Bloomington (IN) Evening World, Feb 3, 1899, p. 1.
WHITE CAPS AT WORK
After Second Effort Man Taken from Bed and Whipped
Greene County, not to be outdone in whitecapping outrages, now comes
forward with a first-class job that was performed on Monday night. Sherman
Cox, a farmer residing between Stanford and Ciincinnati, was the
victim. Thereby clings an interesting story.
Cox is about 35 years old and is a man of family. 'Tis said his reputation
as a hard-working, industrious man is not the best in this particular
neighborhood, and also that his domestic happiness has been marred on
several occasions. About 3 years ago a gang of men organized and set a
time when they would mete out to Cox a sample of home rule. They were to
congregate in a deserted log cabin. By some hook or crook Cox learned of
their intended visit, and arming himself with a formidable horse pistol, he
awaited until 9 or 10 or the regulators had entered the old log cabin. He
noiselessly approached and throwing open the door, sprung into the very
midst of the startled whitecaps. "Hands up you cowardly curs!" commanded
Cox as he brought his gun to bear on the crowd. Like a twinkling, 9 pair
of brawny hands shot high into the air. "Now then, forward march," again
comanded Cox, and silently the gang walked out in single file after having
been ordered to toss aside all weapons. When he reached the open air with
his captives, Cox warned them never to attempt to molest him "cause if iyou
do, it means bullets for some of you." He allowed one man at a time to
depart from the scene and when one had disappeared, another was ordered to
take up the march.
Monday night the regulators used more precaution and took Cox unaware from
his bed out in the cold night air, robed only in his night clothes, and
gave him an unmerciful whipping, warning him to mend his way and change his
manner of living, provide for his family and lead a more virtuous
life. "This is for general cussedness," remarked the leader as he took a
swipe at Cox with the soft side of a hickory switch. There will probably
be trouble over the whipping for Cox is said to be a vindictive man, and he
has reason to believe that he knows some of the party.