Cook Gang – Terrorizing Indian Territory
The year was 1894. The landscape of the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole Nations, collectively known as Indian Territory, was about to be scarred by the brief but brutal reign of a group of outlaws known as the Cook Gang. Though their notoriety spanned less than a year, their actions resonated throughout the region, leaving a trail of robberies, violence, and death in their wake. This is the story of the Cook Gang, a band of men who etched their name into the annals of the Wild West.
The genesis of the Cook Gang’s terror can be traced back to a single, fateful event in the spring of 1894. Eighteen-year-old Cherokee Bill Goldsby, later to become a central figure in the gang’s operations, shot a man near Fort Gibson. Believing the man to be dead, Goldsby fled into the Creek and Seminole Nations, seeking refuge from the law. It was in this volatile environment that he encountered Jim and Bill Cook, two men who would significantly shape his future and the trajectory of the Cook Gang.
June 1894 marked a turning point. The trio found themselves confronted near Fourteen Mile Creek, close to Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Law enforcement officials arrived with a warrant for Jim Cook’s arrest. The encounter rapidly escalated into a deadly shootout. Cherokee Bill, quick on the draw, fatally shot lawman Sequoyah Houston. Jim Cook, caught in the crossfire, sustained severe wounds. Goldsby and Bill Cook managed to escape, taking the injured Jim with them towards Fort Gibson, but were ultimately forced to abandon him. Jim Cook was later apprehended by lawmen, leaving Cherokee Bill and Bill Cook to forge a new path.
Cherokee Bill, now a fugitive with blood on his hands, sought shelter at the home of his sister, Maud Brown. Her husband, George Brown, was known as a violent drunkard. One day, in a fit of rage, George began to brutally whip Maud for a perceived delay in responding to his commands. Witnessing this act of cruelty, Cherokee Bill intervened. He approached George from behind and fatally shot him, adding another layer of complexity to his already complicated situation.
Following the death of George Brown, Bill Cook and Cherokee Bill resolved to form a more structured outfit. They began recruiting members, primarily drawing from the ranks of black men with Indian blood. This core group formed the backbone of what would become the infamous Cook Gang. Beyond Cook and Goldsby, the gang’s ranks included Henry Munson, Curtis Dayson, nicknamed "Skeeter" Baldwin, Lon "Long" Gordon, Elmer "Chicken" Lucas, Ad Berryhill, William Farris, Jess Snyder, George Sanders, Jim French, and Sam "Verdigris Kid" McWilliams. This motley crew, driven by a combination of desperation, greed, and a disregard for the law, set out to make their mark on the region.
The early crimes of the Cook Gang were relatively minor, starting with accusations of whiskey charges and horse theft. However, their ambitions quickly grew, and they soon escalated to more serious offenses. Banks, stores, and stagecoaches became their primary targets. They operated with a ruthless efficiency, showing little regard for human life. Anyone who stood in their way was met with violence, often resulting in injury or death. The Cook Gang quickly earned a reputation for brutality and fear, effectively terrorizing the communities they preyed upon.
The summer of 1894 saw a flurry of criminal activity attributed to the Cook Gang. On July 14th, they held up a stagecoach, relieving its passengers of their valuables. Just two days later, they robbed a man named William Drew. On July 18th, the gang targeted the Frisco train at Red Fork. However, this particular heist proved less lucrative than anticipated. The express messenger, displaying remarkable presence of mind, managed to conceal the money behind some boxes, leaving the gang with a meager haul.
July 31, 1894, marked a significant escalation in the Cook Gang’s criminal activities. They robbed the Lincoln County Bank in Chandler, Oklahoma, making off with $500. However, the robbery was not without consequence. In the ensuing chaos, one person was killed, and several others were wounded. Furthermore, one of the gang members, Elmer Lucas, was shot and captured by authorities. The robbery at Chandler underscored the gang’s willingness to use violence to achieve their goals and highlighted the increasing risks they were taking.
The authorities were now in hot pursuit. On August 2, 1894, the Cook Gang found themselves surrounded at a friend’s home approximately 14 miles west of Sapulpa, Oklahoma. A fierce gun battle erupted. One of the lawmen was severely wounded. Two of the gang members, Lon Gordon and Henry Munson, were killed. Ad Berryhill was captured. The remaining members of the Cook Gang managed to escape, but the encounter demonstrated the growing pressure they were under.
Despite the setbacks, the Cook Gang remained undeterred. On September 21st, they robbed the J.A. Parkinson & Company store in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, successfully making off with over $600. The robbery demonstrated their continued ability to evade capture and their willingness to continue their criminal activities despite the increasing risks.
In October, the gang displayed a new level of audacity. On October 11th, they first robbed the depot of the Missouri Pacific Railroad in Claremore, Oklahoma. Less than two hours later, they robbed the railroad agent at Chouteau. This brazen double robbery demonstrated the Cook Gang’s growing confidence and their willingness to take on increasingly risky ventures.
Nine days later, they wrecked the Kansas City and Pacific Express five miles south of Wagoner, Oklahoma, seizing the loot. This act of train robbery further solidified their reputation as a dangerous and unpredictable force in the region.
November 8th brought tragedy to the town of Lenapah. Cherokee Bill, along with several other members of the gang, rode into town and robbed the Shufeldt and Son General Store. During the robbery, an innocent passerby named Ernest Melton, drawn by the commotion, peered inside the store to see what was happening. Cherokee Bill, without hesitation, raised his rifle and shot Melton in the head, killing him instantly. Shortly after the murder, U.S. Marshals received a tip about the outlaws’ hiding place. A raid ensued, resulting in the arrest of most of the gang members, including Bill Cook. However, Cherokee Bill managed to escape once again, solidifying his image as an elusive and dangerous outlaw.
Despite the capture of many of his associates, Cherokee Bill continued to evade the law. His final act as an outlaw occurred on December 31, 1894, when he single-handedly robbed the train station at Nowata, Oklahoma.
Cherokee Bill’s luck finally ran out on January 30, 1895. Driven by the lure of a $1,500 reward, acquaintances betrayed him, leading to his capture. He was subsequently delivered to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to await trial for murder. On February 26th, Cherokee Bill stood before Judge Parker, the infamous "Hanging Judge," was found guilty, and sentenced to death. Despite appealing the verdict, his conviction was upheld. On March 17, 1896, Cherokee Bill was hanged before a crowd of spectators, bringing an end to his short but violent life.
Bill Cook, the other namesake of the Cook Gang, met a less dramatic end. He died in prison on February 15, 1900. The Cook Gang, though short-lived, left an indelible mark on the history of Indian Territory. Their reign of terror, marked by violence and lawlessness, served as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in the Wild West and the enduring legacy of outlaws like Cherokee Bill and Bill Cook.