American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-10-13

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN PHLADELPHIA-
Murder Of Fsmals-.qnempted Suicide Of the
Murderer A man named John G. Cook per-
pctrated horrid murder on the person of his
wife, Mary Cook, at her residence in South
Front street, Philadelphia, about 10 O'Clock on
Sunday morning. The following particulars
Of the tragic occurrence are given in the Phila-
dephia Sun:
John G. Cook had been married to Mary
number of years. She became the mother of
SIX children, four Of whom are dead-the other
two are quite small, one aged about five years
and the other two years. Her life was one Of
terror, as her husband was given much to in
toXicaton, and while under the influence of
rum, used TO beat her and the children, He
did but little to support her, and she strove to
support herself and children by pursuing an
honest livelihood. His treatment towards her
at last became nsuffGrable, and she, with her
children, finally left him, He had often threa-
tened to kill his wife, and on several occasions
when her only sister called TO see her, he threa-
tened to kill her also, and forbid her coming to
the house Mrs. Cook was almost driven TO
distraction, heart broken and forlorn, with
but few around to shed even the tear of SYM
pathy in her behalf, she broke herself loose
from brutal and unteelng husband, and re-
solved to live with him no more unless he be-
come reformed. Shortly after the separation.
ne joined Temperance Association and was
fast restoring himself to usefulness in society,
and finally again lived with his wife. lie was
a tailor by trade, but worked at times "along
Shore and he soon reapsed into his habits of
dissipation, and some months ago told his wife
and her sister, that he would "some day be
hung for them both, as he had intended to muir
der them" The sister of Mrs. Cook, at that
time had hin arrested on the charge of threat
ening, and he was committed by Alderman
Fletcher in default of bail to keep the peace,
but in a short time he was set at liberty, and
proceeded to a ncighboring city. He wrote a
letter from that city to his wife, stating that he
had Just married 4 woman; and in fact he
mad another wife residing with him, and that
he did not intend coming to Philadelphia any
more. Mrs. Cook, who supported herself so
far as we know, with due regard to morality,
became acquainted with Woodworking man.
named James Lee. and in a short time, they
were married, and took lodging at No. 3Ol
Front street. They lived happily together, and
from all that we can CLEAN, her life was, in
deed, changed from sorrow and grief, to Joy and
happiness Her second husband is a hand on
board Of a tow boat, and on Saturday afternoon
ne left this city and proceeded to Delaware ci-
ty, thus pursuing his usual daily labor.
The above is few preliminary remarks, .
from which the reader can readily Judge of the
primitive cause, which brought about such a
painful and bloody tragedy. 1t adds but anoth-
81 to the list ofappalling crimes induced by rum.
But to the murder Yesterday morning, at 10
O'Clock, Mrs. Cook stepped out and purchased
some milk, short distance from the house, and
returned. In about fifteen minutes afterwards,
she was heard to cry murder murder from the
third story window The whole neighborhood
was instantly aroused, and several men rushed
into the house, and upon going up stairs, she
was found in the last agonies of death, lying
with her head hanging over the first step, on the
second story landing, having fallen there from
the third story. A noise was heard in the third
story, and upon going up, he, John G.. Cook,
was found weIterlng in his own gore. He had
drawn the knife across his abdomen in several
places and then committed various severe iniu-
ries to his person, SO brutal and disgusting, as
20 render the bare naming OF them unfit for the
columns Of a respectable print. The knife used
IN this tragedy is called butcher kufe-hladeI
nine inches long and one and half inches
wide. lie was taken to the Hospital, and his
victim carried down stairs. The coroner was
immediately sent Cor and promptly arrived at
Ghe house, and having summoned Jury, inves-
tSgated the facts anc circumstances relative to
the case. At the Hospital. he admitted to DR..
Sharp, thai he had killed her because she lived
wish another man. de removed recently into
the lower part Of the district of Southwark, and
was brother to the Cook killed during The
Queen street battle.
THUS ends our account of the fearful tragedy
What adds more pain to it, is the fact that the
youngest chlId left by Mrs. Cook, is seriously
afflicted by disease, and at the time other death,
she wac preparing some medicine for it. Cook
was still alive last evening, but there was no
nope fhis recovery, owiag to the peculiar ma
ture Of his wounds.
EYOR SALE. A very likely Boy, 10 years of