Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-04-03
TAs NorJoIk CafastropA,.

The Norfolk Herald of Friday, the 3ist contains the
following aecoun, OF the unhappy rcneonuo between Nor
deesi Cook, Jr. and Mr. q ardner. Editor Of tho
old Dominion" which resulted in the death Of Mr. Gard
Both gentlemen belonged the Democratic par,y
and the quarrel was not therefore, first reported upon
party grounds Mr.. Cook is OF Morjecai Cook ESQ.,
Tor many years well known in public affairs and highly
esteemed by NIL parties.
| PAINFUL OycuRREScE.-A tragica affair witnessed
Al The Terry wharf yesterday that caused degree OF excite
ent and interest which have seldom cqualled in
our quiet community and which resulted the death o
MT Mc.er Gardiner Editor OF the Portsmouth Chronicle
anu ou DOMINION" "a Democratic Journal, Of which he
had become the conductor some six months ago in rem
eon,rc with Morteeai Cooke, Jr Esq of this Borough.
Inc circumstances at the have he ard them sta
ted by several persons who the affair wer, a. follows.
Mr. Cooke was returning from Portsmouth in the ferry
ooai Mr 1Sner was the wharf. leaning against post
waning Tor the boat intending her 10 Pomouth
As Mr. Cooke stepped ashore he entered into
win Mr. Gardner, which continued only a few s,conds
no above the usual pitch OF their voiccsl when Mr. c.
was seen 10 raise walking which he carried: but Ia,
lore any hostile demonstration could be made with IL Mr.
Gardner stepped back and drew pistol d WINS reyoyin,
one IRON his pan,aoons pocket upon which Mr.. Cooke
dropped his cane and seized hold the pistol when
struggle ensued in which Mr. c. succeeded in ,,r,ncbn
the pistol from Mr. G's hand, and in the scuc the pistol
was supposed 10 have been fired oil by Mr. Cook and Mr.
Gardner ic-tho charge the pistol having p,ssed through
his body! lie was Immediately taken into Captan Drum
nonds store Tor surgical attention. but the ball had struck
the heart and IN less than fifteen minutes life was extinct
This unfortunate affair grew of feud of recent orr
gun between the parties, who were personally unknown TO
cact ottf unt most unfortunately
the medium o an attack IN the columns Of the Chronicle
ON the feelings OF MIR. Cooke in retaliation for some r,cc
tons which he was reported tn have INDUCED in at the ,d
tors expense, while addressing Democratic meeting IN
PORTSMOUTH about week ago. IL a family quarrel
politically speaking; and all such quarr,s are the hardest IA
settle. We sincerely dcpore its fatal termination Mr.
"a,uner was native OF Massachusetts, and has left wife
and three children
Mr. Cooke went Immediately the Mayor appraised him
o the occurrence and said tina, he had called to surrender
himself After the finding the Inquest, warrant WINS
4. M gnnn AZ
herd that the warrant in he hands of NJ Guy Con
stable, he delivered himself To that officer aud now in
J awaiting his examination before the Mayor 10 be held
tins morning at the Cour, House at 10 o'clock
fosrcRirr-Since writing the above, the Inquest which
was nIi Tour o'clock in the afternoon examining
Witnesses having adjournedwe have been favored with
copy OF their verdict which subjoin The evidence |
was as near possible an accordance with In, statement
given above The evidence however As 10 The fact
pistol was m possession of Mr. Cooke and that he pued
the trigger when exploded, does not exactly lannon's,
Mr. Cooke himself solemnly alirms that 1t wa. not then
under his control The pistol snapped OF its tubes
before was fired; at the swapping the muzzle
was at Mr. Cookies breast!
NORFOLK BOROUGH. to.wit:
lnquisiton ndcnted, taken the Store Of VIM s. Drum
mond in the Borough aforesaid the Goth day oMsrch ls3
before me- John L. Leigh, Alderman of snid Bnro,g
upon the view Of the body Of Mezar Gardner late of the
Town OF Portsmouth, then and here living dead and ,pon
the oals of VIM J. Chapman Miles Davis John d. c. CHS
elm, VIM Knight, VIM. DENLY, T.. 4. Tabb A. A Mon.
rice, Chas Reid, Archibald Briggs Jos Decormi- Jobn q
Addingten, J. b. l.. Marsden and Chas e. gooJ
and lawful men OF the Borough aforesaid who being sworn
ana charged TO inquire, ON the part OF the Commonwealth
when, were how, and after what manner the said Gardner
came TO ms DEATH do say upon their oath that the said
Mezar Gardner came 10 his death this Both iav March
1873 IN scule with Mordecai Cooke Jr of the said Bor
ough nearthe ferry house in said Borough by the Discharge
OF pistol which the said Gardner drew from his b,oscb
pocket and which taken him by said Cooke and
tired of by said Cooke in the scuc the ball from which
pistol entered the LETT side of said Gardner near his hear.
In witness whereof we'll the aforesaid Alderman az ,h
Jurors aforesaid, have To this nquson put their seals on
the day and year aforesaid.
T. S-An examination was held Yesterday al the Court
House before John F. Leigh Esq, an alderman of this
borough under the issued by him against Nor
decai Cooke Jr and after patient and aboou nycstga
uon Mr. Cooke was acquitted and discharged from custody
Norfolk Beacon.