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Marietta Weekly, Tuesday, January 23, 1883

Shooting in Newport
Charles Cook killed by John Dana
A terrible fate hangs over this place which was caused by the death of Mr. Charles Cook. He went home under the influence of intoxicating liquor and abused his oldest daughter, a young lady. Under the punishment she called for John Dana to assist her in saving herself from the cruel hands of her father. He came to her relief and by so doing aroused the ill-feelings of Mr. Cook who followed John into the street with intentions of a fight – and even to kill. John being armed with a revolver, told Mr. Cooke to stay away from him or he would get shot. Cooke still followed him with threatenings, and Dana shot three times, hitting Cooke twice, viz.: through the stomach and close to the heart, yet he did not give up the pursuit till he fell senseless. He was carried into the house and Dr. McElHinney was summoned and said he could not survive. About three o’clock p.m. he died, having been shot about one p.m. He led a reckless life and died a horrible death, calling on the Lord to save him. Alvin Adkins, Esq. held an inquest on Sunday and rendered a verdict in accordance with the above facts. Mr. Dana at once surrendered himself to the authorities and was bound over in the sum of $500 to appear next term of court. It is needless to say that public opinion and sympathy is with Mr. Dana, who regrets the unfortunate occurrence more that any one else.

-OBSERVER
Cook, it will be remembered had a difficulty about six weeks ago near the Scott House in this city and was cut in the back by some of the boys. He was a man of ungovernable passion when under the influence of liquor and no doubt he would be living today, had he led a life of sobriety. The occurrence which is a sad one in whatever light we may view it should have its weight and be a lesson to the hundreds of others in this locally who are following the same road. 

Marietta Times, January 25, 1883
Murder at Newport
John Dana Kills Charles H. Cook
About one o’clock last Saturday afternoon the usually quiet little village of Newport, this county, was thrown into a state of intense excitement by the shooting and killing of Capt. Chas. H. Cook by a young man named John Dana. Cook was about 54 years old, was a widower and had several children. Dana is about 23 years old and is a son of Rev. Watson Dana, a merchant of the village. Cook and young Dana were both employed as clerks in the store of young Dana’s father. Cook and young Dana did not agree very well and only a few days previous to the shooting had a dispute. On the day of the shooting Cook had been drinking and when he went home to dinner he took his daughter to task for some cause, and it is alleged struck her. She sent a younger sister across the street to the store for young Dana. Dana started over and James Cook, a nephew of the murdered man, went with him, as is alleged at Dana’s request. When they reached the house they were met by Cook, who ordered them away from the premises. Dana drew his revolver, but James Cook interfered and prevented any shooting in the house. Dana then left the house and went in to the street and Capt. Cook followed as far as the gate, remarking that he was not afraid of Dana if he a had a revolver. When Cook came out the gate Dana fired three shoots from his revolver in rapid succession. The second took effect in the right side of the abdomen and the last in the right breast. Cook immediately fell on his face in the street. He was taken to the office of Dr. McElHinney, but the Doctor said he could do nothing for him. He died about two hours after the shooting occurred. His remains were buried Tuesday forenoon.
      Dana went before Esq. Adkins who bound him over to court in the sum of $500.
      Cook had a violent temper when under the influence of liquor, and therefore the sympathy of the people of Newport is said to be with Dana. But we cannot see why Cook’s bad temper should justify Dana in carrying a revolver and taking it with him to Cook’s house to settle a family dispute. The case, however, will receive a thorough investigation by the grand jury next week. 
Marietta Register, Thursday, January 25, 1883
Shot and Killed!

A NEWPORT TRAGEDY – FATAL DIFFICULTY BETWEEN JOHN DANA AND CHARLES COOK
      The people of Newport were startled, Saturday afternoon, by the report that John Dana, son of Rev. Watson Dana, had shot Charles Cook, a resident of that village –
      From several statements of the affair we glean the following: Cooke had been drinking and was abusing his daughter Belle, a young woman who kept house for him. Dana had been boarding there but was not in at the time. A child told him Cooke was abusing his daughter and he, in company with James Cooke, a nephew of the man killed, who was with him, went to the house. One account is that Dana entered the house, another that he only came near the door. At any rate Cooke ordered him away and pursued him into the street when the nephew interfered but did not succeed in stopping his uncle. Dana warned the latter not to approach any nearer or he would shoot. Cooke answered defiantly, and Dana fired, the ball not taking effect. Cooke still rushed on and Dana fired two more shots, the first hitting Cooke in the lower part of his body, the next near the heart. The wounded man fell and was carried into the house. The affair occurred about one o’clock and the wounded man died about two hours later.
      Young Dana gave himself up and had a hearing next day, before Alvin Adkins, Esq., who admitted him to bail in the sum of $500. Public opinion at Newport seems to be generally in his favor.
      Cooke was a reckless drinking man. He was involved in a shooting scrape several years ago, and, about six weeks since, had some difficulty at the Scott House, which was mentioned by the Register at the time. 
John Dana married Belle Cook a short time after.