New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-29
"BOBn COOK ASSAULTED.
STRUCK ON THE HEAD WITH A RATCHET
THE YALE ATHLETE SERIOUSLY, If NOT FATALLY
INJURED.


PHILADELPHIA, Oct. % (SpecfaD.-RoOert
T. Cook treasurer and business manager OF The fresS
Company received dangerous wound at o'clock TINS
morning upon the head from Ratchet In the hands OF
stephen MCPHERSON Mcpherson is anegro OF large size
and great strength and has been employed ABOUT INC
Press Office time his duties being In part thoSe
Of anitor Mr. Cook son-in-law OF Calvin "es' "ho'
Us no owns greater part OF the stock OF Inc fsS
generally spoken the proprietor OF that paper lie
has held his present position as treasurer FOR nunDer
OF years lie Is Of fine appearance well known Ill
athletic circcs He graduate OF YALE and at the Ten
tennial races captain and stroke OF the lae crew"
II is difficult TO discover how the quarrel originated.
The coored man declares the trouble began IN the thu
story of the building where he was sweeping
Mr.. Cook complained about the gas Deins
burned and Mcpherson replied that he could net sec 10
sweep without the gas. and that as soon as he was
through with his work. he would put IL out After
few other words according TO the negros story MI
Cook assaulted him. kicking him and striking MIN III I'll"
eye lie followed him down stairs and hit MIN again.
when the negro picked up Ratchet aud struck ME- COOK
tho head.
Another account ia that Mr.. Cook denies having
struck or attempted TO strike the negro uat AFTER nc
had himself assaulted with the Ratchet The negro
when Mr. Cook fell rushed out of the building ana was
finally arrested near Eighth and SAMSON stS The wouni
on Mr. Cooks head Is aboutthree and u mar lhchcs III
length and directly above the left eyebrow Mcpherson
has been committed to prison Cook after the wounding
WAS AIKEN to the police station because Of charge OF
assault preferred against him by McPherSon ana was
then removed to the University H0spta.
left eve bandaged and apparently injured M0Sl .,
Nh Cooks friends seriously regret that he was allowed
TO move around all after tho woundng declaring nat
he should have been taken to the hospita ~ oce. M
Co *, however declined TO believe tlat no wa % ~
hurt and smoke II he expected TO 10 on uuty again VI
short time lie has been I'm Beverly. nut last night re-
manned in town. his wife ana chiIIr'n nelhs wv ~
where they went couple of weeks ago 70 attend th1
wedding OF another OF Mr.. Weiss daughters. Az
n m a number of pieces OF bone were removed and the
nhyslcans declared that Mr. Cooks condition Is grave
DR. White after the trepannlng SAID ,,,
The blade OF the hatchct cut deeply INTO the SKULL
cleaynr through the two layers and splinteing
only one chance OF recovery In thousand nad thc
blow fallen any other part OF the skull he WOuld nave
Mr. Cook has been sleeping steadily under the in.
nnrncr OF anastheiics There were two witnesses 10
the assault. both employees In tho press room IL j.
stat ed that the Origd OF the trouble goes back some
months to a time when Mcpherson was accused OF the
theft OF umbrella $1,000 o. a..
vol The accouu, which Inc Press Will publish to-
morrow is brief and in substance states that MT COOK
called at the Office ut unusually early hour TINS morn
ing I'm order TO investigate the theft of articles from the
building. Mcpherson was suspected He was touhd on
the fourth floor engaged IN sweeping Az le EaN JIG
wcrc burning brightly. After rrprhandinE NcfheIson
Mr. Cook accused him OF dishonesty. \ qnarrel 10"
lowed and Mcpherson was discharged. lie went down
stairs to change his clothes. Mr. Cook followed ana
iusolent reply and Mr. COOK struck him win DIS nN
Mcpherson noticed 10 soop and pick mp something
which he concealed beneath his coat Ihch ne NhIheu
toward the door, Nj Cook renewing his demand Tor inc
IN give YOU the keys" said Mcpherson threaten
tn,y nv mis- time ne had reached the door, which he
then snddenly drew Ratchet fro beneath his coat ana
struck quick downward blow. The Ratchet struck MI
Cook in thr forehead and he fell scnser,~
Mrs Cook lett Itts3urg a. $40 o'clock Tonight lot
Philadelphia in response 10 q dispatch