Lou Cooley
Encyclopedia
Lou Cooley was a cowboy
, and alleged gunfighter who took part in the Earp
-Clanton
feud in Tombstone, AZ from 1880-1882.
. In fact, there are no known gunfights involving Cooley. The one confirmed fact is that he was one of the suspects in the death of Johnny Ringo
. Cooley was reputedly one of the few men who did not fear Ringo, or anyone else, and had the skills necessary to survive a confrontation with him. At least that is the legend as it is told. But in reality, few feared Johnny Ringo. Though he had a fearsome temper, Ringo never killed anyone aside from unarmed men, a fact since confirmed by historian
s. Cooley was alleged to have been good with a gun, and this came from reliable sources, however there is nothing to indicate he ever actually put those skills to work.
It was suggested that a posse
led by Wyatt Earp
located Ringo, who spotted them and grabbed his guns to run for a canyon. Cooley shot him as he ran with a rifle. Another theory was that Cooley killed him one on one. Neither version can be proven. It is confirmed that he supported the Earp faction, but he has never been mentioned as having taken active part in the Earp Vendetta Ride
. He is believed to have helped fund the ride, and he is believed to have been employed as a stage coach driver for Wells Fargo
at the time.
Although his personal exploits have no written proof, Cooley was a friend to Wyatt Earp, as well as Doc Holliday
. Cooley was also a close friend of Virgil Earp
. It is widely known that Lou Cooley sided against the "Cowboys" with Virgil Earp at a time when the confrontation between the Earps and Clantons reached a boiling point, but there are no documented accounts of him having any clashes with any of the Clanton clan, or the "Cowboys". He did have a reputation of being fast with a gun, and an excellent shot. Morgan Earp
, another friend of Cooley's, reported that he could shoot a silver dollar out of a person's hand before they could slap their hands together.
It has been suggested that it was Lou Cooley that shot and killedIke Clanton
in Mexico
, and he supposedly did so to end more backshooting from the cowboys against the Earps—at that point both Morgan and Virgil had been ambushed. However, that was a complete fabrication, since Ike Clanton's death was a well documented event, with him having been killed by Detective
Jonas V. Brighton in Springerville, Arizona
. In fact, there are no documented facts confirming Cooley having ever been involved in any gunfight.
Cooley has at times been confused with lawman/outlaw Scott Cooley
, but the two are not the same. Lou Cooley disappeared from public view after the end of the Earp-Clanton fighting, and evidently resumed a normal life. It is recorded that he died in Oak Hill, Tennessee
at the age of 93 and is buried outside of Nashville
. His family still resides there today.
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
, and alleged gunfighter who took part in the Earp
Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an American gambler, investor, and law enforcement officer who served in several Western frontier towns. He was also at different times a farmer, teamster, bouncer, saloon-keeper, miner and boxing referee. However, he was never a drover or cowboy. He is most well known...
-Clanton
Ike Clanton
Joseph Isaac Clanton was born in Callaway County, Missouri. He is best known for being a member of group of outlaw Cowboys that had ongoing conflicts with lawmen Wyatt, Virgil, Morgan Earp and Wyatt's friend Doc Holliday. The Clantons repeatedly threatened the Earps because they interfered with...
feud in Tombstone, AZ from 1880-1882.
Biography
Cooley's reputation as a gunfighter is mostly hearsayHearsay
Hearsay is information gathered by one person from another person concerning some event, condition, or thing of which the first person had no direct experience. When submitted as evidence, such statements are called hearsay evidence. As a legal term, "hearsay" can also have the narrower meaning of...
. In fact, there are no known gunfights involving Cooley. The one confirmed fact is that he was one of the suspects in the death of Johnny Ringo
Johnny Ringo
John Peters "Johnny" Ringo was an outlaw Cowboy of the American Old West who was affiliated with Ike Clanton and Frank Stilwell in Cochise County, Arizona Territory during 1881-1882.-Early life:...
. Cooley was reputedly one of the few men who did not fear Ringo, or anyone else, and had the skills necessary to survive a confrontation with him. At least that is the legend as it is told. But in reality, few feared Johnny Ringo. Though he had a fearsome temper, Ringo never killed anyone aside from unarmed men, a fact since confirmed by historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
s. Cooley was alleged to have been good with a gun, and this came from reliable sources, however there is nothing to indicate he ever actually put those skills to work.
It was suggested that a posse
Posse comitatus (common law)
Posse comitatus or sheriff's posse is the common-law or statute law authority of a county sheriff or other law officer to conscript any able-bodied males to assist him in keeping the peace or to pursue and arrest a felon, similar to the concept of the "hue and cry"...
led by Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Earp
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was an American gambler, investor, and law enforcement officer who served in several Western frontier towns. He was also at different times a farmer, teamster, bouncer, saloon-keeper, miner and boxing referee. However, he was never a drover or cowboy. He is most well known...
located Ringo, who spotted them and grabbed his guns to run for a canyon. Cooley shot him as he ran with a rifle. Another theory was that Cooley killed him one on one. Neither version can be proven. It is confirmed that he supported the Earp faction, but he has never been mentioned as having taken active part in the Earp Vendetta Ride
Earp vendetta ride
The Earp Vendetta Ride, lasting from March 20 to April 15, 1882, was a manhunt for outlaw Cowboys led by newly appointed Deputy U.S. Marshal Wyatt Earp. He was searching for men he held responsible for maiming his brother Virgil, the Tombstone Marshal and Deputy U.S. Marshal, and assassinating his...
. He is believed to have helped fund the ride, and he is believed to have been employed as a stage coach driver for Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational diversified financial services company with operations around the world. Wells Fargo is the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by assets and the largest bank by market capitalization. Wells Fargo is the second largest bank in deposits, home...
at the time.
Although his personal exploits have no written proof, Cooley was a friend to Wyatt Earp, as well as Doc Holliday
Doc Holliday
John Henry "Doc" Holliday was an American gambler, gunfighter and dentist of the American Old West, who is usually remembered for his friendship with Wyatt Earp and his involvement in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral...
. Cooley was also a close friend of Virgil Earp
Virgil Earp
Virgil Walter Earp fought in the Civil War. He was U.S. Deputy Marshal for south-eastern Arizona and Tombstone City Marshal at the time of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in the Arizona Territory. Two months after the shootout in Tombstone, outlaw Cowboys ambushed Virgil on the streets of...
. It is widely known that Lou Cooley sided against the "Cowboys" with Virgil Earp at a time when the confrontation between the Earps and Clantons reached a boiling point, but there are no documented accounts of him having any clashes with any of the Clanton clan, or the "Cowboys". He did have a reputation of being fast with a gun, and an excellent shot. Morgan Earp
Morgan Earp
Morgan Seth Earp was the younger brother of Deputy U.S. Marshals Virgil and Wyatt Earp. Morgan was a deputy of Virgil's and all three men were the target of repeated death threats made by outlaw Cowboys who were upset by the Earps' interference in their illegal activities. This conflict eventually...
, another friend of Cooley's, reported that he could shoot a silver dollar out of a person's hand before they could slap their hands together.
It has been suggested that it was Lou Cooley that shot and killedIke Clanton
Ike Clanton
Joseph Isaac Clanton was born in Callaway County, Missouri. He is best known for being a member of group of outlaw Cowboys that had ongoing conflicts with lawmen Wyatt, Virgil, Morgan Earp and Wyatt's friend Doc Holliday. The Clantons repeatedly threatened the Earps because they interfered with...
in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and he supposedly did so to end more backshooting from the cowboys against the Earps—at that point both Morgan and Virgil had been ambushed. However, that was a complete fabrication, since Ike Clanton's death was a well documented event, with him having been killed by Detective
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
Jonas V. Brighton in Springerville, Arizona
Springerville, Arizona
Springerville is a town in Apache County, Arizona, United States within the White Mountains. Its postal ZIP code is 85938. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 1,956.Springerville sits at an elevation of 6,974 feet...
. In fact, there are no documented facts confirming Cooley having ever been involved in any gunfight.
Cooley has at times been confused with lawman/outlaw Scott Cooley
Scott Cooley
Scott Cooley was an Old West Texas Ranger and later outlaw, best known for his association with gunman Johnny Ringo.-Biography:Cooley was born in Texas, and was unofficially adopted as a boy and raised by rancher Tim Williamson...
, but the two are not the same. Lou Cooley disappeared from public view after the end of the Earp-Clanton fighting, and evidently resumed a normal life. It is recorded that he died in Oak Hill, Tennessee
Oak Hill, Tennessee
Oak Hill is a city in Davidson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 4,493 at the 2000 census. The Tennessee governor's mansion is located in the city...
at the age of 93 and is buried outside of Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. His family still resides there today.