Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-08-18

q
In March. 1856, Frank and Dick Cooley
were charged with assault and battery
by a farmer, James M. Bowel. The
brothers e.uded arrest bnt Bowel push
I'd the charge before the grand jury,
md the indictment is still pending
against Frank and Dick. A few weeks
alter a woman named Mintie McCul-
ough and a man named John Rhodes
uttered criminal action against Jack
and William Cooley, charging them
Eith aggravated assault, but the cases
were compromised
Later on in December, 1856, Dick
Cooley was Indicted for entering build
ing for the purpose of committing fel-
ons and receiving stolen goods. The
agents of the law put I'm two solid weeks
in vain attempt TO capture Dick on
charge.
10 wasduring the fall and winter Of
1850 that Frank Cooley resolved 20 e1-
tend the field of operations and increase
the business of the gang. he had tired
of roDbing henrOOStS and holding up
small boys, and decided that nothing
short Of out and out burg airy would sat-
isfy his thirst for excitement and re-
Dlenish the treasury of the band. After
taking a mental inventory of the neigh
borhO0d, Frank made up his mind that
a nocturnal visit 90 the house OF Miss
Molie Ross would prove both
PROFITABLE AND EXCITING.
This Miss Ross was a maiden isdy Of
60 or whereabouts. she was living alone
in an out-Oi-the-way neighborhood
some three or four miles from Fair
chance village. The lady had somehow
or other gained the reputation of being
exceediucly close In money matters.
Frank Cooley had been told that there
were several thousands of dollars
stored away in the Ross homestead. On
a certain Sunday night in February
Cooley and his feliOw-OutlawS loaded
their guns and started for the Ross
farm. They arrived 40 the farmhouse
shortly before midnight, The front
door was barred, but the gang effected
an entrance by smashing In window
Miss Ross had been lifelong victim
of rheumatism, and on the night in
question she was IN bed unable 90
move hand or foot Cooley and his
gang burst into the room. Frank made
his way % the side OF the bed and in a
qruH voice ordered Miss Ross TO hand
over all her money.
The lady refused. Then Cooley aud
Jack Ramsey drew their revOivers and
politely informed Miss Molue that iJ
was a question of either Surrendering
her possessions or her life. Miss Ross
never weakened. She told the outlaws
that she would never give up her
money. Finding that threats were use
less Frank ordered his companions to
seat the victim in chair and bind her.
The brutal command was quietly
obeyed.
''Bare her feet and hand me a candle,
groWled the rufiaD and be removed his
coat and rolled up bis shirt sleeves.
Jack Ramsey handed "a tallOw candle 20
Frank. The latter struck match and
ignited the wick. Then he put the
Pickering hsme TO
THE SOILS or THE WOMAN's NAKED FEET.
There was the smell Of burning flesh.
For fol- two minutes he held the flames
cloye to- the flesh, The woman must
Lave suffered untold agony, but aside
from a hali-supDreSsed groan she gave
no sign.
Now, old girl" muttered Cooley
''will you tell US where you have got the
stuff hldden?'
But MOllie Ross was adamantine.
Four times did the biistering breath OF
the lighted candle burn her flesh, but
never once did she fater. At last
Frank swors, a tremendous oath, aud
struck MOllie full In the face with his
clenched fist. Then he turned to his
companions and ordered them 90 search
the house from cellar 70 roof, while he
stood guard over the helpless woman.
A half hour later the fruits of that
search were piled upon the bed. There
was more than 5000 In bank notes aud a
heap Of small silver pieces. Cooley put
this money into his pocket and after
warning Miss Ross TO hold her tongue
led his men 90 their mountain retreat.
Naturally when the details OF this
horrible outrage leaked out there was
tremendous sensation. A warrant was
sworn out for Frank Cooley, and few
days later he was captured and brought
20 UuiontOwn. He was tried at the
March term of the Court on the double
charge Of
ROBBERY AND BODILY TORTURE.
He made a weak defense and was con-
victed OF the charge and remauded 20
Jail 90 await sentence. His motion for
a new trial was promptly denied and q
day was set for his sentence. But he
broke Jail and escaped before sentence
had been pronounced He has been az
large ever since. Miss Ross is an In
durable cripple from the injuries re-
ceived on the night of the assault.
In June. 1850, Frank Cooley and the
gang were convicted, although still 40
large. They did not turn up for SEN
tence, and q process is still out for
them. AT the December sessions, 1890,
Calvert Sliger appeared In Court as
prosecutor against Bert Cooley, charg-
ing him with assault and battery. The
case was compromised on the payment
of costs by the defendant NO the instance
of A. s. Reese. Oliver Cooley was con-
victed.at March Court, 1SSS, of disturb
ing a religious meeting. Criminal pro-
ceedings against Jack Cooley were in
stituted at the March sessions, 1889.
He was charged by DR.. II. b. Greiber,
one of the School Commissioners of
George township, with having set IRE
10 q public school house. Despite the
fact that the grand jury found a true
bill against him, Jack Cooley was never
captured, and never viii be, as be met
A TRAGIC DEATH
p month ago from the trap-gun which
Farmer Thomas Collier had set In his
milkhOuSe.
Frank, Dick and Jack Cooley and Jack
Ramsey were found guilty Of robbery
durying the session of the Oyer and