The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-07-10
PLAYED OUT HIS ROLE
C. Wesley Cook, theatrical Advance
Man, Does "Quick Touch Act"
Was at the Head of Lyceum Comedy
Company for Brief Period.
He Remained lust Long Enough to
Work the Boys for Money.
Unceremonious and Sensational De
parture From fairmcnt.
From Mondays Daily.

From Mondays Daily.
c. Wesley Cook, formerly advance
representative for the Lyceum Comedy
company, has been playing brilliant en-
gagements in several cities and towns in
this section of the northwest and he also
did a turn at Usage, Iowa. He was in
an all-star cast, enacting the role of the
heavy william, according to the story
that reaches The Free Press Whether
the man is in his right mind or whether
he is just a plain crook, the reader can
Judge for himself
1t was about two weeks ago that c.
Wesley Cook began his theatrical career
He is said to be from Missouri How
ever, he was recommended highly to the
management of the comedy company as
man of good morals and not addicted
to strong drink. He was started out on
the road ahead of the show and during
the two weeks that he was making dates
for the combination he drew about $40
expense money. But this amount of
money did not maintain him in the
style he was used to living and he there
for resorted to the quick touch" act
in towns where he was transacting bust
ness for the company he was represent
ing. He borrowed money right and left,
so it is alleged, promising to pay later
on. Cook came to Mankato week ago
last Thursday and remained here until
the following Sunday night, going to
Fairmont. 1t is said that while here he
managed to ingratiate himself into the
confidence of several gentlemen from
whom he secured small sums and which
he has since failed to liquidate. He at
tempted to purchase from ieweler
three watches valued at $75, rendering
III payment a check for the amount
drawn on a local bank. He stated that
these watches were to be given away by
the management of the company to GER
tain persons in the audience The Jew
was not worth picayune and he re-
fused to allow the man to take away the
timepeaces unless the cash was produc-
ed. Cook departed from the store,
with the remark that he might call
again. Later the would be theatrical
man called at one of the national banks
and expressed desire to draw upon the
Ninth National bank of New York for a
sum of money, but when informed by
the cashier that no such banking house
was in existence he did not argue the
matter, but left the place. On Sunday
the Comedy company reached Mankato.
Hardly had the manager removed the
stains of travel when several parties ap-
preached him regarding Cook, relating
tales of the fellows actions that caused
Mr.. Potts to at once locate his advance
man. Cook was discharged from his po-
sition. That night he secured loan
from a well known man about town and
boarded train for the south. In due
time the glib tongue gentleman reached
Fairmont, where he represented him
self to Manager Ward of the opera house
there as Mr.. Potts, the manager of the
Lyceum Comedy company. He contract
ed for the company's appearance there,
meanwhile doing his old time stunt"
fba al nj tiY1,r
some of the boys, from their money.
Friday afternoon Cook, charmed with
the beauties of Fairmont, engaged
stylish turnout from one of the livery
men aid took drive about town. His
unceremonious and somewhat sensation
al departure from Fairmont was what
put his acquaintance on to the fact
that he had done them" Just as the
train was pulling out from the depot
Cook drove up. Throwing the reins over
the dash board he jumped hastily out
of the buggy and in a twinkling of an
eye he was on board the platform of the
rear coach, bidding farewell to Fairmont
and the boys from whom lie had secured
good American dollars. The liveryman
is wondering where he is going to get
his pay for the drive enioyePby Cook.
The money loaners are content to say
nothing, letting it go at that.
Manager Ward called up Manager
Griebel of the Nanilato theatre Friday
evening and made INQUIRIES regarding the
supposed Mr. Potts. Mr.. Griebel in
formed Mr.. Ward that the fellows name
was not Potts but Cook, q plebeian cog
nomen at best, and that he was just the
kind of an individual to steer clear of.
Officers of the law were put on track
of Cook, and the wires in all directions
notified opera house managers to beware /
of him.
While negotiating with Manager
Griebel of the local playhouse for the
company's appearance here, Cook stated
that during the engagement it was the
intention of the management to give
away bedroom suites and various other
articles of value. Mr.. Griebel put him