Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-24
JACK COOLEY KILLED
Not in a Battle With officers of the
Law, but as a Common Thief,
BY MEANS OLA TRAP SPRING GUN,
Ills Family Concealed the Accident Until
leath approached.
FARMER COLLIER FEARS FOR HIS LIFE

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH,
oNIoNTowN, July 2S.-Jack Cooley, one
OF the notorious Cooley gang, was shot
Thursday night while attempting 10 break
into Thomas Golfers milkhouse, near Fair
chance. and died from the wounds this
morning. Jack Cooley, in company with
his brother Frank and Jack Ramsey, were
trying TO effect an entrance into the milk
house when the accident occurred.
when Jack forced the door open. the
gun which Mr.. Collier had placed inside as
trap for thieves was discharged, and the
load struck Cooley in the abdomen. The
wounded desperate was picked ND by his
comrades and carried to his fathers home,
three miles away.
But little is known of the accident or of
The subsequent events at the Cooley resi-
oence. None but the Cooley gang and
their near relatives knew that Jack had
been shot. They did not think the wound
was fatal, and they hoped to conceal the
fact that he had been shot to avoid arrest
1t was for this reason that it was not until
o'clock this morning, two hours before
the outlaw breathed his last, that DR.. Hol-
bert was summoned. When he arrived at
the house he found the wounded man past
all medical aid.
The Grief of the Outlaws Aged Father,
Old man Cooley came to Fairchance this
morning and secured coffin. The old man
was nearly overcome with grief, and he
wept bitterly as he related to a few of his
friends the occurrence that led to his sons
death. He related the story OF the accident
substantially as follows:
1.-The bows were away from bon,e THINE
day night where 1 did not then know
Along about o'clock Friday morning they
returned, bearing the bleeding form of Jack
The poor fellow did not seem to realize that
the end was SO near. / wanted to go for a
doctor, but be and Frank would not
let me. They said the wounds were
not fatal, and that to bring doctor would
be to spread the alarm and cause their ar
rest. finally agreed not to go for q doc
tor, and we spent all day yesterday in do
ing what we could for the poor boy.
Shortly before midnight Jack became un- |
conscious, and l then went for DIR. Hoibert, |
but when he arrived it was too late. Jack |
died about 1 O'Clock this morning."
The old man then gave Franks version |
OF the shooting. The three boys were try |
ing to get into Mr.. Golfers milkhouse |
Jack opened the door and the gun was dis
charged. He uttered groan aud fell back. /
The boys were terrified.
1hrught Ofic-r Were Living in Wait
They thought they had fallen into tine
hands of the Sheriff and his posse. With
out waiting to return the fire or see who
had fired the shot, they picked up the
wounded man and bore him to his home.
Thomas Collier was seen this morning.
He said his milkhouse had been robbed
several times and he determined to catch
the thief He placed the gun, which was
loaded with buckshot, in the milkhouse
with the muzzle pointing toward the door,
lie tied string to the trigger SO that who
ever opened the door would be shot
About L o'clock at night his wife awoke
him and said the gun L I'D been discharged
lie did not go down ntil the morning,
when he found the ground In front of the |
milkhouse covered wi n blood. He also |
found two large loaded revolvers. which in |
-"e that the Cpoleys had fled precipi- |
tatelv.
Mr.. Collier is fearful of the results. He
Jacks death. He said to-day he would not
he surprised if they would waylay him or
burn his house any night.
Jack Cooley was the younger of the two
despersdoes, and was the most fearless
Being always in the lead in every under
taking accounts for his death.
ADeath Blow to the Gang.
1t is the opinion of the leading citizens
of the Cooley settlement who were in town
today that the band will disperse and
cave the country.
A delegation of Fairchance citizens called
upon Sheriff Mccormack this morning and'I
him to collect posse and 90 to
Cooley's house. They felt confident that |
Frank Cooley and Jack Ramsey were at
nome and could be captured. The Sheriff
willingly complied and sent Deputy Sheriff
Allabaugh up with posse to take the two
remaining outlaws. Nothing has vet been
heard from the posse. The Sheriff will go !
up this evening with several deputies to
watch the Cooley house. 7