The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1909-02-25
BLAME LAID
ON GARMACk
EVERY EYE IN THE COURT ROOM WAS
TURNED TOWARDS COL. COOPER
AS He RELATED HIS STORY.
HAD BEEN HIS BEST FRIEND |

Nashville, Tenn, Feb. 23.-It
was over thirty years ago that
Col. D. P. Cooper began to inter
est himself in the career of Ed
ward Ward Carmack, then a
struggling young lawyer in the
small town of Columbia, Tenn.
On the witness stand today in
the Cooper-Sharp trial, Col. Coop
er began a recital, which was ab-
ruptly terminated this afternoon
just as it had reached its most
interesting point.
Insisting upon his right to tes-
tify in this important case, Col.
Cooper followed John Sharp on
the stand this morning and be
gan his story, which dates back
to a remote period, but which
vitality connects itself with tragic
events of Nov. 9.
| John Sharp was only question
ed a few minutes this morning
relative to making the facts of
the killing public for the first
time yesterday, and explained
that he would have given the
facts at any time to Gen, McCarn
or any other person in authority.
When he left the stand hush
fell upon the court. Outside the
incessant dOwnpour of rain ech-
oed dismally. Inside the scene
was even less cheerful. A satu-
rating calm spread over every
thing and everybody and into it
dropped the short. sharp SEN
tence of Gen. Washington when
he said, Col. Duncan Cooper
will take the stand.
With firm step aad with per-
feet dignity Col. Cooper reached
the witness chair and seated
himself. He faced the jury.
There was a CLINT in his eye
that was a reminder Of the days
when he faced death before.
His fine head was slightly turn
ed towards counsel, and his fine
white hair looked whittier than it
ever has before. His voice was
laughterless, but it was firm and
emphatic. If he has looked
winterishly white and winterish-
ly cold in his place at the end of
the defendants table, there was
the strength and the vigor of the
springtime in his opening testi-
mony today,
1t was some minutes before
the examination began. There
was confused ebb and flow of
whispered opinion about the
courtroom.
Mr.. Washington-What Was
the first note of discord, as far
as you know, or the first abate-
ment of the friendship of Sena-
tor Carmack toward you, so far
as you know? Just state to the
court and the jury. Well,
the relations were not at all cor
dial during the contest between
Senator Taylor and Senator Car
mack; | would say that the first
offensive exhibition of twas in
an editorial in the News-Scimi-
tar, in March, 1908.
Mr.. McCarn-We object to that.
/ @ What was the indication to
you that the relations We're not
cordial during the contest be
tween Senator Carmack and
Governor Taylor for the nomina-
ton of United States senator? =?
A-Well, the cordiality ceased to
exist between us-when we met
and spoke, it was simply a for
NAL meeting.
Q-Who did you support in
that contest?
/ Mr.. McCarn Now, if your
honor please, we object to that;
it is immaterial.
The court-Let him answer it.
Al supported Gov. Taylor
Q-Yes; was there anything on
your part in the beginning, or
state who made the change of
these cordial relations? A-No,
it would be very hard to say how
they came about | had no per-
sonal animosity, nothing but per-
feet kindliness for Senator Car
mack, and it was with very much
regret that / took the ether side:
but, exercising my right of cit1-
zenship and obligations as | saw
them, took that line.