The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-26
From Duiltncton Free Press.
The Hydepark Tragedy.
AN INSANE MAN KILLS HIS ONLY So


Elson Cook, OF Hydepark, the principal
dlu:c in the horrible tragedy Of Sunday
nornine, has been insane for . long time.
Last Fall he became very violent, and fire.
quenty threatened the lives Of his wife,
laughter and son. 1t WAS the universal
opinion that he should be sent to the asvlum
at Bia;tleboro, aud the family at last con
sented. There he was comparatively quiet,
but was pronounced hopele,sly insane.
The son, Charles, thought the expense OF
keeping him at Drattleboro toe great, and,
against all advice, brought him back after
about four months.
Recently he has been growing worse,
and on March meeting day he got out OF
his room, and went into the village, shout
ing and raving after his old fashion.
Charles, being in the village, went to take
charge of him, but Cook having heavy
bar Of iron in his hands, speedily put
Charles to flight, and he had to be disarm-
ed by Others The terrible earnestness of
his looks on that occasion convinced all
who saw him that he was exceedingly dan
gerous, especially to Charley. But Charley
persisted in taking care of his father him
self. 1t is sald he has slept with him all
winter, since his return from the asylum.
Il is said too, that Charles has frequently
whipped his father, since bis return, for re-
fusing to work, etc.
Early Sunday morning, when Charles
went to the sugar place to work, being
afraid to leave his father in TIE house with
his mother and sister, he took him with
him to the sugar orchard. In about half
an hour Cook came back to the house
and told his wife and daughter.
Carrie that he had killed Charlie,
down at the eugar place. Carrie was sick
in bed, but got up and ran to the sugar
place, and there was Charlie weltering in
his gore. In her horror she ran to Mr..
Bliss, the nearest neghbor, and gave the
alarm. When Mr.. Bliss arrived Charlie
was yet gasping. II was found that the
frontal and superior portions of the skull
were fearfully fractured, there beng we'll
defined crepitus when the head was moved.
The first blow had obviously been dealt
with the back Of the axe, and
upon the forehead, and probably
extinguished consciousness instantly.
Several more blows, however, were struck,
as tho skull, IS above, was horribly crushed,
and many gaehes were visible. Both bones
OF the left leg were broken. TO all APP
pearance, Charley was inside the sugar
house, coming towards the door, and bis
father outside waiting with axe in hand 10
deal the fatal blow. Blood on the door
post, and an indentation made with the axe
helve IN the same. and the position of
Cha leys body, explain pretty closely how
they were relatively located 1t appeared
as il the first blow must have knocked
Charley squarely over backwards, as his
body was extended at full length with the
feet towards the door and it IL not pro-
Oablo that Cook changed the position of the
body after it fell.
ln the meantime, the agonlzed wife and
mother was alone with the maniac at the
house, not knowing the awful fate of her
on, but fearing something terrible went
out Of doors and remained ill some men
came up ard brought the intelligence
Cook had got a battle-ground staked out ~
'ia d0or-yard aad had brought out the
rlow, piicit0ik and such edge tools as he
uli ird ~ Manning, seuior, Then came
40 aud iir Oluk went for Lin, hnt Mar-
Ding threw Cool, down, when ehacAlss
we're placsd 90 his hands and feet, and
sheriff Dwineil soan after carue vita o
warrant and removed lin to jail, where
nc now lies awaiting examination. +. G.
Sherwin, esq, one Of the selectmen, soon
appeared and ordered an Inquest to nc held,
whsreupon Chas. c. Morse, justice OF the
peace, impsnell.d q coroner's jury on the
spot, consisting of the following persons I.
II. j. Idlley, +. L. Sawyer, j. r. Kelley,
f. ID. Randall, NJ. Manning, jr,, aud A. V.
Wiswell.
No such horrible affair has ever before
occurred in this vicinity, and much excite
ment prevails. The penalty which Charley
has paid for his folly, and many of his
neignbors will say wickedness, in the treat
ment of his father, does not suffice to
screen him from severe criticism. Great
sympathy is expressed for Mira. Cook and
her daughters, who have suffered untold
miseries for years from this insane man.
and have borne their sufferlngs with meek
patience. The oldest son was member
of the first cavalry, and was killed in the
service. The second died about two years