Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-08
JOSEPH COOK ON HIS MUSCLE.
The Famous Preacher and Lecturer
Thrashes a Local Minister in Hamp-


The Famous Preacher and Lecturer
Thrashes a Local Minister in Hamp-
shire.
Rev. Joseph Cook has got himself into
| new and unenyiable notOriety, says a spe-
/ cial to the Philadelphia Times. He got
into a tantrum at Keene, n. H., a few
days ago and thrashed local minister for
calling him seven minutes too early to 60
to prayer meeting. That is the version
which Mr.. Cook himself authorizes of a
rumpus that has scandalized the people
of Keene, n. H., since its occurrence.
The most authentic impartial story is
that the Rev. Joseph was at his hotel on
the day he was to deliver a lecture in
Keene and was called upon by Rev. Mr..
Price, of the Second CONGREGATIONAL
Church of that city. He agreed to attend
a PRAYER meeting before his lecture at
Rev. Mr.. Prices church, and that gentle
man called for him about O'Clock. When
the preacher knocked at the door of Mr..
Cooks room he, instead of being cour-
teously received, was set upon by Mr..
Cook, who, in towering rage, apparently
disturbed in nap, came out into the hall
and, selling the caller, began to push him
about and otherwise lay violenthands on
him, at the same time using language ,un-
becoming a gentleman.
The fuss attracted the attention of
large number in the house, and landlord
Sherman, who was quietly eating his sup
per, at first supposed that Wheeler,
champion wrestler, and Fletcher, the
butcher, had met by chance and were
engaged in playing up for a grapevine.
Sherman was among the first to arrive at
the scene of action, but upon discovering
what was going on he returned to the
dining room and finished his toast with as
much cOmposure as Josh W hitcOmb re-
sumes his prayer after throwing the
drunken father of little Tot through the
window.
Mr.. Cook attended the prayer meeting
and when invited led in prayer. But when
he was invited to make remarks, instead
of noticing the request he seized his hat
and rushed out of the church, not even
taking care that the door should not slam
after him. His lecturelat City Hall was not
largely attended. Mr.. Cook has written
a letter, in which he says he was very
tired when in Keene and he wanted a
chance to rest before featuring. He didn't
want to go to the prayer meeting with
Rev. Mr.. Price, who wanted to use him as
an advertisement, but he finally agreed to
do so at precisely :15 by the hotel clock.
Mr.. Cook says: 81 hurried through my
supper and my toilet and lay down with
Before that time was half over Mr.. Price
knocked at my door. The time was seven
minutes before that agreed upon and l
was wholly broken of the rest alb
solutely necessary TO me before lecture
/ opened the door and said: MIR.
Price, cannot see you until 7:15.' shut
the door and bolted it and again tried to
rest. He pounded on the door loudly
He continued to pound. l made no re-
Spouse. After waiting a considerable
time for him to come to his proper sense
of what decency required, and fearing he
would burst open the door, l opened it
and said: MIR. Price, you must cease
trying to force open this door. l shall re-
port you to the keeper of the hotel. He
did not desIst, and so l took him by the
collar and pushed him away, saying:
You are the rudest man l have seen in
six months. l am a goOd-natuTed man,
but / know when | am abused This is
the strongest language l used. l went
alone at the hour agreed upon to Mr..
Prices meeting. At his request took a
brief part in the devotional exercises. To
my great surprise he said to the assembly
that he hoped Mr.. Cook would speak if
the spirit moved him. To save the meet
ing from any awkward waiting, as 1 re-
solved not to be forced to speak, l rose
and quietly left the ROOM"