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Introduct on to MR. COOKE: REMINESENCES
by A. Fitzpatrick
Somewhere along Oneida Ave. in the Bronx, you'll come across
a modern red brick house which is set back about eight feet from
the sidewalk. Surrounding the house is a lovely garden and a carefully
groomed lawn. The garden is abundant with flowers of all kinds and
colors.
Ring the bell. After a few seconds the door will be opened by
a very dignified personage with a bristling moustache and a Van Dyke
beard. You will be cordially invited to enter. This is Mr. C.
born in County Sligo/Ireland/82 years ago. You note his 'rosy
complexion and his gentle voice.
Inside, he shows you around his immaculately kept home. The
room to which he finally takes you is furnished tastefully and
expensively with a living room suite, a piano, table, rugs, draperies
and ferns.
Light a cigarette and offer one to Mr. C. He refuses; art he
neither drinks nor smokes.
You ask him many questions. He is never embarrassed, He answers
in great detail. He understands your purpose.
You are informed that Mr. C. is a retired stonecutter, that
his wife is deceased and that he has six children living. Although
has formal education never went further than grammar school, Mr C.
is self-educated through his interest in literature and mechanics.
And finally, if you are not sufficiently impressed by this time,
Mr. C. will 00/y6/#0 gently inform you that he is the President
of the Eucharistic Society, the highest order, socially, in the
o -Par ad els tit.v Ote.A44, 0-2
Cathollc faith nd te onliiiganizate;4; its rind Ai
All this apart from
is typi lly keen In h memories oWw Yor,k.
Insert It is difficult to detect any trace of the famed Irish brogue
in Mt. C's speech; that is, at least for the first few minutes. Then suddenly,
when he has warmed up to the story, he slips into as good a brogue as ever
was spoken in County Sligo.
A
Circumstances of Interview
State. New York.
Name of Worker. A Fitzpatrick.
Address. 327 East 145th St. Bronx.
Date. October 5th 1938.
Subject. Mr Cooke; Remintsences poilm %ACM*
1. Time of Interview. 1.30 P.M.
2. Place of Interview. At home.
3. Name and address of informant. T.A.Cooke. 4300 Oneida Ave. Bronx.
4 Name and address of person who secured informant.
g.Leonard. Manager A.& P store. 143rd St and Third Avenue.
5 Name and address of person, if any accompanying me. None_.
6 Description of house and surroundings:
The residence, one family type, consists of a typically modern
residence. Built of red brick, and set back about eight feet from the side-
walk, it is surrounded by a beautifully kept garden which extends alongside
the side of the house.
The entrance is to the side. The lawn is carefully groomed and there
is
WM an abundace of flowers of all varieties, visible to the eye.
The home itself, the interior, is immaculate and most beautiful.
As one enters the hallway, he is confronted by a wide carpeted stairway, which
leads to the upper rooms. The room in which the interview was held was a
a picture of neatness, clew:Illness and was indicative of a man of ample
means.
The furnishings,M111, while not too elabrate, were undoubtedly ex-
pensive, and consisted of Piano. 4 beautiful three piece suite, end tables,
rug, scatter rugs, ferns and draperies, a home beautiful to behold.
The window viva disclosed other beautiful one family residences
pf a like type, all set in their own beautiful and well -cared -for grounds.
I 0
A Fitzpatrick. 1wwww47411.
State. N.Y.
Name of Worker. A Fitzpatrick.
Address. 327 East 145th St Bx
Date. October 5th 1938.
Subject. Mr Cooke:CII&i.t,it t-ecttce,1
I. Ancestry; None of importance.
2. Family. Wife deceased. six children living.
3. Place and date of birth. Tubercurry, Co Sligo. Ireland. an 6th 1856.
4 places lived in and dates* 35 years residen at 879 10th Ave. N.Y.C.
three years at present address. other places
not recalled.
5. Education. Ordinary grammar school.
6. Occupations and accomplishments. Stonecutter by trade. at present re-
tired*
7.Special skills and interests. Mechanics. and Books.
8.Community and religious activities. Awtive in all social activities in
his immediate parish. Is a member
of The Holy Name Society and The
Nocturnal Division Soctety. He is
also President of the Eucharistic
Society at 76th St and Lexington
Avenue. The Eucharistic Society is
the only one of its kind in America
and is the highest order, Socially,
in the Catholic Faith.
9Description of Informant. Mr Cooke/ impresses one at first sight as a
person of high breeding and education* Soft
spoken and gentle in his manner he conveys
an impression of one who demaeb respect and
in a positio# to secure it.
He stands perhaps five feet five inches higi
is grey and is the owner of two bristling moust
aches and a Van Dyke beard. It is quite evident
from his rosy complexion that he has always bea
a lover of the great outdoors. He neither drinks
or smokes and has never indulged in either vices.
The visitor is mostly impressed by his neat app-
arance and the cordial welcome extended. Comment
may also be made by the painstFking efforts on Mr
Cookes part to make the visitor feel at ease.
ff
State. N.Y.
Name Of Worker. A Fitzpatrick.
Address, 327 East 147th St. Bx.
Date October 4th 1938.
6
Subject. Mr T.A.Cooke, Informant,
Folklore.
New York.
ye're askin me a lot, on account of me mind not being what
it used to be, but if I can help you any I'll be glad to.
Anyhow, I'm 82 years ould. I was born in a small town outside
a place called Tubercurry, Co Sligo. Maybe ye've heard of Tuber
curry, Its not much av a place but I was born there anyhow, and I
first saw the light of day on January 6th 1856.
All me folks were simple folk like meself. Me Father was whee-
A
lwright but I had a likin' for stonecuttin' and if I do say so meself,
I was'nt a bad hand at it. I had a sister out here in New York and
she was always askin' us to come out here and live. I also had an un-
cle in Staten Island, •but we fiver bothered with him. Anyhow, we
made our minds up to come out,and we did -the whole sivin of us. We
sailed from Queenstown,(they call itCobh now, but it doesint change
it a bit), and we landed in New York,--( he pronounced it 'Knew Yark'),
on a Sunday morn on June the 12th, 18811 after a tin day trip.
We stayed in a Hotel for a few days and thin we located ih a
house at 879 Tinth Avenue, That was §7 years ago. It was real Irish
section that we lived infin thin daysfand mind ye, we lived there for
thirty five years. Wellewhat with wan thing and another, some of the
younger wans gettin' married and such, we moved to other places and now
I'm livin at me present address for the past three years.
I forgot to tell ye that I lost me Wife some years ago and a better
woman flyer lived, God Rist her Soul.
A Fitzpatrick.
r--
piww 2
"Weil, to get back to the beginnin'. Whin I landed here I had no trouble
gettin' a job, anyone could get a job in thim days. The first job I got
was with the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railrodd where I worked
for many years at me trade. I also worked for a long time with the New
York Cintral. They did'nt pay ye much wages in thim days but what ye
got ye could buy a lot with, if ye understand. Why,you could go into
a butcher's shop and get a couple of pounds of corned beef and they'd
throw in the cabbage to go with it, try and get it now, and they'd give
ye all you'd want, too.
But its not the same Ntw York to day, no sir, I've seen some great
changes in me day. Ye would'nt believe, to look at it now, that at seventy
second St and Eight Avenue,- it's Cintral Park West now,- that right opp-
osite theMajestic Hotel, where the Dakota apartment house now stands, and
bye the way, that's the ouldest apartment house in the city to day, did
ye know that?, well, as I was sayin'tright theretwhere the ould Dakota
stands, it used to be a goat farm and many's the time I saw the -oeople
buyin' the goat's milk to feed to their children.
Ah Yes, times have changed. Where are your Horse cars?, Ye may
laugh bedad, but let me tell mR, ye were more comfortable in thim cars
in the Winter than ye' are to day in ye're subways and elevator raildoads.
They were different Winters then. Plenty of cold and snow. You look like
a man of fifty years of age or thereabouts and me you rimember the ould
A
belly stoves that they carried in the horse cars, and the box av coal and
the shovel that the conductor used to put the coal on the fire Even
the passengers thimselves used to shovel the coal whin the fire wint low'
Ye know, ridin' 6n the horse cars on a Sunday was great treat in
Page three.
A Fitzpatrick
thim days. The young fellas and the girls would have lots av fun.
Why there used to be dancin' in the cars 6n Sunday evenin's. And I mind
the time whin girls that had'nt any escort would stand on a corner by
the tracks playin' the accordeon and the mouth organ in the hopes that
the car would stop and someone pay their fare so that they would get on
and join in the fun. There would be dancin' and singint and a wild time
all round. Ah, they certainly had good times.MINIMINSIMpUn.
They had gas lamps thim days and I can see him now, the lamplighter,
comm' along the street with the long pole in his hand and the flame on
the top inside a brass contraption to prevent it from blowinlout, and
how he used to dtick it up inside the lamp to light the light. Ye'd think
it was only yesterday.
There are lots av things I can tell ye but ye'll have to give
me time to think thim up. Could ye give me a couple av days and I'll see
what I can do I also have some ould'Commaikes; (Irish songs), that I'll
let ye have, if I can find thimiand also some poetry.
Here's a couple of verses that •can recall;
Ireland's Son so good and bold
Not to be tempted by women or gold.
And there are women and gold galore.
They love Virtue and Honor more.
Here's another wan;
And she went on with her maiden smile.
Safety lighted her 'round the Green Isle.
For blessed forever are they who will ride
On Erin's Virtue and Erin's Pride.
A Fitzpatrick. Page Thur.
Wait 'til I tell this wan;
When I first came over to America, as I told ye, I stayed in a
Hotel. It was on a Sunday morn and after Mass I was stand-in' in the
doorway by meself, when another fellow came over to me, he was Irish
too, and axed me for a match.
Well, I had a couple of matches in me pocket and I gave him
wan. When he lit his pipe he asked me if I'd have a cigar. I told
him I didtnt smoke.
Afetr a while he asked me if I'd have a drink. and I told him
that I didtnt drink. He seemed to get mad for he suddenly turned to
ma and said 'Do ye eat grass because ye're neither fielcompany for
man or beast and thin he walked away.
That wan reminds me of a story that I heard in the ould country.
You, as an Irishman, as ye say ye are, surely must have heard of Lord
Leitrim aft -r which the County is named
Well, he was a regular tyrant of a landlord as we all know. There
was no standin' him. He made the lives of the people so miserable.
Wan day a couple of Irishmen vowed to kill him and so wan night they
hid in the bushes alonside the road, where he always used to pass in
his carriage at nine o'clock at night.
They waited until nine fifteen and until nine thirty and they
started to get uneasy because he had'-nt come along and he was never
known to be late. Nine forty-five passed by and at tin o'clock wan
of thim turned to the other and said Something must have gone wrong,
Cassidy, he was niver as late as this before'. 'I dont know phat can
be keepin him', said Cassidy, BUT I HOPE NOTHIN' HAPPENED TO THE
POOR FELLAH',"
A Fitzpatrick.
Page Five.
"And another wan that I can recall, is the wan about Cromwell, the
Tyrant.
Father Tom Burke could vouch for this;
There was a statue of Cromwell in Dublin. I dont know if it's there now
or not, but anyhow, so the story goes, two Irishmen were standing under
it, tearing Cromwell apart.
'He's in Hell, where he ought to be' said one.
Just then Father Burke passed by and hearing the remark said, Ye
ought to ashamed of yerself for sayin' that'.
'Well, yelre Riverince, Phat's the use of havint Hell, if he's not
in
"And before I finish, I have to go now, but I'll see ye to -morrow,
As I say, before I finish,I'll tell ye the wan about the Irishman that
came into a saloon and asked for a bottle off whiskey in a hurry.
The bartender said ''Sure, but why the hurry/'
'Well:, said the Irishman, Me friend is sick in bed and the doctor is
with him, He's just asked him has he seen any pink elephants floatin' arou-
nd the roam, and mind, ye, he said that he did-int;- and bedad, THE ROOM IS
1,1011, OF THU"
Circumstances of Interview
State. New "fork.
Name of Worker. A Fitzpatrick.
Address. 327 East 145th St. Bronx.
Date. October 5th 1938.
Subject. Mr Cooke. Reminesences podms and jokes.
1. Time of Interview. 1.30 P.M.
2. Place of Interview. At home.
3. Name and address of informant. T.A.Cooke. 4300 Oneida Ave. Bronx.
4 Name and address of person who secured informant.
B.Leonard. Manager A.& P store. 143rd St and Third Avenue,
5 Name and address of person, if any accompanying me. None,
6 Description of house and surroundings.
The residence, one family type, consists of a typically modern
4
residence. Built of red brick, and set back about eight feet from the side-
walk, it is surrounded by a beautifully kept garden which extends alongside
the side of the house.
The entrance is to the side. The lawn is carefully groomed and there
is
mum an abundace of flowers of all varieties, visible to the eye.
The home itself, the interior, is immaculate and most beautiful.
As one enters the hallway, he is confronted by a wide carpeted stairway, whio!
leads to the upper rooms. The room in which the interview was held was a
a picture of neatness, oleagainess and was indicative of a man of ample
means.
The furnishings,, while not too elabrate, were undoubtedly ex-
pensive, and consisted o?Piano. a beautiful three piece suite, end tables,
rug, scatter rugs, ferns and draperies, a home beautiful to behold.
The window view disclosed other beautiful one family residences
nf a like type, all set in their own beautiful and well -cared -for grounds.
A Fitzpatrick. Week of Oct 10th 1933.
Iri-h folk -Lore.
Poems from collection of T.A.Cook‘ 4300 Oncida Are. Bronx,
GOD SAVE ALL HERE.
There's a prayer that's breathed alone
Ir dear old Ireland's land.
'Tis uttered on ttle threshold's stone
With smile and clasping hand.
And oft, perchance, 'tis muttered low
With sigh and falling tear.
The grandest greeting man may know
The prayer, "God save all here".
In other lands they know not well
How priceless is the lore
That hedges with a. sacred spell
Old Ireland's cabin door.
To those it is no empty sound
Who thing with many a tear.
Of long -loved memories wreathing 'round
The prayer,"God save all here".
Live on, 0 prayer, in Ireland still
To bless each threshold free
The echoes of her hones to fill
111th sacred fervency.
And Guarding with it's holy spell.
The soul and conscience clear.
Be graven'on each heart as well,
The prayer,"God save all here".
No2
A Fitzpatrick.
Week of Oct 10th 1930.
Irisk Folk Lore
Poems from the collestion of T A Cooke 43000 Oneida Ave. Bx.
'iris Always So.
Across the meadow with clover sweet, I wandered one evening with
wearytteet.
For my heart was heavy with untold woe, for everything seemed to
go wrong, you know.
"rwas one of those days, whose cares and strife, quite overshadow
the good -in life.
So, lone and sad, Ineath the twilight stars, I
Pasture bars,
To the pasture bars, tneath the hillside steep
a flock of sheep.
For the happy boy, with whistle and shout, who
turn them out.
wandered down to the
where patiently waited
was even now coming, to
Good morning", said he,with boyish grace, And a smile lit up his
handsome face.
He let down the bars, and we both stepped back, and I said, "You
have more white shbep than black".
"Why yes", he replied, "and didint you know? More white than black,
why, is always so".
He soon passed on withhis flock 'round the hill. But down by the
pasture I lingered still.
Pondoring well, on the words of the lad. "More white than black,"
More good than bad
More joy than sorrow, more bliss than woe. "More white than black,
and 'Tis always so".
And since that hour,when troubles rife, gather, and threaten to
shroud my life,
Or I see some soul on the downward track- I cry, "There are more
white sheep than black"
And I thank my God that I learned to know, the blessed fact," 'Tis
always so".
Irish Folk Lore. Week of Oct 10th 1938.
A Fitzpatrick.
Page three.
Poems from the collection of T.A.Cooke43000 Oneida Ave Bx.
WILL MY SOUL PASS TFROUGqIRELAND.
The story of a dying old ;oman and the Priest who has come to visit her.
ComposeDby Dennis 0 Sullivan of New Iork City, over 50 years ago).
Of Soggarth, Aroon, sure 1 know life is fleeting.
soon, soon, in the strange earth, my poor bones will lie;
I have, said my last prayer and received my last blessing.
And if the Lord's willing, I'm ready to die.
But, Soggarth Aroon,, can I never again see,
The valleys and hills of my dear native land
When my soul takes its flight from this dark world of sorrow
Will it pass through old Ireland to join the blest band?
0' Soggarth Aroon,sure I know that in Heaven;
The loved ones are waiting and watching for me.
!-"c\ And the Lord knows how anxious I am to be with them
In those realms of joy, 'mid sould pure and free.
Yet, Soggarth, I pray, ere you leave le or ever.
--Believe the last doubt, of a poor dying soul
Whose hope, next to God, is to know that when leving
'Twill pass through Old Ireland on the way to it's goal*
00Soggarth Aroon, I have kept through all Changes,
.The thrice blessed shamrock, to lay o'er my clay.
And, Oh, it has minded me, often and often
Of that bright_smiling valley, so far, far away.
Then tell me, pray you, will I never again see,
The place where it grew on my own native sod
When my body lies cold, in the land of the stranger
Will my soul pass through Erin on it's way to our God.?
*****k-*****
"Arrah, bless yo; my child, sure I thought it was Heaven,
You wanted to go to, the moment you died.
And such is the place Ibn the ticket I'm riving,
But a coupon for Ireland, I'll stick on it's side.
you're soul shall be free as the,wind on the praibies.
And I'll land you at Cork, on the .banks of the Lee.
And two little angels, I'll Five you, like fairies
To guide you alright, over mountains and sea.
Newt Paie,,-