San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-15
COOK AND GIBSON.
They Take Their Trial for the
Murder of Young Russell.
Excitement in the District Court One
Witness Fined $500 Description
of Accused-Their Antecedents.


About 800 or 400 people had assembled
in the District Court this morning,
some of them prospective jurors, Others
witnesses, but the great bulk consisting
of spectators who had been drawn by
the morbid curiosity that usually at
tracts people to anything outside the
law of nature, and possibly this is never
more obvious than when man or
woman appear before tribunal charged
with the crime of murder. TO day is
the day fixed when Cliff Cook and Lily
Gibson take their trial for the murder OF
young Russell at the latter's bagniO.
The facts of this tragedy are still fresh
in the recollection of the readers of the
LIGHT, and the circumstances of the
crime, being peculiar, considerable in
terest is excited in the community as to
it's ultimate result.
At 10 O'Clock two deputy sheriils led
the two prisoners into court, and imme-
diately cOmmOtiOn took place among
the crowd; even the legal fraternity
displayed curiosity at the appear
anCe of the accused. Lily Gibson en-
tered slowly, and her features, which
are regular and prepossessing, were
those of woman who was about % or
IS years of age. Her face was deadly
pale, the pallOr of it being heightened
by the black bonnet and COSTUME she
wore. Clitl Cook, who Is alleged TO
have been the principal in the murder,
Is about % or 30 years of age. HE fea-
lures are small and his build is slight,
iNyin m Cgin hpf IN. is nt
delicate constitution. He was almost as
pale as his companion. Both Of them
were perfectly composed. After short
conversation with MIR. NJ. q. Anderson,
who together with his brother. +. II.
Anderson, and Hon. A. j. Evans, are
their counsel, Lily Gibson expressed a
desire for a glass of water, which was
brought her, both she and Cliff Cook
slipping few drops of it. Another hum
OF excitement was presently heard.
which was caused by the appearance of
Judge NOOnan ascending to his judicial
bench. District Attorney George Pas
chal and Major I. /. Teel, who repre-
sent the State, at this juncture rose and
approached Sheriff Nat Lewis. and soon
after the sheriff began calling in sonOr
Gus tones the names of the various wit
nesses for the prosecution and defence.
Some delay occurred, owing the chief
prosecuting witness not answering to
his name; this was Mr.. Jones, who was
with Young Russell on the fatal night
he met his sad death. Soon how
ever, he made his appearance. and
Immediately he did so, Judge Noon
an summoned him before him, and after
delivering severe reprimand, fined the
tNTdy witness $500. The defendants
iF,fn hnnnr of
their chief witnesses, named Breeding,
had not been served and was not in
town, they therefore begged for a con-
tinuanee, the SheT fl stated however
that Breeding would come into the city
on freight train in an hour or SO and
the State urging they were ready and
anxious for trial to-day, the prtitio
for continuance was not granted, the
Judge decidingtO postpone the trial I'M
til II O'Clock. The courtroom then was
quickly cleared of its occupants. Pub
lie opinion appears to be decidedly inim-
icable 10 the accused and firm Convic-
tiOn that Cliff Cooks neck is in jeopardy
is deep-seated in the mind of the com
munity.
~
From Mr.. c. II. Jaques. of st. Louis.
the following brief particulars of the
prisoners antecedents were gained.
Cliff Cook and his brother. George Cook,
lived with their parents in the Twenti-
eighth Ward, of the City of st. Louis,
their father being in the wine business.
Clif Cook, as boy. was remarkable for
his intelligence and exemplary cbaraC-
ter. and for some years attended the
Ote-brilliant school. of which Mr.. Sam
Cupples was Superintendent, and he
80 a..
in the bible class, which Mr.. jacques, our
stitutiOn. His deviation from the
path of rectitude was as sud
den as unexpected, he simply
left his home and went gambling
During the early years of his gambling,
he contracted an Acquaintance with Lily
Gibson, who was then one of the young
est and preitiest inmates of Kate Glib
sons well known bsgniO in st. Louis,
Kate Gibson having taken Lily 10 serve
her vile purposes at the age OF ID. Cliff
Cook becoming enamored of the pretty
Lily finally married her. Their married
life, however, was not altogether hap
ply one, and they were divorced. After
the separation Lily Gibson came to
Texas and ultimately settled in San An.
tonic and became proprietress of the
'maisOn de jOie" she now occupies.
Gig Cooks fortunes were as variable as
the life of gambler usually is; he not
only became poor but his health
failed him, and he had to seek
fresh woods and pastures new" to
regain it. He came south and reached
this city where gambling was then in
its "palmy" days. Once more he met
his divorced wife. and their relations
were renewed and a second marriage
took place, after which Cliff Cook pro-
ceeded with his gambling and Lily Glib
son continued the nefarous traffic,
which has brought them into their
present difficulty.
George Cook, the brother OF Cliff
Cook, is the chief clerk at the Barnum
Hotel, st. Louis, and is now in the city
watching the trial of his brother and
and to learn its ultimate
issue.
Later: Since writing the above. the
Court reCOnvened at II O'Clock and sf-
ter little preliminary business the
Court was adjourned till 3 o'clock.
Will all Strike.
NEW YORK, January l4.-Tne applica-