The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-05-27
PRICE THREE CENTS.
CLUBBED NEARLY TO DEATH
IN OUTRAGE THAT AGYTA TES A CON.
NECTICUT OYSTER HAMLET
TIC Alleged Owner Of the Oyster Beds az
rive Mile River Accused Of Assaultius .
Crippled Oysternau with Intent 70 KIN.

TIC Alleged Owner Of the Oyster Reds aS
rive Milo River Accused Or Assaultau~ q
Crippled Oysser.aa with latent 70 XIII.
SOUTH NoRwALK, May 26.-The richest
man in the little hamlet Of Five Mile River IL
Oliver Cook. He is also. Just now. tho unhap-
picst and least popular Five Mile River ia tho
abode OF oystermen. three or four hundred in
number rough and uncultured with refresh-
Ing heartiness for thelr chief virtue. Within
the past few years the summer boarder
has intruded among the grufr and hon
est natives not greatly to the ma.
tivcs' delight. Tho city visitor has sought
to Introduce reforms. Five Mile River has
been advertised rs Rowayton. and other similar
liberties have been taken with the old fashioned
order OF things. Much OF this spirit OF change
has boon introduced by Mr.. Oliver Cook. and
he Is held largely responsible for the influx Of
summer boarders. He is at the head Of the
hrm OF Cook Il Hilton. oyster dealers. and .
large portion Of the oyster grounds near Five
Milo River are claimed by his firm.
Last week Alfred Mills and two other oyster.
men visited one Of tho beds claimed by Cook.
They we're arrested but the Justice before
holding that the bed was a natural one and not
CSoks eropety. Nils continued % visit the
He had parts Of both legs cut on when a child
and goes about with wooden substitutes. One
support himself by catching oysters. Now he
Hes at the point OF death. and Oliver Cook 10
accused OF assaulting him. The cripple's story
OF the assault Il substantially as iollows:
2 O'Clock at night. thought that by seeing
him alone We might smooth things over and be-
friends; He had said In the Village that had
threatened to cut his heart out accosted him
n me road In q friendly tone. and said Nov.
any, s1cb SGs fon really believe that made
Don't l, eh and drew club from under his
coat and aimed terrible blow at my head. /
waruea IL on NIP my arm but II nearly broke
tim m sns asked sf'f him TO get from
kept crying. don't. eh2 D--you I'M xiii
you; and striking Mt mo with all his might,
could not run. and backed from him as fast as
could. Finally. my arm became so numbed
ina. tn could not liit 1t. l struck at him with
head with such force that began to faf t. Tho
next thing knew found myself lying alone
IN tho road and my face and head covered with
blood ! was dizzy. but dragged myself
Public feeling runs very high in the little
ishermcn's hamlet against Cook who has
been arrested. charged with assault with intent
70 XIII Inc case comes to trial on Monday.
Stanley Mills. cousin Of the crippled OYSTER
man. sought out Cook before his arrest and
attacked him, Cook was badly hurt, his eyes
were blackened. and he was nearly choked to
death. Stanley Mills has been arrested but
tho 9ystermcn of Five Mile RIVER provided $500
bonds. and he is enjoying his freedom.
+, oliver Cook claims that the charge against
acted in self defence. Tho club used In the as
sault is 2Hs inches long Il, inches thick, ana
27' inches wide. and Is Of white oak.