Brack Cornett (outlaw)
Encyclopedia
Brack Cornett was a prominent outlaw
born in Goliad County, Texas
, some time in the mid 19th Century.
He is most well known as a member of the Bill Whitley gang
(though it is today sometimes referred to as the Brack Cornett gang), primarily bank and train robbers, that operated in Texas in the 1880s. In 1888, Whitley, Cornett, and the gang robbed the bank in Cisco
, Texas, escaping with $25,000. Several days later they stopped an I&GN
train and stole $20,000.
That same year Cornett and the gang planned to rob a Southern Pacific
train out of Harwood, Texas, on September 22. U.S. Marshal John Rankin somehow received advance notice of the robbers' plans and hid himself, Deputy Duval West, and a number of Texas Rangers
on board the train. Just three miles outside of town, the gang stopped the train and attempted to rob it but were driven off by the lawmen. The gang was however later successful in robbing another train near Flatonia, Texas.
On September 25, 1888, in Floresville, Wilson County
, Texas, the gang was run to ground by a contingent of U.S. Marshals. There was a massive shootout in which Bill Whitley was killed and one other gang member taken prisoner. Cornett himself fled alone on horseback, managing to cross the state line into Arizona Territory
. He was nevertheless tracked down by Texas lawman Alfred Allee
and shot dead in a gun battle near the town of Frio.
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
born in Goliad County, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, some time in the mid 19th Century.
He is most well known as a member of the Bill Whitley gang
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
(though it is today sometimes referred to as the Brack Cornett gang), primarily bank and train robbers, that operated in Texas in the 1880s. In 1888, Whitley, Cornett, and the gang robbed the bank in Cisco
Cisco, Texas
Cisco is a city in Eastland County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,851 at the 2000 census.-History:Conrad Hilton started the Hilton Hotel chain with a single hotel bought in Cisco. Hilton came to Cisco to buy a bank, but the bank cost too much; so he purchased the Mobley Hotel in 1919...
, Texas, escaping with $25,000. Several days later they stopped an I&GN
International-Great Northern Railroad
The International – Great Northern Railroad was a railroad that operated in the U.S. state of Texas. It was created on September 30, 1873, when International Railroad and Houston and Great Northern Railroad merged....
train and stole $20,000.
That same year Cornett and the gang planned to rob a Southern Pacific
Southern Pacific Railroad
The Southern Pacific Transportation Company , earlier Southern Pacific Railroad and Southern Pacific Company, and usually simply called the Southern Pacific or Espee, was an American railroad....
train out of Harwood, Texas, on September 22. U.S. Marshal John Rankin somehow received advance notice of the robbers' plans and hid himself, Deputy Duval West, and a number of Texas Rangers
Texas Ranger Division
The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in Texas, and is based in Austin, Texas...
on board the train. Just three miles outside of town, the gang stopped the train and attempted to rob it but were driven off by the lawmen. The gang was however later successful in robbing another train near Flatonia, Texas.
On September 25, 1888, in Floresville, Wilson County
Wilson County, Texas
Wilson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 32,408. Its county seat is Floresville. The county is named after James Charles Wilson....
, Texas, the gang was run to ground by a contingent of U.S. Marshals. There was a massive shootout in which Bill Whitley was killed and one other gang member taken prisoner. Cornett himself fled alone on horseback, managing to cross the state line into Arizona Territory
Arizona Territory
The Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
. He was nevertheless tracked down by Texas lawman Alfred Allee
Alfred Allee
Alfred Y. Allee was an American lawman prominent in Texas in the late 19th century, with somewhat of a reputation for quick and casual violence, and for shooting prisoners after they had already surrendered.Allee became deputy sheriff of Karnes County, Texas, in 1882...
and shot dead in a gun battle near the town of Frio.