The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 66, July 1962 - April, 1963 Page: 404

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

asked to stay several days with his family-that their youngest child
was sick and the family very much fatigued. Mr Cottrell said that he
had some business in the Indian Nation and wished them to stay
until he returned. That night they demeaned themselves as man and
wife, occupying the same room.
Cottrell left the next morning. During the day, Mrs. Hawley took
from her trunk a likeness of Dr Cottrell and asked one of the children
if she [did] not love her good Papa. The lady of the house remarked
that none of the children favored their father.
Mrs Hawley replied that the Doctor was not the father of the chil-
dren; that she was a widow, and the Doctor a widower; that her hus-
band died in California and the Doctor's wife died in Missouri, and
moved to Texas at the beginning of the war; and they were married
about three months previous to that time. She said that as soon as
times would permit, they intended to go to Missouri. All the children
called Cottrell their good Papa. The Doctor did not return. I know
the family who related this to me to be highly respectable and their
statements worthy of credit. [signed] John T. Gilmore
Sworn to and subscribed before the undersigned authority, this igth
day of October 1862, at office in Gainesville Texas
Lemuel Gooding
Clk C C. C. C.
This story of Cottrell and his wayward paramour was an in-
genious fabrication, a lie from beginning to end. Cottrell had a
wife in Cook [sic] County and Mrs Hawley a husband in the North.
Cottrell only went to Red River to take observations and ascer-
tain, if possible, the most eligible point for crossing the river and
escaping detection. In this undertaking he was discovered and
arrested; and consequently never had an opportunity to return
to his family.
William McCool," who was hung with Johnson and Cottrell,
was the son-in-law of Henry Fields, who was hung early after the
organization of the Court.
Mrs. McCool, the daughter of Fields, is a lady much esteemed
for her modesty, beauty and virtuous refinement. She was attached
to her husband by the strongest ties of affection. But a short time
previous she had secretly abandoned her father's roof, to join
her destiny to her bold and determined lover. How sad and
"William A. McCool enlisted in Captain W. C. Twitty's company of volunteers at
Gainesville on May 2$, 1861. Ibid.

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