http://www.cooganresearchgroup.com/crg/index.htm

10 August 2011

COOGAN story 

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appearing in "Rocky Mountain News" [CO], 20 APR 1894, PAGE 5, 
COLUMN C:

YOUNG, BUT TOUGH

The Gavin-Coogan Gang Goes Out
on a Round Up and Commits a
Number of Robberies with the
Daring of Professionals.

Seven-year-old Ed Gavin, 11-year-old Ed Coogan and 9-year-old Harold
Gavin were arrested early yesterday morning by Officer Jim Anderson.
Each of these boys has a criminal record which any adult criminal
might take pride in.  For the last two months they have been 
repeatedly arrested, but the local justices have simply suggested
that they be spanked and sent home.

Yesterday the boys started out to "do up the town."  Because 
Proprietor Shaw of the Creamerie refused them a supper they smashed
his plate glass window.  They they robbed a harness shop on Blake
street.  Coogan cut his hand while trying to get through the window.
They then visited Evans & Littlefield's store on Market street, 
between Sixteenth and Seventeenth, securing but little plunder.  The
Hewitt Bros. candy factory was the next object of attack.  An entry
was effected through a broken window.  For an hour or so they 
revelled in sweets.  Next they visited Peterson's gun store on lower
Sixteenth street, again breaking a window to secure an entrace.
Merchant Policeman Russell heard the crash and called Officer 
Anderson.  Together they visited the store and after a tussle with
the prisoners, took them to the city jail.  Later they were turned
over to the county authorities.

Coogan, who is 11 years of age, is wanted for several offenses.  He
was never tried on the charge of breaking into Solomon's pawnshop.
It is said the pull the the Larimer street crowd worked to 
perfection and his release was secured by a liberal use of cold 
collateral.  The Gavin boys live with their mother at Fifth and
Delgany.  Their father is serving out a ten-year sentence for
burglary in Canon City.

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