Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-06-27
THE KILLING OF FISK.

Harry X. Thaw resembles in some of
its chief features the killing Of James
Fisk by Edward S. Stokes, in 1872.
No crime created greater sensation and
none showed more clearly the conditions
that then prevailed in certain classes OF
New York society.
Stokes came of an excellent Philadel-
phia fsmily, and had been successful IN
business when he first met Fisk. The
latter was then at the zenith of his
career At this period Fisk had become
enamored OF a notorious woman known
as Josie Mansfield. Her maiden name
was Helen Josephine Mansfield. She
was the divorced vile of an actor OF
small ability, Frank Lawlor. 1t is said
| by some that she had met Stokes III
| Philadelphia, where she lived for few
months in 1867. 1t is said by others
that Fisk took Stokes to see her at the
| magnificent home Fisk had set up for
her in west Twenty-ihird street, New
| York. What is certain is that Stokes
became as madly infatuated with her as
! Jim Fisk himself She reciProcated
Stokes affection.
The ENHANCEMENT is alleged to have
created rupture between Stokes and
his vile, who in 1871 took her eight
year.Old daughter with her to Europe.
It likewise ended Fisk's friendship.
Crazy with jealousy, the later strove
TO win the fight over the woman by
| running Stokes financially. Then began
desperate struggle between millions on
| one side and bare quarter OF million
on the ether. In the days when money
and influence were all powerful Fisk
had the great Erie corporation and Tam
many Hall at his back. Stokes was prac
tically single handed.
Fisk's first move was to arrest his
partner on the charge of embazzling the
company's funds. The charge fell
through and Stokes was liberated.
He retaliated by suing Fiske fDrS2OO. 600
damages for false imprisonment. Josie
stood by Stckes, who threatened to
publish all the letters that had passed
| between Fisk and the Mansfield woman.
| TO a ID fuel to the fire, the woman went
into court with papers showing that
Fiske owed her $50, 600 and accusing
| him of libel.
After an exciting day in this suit she
aud Stokes lunchtd together in the home
Fisk had fitted up. Here message ar
rived with the news that Fisk had caused
the issue Of bench warrant for Stokes
on an Indictment by the grard jury
charging him with blackmail. Stokes
rushed to the Grand Central Hotel,
where Fisk Was living, and sNOt him on
the staircase. There were no known
witnesses to the inception of the actual
shooting. Stokes always claimed that
he had acted in self-defense and that
Fisk had been the first to draw revol-
yer. To the argument that Fisk's pls-
tolwas never found Stokes Ietorted that
it hsd been spiri ed away 10y Il mysterious
woman who had appeared on the scene
Immediately after Fisk fell.
At the first trial the jury failed TO
agrte. Tie second ended on January 4,
| 1873, with a verdict of guilty of murder
in the first degree. Stokes never lost
his nerve.
Then began a legal battle for Stokes
life, WEIGH ended in third trial aud a
verdict of manslaughter in the third
degree Stokes received the full penalty,
four-year.. 1t was shortened by good
behavior in Sing Sing and Auburn
prison, and on Octoter II, 1876, Stokes
was once more a free man. Eight years
later Governor Cleveland restored him
to full citizenship by pardon. He
died November ,, 1901, in New York.