The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1898-02-08
COOK SENT UP.
The ErstWhiIe Preacher Will Lam
guiSh in the 'Pen."

N.
the city yesterday morning on the early
train from Washington. ID. c., having in
charge Leslie Cook, alias Edward Sc
verne, who escaped from jail here about
two weeks ago and who was captured in
Washington on last Thursday might, an
accsunt of which appeared in the col
u'nns OF The Times at the time.
The chief experienced no trouble In Sc.
curing his man from the authorities
there, as Cook made no objection to COM
ing back. a Times reporter tried to in.
teview Cook, but ut his own request all
representatives of the press were kept
away from him.
An interview with Chief Dyer, how
ever. brought out the following facts rs
he heard them from Cook. In regard to
his escape Cook sid that he cut out
about 2:30 O'Clock with a watch spring
anu that after getting out he at once set
out on his journey to Washington, where
ne expected to get some money and.'would
then 20 from there to New York where
he Hould get all the peck marks on his
face obliterated and also get another
bridge to his nose, so as to change his ex-
preston and he would then 90 to Cuba
TO enlist with the Cuban patriots.
While about twenty. five miles from
Roanoke and on the bank of creek he
Thought he heard SO me dogs nearby and,
thinking they were the bloodhounds, he
waded up the creek seven miles or more
80 as to throw them off the trut k
1t has been exactly TWO weeks between
the time he escaped and when he WAS re-
captured and in that time he walked all
the way to Washington following the
Shenandoah Valley road
Before Chief Dyer left the police head
quarters in Washington a telephone mes
sage came to the inspector. saying that
Cook WAS going to try and escape while
on his way tt Roanoke but to thwart any
such attempt the chief hnndcnired hin
self to the prisoner and when he did that
Cook said, "Wtll, you've got me. )" rs he
knew that all chance of escape was now
cnt of.
Yesterday morning, shortly after Cooks
arrival, his counsel, Judge Brand, com
monwealth's Attorney Ed. Lyle and
Judge Woods held II consultation, his
case was set for the afternoon 1t being
understood from his counsel that he
would plead guilty and Judge Brand
was permitted to make u statement. In
the court room, when asked whether he
WAS guilty or not guilty he turned to his
counsel and at his suggestion he pleaded
guilty.
commemorative Attorney Lyle then
spoke for few minutes and asked that
the jury Lriug in u verdict for tho mini
mum sentence which WAS two years in
the penitentinry saying that it was al
ways his custom when man pleaded
guilty, provided it was his first oHense.
to ask for the minimum sentence.
IndGe Brand then on behalf of the
prisoner made statement to the effect
that from numerous conversations with
the pri: oner and frpm What he could
nf tx-ho In
believed him to be of unsound mind IL
the prisoner had any means to summon
witnesses he might prove this and have
him sent to an asylum, but ms Cook was
utterly peuniless, such IL course was i'm
possible.
In closing his speech Judge Brand said
that he did not mean TO cast any refec.
ton upon either the court or the com
monwealth's attorney but he thought it
was shame thar men who had money
and influence could steal thousands of
dollars and 20 free while Il poor, penni-
less wretch who took $50 would get pun
ished because he did not have the money
to clear himself.
The case was then given to the jury
and obey, through their foreman, Thomas
Engleby, returned verdict ri, ing Cook
two years in the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. leay-
ing their seats.
When called to st, MI up aud when
asked if he had anything to say why he
should no. be ser fenced he once again
turned to his counsel and asked him, and,
acting upon his advice he saiu no"
When Judge Woods sentenced him he
told hin that he had gotten off with a
very light sentence and that he hoped he
would learn IL lesson from this experience
and Tint he would cone from prison IA
wiser and better man.
Cook seemed to he ehirely in the hands
of his counsel and every time he was
called upon to answer Il question he turn
ed To Judge fianl and seeind To he AS
helpless as a child.
The crowd in the court room was not
IA large as might have been expected, but
no ono knew that the case was coming
up an1 this may perhaps account for il.
The Washington Post yesterday said:
In addition to the charges of forgery
which are pending against Cook, it is al
legged by the Roanoke police that the
hayward minister IL the'possessor OF one
wife more than cOnventioDality sanctions.
Cooks wife has resided in Washington
several years, being employed in mil
liners store ut 1905 G. street northwest.
Three years ago when he held charge at
Natural Bridge, it is said that, " lille his
wife remained here, he introduced
another woman rs his wife. Later it is
alleged that he secured position with
the firm CT w. T. Hood Il Co., nursery
men, OF Richmond, as travelling agent,
and was accompanied on his .rius by the
same woman. Chief of Police Dyer stated
that 1t was his belief. from evidence--in his
possession, that Cook was married to the
woman last September at Petersburg,
VA