Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-29

such proc edure.
1t is pointed out as significant fact that
after serving for month the two guards
at the Jail were suddenly and Unexpectedly
Withdrawn only few days ago. Again, 1t
is admitted that Sheriff Wade, who resides
only few feet from the Jail, witnessed the
removal of Cooking from his place of con-
finement 1t Is not denied that Jailer
Buren, was present and saw the party de-
part with the prisoner toward the bridge
Yet no effort to interfere was made no one
in the village was aroused and the body
was left suspended from the bridge six
hours being discovered by a colored boy
who happened to pass along that way at
O'Clock. In the opinion of some few
shots from a revolver would have routed
the lynchers end saved the life of their vic
tim. But their path was without obsta-
cles.
Sheriff Wade is 4 subject for criticism in
that he did not remove Cooking from the
county for safety. knowing, as he did. the
insecure condition of the Port Tobacco
jail Only a few weeks ago the sheriff had
two co!ored boys confired in the so-called
Jail. The pair finally grew weary of rest
Ing and feastinS, so one evening they low
cred themselves from a second story win
dow, leaving farewell to the sheriff scrib-
bled on a piece of paper with pencil, in
this wise:
"Our Dear Sir-Bye-bye, sheriff; you've
got the papers against US, but we've de-
cided to leave.
YOUR FATTENING HOGS"
OF the mel who 1ynched Joseph Cooking,
some may reside in the vicinity Of Hill
Top. where the double murder was COM
mitted, and some may be residents of Port
Tobacco, but, nevertheless. 1t is said to be
beyond doubt that they are all well-known
citizens, who were carefully organized for
self-protection.And if any one of the num-
Der should be accused of being a party to
the lynching. it IS not denied that no jury
could be secured from the county to con-
vict him, even though the evidence might
be clear, direct and undisputed.
Delay of the Funeral.
The body. after being cut down. was taken
to the Jail and laid in the cell occupied by
Cooking but a few hours earlier. On the
night shirt was stain of blood, and the
neck had been slightly abrased by the rope.
The neck was broken.
All this time the colored boy who was the
only other prisoner was almost on the
verge of spasms from fright, so he was set
at liberty and the doors closed on the body,
after 1t had been viewed by the jury.
In that condition, without the placing of
ice. the corpse remained all day Saturday
and yesterday until pm. The absence of
excitement in the locality was striking the
only break in the quiet being three pistol
shots, fired from somewhere in the village
late Saturday night or early Sunday morn
i
yard at Hill Top to receive the remains but
the pastor of the church declined to permit
the burial
1t was then thought that the interment
would necessarily be at the expense of the
county. and grave was, therefore, pre-
pared at the aims house-simiar to potter's
field in Washington. 1t was arranged to
lay the body to rest early yesterday morn
ing, but on the possibility that Mr.. Thomas
Cooking might reach the scene, delay was
ordered by the sheriff until the arrival of
the morning train. shortly after II o'clock,
at La Plata. In the meantime regular serv-
Ice was held in the Episcopal Church. direct
ly adjoining the Jail, but no reference to
the dead man was noted.
Not only Mr.. Thomas Cooking but his
sister, as well, came down from Baltimore
on the tram. 1t was soon learned that they
intended to take away the body on the
afternoon train, and Undertaken Wade. a
brother of the Sheriff, at once set about
planning to that end.
The sister of the dead man rode u,i+b mo
in buggy from La Plata to the home of the
sheriff. at Port Tobacco, and she expressed
herself in unmistakable language regard
ing the lynching. She was raised in Charles
possible that civilized beings would murder
a man as had been her brother. '"They need
not worry about not permitting him to be
buried at Hill Top" she continued I've
nave made all arrangements to take tho
body to Baltimore this afternoon It will
be inferred In Prospect cemetery, Towson.
and as soon as I am able shall have the
remains of my father and mother disin-
tered from Hill Top and also removed to
Towson. I want nothing more to do with
Charles county,"
In speaking Of the fact that Jailer Rurch
did not spread an alarm after the departure
of the lyrchers, she suggested, sneerinsly.
that Burch was probably paid a dollar to
keep quiet.
When asked what steps, If any, would be
taken In the way Of an Investigation. the
sister answered that SO far as She is con-
cerned the matter would rest undisturbed.
1--WE have been given entirly too much
notoricty already she said. 1T believe in
a hell on earth. and those who murdered
poor Joe will certainly suffer their deserved
punishment. Joe was as innocent of the
crime charged to him as you or 1, and at
the trial We would have proved such to be
the case. He was always gentle and kind
boy, and thoroughly incapable of killing a
dog, much less his own wife"
I had long talk with Mr. Thomas Cock
ing, and learned that although he has not
yet reached a decision, 1t is among the
possibilities that suit for damages will be
filed against Charles county, on the ground
that the county was responsible for the
safe-keeping Of the prisoner.
Our detective has been constantly work.
Ing on this case" said Mr.. Cooking land
before the passing Of two weeks we would
have laid hold Of the man who really COM
mitted the Hill Top murders. 1t Is utterly
preposterous to think for a moment that
Joe was guilty. Why. I have at home
history of the Cooking family. which shows