Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-04-06
THE NORFOLK AFFAIR.

The examination Of the testimony IN relation the de-
porable affair between Mr.. Cooke and Mr. Gardner of
which gave account in yesterdays paper,
held at the Court House in presence OF Alderman Leigh
the Mayor Miles King Esq being able in consequence
OF recent severe ndsposiuon to bear the fatigue The
Court crowded at early hour, and continued
during the examination OF Witnesses which lasted over four
hours The testimony in two admitted the
probability that Mr. Cooke might have held the pistol
the time it fired have sprung the hammer, but
in instance that fact clearly proved Not Of
the witnesses could that he the when 1t
snapped whenit exploded The general testimony leaves
II doubtful which OF the parties caused the lire, and leaves
for the presumption that the spngng OF the hammer
b. which hand done, involuntary act
Nj. John jack, who gave very clear and distinct
OF the affair." deposed that ne in with
Mr.. Gardner at the time the ferry boat up They
Standing the float bridge, leaning against the ra
the West side. As the boat struck the bridge, Mr. Gard
exclaimed, "theTs's the man, a remark which Mr..
Jack did comprehend at the tune; and Mr.. Cooke
leaving the boat directly up TO Mr. Gardner and
thus addressed him "T, have grossly insuied me,
and demand an apology" To which Mr.. Gardner e
Piled "YOu can't have 1t, till you recant" Mr. Cookies
manner IN accosting Mr.. Gardner urbans and
polite. Upon receiving Mr. Gardner's reply, howey-
err he raised the walking stick which he held in
his hand, with the intention TO sirike Mr.. Gardner
but dropped upon the ground perceving Mr. Gardner
draw pistol from the pocket OF his pantaoons and seZed
the pistol with hand aud Mr.. GardneTs with the
other. Then commenced the struggle, in which Mr.. {.
succeeded IN wrenehing the pistol from Gardncrs hand
the struggle still continuing Mr.. Jack thinks Mr.. e had
control OF the pistol when oil. But most OF the
witnesses who the aay leave questionable whether
the pistol not again seized by Mr. Gardner the POSI-
of the parties and their motions seemed indicate,
the the report heard Indeed the whole affair
occupied short space that may well conceive the
difficulty in the midst Of the excitement Produced OF
king observations oil what passed PROBABLY
than minute elapsed from the time that Mr.. Gardner
drew the pistol. until he a corps!
After the hesring OF the testimony closed, Messrs T.
Taylor and Mson argued upon 1t IN defence OF Mr. Cooke
hinset member Of Bar until late hour OF the day
when the decision 10 discharge or recomm Tor further
animation by the Court, submitted the acting May
~ vi 10 Ccl ed N the sfI he diFrh dTred
The deceased Mr. Gardner though stranger in the COM
munity IN which he mad recently settled himself had
gathered around him friends who espOused his
political writer, and aud friends
could desire cheer him Their sympaihies were
powerfully excited might naturally be expected b. this
most deplorabe catastrophe and, for moment, gcf
seemed have been absorbed by stronger passion But
alas IS not the friends Of the dead than those Of
survivor that afflicted. The sympathy which has been
called forth from whole community this nesn
chOy occasSon IS not less than that which felt By the
mediate circle Of the friends OF the deceased but tits SYM
patty which looks with kindred feeling the bitter
gush Of the surviving sufferer.
Norfolk Herald Of Saturday
MR. Cooke coNyrrTED--We stated in our paper OF Sat
urday that Mr. Cooke discharged by the sting mag
trst before the examination OF witnesses he'd
on Friday the day after his unfortunate M
Gardner Oh Sunday afternoon application made
10 an Alderman OF the Borough. 10 him the
ground that there other and who
had not been summoned the previous hearing evidence
The application made VIM l. Hardy, ESQ, who up
consultation with Judge Baker issued his warrant 10 ar
rest Mr. Cooke. The warrant served by the Sergeant
of the Borough Mr. Cooke being his fathers residence
At his request the magistrate attended the a 20 commit
him, whittier he Immediately accompanied the Sergeant
and was duly committed for further examination At Mr.
Cooks special request the fomaiy and trouble Of another
examination before single magistrate waived, and
his case will be brought before the examining Court Of Al
dcrmen on Tuesday next the llth inst.
Norfolk Herald Of Tuesday.