New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-28
MR. CooPER's STRANGE CONDUCT.
WHY THE INQUIRY AS TO HIS MENTAL CoNDlTIo
DID NOT GO ON YESTERDAY.


WHY THE INQUIRY AS TO HIS MENTAL CONDITION
DID NOT GO on YESTERDAY.
The commissioners appointed TO try the
oueson OF the sanity OF Henry Prouse Cooper met yes
terday in the County Court House Mr.. CoopeTs at
torney Henry Thompson, asked for an adjournment on
the ground that Mr. Cooper had discharged his counsel
B. f. Dunning, and that he MR. Thompson).
not having had opportunity to see his
client for several days, was placed IN
al embarrassing position and unable to 20 on with
the case An adjournment was agreed TO by the Com
jssoners and the discussion TO the date of the adj
journmcnt was In progress when alawyer calling hmseH
eJudee Leonard said that he appeared for MI Cooper
and was ready to go Mr.. Cooper, he said did not
recognize Mr. Thompson his attorney, but only Mr.
puuping whom he had directed in writing to deliver
the necessary papers in the proceeding to him. Mr.
yooper's letter 10 Mt Dunning and the
latter's reply 1t, were handed to the Com
missopers Mr. Cunning in his letter said that he
not Mr. Cooper's attorney and had acted solely as his
counsel lie had power therefore, TO consent TO the
substitution of another attorney in his place. The COM
missioners decided that they could recognize Mr..
LOuard yet Some further discussion then
took place about the TO which the hearing should be
adjourned At last it decided TO take adjourn
ment for hour and in the meantime to send carriage
20 the Ludlow street jail for Mr. Cooper.
About six O'Clock the deputy warden Of the Jail ap-
peared before the Commissioners with Mr. Cooper who
II WAS evident was not himself He had a baggard look
and an excited air lie took seat at distance from
his attorney, Mr. Thompson and rather on the side Of
his supposed enemies than that OF his friends. Nj.
Thompson said that he could not go on witn the case
Mr. Leonard then stated that Mr. Cooper had ihOrlzcd
him to take charge Of the case and that lie was willing
and ready to do 80. Mr.. Thompson waited TO hear
more Int turned his back on the assembly and left H.
The lawyers both sides were now ready to proceedbu
the jury They had been talking 10 one another
In an underone and had arrived at the conclusion that
Mr. Cooper did not appear TO advantage, ana tnat II
would be better him to be taken where he would be
III Ter more Cuetng influences than those or court
room Mr. Cooper did not averse 10 going any
where SO and If co. He nOuctd his brother,
Stephen Cooper and lifting up his cane informed him
that there would be no trouble At all III II
as II he were about to strike his brother.
but was restrained by those about him from doing
Mr.. Cooper remarked several times: " Even the pa
thence OF job was once exhausted" He led out OF
Tie courtroom. On the way cut ae saw tailor whom
he had formerly employed He spoke to him In a
friendly way and ended his conversation by advising
him To do work or The poor mans friend" at % per
cent than for others. He also wanted to know by
the way" whether the tailor happened 10 have small
bottle OF brandy. He then insisted that would 20
could be persuaded out OF his desire his WIFE
He tOld the who was trying 10 influence him to 20
along do It and TO talk about It," When was
arrested said he told that he ,aken 70
his wife. II had known that he not To be taken
to sec his wife he would have made short work me
doors of the cab IN which he was riding lie gradually
became more excited, and threatened to "giye his
cane" which he said had knob II, 20
the first person who spoke TO him. AT las: he
the sidewalk, he performed slight ~ mnasc feat in
doing which he broke the cane. Tnen he sprang upon
the steps OF tho carriage i'll waiting for him aud bowed
politely to those standing near, bidding them good
carriage. He jumped again upon the sidewalk, brandisa
Ing he fragment Of his cane and threatening 10 give
" somebody"
The next hearing of the case will be had Deem
ber6.