The Van Buren Press

TELEGRAPH NEWS.
[Special Dispatch to the Republican.]
Jim Fisk Assassinated by a Treacherous Enemy.
New York, January 6.
James Fisk, Jr, was shot twice in the breast by Edward Stokes, at the Grand Central hotel, at 4:20 this afternoon; the affair took place in the vestibule.
The following are the circumstances attending the Fisk shooting case: At 4:15 P. M., a carriage stopped at the entrance of the Grand Central hotel, containing Fisk and a companion. The former alighted and entered the hotel for the purpose of proceeding to his rooms. As he ascended the first step, Stokes came out of an adjoining passageway, unperceived by Fisk, unbuttoned his coat, drew out a revolver and rapidly discharged three shots at Fisk: the first shot lodged in Fisk's shoulder, the second whistled close by his head, and the third, with more fatal direction, took effect in his abdomen, inflicting
A MORTAL WOUND.
Fisk at once staggered and fell, while Stokes, casting a look of hatred on the prostrate form of his victim, said in a savage tone, "I have done for the son of a b-h this time." Fisk evidently recognized his assailant before falling but made no remark.
Immediately after the shots were fired the hotel employes rushed to the scene, and while some cared for the wounded man other seized Stokes, who, seeing
ESCAPE WAS IMPOSSIBLE,
made no resistance. He was promptly handed over to the police. Fisk was quickly conveyed to his room, where the surgeon of the hotel was soon in attendance on him. Meanwhile telegraphic dispatches were sent for further surgical aid and for the friends of Fisk.
THE SCENE AT THE HOTEL
after the shooting was one of extraordinary excitement. The crowds coming from the matinees at the various theatres, hearing of the occurrence, thronged the corridors of the hotel, eagerly discussing the event and making inquiries about the particulars of the outrage. The officers who arrested Stokes conveyed him to the Fifteenth precinct station, where he is now lodged in a cell.
THE ANIMUS.
It is that the order of Judge Brady restraining Stokes and Miss Mansfield from publishing the letters in Miss Mansfield's possession affecting Mr. Fisk, Peter B. Sweeney and others, has had an exasperating effect on Stokes, and it is believed that he was roused to desperation partly in consequence of rumors generally received as well founded, that the grand jury has
found an indictment
against him and Miss Mansfield for attempts to
BLACK MAIL FISK.
The wound in Fisk's abdomen is similar to that which caused the death of the late Mr. Vallandigham. The doctors fear, but they succeeded in finding
are now probing for the bul-
let.
We know nothing of good can be
done the subject. For the wounded man
can survive.
God the coro-
ner he
make an ante
at 10 o'clock this
morning Jas
Fisk expired. All that
unremitting medical
skill and attendance
could do had
been done, but of no avail.
Jay Gould
was in attendance from an
early hour this
morning. His face wore,
while there was
yet hope that his friend
might recover,
usual calm expression.
No sooner had
Fisk died, however, than
Gould's fortitude
gave way, and his grief
found vent in tears.
The news of Fisk's
death spread rapi-
ly and produced pro-
found sensation and
regret. All asper-
sions that his endemies had heaped on his
character were in the moment forgotten,
and only his noble qualities of head and
heart were remembered--his frankness,
his generosity and his charity.
At 6 o'clock this morning, the first
ominous change appeared in the patient,
although not the first indication of a fi-
nal end. He grew a little restless, his
face had a greater pallor, and his breath-
ing was less easy and regular. On feel-
ing his pulse Dr. Fisher found it to be
more rapid, very nearly one hundred.
At half past six Col. Fisk said something
in a broken tone, and closed his eyes. A
change in his face had become more ap-
parent, the pallor was more deathlike, and
moisture appeared on his forehead. The
pulse was over 100. The doctors stood
by the bedside watching their patient at-
tentively. His pulse was at this time 130.
At quarter past 7 Mrs. Fisk arrived. She
was admitted first into an ante-room and
soon after into the bed-room. Mrs.
Fisk was terribly agitated at the bedside
of her husband. This scene was the
most heart rending that had yet taken
place, and those present could not sup-
press their emotions. The doctors were
appealed to by the wife to give some lit-
tle hope, but they gently indicated they
dare not say there was any chance of
life. Fisk was much moved at mo-
ments when he was cognizant of his sur-
roundings, but seemed never deserted by
the coolness and fortitude which he dis-
played when first shot. At 8 o'clock
there was little change; at half-past
8 the doctors consulted; and at 9 o'clock
the suppressed excitement about his bed
was almost too intense to bear. At 9
friends were permitted to go to his bed-
side, and he thanked them for coming.
After this the rapidity of the decline
showed more strongly than ever before.
At 10 o'clock there was eager and hush-
ed whispering as it was told to every ear
that the end was surely drawing nigh.
At half past ten he lay scarcely knowing
that there were any ministering to him.
He turned his face to the wall, noticed
no one, and ceased to breathe at a quar-
ter to eleven. The body will be convey-
ed from his late residence, 313 West
Twenty-third street, to the New Haven
depot at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon.
VERDICT OF CORONER'S JURY.
New York, Jan 9.
The jury retired at 5 o'clock and at
7:50 submitted a verdict which all sign-
ed, that Fisk came to his death in conse-
quence of a wound or wounds inflicted by
a ball or balls from a pistol in the hands
of Edward S. Stokes, and discharged by
him in a deliberate manner at the person
of the said Fisk, at the Grand Central ho-
tel.
The coroner committed Stokes to the
Tombs to await the action of the grand
jury. His counsel urged the coroner
not to send the case before either the
grand juries now in session, on account
of the present excited state of the public.
and said he would be justified by the act
which says the papers must be sent to
the next term of the grand jury. The
district attorney said by the next it was
understood any part of the then current
term. The coroner reserved his opinion.