The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-15
COOKS GANG IN CONTROL.
They Hold Up Train, Guarded by Six
Deputy MarShalS.

The oHacers Compelled to Surrender
Their Guns and valuabIes the Same
as the Passengers-A Suspicion That
Some of the Deputy MarshaIs and In
dian Territory Police Are in League
With the Bandits-The Civil Forces
Large Enough to Exterminate the
Robbers if the Men Will DO Their
Duty.
Muscogee,. /. T., Nov. 14-At Black
stone, five miles north of Muskogee. last
night at 9:45 o'clock, a north bound pas
senger train on the Missouri Kansas and
Texas railway was held up by the Cook
gang and all. the messengers were robbed
of everything of value on their persons.
The train was heavily guarded by United
states marshals, but Bill Cook and Cher
okee Bill, with their fifteen men, forced
them to contribute all their guns money
and watches to the good of the plunder-
ers' cause. An express messenger saw
the gang before they reached the ex-
press car and put out the lights and
locked the doors An effort was made
10 break in the door, but it did not sue
coed. A company of men is being or
ganized and will pursue the robbers.
Many women and children were on the
train, but they were shown favors. Great
excitement was caused by the fiourishing
of Winchesters and six-shooters.
Muscogee, I. T., Nov. A. II 80 p. M
-Four United States marsnals were guard
ing the express car of the Missouri, Kansas
and Texas train, which was held up by
the Cook gang yesterday, but they were as
useless as lambs until the bandits had
disappeared. There were six marshals in
the coaches, but they contributed their
guns, money and jewelry without muir
muir Indian Agent Wisdom has wired
Secretary Smith for troops forthwith. L.
c. Perryman, chief of the Creek nation.
wired the United States attorney at Fort
Smith to place his marshals in the Chero-
kee nation, and that he would place sew
enty-fve Indian sheriffs in the Creek ma
ton at the nation's expense, and drive the
Cook gang out of the Creek nation, or
kill them. Agent Wisdom has wired all
his Indian police to report at the agency
at once. J. J. AIcAllister, United States
marshal for the Indian Territory, has lust
arrived, and is cooperating with Chief
Perryman Agent Wisdom, and the United
states attorps II sr the territory.s.A Marshal
MeAliistef has 200 deputies that he can
draw from, Agent Wisdom has Is Indian
police, and the Fort Smith court has
Is marshals. In all there are $50 men
subject to call to hunt the robbers.
Troops are not necessary if the
various officials will compel their men to
do their duty. 1t is the general opinion
that some of the deputy marshal are i'm
plicated in the hold-up, and that they
act as couriers for the gang. 1t is also
reported that two of the Indian police
would feel more at home with Bill Cook
and Cherokee Bin than they do with law
abiding men. Since the Arkansas Valley
train robbery, the gang has not been
twenty miles from Muscogee. 1t was
reported on the street not one hour ago
that four of the bandits were then on
the edge of this town and not one officer
would go to the house where they were
reported to be. Attorney General OIney
this place to rid the country of the rob-
bers by all the means in his power. The
bandits are now in hiding about ten miles
from Muscogee, assured that they will
not be molested. 1t is generally believed
that Muscogee has three citizens in the
gang and that they return to their homes
after the robbing is completed
WASHINGTON Nav A
Of Indian affairs to-day received the fol-
lowing telegram from Agent Wisdom:
Muskogee, I. T., Nov. IA, 1S94.--As / pre-
dicted would be the case the Cook gang,
estimated at fifteen strong held up the
horthbound train at 10 o'clock at Black
stone switch, a few miles north of this
place They robbed all the passengers,
getting considerable money and other
property. Nobody was killed The courts
are utterly powerless to protect us in
either life or property, and / see no end
70 the trouble, except the military inter
Nehe ! must again recommend that
troops be sent here at once. Please refer
ms matter to the honorable Secretary of
me Interior, and, II need be- to the Presi-
'eut' The utmost CONSERVATION prevails
ana people lawfully residing in the terri
NNiS o. tiAN merry VI AHt DdlulAS. IN
we last few days this gang has COM
hitted rape, murder, and every sort of
robbery and the state of affairs is a shame
and reproach to civilization"
me Secretary of War, upon the advice
OF me Attorney General, recently held
that he was not authorized 10 send troops
10 me territory and it is said by the inte-
lior department officers that Secretary
9tnith Is powerless In the matter.
me telegram, however, win be referred
W secretary Lamont so that he may UNI
uerstand the situation.