, 1873-01-29
HOkY-POKY.


FROM He O8lttg0 Palladium.
We yesterday published from the Albany Eren-
ing Times the announcement Of tho death OF
the celebrated surgeon, DR.. Cooke. A1r. " B.
Dolmage, Of this city, who has been an init
mate friend OF the Doctor for many years, in
forms us that Dr.. George Cooke was 90
first came to this country in 1872, as surgeon OF
. British war-ship; that he went back to Eng
land at the close OF the war with this country,
md returned to New York in 1929. He then
went to South America for d short time, return
ed to New York, and in 1880 located himself at
Albany and established dispensary, and attain-
cd fame aud wealth. Mr. Doimage rolntes many
thrilling incidents in the early and ycnturesome
Life Of Dr.. Cooke, one Of which VIC give in the
veritablo words Of the relator:
British man-of-war Belcher, which Vas cruising
off the Touga Islands, wont ashore with twelve
Of the crew to gntler horbs for medical pur-
poses. They we're al captured by the na-
ti7es, who proved to be cannbals. They we're in
mediately bound with strips OF bark aud thrown
into sort Of hole or care in the sido OF g hill
and kept there until next morning. During tho
night the unfortunate victims heard the yel1s
Of the savages. who wero preparing for the
horrible Toast Of the morrow. In the morning
stripped entirely naked, again firmly bandssed,
and laid upon thoir faces on the
ground in two rows, about four feet apart. Tho
male savages, who had assembled from the sur
rounding ialands in large numbers, formed 2
circle, the inner diameter OF which was about
sixty feet, and tho women and children were
placed inside tho circle. The latter beat TOM
toms and yelled in flendish chorus, while tho
males performed the devils dance for fully an
hour.
This done, twonty-si1 brawny and naked BaY-
agos,-tho whole gathering Of demons, old and
young, male and female, we're perfectly nude
twenty-sx powerful savages advanced; two OF
them seized each of the victims By the hair, and
dragged them about 1900 feet, to sandy
beach, upon which tho eopReR-colored sun sent
wood in thirteen places,-ono for each
yictim-an6 the sAvagea were seating themselves
in groups around each pile. Another ring WAS
and short dance was performed, which, at
some signal from the Chief-a magnificent
brute, nearly eight feet tall, and "made up in
proportion"-thRr was dead silence. The
hungry looking savages snnk on their launches
upon the sand, licking their chops like fam-
ished wolves.
Tho Chief then approached the helpless vic
TINS and began critical examination OF the
physical condition OF each. He lifted their upyer
and lower lips, examined their teeth; drove his
powerful thumb into their arm pits pressed his
hand upon their ribs felt Of their legs and
arms, al the while wearing the expression OF
bloated epicnro.
During the progress of this examination tho
thirteen fires were lighted, and added their heat
to that Of the relentless sun. Tho Chief finally
approached DR.. Cooke, turned him upon his
back, wreathed his hand in his hair, and lifted
him upon lis feet. The savage married. with
his finger the portion Of the carcass g. he had l
the eyes Of the savage and his dinner
met. The doctor inadvertently, and more by
spas1nodic action Of the muscles than otherwise,
gave Masonic sign. The chief started, and
gazcd fxedly on the doctors face. The doctor
k.1 ,i,~ ~ 14,crr aud
Immediately uttered a. cry of amazement,
followed By somo gibberish, which wns
received with yell Of disappointment from
the whole gathering Of demons, who sprang to
their feet and rushed upon the Christians: Tho
Chief swung his tremendous war club, and plas-
tered tho bound bodies Of the EngGEhmcn with
the brains Of score Of the heathcn devils be-
fofo sou could srticulate Jack Robinson. Ho
then gave u command to the subordinate. who
came up and, with sharp flint, cut tho bo1da OF
the white men, and they were free.
The bodies Of the savagos Just killed were
stewed down in six potash kettles, which had
been cast ashore from Q wrecked vessel in 1s04,
and the horrible T1etches glntted themselves
Cooke and his men stayed upon tho island four
days, during which time they were guarded
with great cara by the chief-whom tho Doctor
christened Chul Chug-which ia cannibal for
Ife-prosorvc7. They we're treated with great
hospitality, and escorted by long procession Of
saYases to the beach where their boat lay, when
they took their departure. It seems, somo five
years before the date Of this narrative, an Eng
lieh Captain was cast ashore from wreck-ho
being the only soul saved. He managed to get
into the good graces Of Chul ChuG, and gave
him the first two degrees Of Masonry. During
the four days that Dr. Cooke remained on the
island, he gave Cnul five moro degrees, in con-
sideration Of which "the heather savage "-was
overcome with gratitude. The doctor returned
to the island In 1909. He found thero . large
and aourishing Masonic lodge, and two mission.
aries from England, one OF whom was roasted
and eaten in honor OF his return.