Bryan morning eagle and pilot. (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1909, 1909-02-17
TAKING OF TESTIMONY.
1t Begins In the Cooper.Sharp
Case at Nashville. II
MRS. CARMACK ON STAND
Coiiapses Upon Entering Courtroom,
and Amid sobs Says She Last Saw
Her Husband the Sunday Previous
to His Tragic Death.

Her Husband the Sunday Previous
to His Tragic Death.
Nashville. Feb. 16.--In a crowded
courtroom the taking Of testimony In
the case OF Duncan Cooper, Robin
Cooper and John Sharp, charged with
killing former United States Senator
Carmaek, the selection OF a Jury for
which trial commenced just one month
before within a day, was begun
today
Colonel Cooper entered the court
room accompanied by his youngest
daughter. Mrs Wilson Of Mobile. Ala,
Robin Cooper stepped in just ahead Of
mis- other sister Mrs. Lucius Burch,
With Sharp were his wife and her
sister
Just before the attorney general
arose to begin his statement there
came stir from the door behind the
bar. The crowd pushed aside and a
slender figure in sable robes leaning
on the arms Of lady friend was as
sisted into the room. She was scarce
ly able TO walk and finally with a
moan, sank into a chair behind the
attorneys for the state. It was Mrs.
Carmack, wife Of the slain senator.
Mrs. Carmack, who collapsed after
being seated, was again greatly az
fected when the attorney general in
reading the Indictment reached the
words: Did wilfully and maliciously
and with malice aforethought murder
the body Of Z. W. Carmack" The
widow for a long time lay with her
head upon the shoulder Of her sister.
The daughters Of Colonel Cooper were
also greatly affected
To the surprise of every one the first
witness called was Mrs Carmack The
widow was hall carried to the stand
by Frank Lander, editor of the Ten
nessean, and holding to her sons
hand Mr. Lander stood beside her
on the stand, his arm around her. She
told her name and her husbands
occupation in q trembling voice
When did you last see your nus.
band?"
"oh, God, Oh God" she sobbed. "on
Sunday. the day before he was killed"
For several moments she was un.
able to speak, her agitation was sc
great
When did you hear from him last?"
by telephone on Monday little
while before he was killed"
What was that conversation"
The defense objected and it was sus.
tanned The defense declined to cross
examine Mrs. Carmack and she was
led back TO her seat. As her boy ar
companied her he turned a glance full
upon the defendants with a glare OF
concentrated hatred that it was hard
to realize could be expressed by one
so young.
The state next called E. B. Craig
former state treasurer. who testified
to close relation with Senator Car.
mack. He saw Colonel Cooper the
evening of Nov 5 at Tulane, by ap.
pointment. After dismissing the per.
sonal matter which led ME TO see Col
onel Cooper the latter began to discuss
editorials in the Tennessean. soon
learned Colonel Cooper was greatly
agitated and very angry. He said: I
am an old man, private citizen, and
II makes little difference whether |
go or not, but II my name again ap-
pears in the Tennesseau either | or
Senator Carmack must die. He said
he had written Carmack note that
could not be misunderstood
The note referred to was one writ
ten by Colonel Cooper TO Senator Car.
mack threatening the latter with death
II the editor referred to him again. 1t
was sent after Craig reported his afil'
ure as peacemaker.
The defense passed the cross-exam-
ination of Mr.. Craig until later. and
Mrs. Charles Eastman. who was
speaking with Senator Carmack when
he was killed. was called.
The witness described her walk on
the fatal ninth of November. from her.
home to the spot where the senator
was slain She told how she met
Carmack and Identified the exact
spot. Mrs. Eastman then gave
graphic account Of the meeting grow.
ing quite dramatic as she reached the
climax.
Mrs. Eastman, after telling Of the
first shot: 81 shrank' against the fence
and saw young Cooper and at the same
time heard two other shots fired so
rapidly I thought they we're simultan,
eous. Young Cooper was standing
near me, his arm extended as though
in the act Of firing the pistol. I was
fearfully wrought UP. Senator Car
mack was lying In the gutter In a pool
OF blood and I turned and denounced
Colonel Cooper"
What did you say?"
Il said he was brutal murderer;
that he had taken advantage of my
presence to kill man without giving
him a chance of dog, that I'd rather
be the dead man in the gutter than
be him"
Witness said that when Senator Car
mack fell, he had pistol by the bar.
rel, upside down, clumslly in his hand
She also said after the shooting young
Cooper nut something into his hip