Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-22
Critical Condition. of Ex-t.oycraor
Henry ID. Cooke.

Ex-Governor III. ID. Cooke is lying danger
ously Ill at his residence on Stoddart street and
II Is feared he cannot recover. Henry ID. Cooke
was born November 2Sd ls25 In SanduSky
Ohio. His father was one OF the original SET
tiers or that section o. the state ana lead In.
developing Its resources. He aud President
Harrison organized the first railroad catupauy
and constructed the first thirty miles OF rail-
road built west OF the Allegheny mountains
MT. Cooke entered Allegheny College,
MeadViile, Pa, la lSS9, and remained there two
years he finished his collegiate course at
TransylVanla University, Kentucky, In
Angus, ls44, taking the degree OF
b. A. He graduated with the first
bonors OF his class He entered the law oaice
OF bis brother Pitt Cooke, of the firm OF BeecheT
q Cooke. He continued his legal studies IN
Philadelphia and was frequent contributor 10
contemporaneous literature. Ia 1916 he az
cepted position IN the Office of his brother in
law, Hon. William q Moreheai then II. :.
consul at Valparaiso Chill. Before sailing he
v as engaged 10 correspond regularly with tae
tHtted States GGzette and the courier uiid Ga
qttrer. The vessel In which he took passage
from Baltimore barely escaped WreckiaC and
al er much olliie4ty made the Island
or St Thomas. Here he was detained
over month, but he was not Idle.
our commercial agent at St Thomas
Hon David Naar suggested 10 him The idea or
line OF steamers running directly from New
1oIk TO ChagTes, and communication Dy The
I>thmus from there 10 the Pac ne coast and
California to be established Mr. Cooke wrote
up nls plan In Ih@ Courier and the Gdz-,te and
made 1t one or the features or hts onicIal dis
patches TO the Department OF state. Such A
favorable Impression was created that President
Buchanan Recommended Eae enterprise TO
Congress. little over TWO years after the
suggestion or Mr.. Cooke. the line OF steamers
was running under the auspices OF the PAcl1
Mall steamship company. In the summer OF
lS4t Mr. Cooke as Suptrcargo visited California
In charge or ship laden With supplies for the
thlttd States army ana general nerchand Sc
For the two or three years succeeding he en-
gagged in commercial pursuits trading between
San Francisco and South American ports.
Being unable 10 procure competent captain
for his ship he ndYIgaUed the vessel himself
He purchased schooner for his use and took
out the first American register issued
10 an American vessel on the Pacific coast
de was very successful in his commercial
ventures. In the latter part or ls49 he
returned east, and married in Utica New York.
the daughter OF DIR. Eristu5 Hnmphreys an
eminent physician OF that city. Mr.. Cookies
entire means-and he had acquired large for
tune-Were swept away by The terrible nreS
which destroyed San Francisco, aud by In
cidental business relations With other sufferers.
Not discouraged, he started again, determined
and progressive. He established himself In
Philadelphia. assuming charge or the nnanclal
department OF the Intted States GGSe1,e, tnen
edited and controlled by Hon. Morton McMi-
chaeL he afterwards removed 10 OHIO aui
took charge OF the Sandusky Register one OF
The TIE leading daily papers OF the state.
view 10 advocating certain railroad enter
pT1ses. BIS family was much Interested ia the
Mlchigan Southerl and the Cleveland and
undertakings proved very successful Wnlle
In charge or The Register. Mr. Cooke was
chosen presidential electOr for Gen. Fremont
Such was his popularity that he largely led the
ticket from this time he became prominent
leader In the republican party or The state.
Alter repeated solicitations he accepted the
control and management OF the onio State
Joo''hdt, the state organ or the republican
party la Ohio. Under hiS MANAGEMENT the
paper was pecuniarily and politically success
lul. When Congress divided the dulles or
nri hi init Nr
rendered and accepted the position OF
DlIoer. In 1861, he entered the banking
house OF Jay Cooke co. In connection with
MIR. Fahnestock he took charge or the banking
house OF the firm In Washington. In the sum-
mer or 1864 Mr.. Cooke went abroad, and Was
successful In his efforts to interest bank RS and
capitalists fn tie loans OF the United states
Through his influence and practical manage
ment American bonds became popular abroad
and were readily purchased. After his return
from Europe he became very closely identIriefI
With the people and interests OF the District or
Columbia. lie was the first IN many important
movements TOR improving the city. de was
philanthIopic as well as enteFprislBg. To him
the Young Mems Christian Association OF this
city is mainly indebted for their bnii6ing at the
corner OF 9Th and ID streets. HIS enterprise and
ability contributed very largely 10 Tue rapid
completion OF the Washington AMI George.
town railroad, or which he was the nrsU pces-
dent. He organized the National Life Insur-
ance Company, and was its vice president.
Grace Church, GeorgetoW d, was built an1 pre-
Sehted for fee Use by Mr.. Cooke. When thu ter
r1torial form OF government for the District or
Columbia was organized IN ISL, President Grant
appointed him governor, an appointment which
met with the appreciation OF citizens generally.
He he'd the position until september, 1873
when be resigned 10 give his attention 70 his
private business, and was succeeded by Gov
Shepherd. Since then Mr. Cooke has been en-
gagged with indomitaole energy In the repair o
his fortunes that were broken by the great
financial crash; and with the recuperatfon OF
the Northern Pacific railroad interests aud his
SIC c,ess IN mining operations In Colorado he
ffarr
for the last year has been seriously crippled
by kidney troubles, which have
taken the shape or Brights disease Thouph
his condition is very critical IL is hoped by his
very large and warm circle or frienos thai his
vigorous constitution may enable him 60 sur
vive the attack.
MAsockRADERs IN FLAMES AT a masked
fete OF the students OF the Academy OF PaisIers
ia munich, last Friday, the costumes OF some
OF the students caught fire. Four were olrnet
10 oeatn ana eight were seriously injured, OF