The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-07-07
Well Known Citizen of Flathead
County Gives Up
LIFE'S LINGERING LOA
After Making Due Preparation For
the Last Event in a Checkered Ex-
the Head Last Wednesday, the
Body Being Discovered Friday.

Fred Cooke, for four years county
commissioner, and one of the best
known residents of Flathead county
committed suicide near Columbia
Falls, Wednesday evening about
derbrush near the foothills until Fri
day about neon before IL was dis
covered. He left no note or message
of any kind, and the motive for his
rash act is unknown, although il is
a tributed to domestic difficulties.
Apparently he was in good spirits
when last Sc n, and his manner OF
death was severe shock to his
many friends all over the county,
and especially in Kalispell, where he
was 50 we'll known
Cooke resided on his ranch across
the Flatheal river from Columbia
Falls, but he also owned a claim
about yhrse miles beyond that, near
the foothills. Wednes day evening he
-
there with the intention, he said, of
visiting at the home of William
Turn, close by. Mr.. Frazier supposed
h was at the latter place until the
next day, when Mr.. Turn came to
his ranch and inquired for Cooke.
Some apprehension was felt, and this
was further intensified when inquiry
among the neighbors developed the
1dct that Cooke had not been seen.
A telephone message was sent to
Kalispell, it being thought that he
might have come to this city, but no
one had seen him. The search was
then recommended in earnest, and
continued until Friday noon. when his
body was discovered. Cooke had re
moved his coat and vest, and had
folded the latter with the white lin
ing on the outside. This he placed
on large rock. so that it served as
signal. and placed stone on it to
prevent the wind from blowing Il
away. He had with him 1882 Win
chester rife. and. placing the butt
|
his mouth with his left hand, and by
using a stick he pulled the trigger
sending a bullet crashing through
his head, inflicting CHASTITY wount
that must have been instantly fatal
No note or message was found on hi
person. and the causes that led MN
to take his own life can only b.
coniectured His body was taken t'
Willoughby's undertaking rooms il
Columbia Falls, and the coroner not
fed. The funeral was held from tn
rooms Monday afternoon, the intel
ment being in the Fairvlew GENE
terry.
Fred Cooke was one of the plonae
residents of Flathead county, con
ing here in 1885, and was UNIVERSAL
known and liked by all. He wa
county commissioner for four year
:, and for several years subsequent
= was one of the deputies in the count
clerk and recorders Office. He mac
friends only to keep tn m, and VIZ
. a good man. who counted his frlent
u Inv the score. While it was our
: generally known that his domest
+. life was not an enjoyable one,
=" one had the idea that he would tai
his own life. as his disposition W;
quite the contrary. For that reast
when it was first told that he n;
ia killed hims If, ii was not credite
e. and when the story was substa
m tiated it was deep blow to all I
e. old time friends and associates.
l. H leaves wife and two daus
ters. who is married, Mrs. Wlllla
Fitzpatrick of Butte, and the oth
who lives with her mother near c
e, umha Falls.