The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-04
DetainedCouplePrOyed
to Be c. H. and Helen
Barnes.
Hampstead People Are
Aroused and Harm
Was Feared.
More Serious Crime
Than Abduction to
Be Charged.


time this morning il was thought
that the Rev. Jere Knode Cooke, the
unfrocked Hampstead pastor, and
his seventeen year-old heiress ward,
Miss Floretta Whaley, had been To-
Gated at Peekskill, and the news
created the widest excitement at
Hampstead.
Chief of Police Vandewater and
COnstables Cooper and Smith were
notified by long-distance telephone,
and left Immediately for Peekskiu
20 place Cooke under arrest and
bring him to Hampstead.
Shortly after they left another
telephone message was received
from Peekskill to the effect that the
couple under surveillance had con-
clusively established their identity
as c. II Barnes and Helen NJ.
Barnes. They were Immediately re-
leased from surveillance and allowed
to continue their carriage drive
through the country.
The police have returned to the belief
that the missing preacher ana the young
Firl re hiding IN New York city.
august Belmont. as senior warden Of
ST. Georges Church. at Hampstead. has
instructed the private detectives TO re-
new their efforts in the metropolis.
After the receipt Of the frst telephone
message from Peekskill. there was some
doubt as to the wisdom OF returning
Cooke 10 HeIapstead
Cooke has been roundly denounced
by the townspeople. and II was feared
that he might be attacked on his arrival
in Nassau county.
Girl Wearing Same Old Suit.
The chief of police at Peekskin teIe-
phoned Assistant District Attorney z. J.
Bennett. at AIineola, early today that ne
had found Cooke and the girl in the
hotel at Peekskill, known as the Curtis
Cottage He said he could not be mis-
taken about the identity OF the couple.
as the girl was wearing the same un-
mistakable tailor-made suit she wore
when she left Hampstead.
The information at PeekskilI was that
the couple had arrived there last night
from Albany and had tried to conceal
their identity. The Peekskln chief OF
police called on Cooke and the Girl, and
after questioning them, he announced
that he was certain Of their identity and
placed officers about The Curtis cottage
with instructions % arrest them IL they
tried 10 escape.
The Hampstead officers left for Peek
skill without warrant, as Justice Of the
Peace Pittirs had not left his home In
time Tor them TO get the train they
wanted. But they believed that rs Peek
skill is in the State OF New York, they
warrant.
More Serious Charge Than Abduction.
The charge is not abduction. as
Cooke was the girls guardian. appointed
such on her fathers death bed. But a
much more serious charge has been
made against him, and the officers say
they VIII be able to prove it,
II was believed at Hampstead that
Cooke had shaved of his moustache
anG had otherwise disguised himself in
order to conceal his identity. Why he
did not have the girl change her attire
is a mystery.
AS soon as the news spread through
Hampstead that Cooke and the girl had
been found crowds gathered on the
streets, despite the rain and not for
many years had there been such excite
ment. Many Hempsteaders went to Min
cola, Where II was understood that the
runaway minister would be taken, in
stead of TO Hampstead
News Of the finding Of the -otinIe
quickly reached Mrs. James B. Whaley.
grandmother Of the eloping girl, and she
was for while overcome
Feast for Returning Prodigal.
Recovering herself. she set about max
ing ready for the Homecoming of the
prodigal daughter. With her It was TO
be a true feast. Her room was made
ready and Floretta's little sister Edna
cried for Joy
Cookies fight from Hampstead was
precipitated by the receipt of a letter
which was anonymous and which
warned him that IL he did not get out OF
town immediately his God would not
The threat made it plain that If he did
not at once avail himself of the Oppor-
tunity of making himself scarce he
would suffer bodily injury.
This statement comes from the rela-
tive OF vestryman of the deposed min
isters church. In part, il reads:
have Just come back to Hempstead
ana acquainted with the gossip of the
town. 1t is a shame that some one did
not take the initiative before ] want
you 10 know that your cloth will not
save you. l know that you have been
long time
Three days later Cooke disappeared
with Miss Whalex.