Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-02-17
DAY WAS FULL OF SENSATIONS
Widow Of Dead Man First Called, But
Becomes observation-disclosures Eye
Witness Of Trasetr Holds Audi
ence speIIbound While She Relates
Details and Gives Demonstrations.
(Py Associated PreSS.)


Filled with dramatic incidents and
marked b. scenes that bOrdered on
The SEM ational, the first day of the
CLuper-Sharpe case closed tonight.
when both SIDES claimed to be well
satisfied with the progress that had
Eecn made.
Whether Colonel Duncan B. Cooper.
Robin J. Cooper and John ID. Sharpe.
killed Former United States Senator
Edward W. Carmack in sell defense,
or as a result of a conspiracy, is the
great issue in the case.
The taking Of testimony began to-
day with every seat in the big, new
court room occupied.
Scarcely had the attorneys been
raped into order was sensation
Number One produced
Mrs. Carmack Nearly coIIapses.
Mrs. f. W. Carmack, the slain sen
ator's widow. was half carried. hall
assisted into the room.
She was gowned in deepest mourn
ing. She is petite and slender. Her
black veil fell nearly to her feet. Her
knees gave way as she neared her
seat and she was moaning as she was
placed in her chair.
Her little son. Ned. aged 10. stood
by his mother. patting her shoulder
and trying TO keep back her tears.
Surprise Number Two came when
the state called Mrs. Carmack as its
first witness.
Widow Became HystericaI.
A few questions were asked ner
but she became hySterical and was
eXcus
She was not in Nashville at the
time OF the tragedy.
Sensation Number Three followed
Mrs. Carmacks leaving the stand. AS
Mr.. Lander and her sister half carried
the fainting. sol5ing little woman 70
her chair, Ned Carmack turned
souarely towards where the defend
ants sat and fixed upon them looS
as full of hatred as it is possible 10
imagine.
Next came the testimony OF Mrs
Eastman. the star witness for the
state.
Graphically illustrates Tragedy.
Mrs. Eastman is nearly sixty years
old. Her hair is snow white, but hei
features are those of a girl. and she
is graceful and active. When called
upcn to do so, she seized the revoi'
yer said to have been found near
the dead mans body. and gave heI
iIlust ration of the tragedy. When she
had finished the GREATNESS. spell
bound audience seemed to feel that
il had witnessed the tragedy and al
least one spectator broke into ap
p.ause. Her cross examination was
severe h.: she held her own. smiling
and calm.
When the attorney general read the
in c:ment. and as he reached the
words did &ilfuIly. mal:cious!y and
with malice aforethought slay and
murder the body of f. w. Carmack.
the widow collapsed and the eyes ol
the tMp daughters Of Colonel Cooper
who sat near the defendants. filled
with tears.
States Calls Its witnesses.
The state called its witnesses ana
swcre them. The defense waiveh
this privilege with a statement that
n, the proper time their witnesses
would he called and sworn.
call the first Witness" said the
court.
Then to the surprise of everyone
Attorney GcncTal NCtFdTH SdIo >"'
Mrs. Carmack.
The widow was half carried to the
stand nv Frederick Lander. She told
her name and her husbands occu
patton in a trembling voice.
When did you last see your nus
hand alive?
Oh God. oh Cod" she sobbea. "On
SUNDAY the day before he was
killed"
For several moments she was IN
able 10 speak. her agitation was 30
great
when did you hear from him
last7"
BY telephone on Monday. htt'"
while. before he was killed.
What was that conversation!
The defense objected and was IDS
tanned
The defense declined to cross ex'
amino Mrs. Carmack and she was
led hack 10 her seat.
crsia NeI Witness.
Tho state next called f. Il. Craie'
farmer state treasurer
He saw Colonel Cooper the even
fconfinued on Third PaGe.)