The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-02-25
COL.COOPER DENIES
He EMbEllED
100000
ADMITS RREouLARiTiEs IN HIS
OFFICE OF CLERK AND MASTER
OF cHANcERY DUE TO POOR
BOOKKEEPING.

NASHVILLE. Tenn, Feb. 25.-Coi.
Duncan b. Cooper on trial Tor the
murder of United States Senator 4.
w. Carmack, in reply TO the accusa-
tions that he had embezzled 100000
from widows and orphans, and that
he and State Treasurer Polk, early
In the sos. had invested thousands
OF dollars OF the states money In q
Mexican silver mine and other ven
lures. denied that he is guilty OF the
shortages. He says the charge that
he embezzled 100000 Is false, but
admitted that there We're irregulart-
ties in his Office OF clerk and master
OF chancery, but said they were due
to bad management and poor BOOK
keeping and that every dollar was
made good. He admitted that Polk
was his partner in the ventures but
declared that he himself never
handled a dollar of the money.
In finishing his direct examination.
Col. Cooper told the story OF the shoot
| ing exactly as Robin Cooper and
Sharpe had related 1t. Then Capt.
Fitbhugh Immediately took up the old
charge against the defendant. After
long argument as TO the admissibility
OF such questions, Judge Mort decided
that the defendant might be asked IL
he ever was clerk and master In chan
Gerry: IL he ever defaulted in certain
cases. IF he says he does not remem-
ber." the court added, the state may
refresh his memory. IL he says NO.
then that settles It,"
And may we ask him IL he did not
embezzle 100000 while In Officer" In
CURED Fitzhugh.
Yes, think you may"
| Col. Cooper took the stand again
after Judge Hart had interpreted re-
mote" and the state, encouraged by
the partial victory, began Its griliing.
! Sued Five Times.
as II not fact that many suits
were filed against you and your sure
ties to recover money which passed
Through your hands and which you
failed TO charge TO yourself?'
YES, admit the Ave suits you
mentioned"
. And no more?"
And no more. for do not remem-
ber.'
|. did not your brother pay large
sums aggregating 100000 as surety
on your bond?"
mo. sir. The sum aggregated $40..
900, think, the amount OF one OF the
bonds"
; Don't you know that the defense
you made against these five bills was
that the penalties paid by your sureties
equaled your entire bonds. and that,
therefore. no more responsibility rest
ed with your bondsmen?"
IL do not recollect."
ct ask you IL you are the n b
Cooper mentioned in the Legislative
records OF 1888, who. according TO an
Investigating committee. paid out $45'
600 OF the states money In commune
ton with State Treasurer Polk for
silver mine in New Mexico?"
II presume am"
and the committee reported thai
the property bought might be subject
to process OF law to recover the
money!"
The defense objected and was sus
Italned. The state insisted that Its
object was TO show that charges men
toned had been made publicly and
that Cooper did not shoot anybody.
! But when a harmless editorial came"
said Fitzhugh, Cooper was angered
fearfully."
Go on" said the court.
Never Borrowed Money.
"Was II not true that NJ. +. Polk.
treasurer OF Tennessee. furnished the
money out of the state treasury TO en-
gage I'm the walnut business"
NO. sir Polk supplied the money.
but do not know that dollar ever
came from the treasury"
The state asked Col. Cooper if he
+ ever read in the Nashville American
J, the sworn statement OF Col. j. c.
: Fleming. He had not. and stepped
i, vigorously over to the states table to
; read II.
Q as the statement true?"
:, "No. sir: not the statement. | was
in the walnut log and silver mine
transactions with Col Polk. but |
!. never handled a dollar and never paid
dollar but was given an interest for
. my services"
l. In Col. Folks schedule OF assets is
there not an item. ID b. Cooper. bor-
: rowed money. $51.000?"
Il never borrowed It and never
> heard OF IT,"
Was IL generally published at the
! time that Treasurer Folks downfall
was due TO his business associates
The defense sent a dozen rapid-fire
objections. which the court sustained.
but Col. Cooper insisted on answer
ing No" vigorously over his own
/. counsels strenuous commands not 70
90 SO