The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-01-13
COOPER CASE is
WITHOUT PARALLEL
Death Warrant Issued Three Times and Revoked Great
Public Feeling Against. Condemned Man-Hs-
tory of One of the Most Celebrated
Cases in the History of the
State of Florida.
State of Florida.

jury who refused to testify
because he feared personal vio-
lence if he should . tell he
knew. In letter to the attorney for
the condemned man this witness says:
Il do not think it possible to convict
the parties concerned in the murder
of Bowman-as the facts are so close
ly guarded that it would be impossi
bic for any detective to get the evi-
dence necessary TO satisfy the court
or Governor-he will fall in with the
parties with personal interest just as
they have done in the past"
While some are doubling the author
ity of the states chief executive &c
revoke a death warrant, or to fail tc
issue one when directed by the courts
it is well enough to consider that per
haps the chief executive may have
convincing calls from the human side
as well as the sterner demands of the
law.
With such letters as that of the wit
ness alluded to and with anonymous
letters asserting that an innocent man
has been convicted what would be
the decision of the average man in
the case? 1t is little wonder, there
fore, that the Cooper case has dragged
out a stretch of four years with the
death of the town marshal of Punta
GOrda yet unpublished save by the in
generation of the convict. And yet
is he six times punished-once for
his wife and once for each of his mis-
cradle brood. The photograph was
taken inside the jail There is no
trace of penitence or of sorrow or
suffering marked on his features.
There is only the bold defiance of an
uncouth nature Lines of care mark
the face of the wife which speaks
plainly of shallowness and ignorance
and fails to elicit sympathy. The
children are but the usual product of
such parents There is nothing re-
maTkable about them The family
group is just such as may be seen at
the gallery of any country photogra-
pher. 1t was probably taken just pre-
vious TO the date set for Cooper's ex-
ecution, and will be handed down I'M
doubtedly as an heirloom.
Cooper was a carpenter employed
by the day He was poor, ignorant
and ordinary, and the testimony rath-
er goes to prove that he was not
good citizen.
He was convicted in March, 1908,
and Governor Jennings issued war
rant for his death June %, 1904, to
be hanged August 8. 1904.
Governor BreYard issued the Sec
ond warrant July 25, 1905, to be exc
cuted September 1, 1905, and the
third warrant was issued January 9,
1906, to be executed February %,
1906.
If Cooper is guilty he owes much to
his guardian angel for the circum-
stances Of having stood three times
in the shadow of the gallows and
thrice having been snatched away.
True he is still the convicted assas-
sin of Marshal Bowman, but as the
days pass there can be no doubt that
the probability of his execution grows
less. How shall the ends of justice
be gained by hanging him when there
is the word of at least one and prob
ably others that he was not the muir
derer and the belief of many that he
was the scapegoat of a conspiracy?
The facts appear vague in fixing
a motive for the crime Cooper's at
titude for Bowman was not friendly. 1t
was intimated that Cooper had given
Bowman trouble on occasions when
he was drinking But this was all.
Certainly no ground for murderous
motive
The case has been clearly up to the
governor for action. The Board of
Pardons has held hands of. The
governor has shown his uncertainty
as to what should be done. Yet such
matters are of the utmost importance
in their moral effect, and should have I!
prompt and careful attention. Some |
disposition should be made of the |
Cooper case before the date which |
marks the close of the fourth year
since the killing of Punta Gorda's |
town marshal The rabble cries |
Hang him, hang HIM" But it is |
not likely that he will be hanged. |
The delay has probably done this |
much for cause or right and humani- |
ty. There is reason to believe that |
Cooper alone was not guilty of Bow
mans murder; there is room for the |
belief that he is innocent, and no man |
could wish another hanged If he is |
not guilty of the crime which begets |
that penalty