The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-10

Murder and Mob La,o in Norfolk-Case Of Cooke
and Gardn9-Suddcn Death of Mrs Cooke from
Fright-Ts,ribh Times
J. GORDON BENNETT, ESQ -
DEAR SIR
[ have lately read in your highly valuable paper,
two letters purpOrting TO be from this borough which
were undoubtedly written by minds strongly tine
tured with prejudice towards M Cooke, Jr., who Is
represented as being high. wealthy, &c all of
which Is said for effect. And if you can spare the
room in your extensively circulating journal for
few remarks, you will confer a favor on impair
TALLY. ,...
The origin of this melancholy affair has already
been stated correctly in your paper-and M. Cooke,
Jr had carried arms for several days, in order to
claim satisfaction, and protect himself IN case OF
emergency; but the day on which this affray came
of, Cooke had been to Portsmouth on business, and
went unarmed, except stick, which he is In the
habit OF carrying, and was returning in the ferry
boat, when on landing he saw Metzar Gardner =
He went up to him and demanded apology tor
the insult offered through his paper, which G. de-
clined; when Cooke was in the act of raising his
stick, Gardner pulled revolving pistol out OF his
brooches pocket, which as soon as Cooke perceived,
he dropped his cane and seized hold of, and while
both were wrestling for land when the muzzle was
toward Cookies breast, one OF the caps exploded,
when with all his strength reversed the pistol and
in so doing it went off, and Gardner was no more
Cooke Immediately delivered himself up to the
Mayor; and shortly AFTER it being currently reported
(talsey) that the Mayor had dismissed hun until the
morrow one OF the Magistrates issued warrant Tor
his arrest, and Cooke went to Jail about o'clock.
Next morning he appeared before the Acting Mayor
(the Mayor being sck) and after all the evidence
given in, he wasvery justly acquitted, tor every
thing went to prove that he did not fire the pistol
This acquittal created great excitement in Ports
mouth, and they had Cooke as well as the Acting
Mayor hung in effgy, and on Saturday procession
of two or three hundred men and boys, from Ports
mouth, paraded our streets with banner, on which
was inscribed-"The workngman's friend murder
ed in defending their rights" and on passing the
Deputy Sheriff g house, a few doors from Cookies,
there being great confusion in the ranks, and some
few running into the Sheriff's yard to get water,
there was something said about pulling Cookies
house Down, and the servants mlsconstrulng what
they said ran in and told heir Mistress they were
going to pull her house down, which caused her to
faint, and after being brought to her mind was
taken very i'll, and died yesterday They certainly
have blood on their heads.
Next day Sunday committee from Portsmouth
came over and succeeded in procuring another war
rant for his arrest on the plea of further evidence,
&c and Cook was again committed to Jail about
O'Clock P M. So you see he had abundance of
time to escape-but no. knowing his innocence, he
preferred Just trial, which comes before the Court
Of five Magistrates Tuesday next, the 1lth in
slant.
Some two thousand dollars have been raised for
Gardner's poor widow and children, the most Of it
from this place. owl
B. O'Neill's house, in Portsmouth, has been very
much injured by the mob, and they have given him
seven days to leave the place.