Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-07

consigned to the grave when the desperadoes
1ndulged in another outbreak. July %
| Wesley Sisler, who lives at Haydentown,
three miles distant from Uniontown, is a
living witness to the fact that the mere
matter of killing one of their men does not
stop the Cooley gang from continuing their
unholy practices Sunday, July 25, they
watched the funeral of their dead comrade
and dav later they were at their law
less work with as much vigor as
ever. That evening about o'clock
Wesley Sisler rushed into the Central Tefe-
phone office in Fairchance and breathlessly
asked Mr.. Hempsted to telephone Sheriff
Mccormick to come at once to his place, as
six of the Cooleys had just been there and
driven him from home. Sisler lives alone,
and has girl keeping house for him
the same girl over which Frank Cooley
and William Robinson fought, and who was
the indirect cause of sending Dick Cooley
to the workhopss for two yeara
The Sheriff Refused to Go.
He says that the men were all heavily
armed, and that they drove him from the
house and then maltreated the girl. Sisler
was in great state of mind and feared to
return home without protection, and Sheriff
Mccormick refused to come, saying that it
would be no use, as the Cooleys would be
far enough away by the time he got to Hay
dentown. This outbreak was unexpected,
the general impression being that the gang
would remain in retirement for time at
least.
Lida Pastorious, or as she Is better
known, Cooley's "Queen," is q retite and
exceedingly pretty young woman of 20 or
thereaboutA There is no manner of doubt
but what this brown haired woman with
the big eyes and faultless figure Is . very
prominent and popular member Of the out
law band. Ever since she lost her heart to
some years ago, she has done the planning
and scheming for the Cooley gang.
Mentally she is as bright az Frank is dull
The gang from Frank down realize
and appreciate the fact. They are very
proud and fond Of her They call her
"Queen," and obey her commands with
alacrity. The influence of this woman over
the gang of reckless rufians is simply mar
velous. 1t is safe to say that as long as
Ida remains true to her lover and his COM
rades it will be an exceedingly difficult
task to entrap them. She has it In her
power to work these men at any time. If
she cared to betray them she could lead
them to an ambush without the slightest
difficulty.
A Talk With the Outlaw Queen.
rOr reasons pest known 10 ner5elf the
"Queen" spends most of her time in her
fathers house, near Haydentown. 1t was
here that the writer found her yesterday
evening. The house stands in secluded
valley. It is two miles from any road, and
unless one knows the country well it is
most difficult to locate. As luck would
have it Queen Lida was at home and in an
agreeable mood when the reporte, .lled.
She stood in the doorway with abe in
her arms and a bunch Of wild flowers in her
belt
"Yes," she said, as she led the way into
the house, 81 am the common law wife of
Frank Cooley, the so-called outlaw. don't
care to talk about him; in fact I won't say
word. He is not half as black as he is
painted, and he hasn't committed half the
crimes charged against him. I could tell
you where ne is this minute, but I won't.
IF you want to talk to me about the baby
or the chickens out in the field
will listen, but am not such tool as to
talk about the boys. When Frank is home
he lives right in this house with me. But
he isn't home to-day. Now, I want to
change my dress, and you had better CO."
Lida's father IS blacksmith, and with
his daughters consent lives in his own