Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-08-13

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY At Murder
Of .Johm Resse the Comedian.-.The individual
whose tragic death is recorded below, will be
recognized by many of our citizens as John
Reeve, The Irish comedian, good natured and
whole souled Irishman, who has SO often anus.
ed them in some of his low characters.
MIR. Cook, who has been acting as Treasures
of the Peoples Theatre for few days. and who
is the husband of Mrs Cook, somewhat cele-
brated as a danscuse, killed John Reeve about
nine o'clock last evening, by slabbing him
through the heart with a dirk or dirk knle,
while they were both behind the scenes. Il
seems that Mr.. Reeve was prompter at the
Theatre and upon the conclusion of the first
piece remarked to Mrs. Cook, as she was pass
ing the stage, that she was imperfect and ad-
ded, why the Dipu don't you study your partP
in his usual jocuar way 10 which she replied,
you had better not insult me any more, for it
you do, I'll slap yor face. Are you IN ear
nest I" said Jack, and she passed on In the
meantime, she made complaint to her husband,
who left the ticket office, and going upon the
stage by the back door, went into Morris poom.
where Morris was lying upon the sofa, and
walking up to him, Morris asked him what he
wantcdl Cook replied that he came in to let
him know what the recei pts of the house were
&c. Cook then remarked, yoa hat better toll
dat prompter Of yours to keep has mouth shut, or
he'H 20 out here some night nat his CUTS Out
mentary ebullition and Cook went forward
on the stage, where meeting Reeve near the
prompcr's stand, he said 10 him. You have
been insulting my wife again. Don't bother
me- said Reeve, Il am busy now ) to which
Cook rep led, III learn you, and instantly stab
bed him TO the heart. Reeve made a few steps
towards the door of Mrs. Lews'S dressing room,
exclaiming for Gods sake, let me in-I am
stabbed am murdered ! then falling back
wards, was caught by that lady, who supported
him until she tainted.
Reeve fingered a few minutes, the blood
gushing from his bosom. when he expired
Meanwhile Cook walked deliberately out the
back door the stage, crying Fire Fire and went
into the ticket office, where Mr.. Smith was count
ing the money Smith seeing hsm excited asked
where's the fire.? in the back building, said
Cook. Smith snatched up the paper money,
and ran out Cook then pocketed the silver
money, locked the door after him as he was
going on, and fed.
AS soon as the officers could be rallied, they
went in search of Cook, and proceeded to the
house of Mrs. Carnahan, in the upper part of
The city, where Cook boarded, and who is the
mother of Mrs. Cook. Upon inquiring there
they could learn nothing o! him, and after
searching the house they found the shirt he
had Just pulled oil, under the hydrant and the
water running, but nothing of him.
The scene upon the stage was awfullv tragic.
lhe dying man was WeUeTlng In MS gore
Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Foster and Miss
Bertha Lewis, all fanting and shreking. while
the gentlemen on the stage, without single ex-
ception, were in tears and it may with truth
be said that it was the most effective tragedy
ever acted on any stage.
The funeral of the murdered man took place
from the Garden yesterday afternoon, and we
learn that MeSsrs. Morris Il Smith have caus-
ed an immediate pursuit to be made in the vari-
birectinnS is hnpe1 hot n rd will
Since writing the above, we learn that the
Sheriff has offered reward of 500 for the APP
prehension of the murderer, and the members
of the two companies, attached to the Peoples
and the National Theatres, are upon the point
of adding another hundred TO the sum already
mentioned. - Cincinnati Chronicle.