Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-22
PROF. COOK BROWNS
Member of the Faculty OF
Howard University.
RESIDENT OF WASHINGTON
Caught in the Undertow at Sea Isle
City, N. ].
WAS PROMINENT EDUCATOR
Other Drownings at Same Resort.
Brothers-in-Law Go Down
Together.

Special Dispatch to The STAR
SEA ISLE CITY, N. J.. August 22-
Charles c. Cook. professor of Howard
University OF Washington, d. c.. met his
death in treacherous undertow while
bathing In the surf here yesterday. He
was said to be an expert swimmer and
ventured beyond the breaker line. when
he was caught by the undertow and
drowned before assistance could reach
him. The body was washed ashore with
In few feet Of where he was last seen,
and q vain effort was made to revive him.
as he had been in the water less than an
hour
Prof. Cook came here about two weeks
ago with Mrs. Cook and two Of their five
children. Mary and Enid. They intended
to leave here this week for New York
and then to make a trip through New
England. His brother. George F. Cook,
was notified OF the drowning.
Prominent as Educator.
Prof. Cook was prominent as a colored
educator and held q professorship in the
college department Of Howard Cniver-
sity He was the son OF the late John
F. Cook. and was reputed to be one OF
the wealthiest colored men in the Dis
trict OF Columbia. Cook was born IN
Washington and after attending the pub
lie schools there went to Cornell Univer-
sity. where he graduated in $780, The
next year he spent in European travel
and visited the Universities of Edinburgh,
Oxford and Heidelberg.
He was a graduate Of Howard Uni
versity Law School and q member OF
the bar OF the District.
In 1891 he became a member Of the
faculty Of Howard University. where he
taught English. He was active in the
athletic work of the university and was
one Of the most popular members Of the
faculty.
Prof. Cooks widow and Ave children
survive him. Three brothers. George
Frederick Cook Of Washington, John F.
Cook OF Idaho and Ralph v. Cook. a
teacher In one OF the high schools In Bal
timore. also survive him.
Arrangements for the funeral have not
yet been completed. The body will be
sent to the home Of his brother, at Ills
18th street. Washington, ID. c., and the
burial will be in Harmony cemetery
there.
Other Drownings Reported.
Two other men were drowned here yes
terday. They were Rudolph Romburg
and Walter Lechtner. both OF Camden.
N. ].
Lechtner met his death while trying to
rescue Romburg. his brotherin-law, who
was seized with cramps while swimming
beyond the line OF the breakers. Mrs.
Romburg witnessed the drowning Of her
husband and brother from the beach.
Romburg entered the ocean shortly
after eating a heavy dinner. He swan
out beyond the line of the breakers. while
his wife and her brother stood watching
him from the waters edge Suddenly he
was seen to throw up his hands and cry
for help. Lechtner FASTENED to his as
sistance. but the drowning man grasped
his would-be rescuer about the arms and
both men disappeared and were carried
seaward by the strong undertow.
Woman's Unhappy Experience.
Mrs. Romberg witnessed the drowning
of Prof. Cook. As she watched the life
guards drag his body ashore another
drowning was reported. She hurried to
the scene OF the second sea tragedy, only
to find that the victim was her husband.
Scarcely had the terrible news been i'm
parted to her. when another body was
dragged from the surf nearby-that Of
hav. Av0t ynl< =