The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1881-08-25
WHO MADE HIMsELF FA-
NOUS,
BY sLAPPING THE MOUTH OF
A MISCREANT,
WHO "WISHED TO GOD GAR
FIELD WOULD DIET

Licking county, o, who, on the
evening Of July 2sth, in the streets
of the village, slapped the mouth Of
a vile "Copperhead," named George
Morrison, for saying publicly that
che wished to God President Gar
field would die" Although Cooks act
was, strictly speaking, unlawful, yet
no one can doubt that the feeling
which prompted it was one Of the
purest patriotism and of manly alb
horren61 for the wretch who could |
boldly declare his approval Of the
dastsrdly attempt to assassinate the
beloved Chief Magistrate Of the Ma
ton. On receiving the punishment
be so justly merited, the cowaidly
Morrison drew revolverand threat
ened to shoot Cook, but the brave
soldier, nothing daunted, took out
his pocket-knile, and advanced upon
Morrison, saying, "If you attempt
to shoot me I'll cut your rebel heart
out, You can't scare me, for I We
been where men were shot whole
sale" At this point, fortunately,
the by-standers interiered and pre-
vented further trouble. A day or
two afterwards Morrison went be-
fore Esq. Anderson, Of Newark, the
county seat of Licking county, which
is some 15 miles from Brownsville,
and made affidavit, charging Cook
with assault with intent to kill,
which was afterwards changed to a
simple charge Of assault. Cook plead
ed guilty, and was fined $40 and
costs, the latter swelling the whole
amount to S32. ~
The Cincinnati Daily Commercial
Of Aug. 4th contained a dispatch
from Newark, giving an account of
the affair, and an editorial referring
to it, and proposing that the amount
of Cooks fine and costs should be
raised by one cent subscription,
and refunded to him, as a testimon-
ial of the public appreciation Of his
conduct The idea took like wild.
| fire, and before the day was over,
the Commercial had received the
full amount Of the fine, and a large
sum over. The subscriptions con-
tinued to flow in day after day, from
all parts of Ohio, and adjacent
States, and even from distant parts
Of the country, until last Thursday
the sum of segen hundred and hir-
ty,tous dollars and eighty sac cents
had been sent to the Commercial Of
fee for the hero of Brownsville.
It is now proposed to present
him a gold watch, with a suitable
inscription, and with the remainder
of the money to buy him a small
farm, or a modest home in the vii
lage where he resides.
The Commercial sent a reporter
all the way to Brownsville to in
terview the hero of the hour, snd
find out all the particulars of his
history. He was found hard at
work in his pottery, in the village,
and proved to be as modest and un-
assuming as he is brave and pa
triOtic. A brief sketch of his life
will interest cur readers:
He is 81 years Of age, of medium
height, square built, gray eyes and
dark hair is married to a pretty
young wife, and has two children.
He was a private in Co. c, 18th o.
VI He lives in a plain, modest,
old-fashioned cottage, with a small
pottery in the rear. He does not
own the property, but it is hoped
the one cent fund will enable hin to
purchase it. He enlisted when only
II years old, and fought bravely at
Fort Donaldson, Pittsburg Landing,
Vicksburg, Arkansas Post and many
minor engagements. His father
was member of the same regiment,
and they fought side by side during
the war. After the war the son
went to Kansas and lived there II
years, but the climate disagreed with
him, and about a year and a half
ego he returned to his native place,
and settled down to work at his trade,
selling his pottery in the country
around the village. He is esteemed
by all his neighbors as an honest,
square man, whose word can be re-
lied upon. When the Commercial
reporter asked him what caused him
to strike the miserable Copperhead,
Morrison, he said;
81 did # because believed it to be my duty.
regarded his language as worse than reasonable,
and an insult to the whole country. I consider
such man as no better than Guiteau, and d 4
not believe such q man Ought to go unpunished.
Besides, know ofthe old, unrecOnstructsd rebel
here. I had no motive for nOtOriety. I have no
desire for nOtorietY and had none. His remarks
seemed 10 me an outrage and / resented them. I
wish my old father had heard them and he would ,
have made short work OF him."
" Where does your father live "
About two miles from here there is his pic
ture."
A sturdier, more honest, or more thoroughly
American face than peTs Cooks, It would be diff
cult to describe. The old man seemed the very {
persnnidcatiNn of American msnliness. ,
" Ny father" continued Mr.. Cook, although l
pretty old, volunteered as a member Of my reg!-
ment, ard fought in the ranks with me during the
war"
It is thus seen that the brave !
young soldier comes of good stock I
ia worthy son of worthy sire"
Tbo TC,,, M, o,.o;ol Loot TiI,,,,.o, L., | .