Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) to Eliza Cook
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02570.41 Author/Creator: Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) Place Written: Shelbyville, Tennesee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 - 20 March 1863 Pagination: 10 p. Order a Copy
Had not meant to write to Eliza but his hand automatically wrote "Darling." Reminds her of taking walks on the prairies and jokingly tells her to watch for persuasive suitors. Cook had written Eliza an explicit letter and wonders why she has not returned the favor. He continues, "If I should find a pretty, sweet, nice, little one here who would indulge me for your sake would you object? It is not fair for me to ask the privilege without extending to you the same and as I know I am safe why I will just say on the Bible that when I get home I will exchange secrets with you, telling you all my scrapes and you relate yours to me. What do you say? Is it a bargain!" He then asks her to reply and to put on the instructions to burn the letter if it is delivered opened. Asks Eliza why his "friend L" has not answered his letter. He writes, "Is her husband jealous? He had better be for I am smitten." Wants to know why Eliza doesn't write him long letters like he writes to her, why she doesn't answer his questions.
Reminds Eliza that she must be careful to whom she shows his letters.
Born in Alabama on July 3, 1835, Cook moved to Texas alone at the age of 15 and studied law independently. Cook enlisted as a private in 8th Texas Cavalry, "Terry's Texas Rangers," in 1861 and was promoted to colonel by July 1863. After the war he became a circuit court judge for Galveston, served in the Texas state legislature and led an unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1890. He died in 1897 of complications from a wound suffered during his military service.
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