Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-02-23
THE MURDER OF CARMACK.
PROGRESS Of the Trial Of the COOperS
and Sharpe.
ROBIN COOPER CLAIMS SELF.DEFENSE.
Only One Witness Examined Last
Saturday The Cross Determination
POSTPONED to Yesterday.


er and John D. Sharpe, charged with
the murder Of former United States
Senator Edward w. Carmack. Only
one witness was examined, the boyish
defendant, Robin ]. Cooper, and he
made a splendid witness. When court
opened 1t was expected that the state
would offer one or more Of its missing
witnesses. At least three arrived last
night, but the attorney general de-
cided either not to use them at all or
to save them for his big conspiracy
fight in rebuttal. Both sides seemed
sparring for time at the opening OF
the days session. Finally the states
attorneys appeared. Then the defense
asked for thirty minutes indulgence
and took an hour and half. 1t was
presumed that conference was on,
but In reality the time was required
in order that an X-ray photograph
might be taken to learn If the bullet
which Robin Cooper received in the
shoulder was still there. DR.. Fort
thought it was and so testified. How
ever, the day after the shooting Robin
Cooper found bullet in the bed near
his knees at the st. Thomas hospital.
It was a 3S-calibre bullet. The gun
found near Senator Carmacks body
with two empty shells is 3S-calibre.
The defense evidently wanted to be
sure that the X-ray showed no bullet
in Robins shoulder before they pro-
duced the missile found in the boys
bed. In this connection the state has
an interesting theory that the revol-
yer found near Carmacks body was
not the one forced upon the dead ed
itor by one Of his staff a few hours
before he was shot. The one picked
up is blue steel 3S-calibre. Col.
Cooper's revolver, secured a day or
two later, is a nickelled 3S-calibre, and
apparently had never been discharged.
AS soon as the X-ray plate had been
developed and disclosed no trace OF a
bullet the defense announced 1t was
ready and called young Cooper to the
stand. The boy Is a slender, erect,
clean-cut, high-bred type Of young
man. His features are delicate, al
most feminine, but he carries himself
in an erect and manly fashion, and
there Is nothing effeminate in his man
ner. His voice is soft and well culti-
waited. He speaks slowly, almost with
a drawl. He answered every question
with a deliberateness and caution that
at times seemed to exasperate his
counsel Judge Anderson, and put him
In the light Of an unwilling witness.
But there is no doubt that his evident
sincerity and disinclination to take ad-
vantage of a situation made very
strong impression on both Jury and
spectators. His cross examination
was postponed until Monday, when 1t
will consume probably most Of the
day.
He said that he practiced law in the
office Of his uncle, James Bradford, and
that on November 8, the day OF the
Carmack shooting, his father called
at Bradford's office in the forenoon.
Young Cooper, who gave his age as
q, referred to his father as papa"
when papa told me-" he testified.
"he was afraid he was going to have
trouble with Mr.. Carmack."
After a long argument Of counsel,
Cooper was allowed to explain such
parts of his conversation as had been
previously testified to by Miss Lee,
who said she overheard parts Of the
conversation. The witness continued,
speaking of his father:
He said he was afraid Of trouble.
asked him why. He said in substance
that Mr.. Carmack, in his paper, had
been printing editorials attacking his
character, and as he put 1t, shooting
poisoned arrows. He said 1t was be-
coming uncomfortable. He said he had
seen Mr.. Craig the night before and
told him to tell Carmack that he must
cease using his name in his paper. He
said Mr. Craig returned and said he
had seen Carmack, but Carmack would
agree to nothing.
LAS / remember it, Mr.. Craig said
to papa that Carmack was in vicious
humor or mood"
Robin said his father also told Craig
to tell Carmack that unless he ceased
using his name, the town was not Dig
apouob m hold them hOth
Il was greatly worried" the witness
continued, land said I believed my
uncle could bring influence to bear to
show Carmack the injustice OF his
course. 1t was then that papa said,
he had no right to use my name, and
I have a right to protect myself
The defense attempted to get in tes-
timony by Robin tending to show that
Col Cooper's waiting for Carmack the
day of the killing was merely to pro-
test against the use Of Cooper's name
in the paper, but this testimony was
ruled out
Then Judge Anderson, in an impas-
stoned plea, frankly admitted why this
evidence was essential. The court was
unmoved.
Robin said after this talk he tele-
phoned his sister, Mrs. Burch, for the
purpose of getting her to find his
father and keep him off the streets.
why did you wish him kept off the
street,"
IT feared Mr.. Carmack might have
resented the message papa sent him,
and that there might be trouble"
How old is your father?"
He is 81 years old"
And his physical condition."
His right hand is crippled, the two
smaller fingers of the hand are bent In
and cannot be moved"
What did you do them" asked
Coopers counsel, again taking up Ro-
bins movements during the morning.
81 went out and looked for papa, but
failed to find him. returned to my
office and telephoned Governor Patter-
son to ask him If he knew about the
trouble"
Did you get pistol that day."
81 did. l got it from my uncle, Rob-