The Laramie Republican

A Word of Appreciation.

Tomorrow for the first time in many years the name of Miss Maude A. Cook will not appear at the head of the society column, Miss Cook having given up her position with the Republican. On May 25, 1901, a week after her arrival in this city from Missouri, the duties of society editor were undertaken by Miss Cook's mother, Mrs. Bessie Bailey Cook, and that lady held that position until her health gave out in 1916, furnishing this paper practically all the society "copy" it had during those years. Mrs. Cook was extremely successful in her work and made this department a very strong one, so much so that it has been commented upon and imitated in many other papers of the state. Miss Cook took up her mother's work where she left it off and has carried on the splendid traditions and style that her mother instituted, likewise giving Republican readers the greatest amount of satisfaction in reading about the many pleasurable events that take place in this happy and home-loving city. It is indeed unique in western newspaper history for a mother and daughter to have had charge of a single department over a period of nearly twenty-two years, and the Republican wishes thus publicly to acknowledge its appreciation and to express its thanks. It should further be said for Miss Cook that she has also for some time filled the position as general reporter with the same diligence and success as she has that of society editor. The Republican and everyone connected with it keenly regret Miss Cook's departure from its staff. She has been what men term "a good sport," being willing to give and take, and in the midst of the rush and confusion of a newspaper office always keeping her head as well as her temper and at the same time turning out an amazing amount of work. She has added to her industry the happy faculty of making friends not only for herself but for those for whom she worked and has thus exemplified the highest kind of loyalty. To Mrs. Cook all of us wish a speedy and complete restoration to health and to Miss Cook the largest amount of happiness in the new relationship in life that she is soon to assume.