Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-19
WOMAN TAKES GUN
TO TELL JURY OF
CARNACK TRAGEDY
Mrs. Eastman Eye-Witness,
Declares Senator Fell Dead
With Weapon Held by
Barrel in His Hand.

first attempt was made to secure a jury,
the trial began Of Col. Duncan b. Cooper
Robin ]. Cooper and John ID. Sharp for
the killing Of former United states sem
atOr Edward w. Carmack
Long before the hour set for court to
omen. the crowds gathered outside the
/ new courthouse. The sheriff had large
force OF deputies on hand and the throng
was forced to form in line. At q. m.
the doors were opened and In orderly pro-
cession the first Corners were permitted
TO enter.
When the parquette floor chairs were
filed. the line was diverted TO the pal
cony, which also filled very rapidly.
When the comfortable theatre chairs on
both floors were occupied, the doors
were closed. and hard-hearted deputies
refused admission TO those not fortunate
eOnugh to get there in time.
Seats for Ladies
When Judge Hart arrived, he made one
exception TO the irOnclad rule, and II
was dictated by southern chilvalry.
ANY ladies who wish to attend" he
remarked to the sheriff, "sre to be taken
care of IL we have to throw out few
able bodied men,"
There were few women among the early
arrivals, however. and these few found
comfortable seats within the bar.
1 Judge AAC cPa@C
the bar so that the jurors sat with their
backs to the auditorium, facing the wit
ness who was placed directly beneath the
Judge The attorneys were placed oppo-
site one another on either side.
photographer Takes Flashlight
| Colonel Cooper entered the courtroom
accompanied by his youngest daughter,
Mrs. Beverly Wilson. Of Mobile. Robin
Cooper stepped in just ahead OF his sis
ter Mrs Lucius Burch. her hand resting
on his arm. The affection displayed by
this slender girl for her brother has been
one of the Affecting incidents OF the trial.
With Sharp were his wife and her sister,
Colonel Coopers sister-in-law. His niece
and q number Of other relatives sat just
behind the prisoner and their counsel
There was some delay while the court
permitted a photographer TO make
hashlight of the scene.
Just before the attorney general arose
to begin his statement there came stir
from the door behind the bar. The crowd
was pushed aside and a slender figure In
sable robes leaning on the arms OF wo-
linen friends, was assisted into the room.
iShe was scarcely able to walk and finally
with a moan sank into chair behind the
ATTORNEYS for the state. 1t was Mrs. Car
lmack, widow OF the slain senator.
Mrs. Carmack Becomes Faint >
Directly across the room, scarcely %
fleet away, sat the men who are charged
with staying her husband. The three de-
lfendants sat Unconditional and cool. Not
so their relatives Mrs. Wilson's eyes
Ihlled UP, and Mrs. Burchs hand closed
lconvulsively over the arm Of her favor
lite brother With an effort, the young
women recovered their self-control. and
Hooked away from the widow Meanwhile
Mrs Carmack's friends were applying
lsmellinR salts and tanning her. She SEEM
ed faint, but grew stronger and reach
ling over, put her arm around her son,
a boy OF about ten years. She did not, how
ever, raise her veil.
Mrs. CaTmack Takes Stand
The attorney general read the indist-
ment AS he reached the words did will
fully maliciously and with malice afore-
thought slay and murder the body Of E.
w. Carmack." the widow again collapsed,
and for a long time lay with her head
upon the shoulder Of her sister. Again
tine eyes of the two daughters of Colonel
Cooper filed with tears, their lips trem-
bled and the sympathy which goes from
lone stricken woman to another was con-
Iveyed in the looks Of pity that went
across the room.
The state called its witnesses and swore
them. The defense waived this with a
IELAkCfncnA a. AAACA
witnesses would be called and sworn.
call the first witness, said the court.
Then, to the surprise of everyone, At
torney General McCarn said:
Call Mrs. Carmack."
The widow was half carried to the
stand by Frand Lander. editor Of the
ITennessean. and holding to her sons
hand Lander stood beside her on the
stand. his arm around her. She told her
- t.
trembling voice.
when did you last see your husband
lalivegr
ION, God! Oh, GodP' she sobbed, ION
Sunday. the day before he was killed"
For several moments she was unable
to speak, her agitation was 80 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 IL was sus-
tanned.
Child's Look of Hatred
AS the lawyers argued. Mrs. Carmacx
| drew her son close to her and rested her
head on his shoulder. The boy, a manly
little chap, patted his mothers tear
stained cheek and whispered words of en-
couragement to her. The defense declin-
ed TO cross-examine Mrs. Carmack, and
she was led back 10 her seat.
AS the boy accompanied her. he turned
his glance full upon the defendants with
a glare of concentrated hatred that it
is hard to realize could be expressed by
one so young.
Cooper Denounced Carmack
The state next called E. b. Craig, for
mer state treasurer who testified to his
close relations with Senator Carmack. He
said he spent 81 day Saturday, Novem-
Der 9TH. and Sunday. NovsESheT sth the
day before the murder, with Carmack
He saw Colonel Cooper the evening of
November sth at the Tulane by ap-
pointment
AFTER dismissing the personal matter
which led me TO Colonel Cooper, the lat
ter began to discuss the editorials in the
Tennessean. 1 soon learned that Colonel
Cooper was greatly agitated and very
angry. He said: L am an old man. pri-
vate citizen. and it makes little difference
whether I go or not. but II my name
again appears In the Tennessan, either
or Senator Carmack must die
Colonel Cooper's manner was violent
and he denounced Carmack viciously as
an ingrate. His manner so alarmed me
that l tried to soothe him and offered to