The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-05-16
A BREEZY LETTER
CooKsoN. IND. TER.


May 2, 1900
Editor Of the Wdtchnidn -" The old order
Is passing and the new arises" This is be-
ing fully exemplihed here, and the passing
of the old and the Introduction of the new
produces regular MOSAIC of incongruities.
The tribal organization of the Indian-hs
manners customs aud laws-laws formulate
cd ages and ages ago by his wise old men,
and rendered sacred to him iy their antiq-
uity, are fast being displaced by the man
ners, customs and laws of the pale face, and
as yet they are irksome to him.
lhe Cherokee treaty is being banded
back and forth among the Cherokee delega-
lion, the Dawes commission and the secre-
tary of the interior, very much in the style
u ball is tossed about by school boys in u
game OF "Lhree Cornered old cat" What
The result will be omnipotence alone can de-
teTmine, AZ the wisdom OF man IL often set
at uaught by the colossal Ignorance of con-
ditions existing here displayed in the legis-
lation enacted for the benefit ~ Of this ter
ritory.
This country is yet regarded as the para
disc of the outlaw and desperado, and as Of
fering refuge to all criminals and law
breakers. Time was when this was in a
measure true, and the whites who focked
o the Indian territory were like unto the
description given in the Bible of those Is
raelites who ranged themselves under the
banner OF David, the son Of Jesse, when he
this has passed away and the white-winged
angel OF peace and safety now spreads her
protecting wings over us.
The vast aj1rity of the old outlaws, who
gave this region its unenviabe reputation,
have passed over the divide. They gener-
ally died with their boots on, and the few
survivors are enjoying rest anu quietude
within the walls OF various eastern peni-
tentiaries Occasionally one returns to his
old haunts upon the expiration OF his sem
fence TO find the conditions changed, and
his old VOCATION gone. He is like unto a
stranger Ia strange land, and most likely
he emlgrates 10 Mexico to seek more con
genial surroundings. During the years
1S94-'95 Bill Cook, who died few months
since in the Albany, n. Y, pententiary,
whore he was serving forty-nve years sem
tence for train-robbery, imposed upon him
by Judge Parker, the famous hanging
judge" OF the Western Arkansas district,
was the prince of outlaws. He seemed a
combination OF English Robin Hood, Scotch
Rob Roy and Missouri Jesse James, and his
deeds and daring were chTonicled the
length and breadth of the land. He accom-.
plished what the Fort Smith chamber OF
commerce could not do--forced the railroad
company operatin.! between Fort Smith and
Coheeville, Kansas, to put ON day train
as 1t became unsafe for valuable express
matter, ana even passengers, to travel over
the route at night. His brother, Jim Cook,
was his chief assistant, and even excelled
him in dare devltry, fearlessness and reck-
lessness. Upon the capture and conviction
OF the gang, Jim Cook, on account of his
tender years, being yet under sixteen years
OF age, WAS let off with term in the reform
school. After serving out his sentence, he
returned to his old haunts, became addicted
to petty thievery, and was shot and killed 9
lew weeks since by negro from whom he
was attempting to steal bull-yearlin 6
Alas, how are the mighty fallenl