The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-20
A SANCTUM TRAGEDY.
EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF THE
LATE JOHN A. COCKERILL.
Missouri COngressman's story of
the Fatal Encounter.


the Fatal Encounter.
From the Washington Post.
The death OF Col. John A. Cockerill, the
correspondent of the New York Herald,
was sad intelligence to a number of con-
gressmen with whom the brilliant Journa-
list was on terms Of intimate friendship
during his life. One OF these is Amos Cum
mings, and another is Charles +. Joy Of
st. Louis. Cummings knew him in New
York as managing editor of the World, as
editor of the Advertiser, and as president
of the New York Press Club. JOY knew
him as editor of the ST. Louis Post-Dis-
patch, and was closer TO him than any
other man, as his friend and attorney,
when he shot and killed Col. Alorzo w.
Slayback, on Oct. u, 1888.
Cockerill Joy and Slayback were all
members Of the Elks, which In st. Louis is
a particularly popular institution among
the prominent professional men Of the city
The fall election was coming on and James
o. Broadhead, late minister to Switzer-
land. was a candidate for the democratic
nomination for congress against ex-con-
gresham Glover. The Post-Dispatch, I'M
der CockerilPs management, although
democratic paper, was bitterly opposing
Broadhead. The latter was the law part
ner of Col. Slayback. Slayback had been
in the confederate army, and was man
of dashing impulses and strong partisan
shin. The attacks of the Post-Dispatch on
Broadhead became a personal matter with
him, and one day, in the Elks' club-room
Col Slayback, in an excited state OF mind
torial course. Cockerill was present, and
for a while quietly listened to the vio-
lent language OF slaypack; AZ last ne
him 10 step into the secretary's room.
Slayback together with Mr.. Joy and
another mutual friend. entered the room.
where Cockerill was waiting for him
Explanations were attempted, but Slay-
back continued his abuse of the editor,
and talked freely Of pistols. and duels
When Cockerill had listened awhile It
was apparent that his good nature
which he had so far preserved, was
rapidly deserving him; and, suddenly
folding his arms across his chest, he
said:
call me out, / will meet you with a.
caliber pistol across a handkerchief"
There was that In the deliberate an
nouncement of the angry Journalist that
convinced his opponent that he meant
every word. and from that moment Stay
backs Indignation subsided, and peace
was apparently re-establshed between the
two men. They cracked a few bottles
OF wine with their friends. and Cockerin
went so far in his conciliatory attitude
as TO volunteer TO publish one OF Col.
Slayback's campaign speeches, and 1t was
printed shortly after in the Post-Dis-
patch.
Several days elapsed, and the affair at
the Elks' Club was nearly forgotten, when
Col Slayback, IN one OF his stump
speeches, denounced Cockerill; called him
a blackmailer and announced that II
Cockeriil ever printed any reference to
him IN his paper no would go to his Office
and kill him.
Cockeriil had served IN the union army
as a drummer boy, and he was not Of the
stuff that towards are made Of He wrote
a paragraph referring 70 Col. Slayback IN
no complimentary terms for Insertion IN
that afternoons paper, and walked down
town 20 eat his dinner. ON the way he met
Mr.. JOY. 10 whom he communicated what
Slaybnck hnd threatened 10 do and what
lie Invited him 20 take dinner with him
and on the way stopped at an arms supply