New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-04
WAS TIRED OF MINISTRY
Jere K. Cooke Said He intended
to Get out of Business"

EempsteaG. Long Island. Nay ; (speciaD-An-
Other Letter WIS received to-day from Jere Knoda
Cooke. the deposed rector OF 81. Georges who dis
appeared at the same time as Miss Floretta VIVA
ley, the seventeen ear-old high school girl If this
place. This letter was received by Bergen Carnan,
one ct the vestrymen OF the church. Mr. Carman
acknowledged that he had received letter from
Mr. Cooke, but he would not make known its
contente
Il was learned to-day that Bishop Burgess would
occupy the pulpit Sunday formerly flied by MT.
Cooke. The Bishop would say to-day what MS
subject would be. The sermon IN the evening vii
5e preached by the Rev Percy Stickney Grant OF
the Church OF the Ascension Manhattan. dr. Grant
has been requested by August Belmont senor war
dan Of the church. TO conduct the evening services
Justice Citizens said that day last week 10
had had a visit from Mr.. Cooke. They talked over
general subjects for while, and finally the rector
asked permission 10 look the Penal Code Jus
fice Citizens says he handed the book to him. The
minister read certain section for time and
then returned the book without comment
When asked To make known the contents Of The
letter received from Mr.. Cooke Bishop Burgess
said this evening:
Several persons mentioned in the letter.
I do not think that it would be fair 10 involve
them even Indirectly IN the scandal In substance
DIR. Cooke asked to be deposed and begged forgive
ness. He spoke of his years I'm The ministry as
having been full of happiness and of now much
he regretted TO leave il. He did mention being
IN the company of the young woman in the case,
derstand. He spoke Of other matters which do
not feel at liberty to give out. because the letter
was purely personal one
When 1 first read the letter I thought the man
crazy. / hated to perform the ceremony be
cause deeply loved and respected Dr. Cooke He
was handsome and lovabe. and had always fol
lowed his career with attention: car find no
affair. II is a sad case
August Belmont denied to-day the report that
he had engaged special detectives 10 hunt for Mr..
Cooke. He said he left that to the authorities
to get out of it ' said Nh Cooke few DAYS aeo,
according to Robert Vanlerwater, chief OF the
pirited and down that day, Mi. Wander
dater says. He tried 30 cheer him, but it was a
detectives fro mthe District Attorneys office
have been carefully inyestgating MI G9okss past
days In Hagerstown. Nd. where he lived with his
uncle Rarls- in life he expressed desire to enter
the ministry, but he was without funds. Through
The generosity OF the Sunday school which he at
he had completed his college course he was sent
the sunday school amounted TO 500 T1e left the
seminary before he had finished nis course; This
then decided to enter the Episcopal ministry be
ing ordained Middetown. Conn, in 1898: When
10 refund -he money which had been advanced for
HIS education There is no record that II ever
paid.
The Rev. William B. Farrir. of the Roman Catho-
lie Church of Our Lady of Loretta. Hampstead,
Long Island, arrived here yesterday the White
Star liner Cretic. from Naples Father FarTiI, who
was a friend of Jere knode Cooke. was greatly
surprised. after the pilot brought the newspapers
aboard the Cretic. off Sandy Hook. read that
MI Cooke had eloped with his ward, Miss FHoretta
Nhaley
Il can't understand why they should elone''
said Father Farrill. Il knew DR.. Cooke and Miss Miss
together frequently. but harm in that.
sin eiT IN f the village Miss whaey seemed to me to
merely school 9 g ana her n9S t6nk VIII af
If the story is true it is most despicable act"