The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-02-26
COL. COOPER ON THE STAND.
Aged Defendant is Examined by
Counsel for the Defence-Father
of Carmack's Slayer Makes
a Good Witness.

Nashville, Tenn, February 23.-
I The sixth day Of actual testimony in
the case of Col. Duncan B. Cooper
and Robin J. Cooper and John D.
Sharpe, charged with the murder OF
former Senator E. W. Carmack, clos
ed today with the aged defendant.
Col. Cooper on the witness stand. His
own counsel were questioning him,
and when court adjourned they init
mated that they were about hall
through. They had taken him over
the trouble, commencing four years
ago and brought him down to the
start from his sons Office to the Gov
ernor's Mansion. It was during this
walk that the senator was killed.
Col. Cooper made an excellent wit
ness. He appeared very cool, COL
lected and almost disinterested. The
only time he showed emotion was
when counsel was reading the editor
ials, which led up to the killing. Then
his already florid face flashed more
deeply, and the scarlet stole up over
his bald head, accentuating the white
ness Of what little hair is left him.
That the State Will grill Col. Coop
er on cross-examination to the limit
of counsel's ability, goes without say
ing. Possibly, too, this is why the
defence did not conclude direct ex-
animation Of the colonel today.
Following the announcement OF
Gen. Garner that the State did not
care to further cross-examine Sharpe,
thu defendant, was briefly questioned
by counsel for the defence. Gen Nc
earn, Of counsel for the State, follow
ed with a few questions.
Sharpe said he made no statement
about the shooting until called to the
witness stand yesterday. he said ne
had no engagement at the Governor s
Mansion when asked to go there by
the Coopers on the day Of the shoot
ing, having merely agreed to accom-
pany them.
Col. Cooper Testifies.
Col. Duncan B. Cooper was then
called to the stand. He is short,
heavy set and very florid, and some
what bald, and his seanty hair, like
his mustache, is very white. His eyes
are clear and hard. He is 81 years
old.
Cooper gave his war record with
Forrest. Then he said:
"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-
mahed with me until 1892, when ne
went to Memphis.
Cooper said that in Memphis IN
1892 Carmack wrote an editorial
thanking the witness for what he had
6hae for him, (Carmack.) This en-
tire editorial was allowed BY both
sides to 60 into the evidence.
It was Carmack's farewell, IN
which he expressed regret at leaving
the American and gratitude to the
paper and it's friends. It closed with
these words:
'EI desire to express especially the
REGARD 7 feel and the debt I owe to
Col. D. B. Cooper: under whose d.
rection I entered Journalism. It is
pleasant now to be able to say that /
cannot recall a word or an incident
that ever marred the pleasure Of our
association.'
did YOU. after he left. maintain
friendly RELATIONSHIP the witness was
asked.
absolutely so. We corresponded,
and the last very friendly letter I had
from him was il December, 1904. y
A portion of this letter was admit
ted in evidence. It read:
"Dear Colonel: I have been trying
to get Senator Mitchell, Of Oregon, to
locate some good place for Van, in
connection with the Panama Canal
\ as he is doing something for soma one
Aelse. I am inclined to think the best
thing Van can do is to tackle the
nresident himself and tell him what
he wants. However, I will do any
1 thing can"
The Van referred to is a friend OF
Col. Cooper.
Cooper said he earned the title OF