Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1858-06-10
Fatal ARRAY at Blackstone ID Roads

Fatal ARRAY at blaCKlSLOnS - Roads.
On Saturday evening last, about dusk, fatal
ARRAY occurred at Blackstone CROSSROADS, in
this county, about six miles from Smyrna, which
resulted IN the death of man named Ezekiel G.
Cook, who for some years past, had kept a
groggery at the above named place. So far as
we have been able to learn the particulars of
this affair,-and, from all we can gather, we
have no doubt of the correctness ereof,-Cook.
nearly year ago, was fined heavily for several
violations of the license laws of the State, the
main witness against him being one Reuben
Newcomb, which so irritated Cook that he
swore he would shoot Newcomb, (and also
threatened to take the lives of several others,)
exhibiting a revolver in which lie said were
three loads, two for Newcomb and the third for
Newcomb's wife; Newcomb hearing of this
threat, kept clear of Cooks place, and armed
himself in case of an attack ,-Cook being a
large, weIl-built man, of immense muscular
power; Newcomb, on the contrary, small
man comparatively, and entirely unable to cope
with so formidable an adversary. Affairs con.n-
ued pretty much in this condition until Salur-
day las, -CoOk swearing he would kill New
comb, and Newcomb avowing his intention to
defend himself, if attacked. On the evening
in question, Cook returned home from Smyrna
somewhat intoxicated, when, in company with
a chum of his, he proceeded to the house of
negro man in his neghborhood, named jim
Sykes, and administered an unpro,oked thrash |
ing on the negrO-so severely that his life is |
despaired of; Faving returned from the scene
of this achievement, he ate hearty supper and
then adjourned to the store. Just at this time
Newcomb happened to pass, when Cook ran
and got his pistol, exclaiming "Ill kill New
comb, if he is the last man in the world."-
Newcomb was at the time proceeding up the
road toward Kenton; Cook followed him, when
words ensued between them, Cook still advan.
cling and Newcomb retreatng. When Cook
had arrived TO within few feet Of Newcomb
he presented his pistol and attempted to accom-
plsh his pre-expressed determination, but was
foiled, the cap only exploded, and before he
had time to push his murderous assault further
Newcomb fired four shots from a revolver, in
quick succession, all of which took effect upon
Cook,-one, and probably the only one of fatal
character, entered the right side just below the
ribs, probably passing through the liver, and
was taken from under the skin of the opposite
side, having traversed the entire abdomen; the
others produced, we are told, only lesh-wounds
After Newcsmb fired, both the men turned
and walked toward the CROSSROADS, a distance
of twenty or thirty PAGES, when Cook fell he
int
where he died in fifteen or twenty minutes.
Ncwcomb made no attempt to escape, but
justified himself on the plea of self.defence
and there can be no doubt but the killing of Cook
was the only thing that prevented him Cook
from being in fact, what he was at heart, a muir.
derer. Every unprejudced man, so far as we
have heard, fully exhonerates Newcomb from
blame, and so, we doubt not, will the jury who
may try the case, if bill should be found against
him. He was taken to Dover on Sunday MORN
ing last, by officer Graham, and lodged in Jail.
Deputy Coroner Hawkins held an inquest on
Sunday last. upon the body of the deceased !;
after which, it was inferred in the battle-ground
of Salem M. P. church.
Cook came, some three or more years ago,
from Chillicothe, Ohio, bringing with him hlE
wife and three children. His wife was, we are
told. lady of education and refinement, but,
on account Of his bad treatment became de-
ranged, was conveyed 10 an hospital, and died
some nine months since. The children are
aeft entirely to the care of tenderhearted hu-
manity, hundreds of miles away from all rela-
tives, but we trust not friends.