Treasures from the Worcester Room: The Trial of Daniel J. Cooper - Chapter 2

Previously on Treasures from the Worcester Room: The Trial of Daniel J. Cooper...

"Juror on - Daniel J. Cooper Trial from May 25th to May 29, 1914"

We came across the above photo in our Worcester Room and after doing a bit of research in the Worcester Telegram, discovered that it related to a murder case from 1914. Alfred G. Bradish went missing on October 4, 1913 and was not seen alive again. A breakthrough on the case occurred on October 31, 1913. 

Chapter 2: The Accused

"Daniel J. Cooper," Worcester Telegram, May 26, 1914

On October 31, 1913, police questioned 37-year-old Daniel J. Cooper for over five hours until Cooper confessed to police that he had shot and killed Alfred Bradish. Cooper then led the police to where he buried the body. Apparently Cooper had been under suspicion for weeks and he was known to police. The November 1, 1913 issue of the Worcester Telegram reported that Cooper made a statement that he was angry at Bradish because Bradish wouldn't rent him a tenement in Bradish's old schoolhouse in North Upton. Allegedly Cooper shot Bradish three times on October 4 and then hid the body in the swamp. Cooper covered the body in Bradish's raincoat and buried the body under a foot of mud in the swamp 40 feet away on October 5. On Monday, October 6, Cooper went back to work at the Draper Co. factory in Hopedale as usual and worked there until a week before his confession. Cooper and Bradish both worked at William Knowlton and Sons prior to Cooper working at Draper Co.

"Cooper Confesses to Killing A.G. Bradish," Worcester Telegram, November 1, 1913

After Cooper confessed and led police to the body, he was taken to lockup in Milford. The autopsy took place the following day and the medical examiner concluded that Bradish died from a single gunshot that severed the spinal cord. Cooper was arraigned in Milford District Court on the charge of willful murder. He was taken to the jail in Worcester on Summer Street and would remain there until the trial. The police who uncovered Bradish's body gave the reward money to Mrs. Cooper, the accused's wife, "believing she needs it more than they do." 

Early 20th Century Postcard of "Worcester Jail, Worcester, Mass"

So why did Cooper allegedly shoot Bradish? As per the Worcester Telegram on November 2, 1913, the police had suspicions about Cooper since the first week of Bradish's disappearance. The article also excitedly reported, "That jealousy was the motive behind the murder of Bradish is the opinions of officials, tonight, and a claim is made that Cooper and Bradish, both married, has [sic] been attentive to the same woman [Mrs. Balcom], herself married." Scandalous!

On January 20, 1914, Judge C.A. Cook of the District Court in Milford reported that the inquest found that Bradish died from an unlawful act by Cooper. The results of the inquest were filed in Superior Court. Cooper was then arraigned on the charge of first degree murder, a capital offense, on February 5, 1914. He would be represented by lead attorney John E. Swift as well as A.E. Livingston and W.E. Murray. The prosecuting attorneys would be District Attorney James A. Stiles and assistant attorney Edward T. Esty. Judge Hugo A. Dubuque would preside over the case. 

Join us tomorrow for Chapter 3: The Trial.