The Washington times., 1911-11-18
ENDEAR|NG TERMS
ADMITTED IN COURT
BY MRS. MCFARLAND
Letters to Dear Billy From
Lovingly Mother" in Cook
Blackmail Case.
Letters addressed to "Dear !

Letters addressed to Dear Billy
and signed, Lovingly. Mother, and
Lovingly, Jack" that Mrs. Rose #,
Mcfarland admitted she wrote to Will
lam II. Cook, her former colored COACH
man and houseman, formed the most
sensational evidence presented in tia
preliminary hearing on the blackmail
charge against Cook in United states
branch of Police Court today.
After hearing the Governments casc,
Judge James l.. Pugh held Cook for
the grand jury on the charge of bl-AD;-
mail, fixing the bond at $500, the
amount under which the defendant has
been held since his first appearance in
the court.
Mrs. Mcfarland and Miss Julia Bal
linger. who lives with her in the
were the only witnesses examined In
the hearing today.
The contents Of the letters, twelve OF
which were presented from scores tina,
Aetorney Wilson says he can produce
are known only to the court and to the
counsel for the defendant and for the
government. After the letters had been
Identified by Mrs. Mcfarland they
were given over for Judge ugh to read
but they were not read In open court
Besides the letters several postcards
were produced that II Is asserted Mrs
Mcfarland wrote to Cook and that will
be used before the grand jury, accord
ing to counsel for the defendant.
Mrs. Mcfarland Testifies.
The warrant on which Cook was ar.
rested alleges that on November II. by
means Of threats, Cook sought to ex-
tort rloney. and did secure $50 from the
comalplning witness.
1T was solely because of his threat
sl-. ~. Ill
sion?" Mrs Mcfarland was asked.
THAT was the only reason on this
coca sion and on many others, when he
has forced me during the last Ave years
to give him money" replied the wit
Mrs Mcfarland said she first EN-
ployed Cook In 1906 when he was one
of the force of drivers at livery
said that subsequently she engaged
him to enter her employ exclusively as
a man Of general work about the house
The. witness alleged THAI Cook began
to extort money from her soon after ht
came exclusively into her employ.
Installment Paid.
The complaining witness alleges that
$50 that was paid to Cook on November
6 was the first installment on money he
demanded Of her to set himself up ir
business again In Atlantic City. Mrs
Mcfarland testified that Cook was tc
come back in a few days for the balance
of the money.
1t was on November II when Cook
| came after the last Of the money. 1t IL
alleged, that the arrest was made.
Beyond the statement by Mrs. Nc.
Farland that Cook threatened her, and
the hints given concerning the contents
OF the letter the preliminary hearing
today did not bring any Sensational de-
velopments.-
Tss snsy wa. :ad and
find standing room within the court
room filled the corridors.
Mrs. Mcfarland gave her testimony
and answered all questions put to hei
| in Il clear, firm voice that could be
| easily heard. There was no hesitancy
| in her manner and no apparent nervous,
ness
Miss Ballinger was on the stand only
| a few minutes, and simply testified tc
| hearing Cook make demands for money
under threats of exposure, and of the
| defendants threatening to kill Mrs
| Mcfarland II she exposed him. Miss
| Ballinger testified that following the
payment of the money, on November
| 6. she, of her own accord went to At
lantic City to tell Cook not to come
back, and that Mrs. Mcfarland would
The bonds for Cooks appearance be-
fore the grand jury was fixe6 at S2,5O0
at the request of Assistant United
states Attorney Given. Friends of the
defendant are hopeful they can raise
the bond.