The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-07
DEATH OF
 JUDGE COOK We'll Known Alabamian Died Suddenly. A VALUED STATE EMPLoYE For Years Chief Clerk in Auditors
 Office. was Native of wIlesx cosnts--proA- saent In Church work and
 Esteemed By

Judge John T. Cook. chief clerk of the State Auditors office. and the great est authority on Alabama taxes in the State. died yesterday morning at an early hour at his residence, 620 South Lawrence Street. His death was sud- den. and the news of 1t came as great surprise and shock to the entire community. where he was loved by everyone with whom he came in con- tact.
 Judge Cook for some time past had not been in the best of health, having been absent from his office at the Capi- tol for about a week some two months ago. His health since that time had not been of the best. although no fears were entertained bv his family, and his intimate friends. Feeling a trifie indisposed. he did not TO to his ofnce .n the Capitol on Saturday morning, although he was present and attended to his duties in the afternoon.
 All day Sunday he was feeling in the best of health and spirite and retired at his usual hour ct night. About o'clock he was awakened. and, telling his wife that he felt stified and had q choking sensation in his throat he got out Of the bed and sat In rocking chair .n the middle of the room.
 In a little while after getting out of the bed. he complained to his wife of his choking sensations again, saying that he felt that his time had coma and that he was going to die. His wife then sent for a physician, who arrived at the residence a few minutes before 1 o'clock.
 His feet being very cold, the physi- elan ordered thathot water be brought. While Mrs. Cook was out of the room, Judge Cook got out Of the chair, and. walking toward the bed. said to the physician, "f am dying." Ills wife was called to come Into the room. but Judge Cook had breathed hss last before she could reach his side,
 In his death, the community loses one of it's most conscientious and hon. oughIy consecrated Christiaf man and an honest man. beloved alike by the old and young with whom. he came in contact" was the comment Of Judge I. B. Fuller who was one of his best friends In the citv. He was considered one of the most valuable men to the State at the Capitol.
 Judge Cook was born at Rehoboth, wilcox County, and would have been se years old next August. He moved to Camden when about 1e years old. from which place. he came to M0ntgom- cry sixteen years agos During hsS early residence in Camden, he served as clerk In the Judge Of Probate's ofA flee. a$
 After a short while in the Judge of Probate's office. he enlisted In the 18th Alabama to serve in the great war 4 short time after his enlistment in the regiment. he was shot In the hip and severely wounded. the shot taking a downward course and remaining unex- tracted for some time After the shot had been extracted. his leg became stiffened. a stiffness which ever after- terward remained.
 Returning home on account of his wound, he again took up his clerksiiip in the Judge of Probate's office. Af- ter serving for some time in this ca- pacity, he was elected to the judge ship, in which, capacity he served his State and county for two successive serms After his second term he again took up the duties of chief clerk of the ofice until he~was summoned to Mont gofnery to enter the State Auditors of- flee in the Capitol, as chief clerk under Judge John Purifoy.
 Since that time Judge Cook has been chief clerk of the office under suc- csssive administrations. His great