The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-10
CARMACKS DEATH IS
INSTANT TANEOUy WHILE
SLAYER IS BADLY HURT
Direct Cause of the Killing is the
Writing of Editorials by carmack
Criticisng the Acts of
Colonel Duncan B.
Cooper

Nashville, November 9.-As a sequel
to the recent bitter democratic primary
for the gubernatorial nomination in
Tennessee. Edward Ward Carmack, for
mer United States senator from Ten
nessce, was shot and killed in street
duel here this afternoon by Robin
Cooper, a young attorney. Young Coop
er was wounded in the shoulder by a.
bullet from Carmack's revolver, and Is
tonight under police surveillance in d
local hospital. His condition is not
serious.
Carmack was wounded three times
in the neck, breast and the left should
or. Col. Duncan B. Cooper. father of
the younger man, was with his son dur
ing the affray, but did not fire a shot,
1t is said he stood by with pistol in
hand. He is detained tonight at police
headquarters.
Cause of Killing.
The direct Cause of the killing is d
series of the editorials In the Tenne-
sean, daily paper of which Mr.. car
mack became editor after his defeat for
the nomination for governors., The edi-
torials in question had been vigorous
in their comment upon Colonel Cooper
and his alleged connection with what
Mr.. Carmack termed the democratic
machine" and its methods. Colonel
CeFpe4i who Is well known in business.
newspaper and political circles in Ten
nessee and the south, had it Is said
notified Mr.. Carmack that the refer
ences to him must cease Another such
editorial appeared this morning 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,
formerly Vine street, directly in front
of the Polk flats, fashionable apart
ment house. Mr.. Carmack had just
lifted his hat to Mrs. Charles Fl. East
moment the firing began, and Mrs.
Eastman was a horrified witness at
close range. So close was she that one
of the Coopers is said to have charged
carmack with being a coward and
hiding behind a woman. Coope's friends
charge that Carmack fired the first
shot, but the dead mans friends stout
ly protest that his opponent was the
first to shoot.
Great Excitement.
The tragedy created the most intense
excitement throughout the city and
within a short time the streets in the
neighbour ood were thronged.
statement issued by friends of the
Coopers tonight says that Colonel Cooper
had recently talked with e. A. Craig of
Chattanooga. a close friend of Mr.. Car
mack, regarding the Tennessean editorials.
Colonel Cooper had told Craig, the state
ment says, that he wanted the reference
to himself stopped, that he was a private
citizen and Carmack had no right to dis
cuss him in the manner he had adopted.
MIR. Craig, 1t is said. saw Mr.. Carmack
about the matter and reported that Car
mack would consent to no relations with
Cooper. Mr. Craig, however is said TO
have expressed the opinion that the edi-
torial references would cease.
Advised BY Friends.
Cooper had a letter which he desired
to send Carmack but friends advised
against it and urged him to take no no.
tice of the editorial of this morning
Shortly after this conversation of Cooper
and his friends the former was requested,
the statement says by Governor Patter-
son to come to the executive mansion.
which is Vine street, for consultation
of matter not connected with Carmack
and to bring with him Austin Peay, chair
man of the democratic state committee.
After the appointment was made, con-
H. e.4n tarxa To- ~
ana Gen. Tilley Brown again referred to
the Carmack matter and advised Colonel
Cooper not to go on the streets in such
directions as would make probable a
meeting with Mr.. Carmack. To this
Colonel Cooper assented He and his son,
Robin, then left the office to go to the
governors mansion. To avoid any pos
sible meeting with Mr.. Carmack they
went through the arcade and up through
Union street to Vine. Their purpose in
taking this route was to avoid a meet
ing on the streets.
Meeting With Carmack.
Colonel Cooper and his son went
through the arcade, through Summer,
then to Union and up Union to Vine
Turning into Vine, Colonel Cooper and
Vine street, going north on the west side
of the street. and in the direction of
Colonel Cooper and his son, though on
the opposite side of the street from them
Colonel Cooper thereupon said he would
go over and speak with Mr.. Carmack and
see if he would not agree to stop max
ing the annoying newspaper attacks on
him.
Colonel Cooper walked across the
street and approached Mr.. Carmack, who
was coming facing him at the time.
C.oIoneI Cooner had lust begun m speal
with Mr.. Carmack when Mr. Carmack
drew his pistol and began trying to fire 1t,
while a passing lady was between Mr..
Carmack and Colonel Cooper and his son,
who had run over when Mr.. Carmack be-
gan to draw his pistol. 1t is said Colonel
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