Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-30
A STORM OF WRATH
Gathering Around the Heads of the
Notorious Cooley Gang.
THEY INVADE WEST VIRGINIA.
Congressman Scett's Will Gives Not Cent
to Public Charity.
NEWSY NOTES FROM NEARBY TOWNS

rsrFcIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DrsPArcH.l
MoRGASTowN. Dec. 29-There is no
further doubt in the minds of the Cheat
Mountain people that the vigorous cam
paign instituted by Pennsylvanians has
driven the desperate Cooley gang over the
State line, where they are continuing their
Characteristic depredations. To-day gen.
tleman from the vicinity of Cheat river
came 10 this CITY and had a long talk with
the authorities here, trying to persuade
them to attempt the capture Of the gang.
The gentleman refuses to have his name
/ mentioned, as he believes he would then be
made mark for the gang.
lie says that the house of Isaac Blaney,
an aged and wealthy farmer of this county.
was entered two nights ago and robbed of
500 in cash and considerable quantity of
goods. Mr.. Blaney lives ON Cheat river,
and with his wife and young grandson were
in the sitting room. when four robbers
entered. They wore masks and were heavily
armed. One stood guard over the aged
couple with an enormous revolver, while
the others ransacked the house from cellar
10 Carret, taking everything of value they
could carry away. They then ate luncheon
prepared by one of the bold gang, and de-
parted.
Identified as the Cooley Boys.
Early in the evening the four had been seen
Camaslled in the neighborhood, and fully
identified as the two Cooley brothers, with
two pals from Fayette county. This is the
second robbery from that quarter in the past
few DAYS, and both times have the men
been identified.
IRE feeling in the district is verv strong
against the Cooleys, and it is believed they
1-ov ,,,ad do a mi a lrai in N
West Virginia from peac ceful Fayette county,
where they evidently had everything their
own way. They are now in a community
made up of fully as desperate characters
they. though more honest. The people of
the mountain have made up their minds to
form posse. and If the proper authorities
do not take the matter in hand they will
run down and either capture or kill the
Cooleys, even if they are killed by the dozen
themselves.
The authorities of this (Monongalia)
county. with those of Preston county, have
decided to ask Fayette county to join with
them in Offering reward for the capture of
the Cooleys, or to defray the expense of or
EanlZing citizens posse to do the work.
South Fayette Excited.
A special telegram to THE DISPATCH from
Uuiontown says: The citizens of Southern
Fayette county are excited over the recent
exploits of the Cooley gang, and are calling
Frantically for the arrest of the out
laws or some sort of protection. Joseph G.
Burchinal, a prominent citizen and wealthy
farmer of Spring Hill township. was in town
this !ternoon trying to get the county au-
1horltics to do something toward effectinC
the arrest of the gang. He tried to find
Sheriff Mccormick, but that official was in
PIttsburg. and when he went to the Com
mlSSlOnerS office to see about the matter a
stormy war OF words took place. The Com
missiOners claim that they have no author
1ty to offer reward for the capture of the
gang, and was backed up in this opinion by
their attorney.
Deputy sheriff Joseph Allbaugh says that
Sheriff Mccormick has spies almost con-
Stantly watching the movements of the
CooleyS. but as yet they have not been able
10 keep their eyes on them long enough to
get word to the Sheriff. In an hours time
every member of the gang could be securely
hid in the mountains near by, and it would
take almost an army of men to find them or
put them TO rout. Sheriff Mccormick has
tried dozen times within the past year
10 capture Frank Cooley, but the moment
he goes 10 Fairchance, every member OF the
gang disappears. They have plenty of
friends who warn them and they disappear
as completely as though the earth had swal-
lowed them.
Another of Their Tricks Recalled.
In addition TO the Blaney outrage the fol-
lowing is vouchcd for by several respected
citizens of near Haydentown: Two young
fellows living near there became involved
in quarrel over girl living with the Sis
lers. Frank Cooley came into the room
and made some remark about the girl:
Robinson turned the fellow and
drove him out of the house at the point
CT the revolver Cooley swore he would get
even, and the next night with his brother,
Ramsay and others, armed with Winches.
tiers and revOl. ers surrounded the house
Robinson fired at them, and the gang re-
turned the fire. They then captured Robin
son, placed rope around his neck, and
dragged him down the road. They said they
intended to hang him Further up the |
Uope around his neck but after giving the |
rope few pulls they let him go with the |
promise that he would leave the county.
He returned and got his goods and has never ]