The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-28
CEN. COOK is HERE
Man Who Managed Denver En-
eamPment in Topeka.
Came to Have Talk With Senator
Burton.
BELIEVES IN HIM.
Says Colorado People Think He
Is Being Prosecuted.
He Isn't Politician But Once
Held Office.

General George ". Cook of Denver.
the man who had full charge of the
arrangements for the recent National
G. A. r. encampment, is stopping at
the Throop hotel in Topeka for a few
days, comforting with his attorney, ].
Ralph Burton of Abilene, concerning
a big patent lawsuit in which General
Cook is plaintiff.
your attorney is quite celebrated
in this state" said a State Journal re-
porter in conversation with General
Cook.
yes, I expect So" replied the tall,
black-eyed soldier, who has the bear
ing of man of 40 instead of a veteran
of the Civil war. "Out in my country
we think that Burton is prosecuted;
we don't take any stock in these
charges. If there was to be a state cam
paign out there his year, we would in
vite Burton to speak. The indictment
would not make any difference to US.
Senator Burton is a bOyhOod friend
of mine. We were born in the same
town in southern Indiana; went to
school together all through our boy
hood days. And when I have needed
an attorney, have gone to Burton"
After the close of the Civil war, Cen
eral Cook went to Colorado and was
one of those that got in on the ground
floor of the gold boom. He located at
Leadville, and was one of the success
full prospectors in that pioneer town
years ago. General Cooks real bust
ness, however, was railroading. He was
general SUPERINTENDENT of the Denver
Rio Grande at Leadville for d num-
Der of years. Nov, however, ne has
retired from railroad work, and devOtes
his time to mining interests.
That he has been successful is
shown by the large crop of diamonds
sprouting from his fingers, necktie and
watchfob.
Il am not a politician said General
Cook land I can't talk about political
held was mayor of Leadville, 70 years
ago. They elected me two terms, and
rendered me the unanimous nomina-
ton for third but declined. Those
were strenuous times in Leadviile.
Everybody carried a gun, including the
mayor. OF course didn't intend to
shoot anybody, but it was fashionable,
and I simply followed the fashion.
'Leadville is very different place
now; a quiet, orderly town, where they
still take out a good deal of pay dirt.
The peculiar thing about the Leadville
situation is that the pay dirt gets
'1eaner' as they go deeper into the
earth. That is, it bears less gold and
silver to the ton. OF course it is usual
for dirt to get richer the deeper the
mine goes, but 1t must be remembered
that the Leadville formation is differ
ent from any others ever worked. 1t
is blanket formation, the pay dirt
being distributed all through the SOIL
Asked concerning his pending htiga-
ton, General Cook said: This law
suit is one of the big cases pending
before the federal court at Chicago.
I brought it against the New York
Central. Pennsylvania and other big
roads for infringement on my patents
on a brake. Similar suits would have
been prosecuted against all these
roads out west, but they were wise
enough to settle. the matter by COM
promise out of court. For four years
the powerful railroad influences of the
east have kept the case from coming
to trial in the federal courts at Chi
cago. It looks now as though we had
driven them to the last ditch, and
would get a hearing
In speaking of the late national
eDcamDment of which he was the
general manager, being chairman of
the Denver executive committee,
General Cook said:
TT certainly was a splendid en-
campment. I believe Denver did its
part as host, and we are anxious to
have our guests come again. The
showing made by the Kansas veterans
was immense; nearly 5000 veterans
were in the parade, and Kansas has
reason TO D6 plO04 VI LAAC WOAh 0OlAC
by Department Commander Pat
Coney in getting things organized in
such good shape. If Pat Coney
should ever decide to be a candidate
for commander in chief of the G. A.
r he would start in with a big fol-
lowing for he is popular with the old
soldiers from Maine to California.
1.-THE C. A. r. did me the honor of
electing me senior vice commander,
and in that position I expect to devote
considerable time during the next
year to advancing the interests of the
Grand Army
General Cook married a sister of l.
c. BOYLE. former attorney general of
the state of Kansas. He was married
at Mr.. Boyle's home. He has fire.
quently been in Topeka in the past,
but not during the past six years
1.-The Improvement in the town has
been wonderful, even in the six
years. said General Cook