The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28
.OR. COOK DROPS OUT l IF PUBLIC VIEW
Explorer Lelves 10 Take a Rest
 In Unknown Place
FRIENDS ARE MfSTIFIeD
Conflicting Statements Are Made About Cooks Departure But He ls Gone and No One VIII Tell
 Where He Is Now.

New York, November 27.--Dr. Frederick A. Cook dropped completely from public view today. Not even Mir. Bradley. whose money was behind Cooks explorations, knows where he is tonight Confiding his secret to one man ana perhaps his wife, the Brooklyn explorer slipped quietly and mysteriously away, leaving behind him string of puzzled and exasperated friends and debate more acrimonious than that which followed his announce ment that he had discovered the north pole.
 Charles Wake, an insurance man of this city, appears to be the only one who knows the mystery of Dr. Cooks where abouts. Mir. Wake is firm in his resolve to keep his lips sealed until Cook him. self sees 1t to take the public into his confidence.
 In the meantime concern is expressed over the condition of pr. Cooks health. Although some of his friends maintain that he has borne up well under the con tinucd strain of lecturlng and preparing his data, an intimate associate of ths doctor said tonight that the explorer ap-
 
 breakdown last Monday. This friend is- sued a statement tonight in which ha quoted Dr. Cook as saying,
 'If this thing keeps up few months lorger I will be in the insane asylum. '
 Cook Needs Rest. a This is the statement in part:
 Last Monday night pr. Cook was in an extremely nervous condition and was convinced that unless he took a long needed rest he might suffer nervous breakdown. He told me that he had been advised to go abroad in order to be in easy reach of the University of Copenhagen Ii his presence was required there and al the same time to get . rest He then said to met If this keeps up a few months longer I will be in the insane asylum
 ''Dr Cook has taken me into his conn. dence and have been permitted to ex- anime his original data and despite all the charges that have been made, have absolute confidence in his integrity feel confidence as does Dr. Cook himself that the decision of the University oi Copenhagen will be favorable.
 "All this talk of a conspiracy to rot Dr. Cook of his records is silly, al through regret to say that some of thoss who have been his advisers have guc- ceeded in convincing nim that such [ plot existed.
 "Personaliy, I don't know the present whereabouts of pr. Cook"
 Puzzle to Public.
 The puzzle of Dr. Cooks disappearance from public view began about o'cloch this afternoon. At noon Henry Yelling ton Wack. his personal counsel, issuet formal statement explaining that Dr Cook had sailed this morning on thu Cunard liner Caronia. Three hours latel he issued a second statement, withdraw ing the first one and explaining that h, had been informed by John R. Bradle, that the doctor had not sailed on thil Caronta. Coincident with this. reports on the steamship Havana for Havana. Neither, so far as can be learned tonight was correct.
 Capt John Knih>t, or the Havana, TO sponded to a wireless message after his vessel had left port as follows:
 "No one on board resembling Dr. Cook Name not on the passenger list" Jl A. McCubbin. the purser of the Caronia. also replied to a query by wire
 Unable to find pr. Cook on board the Caronia."
 Wild Goose Chase. E'fom otner sources lt was fnIirnateo that Dr. Cook might be at the Hotel guest of his friend. c. D. wyckon. but the management of the hotel said that r,ither MT. Wyckoff nor pr. Cook had registered there. Mir. Wyckoff. found subsequently, said he knew nothing ot Cooks whereabouts.
 Suggestion was made that Dr. CooA might be with Capt. George Conner. . l AL ou< Fla rna hrtk vvnpS came back from Captain Conner that he had not seen nor heard from Dr. Cook and that he did not expect him. MT. Wake, admitting that he knew ; where Dr. Cook is declined to give his address or to account in any way for the doctors sudden and mysterious dis appearance. Said MT. Wake:
 Under tho circumstances he ia at psr- , feet liberty to make what plans he chooses Tn due time he will give an account of himself ana until then hope he gets the rest he thoroughly deserves.'' i Bradley's Statement. 1 John B. Bradley said: "Dr. Cook is not under contract with l me. He can come and go as he chooses ! without seeking my advice or consent. | l don't know where he is any more than you do. If he is in this country, it's all right. But why didn't he say outright where he was going?
 'I still believe in him. My stand to- night Is just what 1t was the day he landed. He has my allegiance until the University of Copenhagen has disproved his claim.''
 At tbe GTamstan Inn 1t was said to- night that Dr. Cook departed on Wednes- day lasf. Mrs Cook, it was said, left this afternoon after paying the hotel bill. | No one at the hotel would admit that he knew of Dr. Cooks whereabouts, al though several telegrams addressed to ! him were received at the hotel with the ] remark that they would be forwarded. Dr. Thomas s. Dedrick. who accom- . panied Peary on an expedition and is an intimate friend of Cook, said at his home /; in Washington. N. J.. tonight that he ; had seen Dr. Cook about two weeks ! ago. At that time, he said. Dr. Cook ! appeared normal and physically in re- markably good health considering the strain he had undergone. pr. Dedrick l attributed Dr. Cooks sudden retirement to his desire to avoid annoyance in order that he may rest.