This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RMurray99 Surnames: Cook Bagley Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.indiana/6451/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Cookport sure did have it's share of badguys. This one ties to Blanche Bagley, mentioned in yesterdays posting as wife of George Gromley. 1 Mar 1911 - Indiana Progress - CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING FOURTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL - Jesse Cook, of Cookport, Jailed On Serious Charge Made by Girl's Mother. Jesse Cook, of Cookport ,is prisoner in the county jail charged with assaulting Blanche Bagley, the fourteen-year-old daughter, of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bagley, of Cookport on January 17. It is alleged that while Blanche was on her way to the home of a neighbor, John E. Douglass, who lives on the Craig farm Cook stopped her and grasping her around the neck, forced her into the woods, where he is alleged to have accomplished his purpose. He is alleged to have told the girl he would poison her with Carbolic acid and laudanum if she told what had occurred. A month after the alleged assault Mrs. Bagley got the story of the crime from her daughter and had a warrant issued for Cook's arrest. It was placed in the hands of Constable J. B. Reed, of Lovejoy, who secured his man on Wednesday. Cook, who had been working on a sawmill near Richmond, left on Tuesday for Cresson, Constable Reed got wind of the move and notified Cresson officials to be on the lookout for him. They did. so and Cook was arrested as he got off the train. He was brought here and taken to Cookport Thursday, where he was held for court without bail on a charge of rape at a hearing before 'Squire W. M. Munshower. Cook was returned to jail Thursday evening. 15 Mar 1911 - Indiana County Gazette - JESSE COOK GUILTY OF SERIOUS OFFENCE - Jury Returned Verdict of Statutory Rape Against Green Township Man Today - The next case called was one of the most sensational that has been heard in the local courts for a long time. This was the case of the Commonwealth vs. Jesse Cook charged with rape on the person of Blanche Bagley, a 14-years-old girl of Green township, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bagley. The girl had been visiting at the J.C. Douglass farm and was returning home when the alleged assault occurred. This was on the 17th of January. The girl told no one of the assault until a month later, when she confessed to her mother, who at once made information against Cook before 'Squire W. M. Munshower, of Lovejoy. Cook was arrested at Cresson and was taken to Lovejoy and given a hearing, being held for court. Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Douglass and their son, Willie, together with the parents of the girl, were the witnesses for,the Commonwealth. A man with whom Cook associated at various times appeared for him, but his testimony was not important. Cook took the stand in,his own defense and told a disgusting story, which only served to heighten his crime in the eyes of the court and the jury. The case was concluded,except for the arguments of the attorneys, Monday night. Tuesday morning the arguments in the case were heard, Attorneys Fee and Brownlee having been appointed by the court to defend Cook. The court charged the jury in no uncertain terms, showing plainly what his opinion of the offenses was. The jury deliberated about three hours on the case, returning a, first degree verdict of statuary rape. Note: Cook was sentenced to three years in prison. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.