Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-12-16
For the Empire.
Capt, Cook.

haNnNANANAf
Ma. EDiroR:--In travelling through the West
1 ehancsd to meet with Mr.. Wesley Cook, the
eldest brother Of the unfortunate Capt. Cook
OF Harper's Ferry, who resides with his father
Truman II. Cook, on Sugar Greek, Cedar o..
about sixteen miles from this city. He cons
verses freely about the matter and Eympsthizes
deeply with his brother, as brother, but totally
condemns the course he pursued, which has
led him to share the fate Of a traitor and a
murderer. BE was in no way backward in
bringing the character Of the whole family to
light, and admitted, while tears rolled down
bis cheeks, that his own safety and the public
security demanded the execution Of his brother.
The old gentleman, Truman II resided in
Canada, with his family, until the time Of the
Canadian Rebellion, in 1887. When the Eugs
lisb Government offered a bounty Of e50O each
for the delivery Of the rebels, dead or alive, he
and his son Wesley, being participants in the
affair, in company with Ben Lett, Bill Johnson,
Mackenzie, aud others were compelled to flee
to America for protection. wesley's uncle on
his mothers aide, Daniel George, pSymaster,
general Of the rebel army, was taken by the
British and executed.
The family then settled 10 WatertOwn, N.
T., aud lived thsTe until the young Captain,
now under sentence Of death at Charlestown,
Virginia, arrived &C the age Of fifteen years,
when they removed TO the northern part Of Hi.
nois, snd there remained about FIVE years, when
they removed 10 Iowa, where the old gentleman
yet rssides.
His sons having now arrived at the age Of
manhood left their old home, aud started out
into the world 10 make a livelihood for them>
selves and families
John r.. the subject Of our sketch, was
young man Of extraordinary intellect and per-
severan In debate, it mAttered not what
the subject was nor which side Of the question
he was on, he showed deep and able mind,
and would always be permitted by all to exceed
the usual tune allowed, and so long as he ocs
cupied the floor, as speaker, silence prevailed;
a pin could almost be heard IL dropped upon
the floor. He was brave, saucy, daring, and
forever boasting Of his hazardous adventures
His father had very little control over him. and
all he could say or do had little or no effect; he
was, therefore, compelled TO let him have bis
own way, but ct every opportunity gave him
good advice, showing him the evil results that
must necessarily follow such course Of con-
duct. He followed his own inclinations, how
eEer.--commenced gambling, sssociating with
bad characters, etc., which impressed his father
with the idea that the peniteniiary or the gal
lows would soon be his doom, and led him to
the concluGioa that It would be best to loan
him some capital and start him in some busiS
ness which might hays tendency to reform
him. He suggested this idea to the captain,
who accepted the offer, received the money,
vent TO Knox county, Illinois, aud started a
Grocery Store. He did very we'll for about
year, when be wrote letter 10 his father stat
ing that his stock was about sold out, and rer
quested him to advance him come more funds
for new supply Of stOckj also stating that it
would soon bs,Teturned with largo per centage
for the use Of it. The money was advanced.
amounting in all 10 little over fifteen huns
dred dollars.
The next intelligence the cid gentleman re-
eeived was, that the Captain was on his way
TO Kansas. In company with the Illinois Vol
unteers, furnishsd and equipped by the Massa
chuse.ts Emigrant Aid So;iety, where he
changed HIS name from John Z. Cook to VIM.
Wyman, In order to hOodwink his father in
case be got into difficulties, with accounts Of
which. real and imaginary, the public prints
were teemiug, knowing that his previous con
duct, the money with which he was entrusted,
and his course of action q. ahat time had
turned him into something WoEAe than high
way robbeF.
His subsequent histsry in KaDSas. and his
connection with Old John Brown, in the recent
Haper's Ferry affair, are too we'll known to
need repetition here. More anon.
Yours, &c PIONEER.