[8] Clampitt, Coyle, and Hammer agreed to forfeit their claim in favor of a portion of the property if Cook lost his bid.

Mr. Cook left Enid, put his house up for mortgage in order to pay the dispute's legal fees.

[5] He soon became ill with pneumonia, and came back to Enid, only to find his house demolished and his land overtaken by the squatters.

[9] As a result of his leaving town, the Department of the Interior judged that Cook had abandoned his claim, and the Jonesville party won.

[10] In 1898, at the age of 26, Cook became a Rough Rider in Cuba, as part of troop D.[5][9][11][12] He toured with a wild west show, married, had children, and opened a steakhouse.