The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-07

| series OF escapades and scandal, has stood
lof the past six years In the lmelight
| OF newspaper publicity, gave informa-
ion to the Cincinnati authorities that LED
90 the uncovering of the 100000 defalca-
ION from the Big Four railroad, result
ing IN the confession Of C. L. Warmer
me treasurer of the road, and involving
| e. s. Cooke of this city, was the asser-
ton of the latters friends today. The
assertion was given color when Attorney
Cole lawyer for Cooke, declared that he
would not be surprised to learn Mrs
Ford's hand had figured in the whole
situation. Time and again this woman
has sought to blacknail Cooke, said At
torney Cole land brought him much
unfavorable notoriety. She would stop
| at nothing that would bring him humilia-
| ton or trouble. l can state positively
| that she is not in the city at the present
| time, although l do not know her exact
Whereabouts. She left here last April .
rs she in CINCINNATI" Mr.. Cole was
asked.
| Il do not know he replied.
Cincinnati was the former home of
Mrs. ord and she is believed to be the
! comedy widow spoken of in the con-
fession of Warmer in which he at the
same time charged Cooke with the black
mail.
Cooke Is in Hiding.
Meanwhile as the Cincinnati defalea-
ton scandal is being thrashed out Cooke
has remained in hiding
Mr.. Cooke is merely stunning an
noyance," said Attorney Cole. HE has
not left the city though. So far as 1 I'M
derstand 1t there have been no charges
made against him in any formal way.
So soon as there is and a process is
brought to my office by any authorized
source 1 will produce Mr.. Cooke in 20
minutes
Mr.. Cooke will make no effort to es-
cape the consequence of any definite
charge that may be made. He is pre-
pared to meet any of the yelled accusa-
tons that have been made, but he will
make no reply until these have assumed
some definite shape"
Interest in the search for Cooke CEN
tered today around Mrs. Ford. who had
played such prominent part lin the life
of the Chicago man. She came to this
city from Cincinnati several years ago
after the death of her husband Whether
or not she knew Cooke when he was en-
ployed in the Ohio city is not known, but
it Is certain that soon after coming here
she met him frequently.
Beaten With Umbrella.
Six years ago she met him in down
town hotel and belabored him with an
umbrella, which was the beginning of
series of startling escapades that all but
disrupted the Cooke family. Last April
these troubles eliminated in the arrest of
Mrs. Ford In front of the Leasing apart
ments. whittier she had gone with revolt
Yer in hand with the declared intention of
killing Cooke.
Take me prisoner if he dares to let
you" she shouted to the policeman when
he placed his hands upon her. THE
whole world will hear from me and that
man (pointing to Cooke will suffer-"
On that occasion Mrs. Ford was fined
$50 on the charge of disorderly conduct.
The fine was quickly paid and the vim
dictive woman returned to her home. She
packed all her furniture and belongings
and departed, telling none of her friends
where she was going. Her maid took Mrs
Ford's 3-year-old daughter to live for
a time in the wellington. The rent for
her apartment was sent to the maid reg
ulsrly by special delivery. The child and
her guardian have now disappeared They
left no word or address and no trace
of them can DO found.
None of the neighbors at Mrs Fofds old
home could give any informal ion as to
her wheI eabouts.