Daily Republican., 1884-04-08
THIRD EDITION,
An OLD CITIZEN CON Z.
Death OF Robert Cook. Who Has
Been Bllna for FOrty-t hree

Death OF Robert Cook. Who Has
Been Blind for FOrtyt hree
Years.
Robert Cook, an old and well known
blind man, resident of this city, died
suddenly last night Of heart disease, at
his home No. TIC Curlett street, In the
73d year of his age. For the past year,
owing TO his advanced age. Mr.. Cook
has not been performing any manual
labor beyond doing odd chores around
the house, but WAS apparently enjoying
good health. Yesterday morning he
rose az usual, ate hearty breakfast
and went out In the yard to split some
wood, when, suddenly, he was seized
with severe pains around the region OF
his heart andlcried out for his nephew,
who was in the house.
The latter hastily responded to the
summons, assisted his uncle in the
house, placed him on lounge and then
went after q physician. DR.. Bush re-
sponded Immediately and rendered the
necessary medical assistance, but with
out avail, as the patient lost conscious
ness and began to sink rapidly, until
u0dtu TtIicFCu I'LL "a Aio ouhAibSo
about 10 o'clock.
Deceased was born in the town of
Melville, Donegal, ireland, in the year
1911. He came to this country in 1885,
and for time was engaged in steam
boating on the Mississippi: river.
He worked on the line of the p, W..
g. b. railroad at the time Of its construc
ton and received for his work rs q
laborer the sum of 6215 cents per day.
He was also employed on the White
water and central Canal and in 1910 was
engaged at work for Rouse & Fergu-
son, contractors, near Evansville,
Kentucky, who we're engaged in con-
structing what was then known as the
Slack Water locks, when he was
severely injured about the face by the
sudden explosion OF sand blast, a
number ofthe copper needles, used at
that time in blasting, penetrating his
eyes and binding him for life, he being
totally unable to zee since the accident.
He was at once conveyed to hos
pital. where he received the most skill
full treatment, but only recovered his
health, his eyesight being gone While
under treatment at the hospital in
Ohio, Mr.. Cook was offended by Gen.
eral McClelland's father, who was the
practicing physician. After leaving the
hospital there Mr.. Cook returned to
Ireland, where he remained for several
years, returning to this country again
abont 36 years ago and located in Will
mington where be has resided since
During his life he was hard worker
and despite his blindness performed his
daily labors with vigor that was in
deed surprising. He was a contractor
and during his residence in this city
many cellars have been dug and streets
graded under his immediate supervi
sion. During his residence here he a
massed considerable property, but, by
his kindness of heart, lost the greater
portion of his wealth by in,lorsing note
and otherwise assisting these in straigh
tened circumstances.
deceased was known by almos
everyone in the city, many of whom
would often stand and gaze in wonder
to see him giving orders, and goinl
about among his workmeD without TIN
aid of q guide. In addition to his abil
tiles as workman, he was also a goot
Juuko VI hOi oClCous "hu Woo AASI
consulted as to the merits of an ANNA
that was about to be purchased by on
of his friends. By feeling around tn
mouth of horse he could tell you witt
great accuracy the age of the horse be
fore him.
1t is thought that lie was married be
fore he lost his eyesigbt and that afte
his affliction his wife refused to bea
his troubles and LETT him. since whic
time he has lived with his sister, Mis-
Charlotte Cook, who, together with
nephew, Robert Cook, have taken car
of him. He never spoke of his forme
wife, and little or nothing is known c
the circum stan Cos relating thereto.
Deceased was an attendant az Oh
Swedes church. His funeral will tax
place on Thursday afternoon at o
clock, to proceed to the church, wher
services will be conducted. He leave
number of relatives in this city
mourn his death