Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-05-01
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY
AT HYDE PARK.

ties and citizens at once repaired to the
scene of the tragedy. Our reporter ac-
them and learne d the follow
ing particulars: At about 8 o'clock
Sunday morning, Charles arose, foddered
the stock and went to the sugar house,
taking his father, Edison Cook with him.
In about an hour afterwards Mrs. Cook
saw her husband returning alone, which
fact caused feeling of apprehension.
He came in saying i've killed the seed
one ~ On being asked if he had hurt
Charlie, he said that he had not, and
that Charlie was coming right up to
breakfast Mrs. G. then hurried her
breakfast, but feeling apprehensive, called
her daughter to 60 up to the sugar house
and see what had happened. After
Carrie had got outside the door, her
father told her that he had killed Char
lie and that be was in the sugar house.
She fastened to the spot, about quarter
of mile distant, and the scene that met
her vision, in which she realized the
terrible truth of her fathers statement,
can never be described. She then ran
to the nearest neighbor, Mr.. Harlow
Bliss, who with others repaired to the
scene.
On arriving at the sugar house they
found life not yet extinct and at once
dispatched messenger for a surgeon
and the authorities. He lived about
half an hour after the men arrived,
though labored and forced breathing was
the only signs Of life he exhibited. In
the meantime the agonized wife and
mother was alone with the maniac at
the house, not knowing the awful fate of
her son, but fearing something terrible,
went out of doors and remained until
some men came up and brought the in
telIigence. Mr.. Cook had got battle
ground staked out in the door yard and
had brought out the pillow, pitchfork and
such edge tools as he could find M.
Manning, senior, then came up and Mr..
Cook went for him. but Manning taking
belligerent attitude, threw Cook down,
when shackies were placed on his hands
and feet, and sheriff Dwinell soon after
came with warrant and removed him
to jail, where he now lies awaiting ex-
animation.
The body of the deceased was fear
fully mangled and presented one of the
most horrible and sickening sights we
ever witnessed.
From Cooks statement and appear
ances at the sugar house the manner Of
the killing was as follows: 1t appears
that Charlie went to making fire il
the arch and set his father to gathering
sap, as some sap had evidently beer
gathered into the pan, when Cook sta.
toned himself just outside The entrance
and round the corner, with an uplifteo
axe, so when Charlie attempted to pass
out, struck him a blow that knocked
him down backwards into the sugar
house, senseless, when he went in and
pounded away until his insane wratl
was appeased.
The deceased was "a years of age
had always lived at home on the farm
where his violent death occurred, anC
has borne good reputation for frugalit,
and industry. The demented ASSASSIN
has been called Cray Cook" for years
owing to fits of insanity while unde
excitement, but was not considered
dangerous person till last fall, when b
was sent to Brattleboro. His friend
thought they could care for him at hom
and he was returned to them in January
since which time he has been allowed tt
work more or less, though always unde
close supervision. When sane he was
good and respected citizen.
Carrie, the bereaved daughter ant
sister, and the first to reach the scene
I
had been confined to her bed with
l-quinsy sore, for several days under tn
care of physician, and it required al
her strength to 60 through the terribl
ordeal, and it is wonderful that he
strength proved sufficient.
A coroner's inquest was held on Mon
day morning and the jury returned tn
following verdict: THAT the deceased
Charles H. Cook, came to his death, b
blows from an axe in the hands of hi
father, Edison Cook, an insane per sor
on Sunday. the 23d day of April, A. L
1876, at about o'clock, a. nth
said Charles ii. Cook dying about
hours after.
Mr.. Cook was arraigned before Justic
Morse, Monday afternoon, and full
committed to await the action of tn
grand jury. AS he is hopelessly insan
we understand he will be given up I
his friends and taken to Brattleboro.-
NelCSdeaLer
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT,i l610,whe
only sixteen years of age, and Ne
York had but $4,000 people, began hi
career as captain of sail beat whic
used to run from the beach at Whitehall
to Staten Island, carrying passengers a