The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-29
CoOk'S FRIENDS WORRIED
4nx TO EXPLAIN DIsAPPEARANCE
 or EXPLORER.
G(a1n Decter's Health Demands seclu- G1en from Publfc-Mrs. Cook Also Misslng--Feared Plot to
 Steal Records.

X HeW tOrk, NOV. Zo.--Ine suouen snitt Of base by which Dr. Cook, the seeker, became pr. Cook, the sought. enlisted small army of eager explorers who have been able to contribute facts of collateral interest only. pr. cook who slipped quietly away somewhere yesterday. was still in retreat tonisn.. Mr. wake, his confidant. still afifrms that he knows where pr. Coik is and that he Is not going to tell. except in hts own good and sufficient time.
 Friends of pr. Cook, who are grieved Of late. undertook to explain the situ- Rtion today in this wise:
 Tt fs true.' they say, that the doc tors fears have been greatly worked on by the belief of some of those with whom he associated that tnere exists q plot to steal his records and even to spirit him away in person. He even engaged two private detectives Co shadow his supposed shadowers. :. Mrs Cook and those in her confidence, xelt that this atmosphere was not good for the doctor and arranged to nave him conveyed into seclusion.
 sThe doctor intended no mystery. All that aspect of his affairs has re- suited from the announcement made by Mir. Wake who has not seen pr. Cook for week and merely acted on
 
 Caronfa. ssses s 4sS., =, i
 Mrs. Cooks whereabouts is as much Of mystery as those of her husband. she Is supposed to be staying some where in the city. but just where could not be learned.
 pr. Cooks health Is the matter of great concern among his friends whom he has left in the dark. Prior to his sudden retirement, he was reported, on tile verge of a nervous breakdown. and 1t Is assumed by some that the neces- sfty for absolute rest may have prompt ed his wife to insist on his seclusion until he shall have recuperated.
 Brother Issues stntemept.
 New York, Nov. 2S.-Tney found Dr. Frederick A. Cook tonight. That Is an authoritative statement issued by his brother, w. L. Cook. saying that the explorer, who mysteriously dropped from public view yesterday. was sttli in the vicinity of New York and recu- perating, He was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and his retirement was absolutely necessary.
 The statement, as Issued by MT. Cook. follows: ss
 .Dr. Cook is in the vicinity of New York trying to get much-needed rest. If he decides to go to Europe there win be no secrecy concerning his de- parture I think that his friends and critics alike should be charitable enough to allow him to rest until his health Is fully restored. He has not been reading the newspapers in the last few days and Is not responsible for the statements that have been is sued by those who were acting as his spokesmen.
 Tn sending his data to Copenhagen, pr. Cook has fulfilled his obligations to the public."
 The foregoing was issued by the explorers brother in view of the fact that the doctors apparent seciusion caused great anxiety among his friends. leaving even John R. Bradley, his finans ciaI packer. puzzled and exasperated. Mrs. Cook is also in New York. but her exact whereabouts. as in her hus- bands case, has not been announced. u.aa