The Washington times., 1907-05-24
COOK FORTUNE.
SIX MILLIONS.
GOES TO CROWN
Insane Sister Only Kin
Of Man Who Died at
St. Elizabeth's.

With the establishing of the death
of john Cook beyond all possible cues
ton, the last chance of tAe immense
fortune left by his English uncle. De
Cola. remaining in this country, has
vanished. Arthur Delroy. an English
barrister, who. as told In The Times yes
terday, was commissioned as executor
OF the English estate to come 10 Amer
lea and discover. II possible. any living
heirs, viii leave this country for Europe
in a few days, satisfied that the buIlS
Of the great $500 900 fortune viii revert
to the British crown. with the excep-
ton Of small sum which will be turned
over 10 the authorities Of the Norfolk
Hospital for the Insane for the support
o. Cooks only living relative. Sarah
Cock, who Is an inmate there and un-
able to enjoy any OF the vast wealth
in her own right
Died at St. Ehzabeth's.
According 10 the records OF St. Eiiz-
abeth's Asylum. Cook was an inmate
from February 10 June 1900. During
his time there he suffered from hone
less dementia being frequently seized
with a suicidal mania.
In June he died and was buried in
the cemetery adjoining the hospital
grounds
The fortune which his uncle left TO
him came 70 him through his father
who resided IN England for many years.
when the latter came 70 this country Il
was understood that his brother would
leave him The bulk OF his rapidly grow
ing wealth upon his death
Taint of INSANITY.
There seems to have been a strain Of
insanity running in Cooks family. His
father settled in Petersburg, Va, and
was rapidly building up a large business
as a jeweler when he committed suicide
for no apparent reason.
Cooks sister Sarah lost her mind re-
Gently, and examination showed that she
was hopeleSsly insane. She was imme-
diately cOn1nsd I'm the Norfolk Hospital
for the iIsane, where she is now in
Cook was at one time a leading citi-
zen OF Pdfsburg having had charge
OF the wstA works OF that city for a
number OF Years.
arrested as vagrant.
Soon after coming TO Washington. he
showed symptoms Of a rapidly weaken
Al4k Allllhs eiAtA dBuul uAt years ago MS
roommate, Harry England, who died In
this city about three months ago. be-
coming alarmed at his companion' 5
mysterious absence from the house.
made inquries and discovered that Cook
had been arrested in the streets for
vagrancy. and after an examination as
70 his sanity was found 20 be of un-
sound mind and was committed TO the
asylum. where he soon afterward died
II Is believsd that IL England were living
today he could thsow some light upon
possible heirs TO the DeGolia estate
A thoroigh search through MANY Of
the PRINCIPAL cities of the East by Mr.
Delroy hss failed to bring to light any
relatives Cook was unmarried at the
time Of bis death.
Inquiries Fruitless.
Both Thomas MCGOWAN. Of 1893 I.
street northwest, and Mr.. Williams. an
employe IN a cigar store at Ninth and
+ streets northwest, said positively
that so ,ar as their knowledge went he
had no kinfolk save his sister.
Both say that Cook was more or less
eccentric during the latter part Of his
life. NJ Williams says he remembers
well he circumstances attending his
arrest for vagrancy and subsequent
death 90 ne asylum.