The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-14

director Of the gymnasium of that insti- |
tuition. DR.. Cooke, when seen concern
ing the matter, at first refused to deny
or affirm that such an offer had been
made to him, but finally acknowledged
that. he was in receipt of proposition to
become chief medical examiner for one
Of the big life insurance companies of
America, at a very handsome salary
It seems that the company was first
attracted to DR.. Cookies ability by the
successes of the different gyrnnastic and
athletic teams of the University of Min
nesota. They arranged with him to per-
form some special service for them in
the furnishing of data along physical and
medical lines that would serve as a safe
guard in the acceptance of risks The
service included the construction of a
number of additional questions and meas
easements, to be taken at examinations of
insurance applicants, which would enable
them to more thoroly Judge the risks Of
fered. When they were found to be I'M
desirable they could reject same and
thereby reduce their losses. This would
naturally increase their earnings and per-
nit the payment Of larger dividends to
the first-class risks accepted
How well DR.. Cooke performed the task
Is reflected by the proposition just ten
clined to entertain the offer and will re-
main with the university. The people of
Minnesota are to be congratulated upon
his final decision, altho it does not seem
to be the compensation as director of the
gymnasium that influenced him to re-
main, SO much as his private interests
here.
DR.. Cooke, with his brother about two
years ago, founded the Cooke Institute
Of Physical Culture in this city. The in
stitute has been success from the start
and they have been obliged to enlarge
their quarters from time to time.
At this time it might be we'll to give
| ing of this institution in order to more
| perfectly reflect the character and phil
anthropic motives Of its founder.
| When a youth, DR.. Cookies physical
condition was such that his parents had
| considerable anxiety for his health, and
the family physician stated that he had
strong conSumptive tendencies; in fact,
| it was predicted that he would never at
tain his majority. This much alarmed his
parents, and upon the advice of two lead
| ing specialists he was given a course in
physical culture. The general Improvement
in his health was so marked that the ex-
ercises were continued while at college
It was deemed advisable for the benefit
of his own personal welfare that he take
/ up the study of medicine. Because OF
his physical condition he applied himself
more closely to his studies, yet never
neglecting his physical exercises, which
1 were made more specific as applying tt
his condition, as he progressed with them
Both studies were made easy because he
was interested to a much greater extent
his own health being at stake. He com
/ pleted his medical studies, but feeling thai
! physical culture was the more RESPONSE
Bile for his then almost perfect physica
condition, he took more kindly to the
teachings Of athletics, body building and
i health ma intaining exercises. using hi
/ medical education to an excellent advan
/ tage. At the age Of % he had attracted
i the attention. Of the entire sporting fra.
4 ternity of the east. He declined severa
offers from National league baseball
teams. So thoroly was he absorbed will
I his work that 1t entirely overshadowee
4 any greed for gold, and in accordance
in 1897, he became identified with TIL,
University Of Minnesota as director 0
the gymnasium. The successes Of the diff
ferent gynnastic and athletic teams o
that Institution under his tutorship hav
q become a matter Of history with TIL
athletic world.
s. Feeling that greater good could b,
accomplished thru an institute where bus
. mess and professional men could obtaii