Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-16
FIRST WITNESS AT TRIAL
E. B. Craig Tells of Threats Made
by Col. Cooper.
ACTED AS AN INTERMEDIARY
Told Former Senator What Adver-
sary Had Said-Defendent
Wrote Death Menace.

NASHVILLE. Tenn. February l6-Just
one month. within a day. from the time
the first attempt was made to secure
jury. began the trial of Col. Duncan B.
Cooper Robin J. Cooper and John D.
Sharp for the killing of former United
States Senator Edward w. Carmack.
Long before the hour set for court to
open crowds gathered outside the new
courthouse. The sheriff had large force
of deputies on hand.
The throng was forced to form in line.
In orderly procession the first comers were
permitted to enter.
When the comfortable theater chairs
were occupied the doors were closed. Ad-
mission was denied to later arrivals.
Room Made for Women.
When Judge Hart arrived he made
one exception to the iron-clad rule.
Any ladies who wish to attend" he
remarked to the sheriff. ''are to be taken
care of if we have to throw out few
able-bodied men,
Judge Hart arranged the space within
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 op-
posite one another on either side.
Just before the attorney general arose
to begin his statement there came a stir
from the door behind the bar. The crowd
was pushed aside and a slender figure In
sable robes, leaning on the arms OF wom-
en- friends, was assisted into the room.
| She was scarcely able to walk and sank
into a chair behind the attorneys for the
state. 1t was Mrs. Carmack.
The attorney general read the indtct-
ment. AS he reached the words did
willfully, maliciously and with malice
aforethought, murder E. w. Carmack.
the widow collapsed. For long time
she lay with her head upon the shoulder
| of her sister.
Mrs. Carmack on Stand.
Call the first Witness said tho court
| Then. to the surprise Of every one. At.
torney General MoCarn said:
Call Mrs. Carmack.'
The widow was half carried to the
stand. She told her name and her huk3-
bands occupation in a trembling voice.
When did you last see your husband
alive?'
"Oh. God, Oh. God" she sobbed Sun.
day. the day before the day he was
killed
For several moments she was unable to
| speak.
when did you hear from him last?"
by telephone Monday. little while
before he was killed"
What was the conversations?
The defense objected. 1t was sustained
Craig Tells Of Threats.
The state next called E. B. Craig, for
mer state treasurer who testified to his
close relations with Senator Carmack.
He said he spent all Saturday, November
:. and Sunday, November s. the day be-
fore the murder. with Senator Carmack.
He saw Col Cooper the evening Of No
vember at the Tulane by appointment.
After discussing the personal matter
began TO discuss the editorials In the Ten
nesseean Col. Cooper was greatly agi-
tated and angry.
The witness testified:
He said:
"I am an old man, a private citizen,
and it makes little difference whatever l
do or not but If my name again appears
in the TenneSSeean l or Senator Carmack
must die.
Acted as Intermediary.
col. Cooper's manner was violent. He
denounced Carmack vigorously as an in
crate His manner so alarmed me that I
told him would confer with Senator Car
mack
What was said about note?"
He said he had written Carmack a note
that could not be misunderstood.
Did you communicate to Carmack the
threats of Col Cooper"
II told Carmack what Cooper had said
What reply did the defendant maker
Id
The note referred to was the one writ
ten by Col. Cooper to Senator Carmack
threatening the latter with death IL the
editor referred TO him again.
Big Lawyers in Case.
There are five attorneys representing
the prosecution, two in an advisory ca
pacity Attorney General Jefferson Nc
earn is the chief counsel for the state
He is assisted by G. T. Fftzhugh Of
Memphis and Attorney General ]. B.
Garner of the eleventh judicial circuit
The advisory counsel are Judge Samuel
Holding and E. H. Hatcher, among the
leading citizens of Columbia, the former
home of ex-senator Carmack, and men,
bers of the bar of. middle Tennessee.
Judge ]. NJ. Anderson. who some years
since was Judge of the Davidson county
COuIt, dlu IeSdIUeu dS one OF
the best criminal lawyers of the state, Is
the chief counsel for the defense. W.
H. Washington. one time attorney general
for this district, and who occupies a high
rank as an attorney in the same line, is
one of the leading assistants to Judge
Anderson Judge Ed Baxter, for many
years at the head of the legal fraternity
in the southern states. is acting in an
advisory capacity. Active associates are
eXState Senator NJ. H. Meeks. ex-State
ENvxy{n rho III n
Burch. James c. Bradford. j. D. B. Debow
and James a. Ryan.
YOUTH DIES IN THE CHAIR.
Leslie Coomhs Electrocuted at Dan.