The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-11-01
BILL COOKS GANG.
They HOLD UP ANOTHER TRAIN
IN THE TERRITORY.
There Are Now $50 Officers After the
Desperadoes and They Will
Probably Be Killed or Cap.
tured Before Long

FORT SMITH, Ark, Oct. 25.-A re
port has reached this city to the effect
that the little town of Gibson Station
has been robbed in pretty much the
same fashion as the Watoka holdup,
the express Office and several stores
being looted. The place is six miles
south of Wagner, on the Missouri,
Kansas and Texas railroad, and as
there is no telegraph Office there par-
ticulars of the robbery have not been
received here. 1t is said that six men
look part in the holdup. Marshal
Crump received telegram yesterday
from Deputy Lawson, who had gone
IN pursuit OF the Cook gang, stating
that his posse was within three miles
OF the gang and that fight between
the bandits and officers was expected
at any time.
The latest robbery reported here up
TO this morning was that OF a preacher
last night at Illinois station by two
men. 1t is not known how much was
secured. The train from Wagner,
which arrived here at 1 o'clock this
morning was guarded by force of %
men, under the leadership of Sheriff
Z, Brown. The same posse guarded the
westbound train leaving here a few
hours later and were reinforced by 20
Others at Wan, as the railroad people
were expecting holdup at Illinois
station.
The Cook gang is supposed to be in
the vicinity as 10 armed men were seen
at the water tank when the eastbounG
train came through. Conductor Dunk
lin was on the lookout for holdup at
Braggs, and later at Illinois, but he
came through all right. He reports
the whole country as being up in arms
and on the hunt for the outlaws, say
ing there are fully 500 men in the
chase. Bill Cook is to be shot on
sight.
PURSUING THE BANDITS.
LITTLE Rock, Oct. 25.-The Gazette
has the following special from Fort
Smith: No news of fresh robberies in
the Territory has yet been received to-
night. A robbery was reported last
night of preacher at Illinois Station,
but that has not yet been confirmed.
All day long the marshal's office has
been expecting telegram from their
deputies in regard to fight with the
Cooks. The deputies are now search
ing for Cook and his gang high and
low. About $50 of them have been
} ordered to Gibson by United States
Marshal Crump to participate in the
chase after the bandits. Gibson is the
place Cook has heretofore made his
headquarters. There is little doubt
though that his band has scattered
upon learning of the coming of the
deputies and Indian police. Indian
Agent Wisdom had the Indian police
join in the search along with the dep
uties.
=. Troops would be useless in the ter
Nntory, except, perhaps cavalry. The
,.Cocks have to be tracked and the
Heountry is filled with many of their
1 lends, ready to give the alarm. The
chief of the Cherokee nation has of
fered reward of $500 for Bill Cook,
which is much more than the United
States has done.
The Associated Press dispatch sent
out from Tahlequah few nights ago
saying that Jim Cook, the young
brother of Bill Cook, had made his es-
cape from the Cherokee guards Is a
mistake. Four splendid guards have
him in charge. They got scared
the other night, and fearing
, the Cooks would swoop down on
4 Tahlequah, they changed guard
Fhouse and gave out the report that
Jim Cook had escaped. 1t was all a
ruse, so the private secretary OF Chief
Harris today informed your corre-
spondent. 1t is now only a matter of
a few hours until the last is heard of
the Cook gang, as fight or capture is
imminent. Last nights Valley. train
from Fort Smith to Fort Gibson feared
a holdup at Illinois station and 90
guards rode upon the train from here.
Commissioner McKennon was in the
city today and said that the Cook cpl
sode would doubtless hasten the open
ing of the territory. His commission
will make a unanimous report to cons
gress next month recommending the
long-looked for change.