The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-01-13
NEW YORK.
The Rlepement of Rev. Horace Cock
with n School G irl of Sixteen,


NEW YORK, January lU'
The elopement of Rev, Horace, Cook
pastor of the Seventh-street Methodist
Church, with Miss Martha johnson
creates intense excitement in the church
circles of this city. Mr.. Cook was fol
about eight years pastor of church II
Westchester county, and came to this
city only eight months ago, when he
Immediately gained numerous friends
by his kind manners, eloquence and
learning. He has been married sixteen
years to q most devoted wife, and has a
son, named Baldwin, fifteen years of age
"A most promising lad.
Mr.. johnson, the father of Martha, ID
ono of the trustees of the church.
wealthy and highly respected. Martha
was only a schoolgirl, sixteen years oi
age, and was about to graduate in the
Twelfth Ward Public School. She was
highly accomplished, beloved by her
parents and brothers, and esteemed by
her teachers. A more than ordinary
Intimacy had been noticed between her
and the pastor of the church to which
she had only been recently converted,
but the girl was always 30 innocent
that no particular suspicion was
aroused.
The whole of last week Rev. Horace
feigned sickness. On Thursday he sent
his family to church to attend lecture,
and even sent the servants. he excused
himself from attending by stating his
sickness. 1t was true that he sent his
trunk out of the parsonage. On Friday
he left his house empty handed, and
told his wife he would be home at the
evening service; since that time, how
ever, he has not been seen.
On the same Friday morning Miss
johnson said to her friend, Miss Devoe,
on leaving school, "Come home with
me, am afraid" There" said Miss
Devoe, sis not that your pastor stand.
ing therep "Oh, yes" said Martha;
saying that she Joined Mr.. Cook. Since
then nothing has been seen Of either
party, but the parents Of the girl are
convinced that she did not willingly 60
with him, for all her clothes were al
home, as were also all her trinkets. She
went off in her school dress, without q
change of clothing.
The charge is now openly brought
4 dSdluSU uiIu UuuV uC uao uuuuSlOu
the girl against her own wish and de-
sires.
On Saturday Miss Martha's father re-
oeived the following letter:
Glove Matte; | will care for heI
tenderly, kindly, lovingly. Inconsist
ent as it may appear with my present
conduct, ask for no mercy, but Am
ready to part with my life for the pos
sesson Of the woman / adore.
"PooR Cook"
Mrs. Cook received the same afternoon
letter from the miscTeant, in which
he says! II am on the lost plank; you
will never see my face again. I hope
Baldwin will be better man than bis
father
The poor woman is 80 distressed that
the physicians fear that brain-fever
may set in. Miss Martha's brother,
threaten to shoot the pastor at sight.
Said the father to-day. "lf a mid
night assassin had come into my house,
could have defended myself, but the
pastor Of my chuSch, the minister of the
gospel, to steal MY child, is more than l
can stand"
The affair creates intense excitement
in Methodist circles, which is heighten-
red by the reports that he has committe d
suicide in Canada. This, however, is
not confirmed. On the contrary, it is
more than probable that both left on
the European steamer on Saturday, as
the letters above mentioned were
posted in this city on yesterday morn
ing.