Mary E. Cook

[RJNorton]

I was just looking at the current edition of the Journal of the Lincoln Assassination, and I would like to thank Fred Hatch for mentioning this forum.

Also, I have a question. One of Fred's articles is composed of a long list of names which Fred titles "Unpunished Suspects." I am at least vaguely familiar with many of the folks mentioned, but I drew a mental blank on a Mary E. Cook. Fred says she was a "possible member of the conspiracy." He indicates she was born c.1835 but does not have a year of death listed.

Does anyone know some information about Mary E. Cook and her possible role in the conspiracy?

[Susan Higginbotham]

There a couple of mentions of her in The Lincoln Assassination: The Evidence.

https://books.google.com/books?id=GvYpUe...on&f=false

Her family was described as "notoriously Rebel" (665-66); can't link to that particular section.

[John Fazio]

Susan:

Thank you for the information.

Roger:

There is, on p. 302 of Decapitating the Union, a long list of those who were, or were likely, involved in the conspiracy and who were never brought to the bar of justice. You might like to compare it with Fred's list.

John

[RJNorton]

Thanks Susan and John!

"On the evening succeeding the assassination two suspicious characters were seen to enter the house and they remained there for some time. She (Mary Cook) denies parties were there the next day, but denies they were there that evening. It was supposed they were parties accessory to the murder who received assistance from her. The above facts rendered it prudent in our judgment to have her arrested and held for trial for disloyalty and indecent practices."

If true, does anyone have a clue about whom Mark Cook was assisting? (Is it known where O'Laughlen spent the night of the 13th?)

John, I shall check and see how the lists compare.

Update: There is a good deal of overlap in the lists and some differences. Examples of differences: he has Nora Fitzpatrick in his list, and you don't. You have Anna Surratt in your list, and he does not. He includes William Gabriel, and you do not. You include Clement Vallandigham, and he does not.

[SSlater]

(07-04-2017 04:41 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Thanks Susan and John!

"On the evening succeeding the assassination two suspicious characters were seen to enter the house and they remained there for some time. She (Mary Cook) denies parties were there the next day, but denies they were there that evening. It was supposed they were parties accessory to the murder who received assistance from her. The above facts rendered it prudent in our judgment to have her arrested and held for trial for disloyalty and indecent practices."

If true, does anyone have a clue about whom Mark Cook was assisting? (Is it known where O'Laughlen spent the night of the 13th?)

John, I shall check and see how the lists compare.

Update: There is a good deal of overlap in the lists and some differences. Examples of differences: he has Nora Fitzpatrick in his list, and you don't. You have Anna Surratt in your list, and he does not. He includes William Gabriel, and you do not. You include Clement Vallandigham, and he does not.

I have poked around is sources outside of our normal sources, hoping to find something on Mary E. Cook. Had no luck at all. Her father and mother were from Virginia and do not appear to be trouble makers, but they must have done something. In those exceptional times - anyone who smiled at a Confederate - became a suspect.

[RJNorton]

I was sent some very interesting material on Mary Cook by a friendly scholar who prefers anonymity. He said I could share it with the forum. Much appreciated!

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"Mary Allen Cook was a young lady of decidedly Southern sympathies who apparently liked to irritate her Washington neighbors by playing Rebel songs on her piano and acting mysteriously when anyone was watching. She lived on Virginia Ave. near Fourth St, with her mother Fanny and two brothers, both of whom served in the Confederate Army. After the assassination, her actions now seemed ominous to neighbor J. L. Henshaw. He reported all he had seen and heard to one William L. Childs who reduced the statement to written form which he delivered to Provost Marshal, Col. H. H. Wells. On April 19, 1865, Mary Cook was arrested and taken to the Old Capitol Prison. In a note to Col. Ingraham on that date, Wells recommended that Mary . . . “be allowed to remain in confinement until she take the oath of allegiance.” Mary apparently refused to sign the oath and remained in prison until May 29, upon which date she was finally released. Mary never signed the required oath of allegiance, substituting instead a promise to appear to answer any charges against her. No charges were ever filed, and Mary Cook remained a Rebel to the end. [Note: I found the Cook family on the 1860 census, which gives her age as 24, suggesting a birth year as 1836.]

I’ve attached copies of several pertinent records concerning her arrest. I never checked up on “William L. Childs” who wrote up Mr. Henshaw’s statement. Neither of their signatures are found on the 3-page document. I think you’ll get a kick out of Mary’s carrying on. She certainly knew which buttons to push to get her neighbors upset – I especially liked the part where she played “secession songs” like “Beauregard’s March” on the piano! I also found amusing Walls's recommendation that Mary “be allowed to remain” in confinement. (How generous of him!) I found absolutely nothing to connect her or her family with the assassination or any of the players."



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Childs-Henshaw report re Fanny and Mary Cook, p1

Childs-Henshaw report re Fanny and Mary Cook, p2

Childs-Henshaw report re Fanny and Mary Cook, p3

Mary Cook's Promise to Appear, May 29, 1865

Order committing Mary Cook to Old Capitol, Apr 19, 1865

Wells to Ingraham note, Apr 19, 1865, re Mary Cook

"Since the handwriting is kind of hard to read, here’s a transcript of what I think Wells wrote in his note:

April 19, 186[5]

Owing to the many indecent expressions of this young lady, Miss Mary Cooke [sic], and her evident disloyalty I would recommend that she would be allowed to remain in confinement until she take the oath of allegiance. Res[pectfully], H. H. Wells, Col & [Provost Major General]"