St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1895-03-30

States deputy marshal for some time,
performing the duties OF that office
along the Texas line, and AT the recent
election was chosen sheriff of Chaves
county. When Perry caught his man
the force at his command consisted OF
but few aids, and for this reason he
is now hailed as the hero of the day
throughout Oklahoma, in which terri
tory Bill Cook will receive his trial.
Bill Cook was the Rinaldo Rinaldini
of fin de steele brigands. Many of his
little acts remind one OF the gracious
courtesy of the italian highwayman
par excellence. But the most roman
tie feature OF his criminal career-and
one that viii appeal with great force
to the sentimentally inclined-is Its be-
ginning. If current reports can be be-
lieved, tho noted train robber was,
once upon a time, a really useful MEM
Der of society. His father was poor
but honorable farmer. His mother, .
half-breed Cherokee, his biographers
describe rs good woman.
Bill, one of three sons, grew up amid
scenes calculated to dry up the milk Of
human kindness in anybody's veins
Nevertheless he behaved himself pretty
well until few years ago, when he
WAS a cowboy in the Creek nation. He
was noted among his rough companions
rs q daring horseman, 'dcad-sure
shot" and an all-around good fellow.
Dne day Bill and some OF his compan-
ions visited the town Of Sapulpa. On
the way back to their pasture grounds
the cowpunchers stopped at the shack
of ranchman named Pittman. In an
swer to their hallos a pretty, blaclS-eyed
damsel came to the door and bade them
enter the house. Bill was the only one
to accept the invitation. He tried the
patience Of his companions by tarrying
much longer than seemed necessary.
They had no idea that Cupid had fired
one Of his famous darts and had struck
the hearts OF gallant Dill Cook and
charming Martha Pittman. The happy
pair made love in the good old way; but
Bill, being forehanded fellow, thought
it would be wise to save money for the
building Of cozy nest, and in this
good intention was encouraged by the
girl.
Now cowpunching, although o very
healthy. is not very lucrative occupa-
ton, and Cook became whisky SNUG
gler. For awhile he made lots OF
money, but one day fell into the
| clutches of detachment of revenue
officers and was sent to the jail at Fort
Smith for six months. At the expira-
ton Of his term, fully determined to
once more become law-abiding It'll
zen, he enlisted under United States
Deputy Marshal Smith rs posseman
| and soon became noted for his reckless
bravery. He knew every haunt OF the
outlaws in the Indian country and ad-
joining territory. and his fearless
pursuit Of evildoers restored tranquil
| fty in many localities where safety Of
property had been unknown for de-
| cades-
Having accomplished SO much for the
public good Bill Cook presented himself
at the house Of Martha Pittman's father
and asked the old gentleman for the
girls hand. Instead Of receiving the
polite reply which he had expected the
suitor was informed that Martha Pitt
man should never become the wife OF q
iailbird- To make . bad thing worse
the lovesicA Bill was ordered from the
house and told never to show his face
again in the vicinity Of the Pittman
habitatioa. Little Martha didn't like
the way in which her lover was being
treated and declared boldly and en-
phatically that she would marry hin
clandcstinely But to this proposition
Bill turned deaf ear. NO." he said,
II will marry you openly and above
board, with the old mans blessing
thrown In, or III 60 on tho warpath and
put the whole Cherokee strip on the
ron the point Of my Winchester"
Bill Cooks word was - good - hi
bond He went into the mountains and
orkanised . tough = hand of outlaws
- ever disgraced American civilization.
He tes1uEissd not only individuals but
mHlyo q it, a 1het u beoon1