The Washington times., 1908-11-10
DelveS Into Politics, Makes
and Loses Fortunes in
Other Ventures.
OWNS NEWSPAPER
AND YIELDS POWER
Once Had Alteration With An.
drew Johnson, Who Backed
Him Down.

love, politics and position. riches and
misfortune, travel and the fascination
b OF home. all have had their kaleido-
scopic turn.
He has been a dreamer as we'll as
man of affairs, He has lost, perhaps, a
dozen fortunes in business investments.
I'm which he risked all TO gain all He
has mined and built railroads under
many flags. returning again TO take part
iH shaping the political Gestinies OF Ten
nessee. OF distinguished family. he has
been intimate with Presidents and those
in high officialdomi he has been a wei
come guest anywhere because of his
ready wit, his courtly manner, and mis-
conversational powers.
In Public Life.
He was born in Tennessee sixty-1ve
years ago, and has been in public life
since early manhood. Much of this
time has been spent in Washington, for
Colonel Cooper stood well with the
powers curing the Administrations OF
Grant ana Hayes. In those days he
made considerable money in Govern
ment contract work.
In the face Of last nights tragedy an
other episode is recalled by those who
have known Colonel Cooper; an episode
that at the time was feared would end
ia trouble, and perhaps result in in
jury to a former President OF the
United States.
After Andrew Johnson's retirement
from the White House in 1868 he had
an ambition 10 come TO the United
States Senate. He was opposed in the
Legislature by Gen. B. Frank Cheat
ham Henry Cooper, a brother of
Colonel Cooper. was In the State sen
ate; Edmund Cooper, another brother,
was in the lower house. The latter had
been Johnson's private secretary.
One vote would have decided the fight
between Andrew Johnson and Cheat
ham. Edmund Cooper declared he was
for Johnson over any other man except
his brother. WhereupOu, the anti
Johnson men took the cue. went over
10 Henry Cooper a dark horse he re
celVed his brothers vote, and was
elected.
Denounces Cooper,
Andrew Johnson took the stump and
denounced the Cooper brothers as
traitors and full Of ingratitude.
The story goes that Col. Duncan B.
Cooper announced that even though
Johnson had been President of the
United States. he would not repeat those
charges in Maury county. OF which CO.
tumbia was county seat. No sooner had
johnson heard OF this than he went to
Columbia. The courthouse being oC-
cupIed by another political gathering.
he is said to have mounted a box out
IN front. directly under the window
which Cooper then occupied as clerk
and master OF the court.
Johnson proclaimed boldly that he
had been warned not to repeat certain
statements about Edmund Cooper In
MauTy county, lie repeated them, and
Ihen, looking up at the window where
colonel Cooper sat- he shouted:
These eyes have not beheld the man
that this heart fears"
Everyone expected trouble, but CoOper
made no demonstration. the tense situa-
Jion gradually giving way TO a feeling
of surprise.
Enlists as Private.
Duncan Brown Cooper began his ca
reer by enlisting as private IN the
Confederate ranks when a young man.
He rose to the command Of a battalion
Of cavalry, ranking as lieutenant
colonel. Edmund Cooper was private
secretary 10 President Johnson after the
war ended another brother. William
cooper was chief justice Of the supreme
court Of Tennessee, and another brother.
Demo-
cratic leader in the State
Duncan b. Cooper married the daugh-
Ter or Judge William Fleming chan
ceIlOr at Columbia Tenn and Cooper
was appointed by Judge Fleming as
clerk ana master or the court.
Early IN the EOS Colonel Cooper en-
gagged IN mining in Mexico. Senator
cooper went to visit him. and was way
laid and killed by highwaymen en-
Shortly after this Col. Cooper came to
W ashlnB I0n, where he entered the general
contracting business, gaining favor with
the Hayes and Grant administrations
II was he who undertook the task of re-
placing the foundation under the Wash
mgtOn ManumenL done under the SUI
PetNlslon d the army engineers. The
Monument had been left incomplete, and
Wuen Congress finally appropriated
money for its completion, il was neCes-
sary 10 strengthen the foundations and
twist the whole structure about.
Another project accomplished by Col
onel Cooper in Washington was the con
struction Of the large Fifteenth street
sewer running near the Treasury build |
ing.
Under Many Flags.
Many flags have fioated above Colonel |
Cooper IN his mining and business ven
lures He has built railroads and pros |
pected IN Honduras, and a number of /
other Latin-Americau states. winning
and losing fortunes.
Returning al different periods to enter |
the political field in his own State. he /
has owned and edited the Nashville |
American at two different times and /
has always welded an immense amount /
OF influence in Tennessee politics. al ]
though never having been elected TO
any oftice with the exception of a term
as State senator.
Two years ago he returned to Ten
nessee 10 manage PatJersOn's campaign /
for governor. Before this he would I
nearly always be found in the lobby of /
The Hoffman House. New York. or the
New Willard. He was a man of wide |
knowledge. q rare COnVersationaUst
and was the leader Of the noted Hoff-
man House set. which made the place
famous as rendezvous for wits.
White House Visitor.
He spent the spring Two years ago in
Washington, and was a frequent caller
at the White House, Colonel Cooper
was a lifelong friend OF Van Lee Polk.
who was an intimate friend OF President
Roosevelt They were both at the
White House frequently while the Pan
anna canal was under discussion.
Robin Cooper, who was with his
father when the two met Senator Car