The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-23
IN SELF DEFENSE.
Col. Cooper Takes the Stand to
Give Testimony
In His Trial for the Murder of
Carmack.
GAVE DEADMAN START
Brought Him to Nashville and
Put Him in Position.
Relations of the Two We're Cor
dial for Many Years.


D. r. Cooper, one of the three de-
PENDANTS, was called to testify today
in the trial for ex-senator Carmack's
murder of himself his son and
John Sharpe Although the throng
which greeted the deputies when they
opened the court room today was less
immense than that of yesterday.
enough were there to fill the three
court rooms and furnish audience for
a couple of overflow meetings.
Defendant Sharpe had resumed the
witness chair. but to the surprise of
every one, the attorney general an
nounced:
''The state does not beside to cross
examine Mr.. Sharpe any further"
Sharpe started TO leave the stand
but was waved back by General
Meeks, who asked him a few ques-
tions on redirect.
call Colonel Duncan B. Cooper"
said General Washington. Then the
central figure in the famous tragedy
arose and walked calmly to the stand.
Colonel Cooper is short, heavy set,
and very forid- He is somewhat
bald. but what hair he has. like his
are clear and his face is free from
wrinkles. As he began to talk his two
daughters leaned forward and drank
in every word. The colonel said he is
"a years old and that he has four
sons and two daughters. General
Washington had the witness give his
war record with Forest. The state
finally objected after some recital
and was sustained.
Beginning of Friendship.
'I met Senator Carmack years ago
at Columbia, when he was quite
young. I brought him to Nashville as
editor of the American. and he re-
manned with me until 1892. when he
went to Memphis"
Were your relations friendly?"
More than friendly-they were
cordial and close until his race with
Senator Taylor four years ago. Then
we disagreed
Did Carmack ever give express
sion to sentiments of gratitude to
you?"
"Yes. when he went to Memphis in
1892. he wrote an editorial thanking
me"
The defense offered the editorial
and Judge Hart asked to see it. He
marked part of it and said he would
permit that portion to go to the jury.
It was signed by E. W. Carmack-
The state next examined and agreed
to let the entire editorial in. The
court agreed It was in the paper of
February II, 1892, and was Carmack's
farewell in which he expressed regret
at leaving the American and gratitude
to the paper and its friends.
COrreSpOndeu Tor Years.
Did you, after he left, maintain
friendly relationS?"
Absolutely so. We corresponded
and the last very friendly letter had
from him was in December, 1894. Our
relations were pleasant after that. AT
that time he was In the senate.
Have you that letter."
Il have" and witness produced it.
The letter was passed to the states
attorneys. They objected to it's intro
fn 10 i'm
of the first paragraph. The court sus-
tanned the states contention The
paragraph admitted follows:
Dear Colonel: l have been trying
locate some good place for Van in
connection with the Panama canal as
he is doing something for some one
else 1 am inclined to think the best
president himself and tell him what he
wants However, I will do anything
1 can
The letter was signed sincerely
The Van referred to is a friend of
Colonel Cooper.
IT notice you ar referred to as
Colonel Cooper How did you earn
I'm the army, if I ever earned it.
was commissioned as a colonel to go
into the federal lines and raise Con-
federate battalion Since then I have
been called colonel"
What was the first note of discord
between you and Senator Carmack?"
First Note of DiscOrd.
1.-The relations were not cordial dur
ing the Carmack-TayIor senatorial
contest The first offensive note ap-
peared in the Memphis News-Scimftar
in 190S.''
who started the change of rela-
tions ?''
.'Why, I supported Taylor in that
contest and he took offense. I re-
GREETED it very much"
whom did you support for COVER
nor?"
Governor Patterson
after that did you notice any fur
ther change in Senator Carmack's
manner?"
"Yes sir, he ceased speaking to me-"
Had you done him any wrong?"
81 had not"
What other indication of hostility
did you observe in Carmack's attf-
tude towards you?'
well there were articles in the pa
per. That News-Scimitar article
The state objected and demanded
that the article be identified
The News Scimitar Of March Is,
1908 was identified.
'"Was that editorial written by SEN
ator Carmack2''
'sI was so informed
'sIf you do not know that Carmack
<ET> The had