Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-11-10
EX-SENATOR CARMACK SHOT
TO DEATH IN STREET DUEL

Continued from Page One.)
screamed and scampered out of range
of the bullets. After Cooper had fired
his first shot at Carmack the latter
pulled his weapon and fired, hardly
taking aim, but still advancing toward
lis adversary. Cooper stood still as
the former senator walked toward him
and, raising his revolver. again took
careful and deliberate aim.
| Fire mt Same Time.
| Two shots rang out, both men firing
almost simultaneously. Carmack jerk
ed himself half way around convulsive-
ly, but kept to his feet and, facing his
adversary, appeared to be sighting for
another shot when Cooper raised his
revolver and fired a third time Car
mack crumpled up like a piece of pa.
per and dropped to the ground AS he
fell his revolver fell from his hands.
As his head struck the curb the bullet
that caused his death dropped from his
lips. 1t had entered at the neck and
had gone through the mouth.
Assailnnt Also Wounded.
AS Carmack dropped lifeless to the
pavement, young Cooper staggered
slightly and dropped on one knee. He
had been hit in the shoulder by Car
lmacks second bullet, but the wound
was slight. Colonel Cooper, who had
ldrawn his revolver early in the fight,
but did not fire because a woman
stood in his way. put his weapon in
his pocket and ran to the side of his
son.
Where are you struck, my SOM" he
cried, as he put his arm around the
young man.
Never mind me. father answered
Robin Cooper. II got him, all right
Every bullet 1 fired hit the mark.
got him"
| Taken to Hospital.
The father and son walked few
feet down Seventh avenue TO the of
fee of DIR. r. G. Fort. where the wound
in Robin Cooper's shoulder was exam.
ined and dressed. The doctor said
that the wound was very slight. but
later on young Cooper was carried to
a hospital, while Colonel Cooper was
taken to police headquarters He re.
fuses TO discuss the affray and has
! made no statement
Colonel Cooper is well known in
Nashville as newspaper man and pol
itician, having held executive positions
on newspapers in this city for several
years, while his son, Robin. is a prac-
ticing attorney.
The body of Mr.. Carmack was pre-
pared for burial and removed to the
home of Frank Lander, general man
ager of the Tennesseean.
Was SeIf-Made Man.
Senator Carmack was the son of a
professor in southern college, who
was also a minister of the Christian
church. His father died when the
son was years of age. His mother,
strong Christian woman, not gifted
in worldly goods. instilled in him a
love of study. He received, in addi-
ton to an academic education. only
what his mother could teach him and
what he read from the library left by
his father. He never entered college
but as he verged on manhood, studied
law and was admitted to the bar of
Tennessee in 1880, after working his
way through the Culleoka school in
Maury county.
Tired of the Law.
Law soon tired him. 1t was too
tame a profession for his vigorous
} young manhood, his fighting nature
He delighted in political discussion
and talked politics with a learning
and eloQuence, even in his teens
which amazed his superiors. In 1857
he was elected to the state legislature
and soon after, determined to be &
molder of public opinion, embarked
in journalism. He was strih ng edi
I torial writer and soon attracted wide
3 spread attention.
From then on until his tragic dealt
he always wrote and talked as h,
: spoke. he was one OF the recognized
: leaders of democracy, and in the dem
ocratic convention at ST. Louis IN 190t
was one of the dominant factors, ant
was mentioned at that time for tn,
vice presidential nomination, which
he did not seek.
Senator Carmack is survived by hi.
widow. who was Miss Elizabeth CODE,
Huntington, and one son. Edward
Ward Carmack Jr, who is IS years o
iage. Next door to the Carmack HON,
is the house which was occupied b,
James X. Polk when he was electe,
to the presidency of the United States