The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-08
Great Trials of History.
TRIAL OF EDWIN s. STOKES.


that existed between James Fisk, Jr.,
and Edwin S. Stokes. of New York
/ city. both of them prominent men OF
/ the metropolis ended with the assas-
sination Of Fisk by Stokes on sun
day. January Z. 1872. The cause was
the result OF jealousy on tho part OF
Fisk at the attention Stokes was pay
! Ing TO Helen j. Mansfield They were
| rivals for the admiration of this wo-
man. and she seemed TO prefer tho at
ltcntiors OF Stokes. The fcud mad gone
SO far that Miss or Mrs. Mansfield had
sued FISK for certain sum loaned
him. and the trial Was In progress when
| the tragedy occurred.
The shooting OF Fisk occurred on
the stairway OF the Grand Central IIo-
tel. and was premeditated on the part
/ OF Stokes. as he was seen for several
hours previous TO be wandering about
the corridors expecting that Fisk would
visit the hotel Az they met on tho
stairway, neither uttered word bur
Stokes fred, tho first shot taking effect
In tho abdomen. Fisk reelcd and fell.
| dying, ut the bottom of the stairway
After firing the fatal shot Stokes
paused for a single instant. as IL 10
look upon his work, then turned ana
walked leisurcly away. He entered
the ladies' parlor and threw tho still
smoking revolver upon the sofa. As
! he was about to rctreGt by way OF
the barber shop of the hotel. he slipped
and fell. and he was seized by men at
tached to the hotel. and was led back
to the foot OF tho grand stairway,
where he was compelled TO sit down
ana whero he WAS carefully guarded
until the arrival of the police.
stokes was Immediately taken to a
nearby station. Fisk In the meant m,
was taken to room OF the hotel and
an ante-mortem statement was taken
Fisk died and was buried on January
I 3. while Stokes was transferred to tho
rombs. The coroncr's jury returned
I Il verdict against him on January 0.
and he was ren:anded TO tEe Tombs to
await the action OF the grand Jury.
! The grand jury found n true bin OF
indictment against Stokes. and ne Wa
placed on trial for his lifo mt three
different times. At the first trial tho
I jnry disagreed at the second. which
| took place In February. 1879, no was
convicted and sentenced to be hanged
but at the third and last trial, which
begun in tho early part OF October OF
tn" same year, he was convicted OF
manslauGhter and was sentenced to
four years in the penitentiary. Tho
sentence wan passed upon him on Oc-
tober so and he instantly began serv.
ing It.
The last trial began on October g.
and 1T was number Of days before a
Jury could be secured. 1t was not un.
I'll October 10 that tho assistant district
attorney, Russell, was able to open his
address for the prosecution. Immedi-
| ately after he had concluded, the cx-
animation OF witnesses began. Tho
witnesses for the prosecution were
practically the same MS Mt tho previous
trial, and it only required two diva
TO rchear them. Then the counsel for
the Defense Dos Passos, began his
address to tho jury. The defense pro.
duced number of witnesses to show
how the prisoner had been afraid. of
FISK. never going out except In a closed
carriage. He felt the necessity of GO
ing armed for the reason that frienda
had frequently told him of threats on
the part Of Fisk to shoot him. The
most damaging evidence against the
prosecution was the testimony Of n
witness that ut the previous trial his
testimony was written out for him. and
he was promised $1,000 IL he would
present 1t.
During all three trials, Stolos,s
rather. mother. sister brother ind other
relattves were seated about him. and
MS parents never missed ono session
In all the long days In which IL waa
continued. On October 20 Stokes took
the stand and testified In his own be-
nan the testimony was closed on
4:4o on October 20. and did not return
until six minutes past II with tho YER
diet as stated above
Under tho statutory allowances for
good behavior Stokes made an ofrort
10 be released on january /, 1876. claim.
ing that his previous Imprisonment op
zen months should be deducted from
md Pratt refused to consent. He waa
compelled to serve his full time. and
was not given his freedom untii o..
tober 80. 1876.