The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-11-13
EX-SENATOR C0RMACK
SLAIN IN THE STREET
KILLED BY ROBIN COOPER, SON
OF A POLITICAL ADVERSARY
Editorial Attacks Cause of Shooting
Brilliant Tennesseean Perishes
in Pistol Battle on Seventh
Avenue, Nashville.

Nashville, Tenn, Nov. 9.-As a Sc
queI to the recent bitterly contested
Democratic primary for the guberna-
torial nomination in Tennessee, Hon.
Edward Ward Carmack, former Unit
ed States senator from Tennessee,
was shot and killed in a street duel
here this afternoon by Robin Cooper,
Il Young attorney Young Cooper was
wounded in the shoulder by bullet
from Carmack's revolver and is to-
night under police surveillance in a
local hospital. His condition is not
serious.
Carmack was wounded three times,
in the neck. the breast and the left
shoulder. COL Duncan B. Cooper,
father Of the young man, was with
his son during the affray, but did mot
fire a shot. It is said he stood by
with pistol in hand. He is detained
tonight at police headquarters.
The direct cause Of the killing is a
recent series Of editorials in the Ten
neSseean, daily paper of which Mr..
Carmack became editor after his de-
! feat for the nomination for governor.
The editorials in question had been
vigorous in their comment on Col.
Cooper and his alleged connection
with what Mr.. Carmack termed the
democratic machine" and its
methods. Col. Cooper, who is we'll
known in business, newspaper and
political circles in Tennessee. it is
said had notified Mr.. Carmack that
the references to him must cease.
Another such editorial appeared this
morning.
Close and Deadly Combat.
The men fought at close quarters
and there were but few witnesses. 1t
was past + o'clock in the dusk Of the
afternoon. They met on Seventh
avenue, north, directly in front of
the Polk flats. fashionable depart
mert house. Mr. Carmack had just
lifted his hat to Mrs. Charles Fl.
Eastman, a friend, who was passing.
In moment the firing began and
Mrs. Eastman was a mortified witness
at close range. So close was she
that one Of the CooperS is said t.
have charged Carmack with being a
coward and hiding behind woman.
Cooper's friends charge that Car
mack fired the first shot, but the
dead mans friends stoutly protest
that his opponent was the first to
shoot.
The tragedy created the most m
tense excitement throughout the cit!
and within short time the streets
in The neighborhood were throngea.
\ statement issued by friends OF
the Coopers tonight says that Coz.
Cooper had recently talked with E.
A. Craig Of Chattanooga, close
friend Of Mr.. Carmack, regarding
The Tennesseean editorials. Cet
Cooper had told Craig, the statement
says. that he wanted the references
to himself stopped, that he was a
private citizen and Carmack had HI
right to discuss his affairs III the
manner he had adopted. Mr.. Craig,
it is said, saw Mr.. Carmack about the
matter and reported that Carmack
would consent to no relations with
Cooper. Mr.. Craig, however. is said
to have expressed the opinion thai
the editorial references would cease.
Cooper had letter which he desired
to send Carmach-. but friends advised
against it and urged him to take no
enotice of the editorial this morning.
Shortly after this conversatlol "f
Cooper and his friends, the former
was requested, the statement says, by
Gov. Patterson to come to the execu.
tive mansion, which is on Seventh
avenue. north. for consultation on
matter not connected with Carmack
and to bring with him Austin Peal.
chairman Of the Democratic State
committee.
Advised to Avoid Meeting.
After the appointment was made.
continues the statement. James c.
Bradford and Gen. Tilley Brown
again referred to the Carmack mat
ter and advised Col. Cooper not to