The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1891-07-04
MOUNTAIN OUTLAWS.
Frank Cooley and His Gang Terrorize
whole Community.
INDIGNATION AT OFFICERS.
No Property Rights Respected, Arson
and Robbery Being Common Crimes
The People Preparing for
Self Protection.

UNIoNTowN, Pa, June 25.-There
is more trouble in Georges township
with notorious Frank Cooley and his
gang. Over strip of territory Of
about six miles along the base Of the
mountains above Hydentown and ex-
tending west about the same distance
Frank Cooley, his brother Jack and
several other members of the same
gang hold undisputed sway. A gen.
tleman who recently visited that To-
cality says the people are completely
cowed. In every household there
is a revolver lying within reach.
Even the women are accustoming
themselves to firearms, and are never
known TO travel any distance at night
for fear of an attack.
The gang is large, and has its
friends scattered all over the neigh
borhood, who always report when
there is any danger threatening. The
Cooley family numbers fifteen, of
whom eight are boys. There is now
a reward of 800 offered for the ar
rest of the leader, Frank Cooley, who
is wanted for torturing poor old Miss
Ross, of Smithfield, two years ago, in
an attempt to get her money. He
was sentenced to term in the peni-
Tertiary, but escaped from the Jail
here by saving the bars Of his cell.
Several attempts have been made to
arrest him since but he has always
been warned in time to escape.
THEIR sAGRlLIaIous WORK.
The people of Georges township
must either keep on the good side of
Cooley, OF offer reward large
enough to induce officers to break up
the gang. The latest work attribu
ted to them is the burning Of Charlie
Ewing's new house at Smithtield.
Last week the little Presbyterian
church at the foot of the mountain
at Hydentown was broken into and
the new carpet stolen. The people
of the town are enraged ut this sac
rilege, but fear to take any steps to
bring the perpetrators to jnstice.
Only last Saturday James Boher
was held up by Frank Cooley near
Smithfield. He was riding along
when he saw Frank covering him
with revolver. He had known
Frank from boyhood, and said:
"Frank, guess you have hold of the
wrong man." mo, l haysn't," an
swered Frank, "threN ap your
hands," and Boiler did SO. 1t was a
little dark, and Frank rode up to
him, scanned his face and exclaimed:
"Oh, it's you, is it? | was looking
for cattle drover" He then rode
into the woods.
IMPUDENCE OF THE LEADER.
just few days ago Frank was pick
ing beans in farmers garden when
the proprietor yelled to him to go
away. Frank pulled out his revolver
and said he knew his business and
went on picking beans as though
nothing had happened, while the
frightened old man retreated. The
outlaws live high, as hardly day
passes that someone is not held up
or housewife robbed of her garden
truck. The farmers have become SO
used to the appearance Of members
at their doors at night that they are
inclined to shoot first and inquire
names afterwards, and all strangers
riding through that locality are
warned against knocking at the
peaceful farmers door at night.
The officers who have warrants for
Cooley and his pals are bitterly con-
demned for not going after them.
The officers, however, say there is
nothing in it for them to go up in
the mountains and take their lives in
their hands for paltry 800. Cooley
swears he will never be taken alive,
and the commissioners are urged to
offer reward sufficient to justify a
posse capturing the entire crowd. 1t
is known that Cooley sleeps in cer-
tain barn, and could be captured
with a proper force. Meanwhile the
residents are in a state of nightly
terror, and simply await another
outrage, and wonder what will be the
end of it all.