dragged him toward the door Of the
saloon and out TO the sidewalk. The
police say that SAarkey attempted to
follow Fish, but be was for moment
restrained from doing 30 by the other
woman. He finally went out of the
saloon end he and Fash encountered
each other on the sidewalk, Shar
keys hat had been knocked OF and he
was bareheaded. There was scuR
fle, by whom commenced 1t is not
known Fish fell or was knocked
down, his head striking a fagstone
Just before the scufPle on the side
walk commenced Mrs. Casey, becom
ing alarmed, hurriedly left the party.
After Fish fell, it is said that ShaT.
key re-entered the saloon and then left
1t and went into saloon few doors
away and a moment later left that
place and boarded a street car. He
was closely followed by Mrs. Phillips,
who was carrying his hat and who also
boarded the car. Fish was lying uu'
conscious on the Sidewalk and knot
Of people gathered about him and
some men carried him into the hall
way of the saloon and tried to revive
him, Being unsuccessful they again
brought him into the street, thinking
he might revive there. He was ly.
ing on the street when q policeman
appeared. The officer called an am.
bulance from Roosevelt hospital,
Fish's identity was not learned until
the hospital was reached and Els
clothing searched AS soon as It was
learned who he was he was entered
as a private patient.
Mrs. Casey. Mrs. Phillips and shar.
key were arraigned today in police
court and were held for the coroner. A
detective said 70 the sitting rnaglsbate
that the prisoners were arraigped na
suspicious persons in connection with
the death of Nicholas Fish
Mrs. Casey denied all knowledge OF
the case, Mrs. Phillips when quea.
TONED about the case said.
you'll find out later"
Banker Fish, who was SO years old,
was the descendant OF one Of the old.
est and most distinguished American
families. His grandfather, Colonel
Nicholas Fish. fought with distinction
In the battles of Harlem Heights, Sar.
Htoga and Yorktown. and hs father,
Hamiltt1 Fish. was the first secretary
Of state under President Grant.
SAAbcl SoFSlhi years III JL6 ulplOu1Hb
ic service, ne entered the banking
business in this city in 1887. OF his
brothers. Hamilton is former Repub.
Hcan speaker of the New York Assem-.
bly, and Stuyvesant is president OF che
Illinois Central railroad.
Coroner Jackson held SharlEey In
100000 bail, and Mrs. Phillips and Mrs
Casey in $500 bail each as witnesses.
sharkey made the following statement
preliminary to his araignment;
II went into Ehrad's and saw there
two women to whom am acquainted
/ called out when they saw me: Come
over and have drink
Il went over and sat down with
them, and after had talked to them
this Banker Fish, seemed to take Of
fense at my being there. We had
few words and all at once he drew oil
with his arm and struck me. Then
We both got up went out one door
and he the other. He must have
stumbled down the steps and fallen
in going ont