“We request you to leave the matter of military law in this county in the hands of Major General Cook. It is for the best interest of all concerned.
“JAMES T. BLACK,
“Secretary pro tem.
“P. J. LAWLESS,
“TIM GOODWIN,
“JOHN CRELLY,
“Vice Presidents, Union.”
Thus was the danger averted. Dave Cook’s cool head and strong determination had prevented the riot, and ruin, and bloodshed that must certainly have followed the lynching of the strike leaders by the infuriated citizens’ committee. He had won the respect of all classes, and the Miners’ Union, seeing that their cause was already lost, appealed to him to devise some means of settling the strike. He consented, and in a few hours had arranged a conference between the miners and their employers, at which their differences were satisfactorily adjusted, and the great strike was over.
When Gen. Cook was first appointed to the command of the military forces around Leadville, a local paper, the Carbonate Chronicle, said, editorially:
“The man whom Gov. Pitkin has selected to take command of the state forces in this county during the reign of martial law, needs no introduction to any Coloradoan. Sheriff of the capital county for years, he became the best known and most prominent official in the state by reason of his able administration of his duties, his wonderful detective achievements, and the fact that his arrests were made in every quarter. For the past ten or fifteen years criminals have felt that if Dave Cook was on their trail their escape was hopeless and their fears have proven well founded.
“As an executive officer, Gen. Cook possesses the highest ability. His iron will, level head and perfect coolness mark him as the one man for chief in this emergency. No matter where you see him—at table, desk, on promenade, in the saddle, confronting Utes or criminals—he is the same calm, quiet, nervy man.
“The memorable ride over the range into Middle Park, and prompt action in the Ute campaign of last summer, have passed into history, and Gen. Cook will ever be remembered with deepest gratitude by the settlers whom he succored so quickly.
“Leadville may well congratulate herself that the presence of such a man has been secured in the commander’s saddle in this most trying and important ordeal.”
Subsequent events proved that the confidence of the people in Gen. Cook’s ability was not misplaced, and the prompt and decisive settlement of the troubles, added fresh laurels to his fame and that of the Rocky Mountain Detective Association.