The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-02-19
DRAMATIC RELATION
OF CARMACK'S DEATH
MRS. EASTMAN, EYEWITNESS
TELLS OF KILLING.
Trial Of Slayers Begins in Earnest
State Outlines Presentation
Of it's Case.


with dramatic Incidents and marked
by scenes that bordered on the sensa-
tional, the first day Of the actual trial
Of the Cooper-Sharp case closed to-
night with both sides claiming to be
well satisfied with the progress made.
Whether Col. Duncan B. Cooper,
Robin j. Cooper and John D. Sharp
killed Former Senator E. W. Carmaek
in self-defense or as a result Of a con-
spiracy is the great issue.
The taking Of the testimony began
with every seat in the big new court
room occupied. Scarcely had the at
torneys been raped into order than
sensation No. l was produced. Mrs.
E. ". Ca1mack, the slain senator's
widow, was half carried, half assisted
into the room. She was gowned in
deepest mourning. She is petite and
slender. Her black veil fell nearly to
her feet. Her knees gave way as she
neaced 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 try
ing to keep back his tears.
Surprise No. 2 came when the State
called Mrs. Carmack as its first wit
ness. A few questions were asked
her, but she became hysterical and
was excused. She was not In Nash
vile at the time the tragedy happen
ed.
Sensation No. 3 followed Mrs. Car
mack's leaving the stand. AS Mr..
Lander and her sister half carried the
fainting, sobbing little woman to her
\ chair. Ned Carmack turned squarely
towards where the defendants sat and
fixed upon them look as full Of
hatred as it is possible to imagine.
Then came the testimony of Mrs.
Eastman, the star witness for the
State. Mrs. Eastman is nearly 60
years old. Her hair is snow white
but her features are those of a girl
and she is graceful and active. When
called upon to do so she seized the re-
volver said to have been found near
the dead editors body and reenacted
the tragedy. When she had finished,
her breathless spellbound audience
seemed to feel that it had witnessed
the tragedy and at least one speeta-
tor broke into applause.
Her cross ss-examination was severe,
but she held her own, smiling and
calm.
When the attorney general read the
indictment and as he reached the
words "did willfully, malieiously and
with malice aforethought, slay and
murder the body Of E. W. Carmack"
the widow collapsed and the eyes Of
the two daughters of Col. Cooper,
who sat near the defendants, filled
with tears.
The State called it's witnesses and
swore them. The defense waived this
privilege with a statement that at the
proper time. their witnesses would be
called and sworn.
Surprise Sprung.
"Call the first witness,' said the
court.
Then, to the surprise of every one,
ATTORNEY Genaal McCann. said,
"Can Mrs. Carmack." The widow
was carried to the stand by Frank
Lander. She told her name and her
husbands occupation in a trembling
voice.
'When did you last see your hus-
band alive?'
"Oh, God! Oh, God" she sobbed.
"On Sunday, the day before he was
killed.
For several moments she was un-
able to speak, her agitation was so
great.
"When did you hear from him
last?'
"'Bv telephone on Monday a little
while bt fore he was killed.
"What was that conversational
The fedense objected and was sus-
tanned.
The defense declined to cross-ex-
anime Mrs. Carmack and she was led
back to her seat.
The State next called E. B. Craig,
former State treasurer. He saw Col.
Cooper the evening of November by
appointment.
"After dismissing the personal
matter which led me to Col. Cooper,
Tho aHifnr-