Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1839-02-28
From the Mississippi Southern Sun.
unppIn MITR nFRS

of them is in close confinement John w. Carter
calling himself John w. Collins, was taken few
DAYS ago in Lauderdae county, and brought to this
place yesterday, by Messrs Smith and White. 1t
seems that Carter and Cook had been short time
previous to the murder of Rives, prowlng about Hills
borough in Scott county, seeking employment as well
dppers that for week preceding the murder they
absented themselves with provisions sufficient to last
them eight or ten days. These provisions were found
in the swamp where Rves killed. Suspicion
resting upon them, they were Immediately pursued,
and were not heard of until Cook, calling himself
Johnston got within ten miles OF home, and gave $50
to ride ten miles. Cook with his wife and children,
that night started for Mobile and from thence to Tex
as. Carter pursued and taken at his residence
in Lowndes county, where his property had been pre-
viousy levied upon by the sheriff, and upon his re-
turn he paid up the execution and released it. Some
of the money he paid the sheriff, has since been den
tilted to be Rives'. 1t is unknown what amount of
money Rves had at the time he was killed, but it is
supposed he had about Sl050O. Cook, who is prob
ably in Texas, has doubt the major part Of this
sum. From the character Carter gives him, he is
bad or worse robber than John A. Murre, in
the Penitentary Of Nashville. lie once lived III
Florida but was compelled to leave for his crimes
The following some of the crimes he committed,
according to his confession to Carter, who related
them to me in the presence of Mr. Smith, at whose
quest wrote them down, and send to you for publca
ton, that the good citizens ofTeXas may be their
guard, and if possible, bring this demon to Justice
From this short history of Cook he was, no doubt,
one of the main instgators of the late Seminole war
in Florida Carter does not recollect the precise date
these murders and robberes committed, but said
it about the commencement and during the Sc
minole war. Carter states that Cook and man by
the ofBryant, who lives at Lake Pontchartrain,
killed man by the name of Allen, in Tallahassee,
Florida, and robbed him of 81 $50 cash.
Cook painted himself like Indian and hea9 cd q
large number of Seminoes and butchered one OF the
most wealthy families of white people the front
iers of Florida. After killing the whole family, eX-
cept young man, who stood over and fought for his
sister until he was wounded by shot from an Indian
Cook then struck into his head, and left it
there stickng-robbed the house of sl10O in paper
money, and $40 or $50 in specie. He kept the pa
per himself and gave the Indians the silver.
Cook then went to Appalachicoa Bay, and from
thence to Banbrdge Decature county, Georgia, and,
, in company with Nirgnian with whom he had been
travelling in the stage and supposing he had money,
at Cooks instance walked to the spring. there killed
the Virginan, threw him in the river and robbed him
of Slll9-two SIG pieces Of gold and three smaller
pieces. This crime was committed in December,
} 1896. From Bainbrdge he returned to Columbus,
: Ga, his residence.
5 In Tallahassee, Florida, he saw traveller pay his
bill. Discovering he had money, he told the stranger
he was travelling his route, and, as it was dismal
road he would be glad of his company The stranger
: thanked him, and they travelled about seventeen
miles, when Cook proposed they should drink togeth-
er, and while the stranger drinking out of the
bottle Cook shot him through the back of the head
and robbed him of about 1902.
I Cook and his brother-n-aw Charles Hollis killed
the ferryman of st Johns river on the Augustine trail
turned the flat loose % avoid the possibility Of pur,
suit
Cook murdered man not far from Tallahasse, and
a robbed him of S2400 and SIS in cash.
He then went into the Indian country, and purchas
ed pony, and stole seventeen more and hired In
dian to assist him. When he got into the White set
Elements, he then made the Indian drunk and cut his
throat.
' Cook and Capt Mnny IA celebrated pirate) wen
, to Snake Island, understanding that vessel was com
n ing from Key West-murdered the crew, consisting
o of seven or eight and three ladies-plundereC
the boat of $l7 200 in specie, and scuted and SUM
s the vessel.
d Cook was then taken in irons to Tallahassee, bu
f was released by force, from the civil authorities anC
the irons knocked off. The of his friends arr
e Augustus and Willis Austin of Texas.
n Cook and Capt. Minny came across a vessel going
>, from st Marks to Amony Lake, laden with provis
ions; murdered the white persons on board, sold the
provisions and seven negroes which on board
o and sunk the vessel. Capt Minny died at st Mark
$ last winter
d Cook then left for Columbus, Ga his residence
where he traveller pay his bill, headed him, tool
O deliberate aim at him his gun snapped, which thu
stranger heard and fled.
Cook met with an acquaintance from Texas in Ma,
June last, in Clarke county, Alabama, whose naIn
o was WIN. Green. Green told him that his old friend
Augustus and Willis Austin, were then in Texas ant
anxious that Cook should go there, as they par
It ticuary needed his services.
If Cook thought there more harm in killing
man than there was in killing hog-did not believ
there either hell or heaven-has killed and rob
E. bed forty fifty men, and would this winter murde
n and plumber as many more.
Johnston Cook is between 26 aud 30 years of age
weighs about l40 pounds, has keen blue eyes, and
II very between the eyes his face and hand
. badly scared with drks and knives which he 90
- by fighting has been stabbed through the muscle
the arm twice, with dirk also in the hip; his hair
:, sandy, and one of his fingers broken
o Society is deeply interested in the detection an
= punishment of such villain. From this statemen
the Governor should not hesitate to offer heavy re
ward for his apprehension.
Carter denies knowing any thing of the murder @
Rives although the chain of circumstances connect
ing him with Cook, in his tragica Deeds are stron
: and would 90 far towards his conviction before an
: intelligent jury He liz illiterate man, and, n
: doubt, was led on by Cook, who is KEEN shrewC
and intelligent fellow.
q Cook has been taken in Texas and brought t
e New Orleans, where he arrived few days since
m FLORIDA lNDIANs-We learn from Tampa Ba,
IN from source we think entitled to credit that 200
at the Seminoles had come in and surrendered-amon
them eighty warriors. 1t is also rumored that thrt
warriors had sent in for safe conduct, with veN
le to surrender-GlObe.