The Cairo bulletin., 1909-03-20
SHARP FRIED OF
MURDER CHARGE
BUT JURY REPORTS ITSELF
HcPELEsSLY TIED UP AS
TO COOPERS.
FOR FURTHER DEBATE
The Twelve Sent Out By Judge Hart
Who Wants to Be Certain No
Agreement Can Be Reached
Resume Deliberations

Nashville, Tenn, March ~. When
the jury today returned a verdict OF
acquittal for John d. Sharp, charg d
with the murder of former Senator
Carmack, and declared that it was
"hopelessIy tied up ms to the Coop
ers," 1t was generally conceded that
the ensl of the famous case had been
reached.
Judge Hart sent the jury out for
further debate and announced that he
would not discharge them until he
was absolutely convinced that an
agreement could not be reached
Sharp will Immediately be discharged
from custody.
Colonel Duncan b. Cooper, fer
mer officer in the Confederate arny
under Forrest and a man very promi'
nent in Democratic state politics once
lived at Columbia. Tenn. In that
town also resided Edward Ward Car,
mack a young lawyer who also did
some newspaper work. Cooper bought
the Nashville American and induced
Carmaek to come to Nashville as its
editor. Whether the men ever were
in thorough accord, Is a dispte1 point
Carmacks friends say not. Colonel
Cooper sWore on the stand that they
were close friends until Governor
Taylor opposed Carmack for re-elec.
ton to the senate This fight was
long and bitter. A feature of it was
a series of Joint debates and Carmack
lost Cooper supported Taylor, but
Robin. the boy who killed the senator
supported the latter.
Malcolm R. Patterson was COVER
nor of the state at the time of the
Carmack-Taylor fight, and he an
nounced his candidacy for reelection.
Carmack, just beaten for the senate,
was urged into the race for governor
against Patterson. This was last
June AMI the fight between the men
for the Democratic nomination was
the most spectacular ever seen in
Tennessee. Again, joint debates
were arranged and again the feeling
between the factions grew very BIT
ter. In these debates, Cooper charged
that Carmack ssailed the Colonel's
good name. Cooper was an ardent
Patterson man--the governor on the
stand described him as my closest
personal and political adviser" Again
Carmack lost, and. month before
the election. became editor of the
Nashville Tennessean. He had made
the race on the prohibition platform,
and while he did not get the nomina-
ton. he did secure enough represen-
tatiyes to assure the passage of the
so-called statewide liquor bill.
In the meantime. Governor Patter-
son and former Governor Cox. once
deadly enemies, were reconciled.
The Tennesseean charged that Col
Cooper brought this reconcilia'i ion
about, and referred to it in a humor-
Gus and sarcastic VEN in its editorial
columns Carmack also intimated
that, TO save Governor Patterson, the
leaders were preparing
to trade Bryan for the governorship. |
Col Cooper was chatting under the
comment. AMI becoming more in
,ensed every day. On Sunday. No |
vember s, the day before the killing. |
the following editorial appeared in
he Tennessean:
eve trust there will be no unseen |
v ribaldry on the part of the base |
vulgar concerning the happy reunion /
If long sundered hearts which was
in the joyous reconcilia-
ion of His Excellencv, Hon. NJ. r.
Patterson and his Ex-Exeellency, |
Ion. John Isaac Cox. All honor to |
hat noble spirit Major Duncan
Brown Cooper who wrought this
lappv re-rnion of congenial and con
luxible spirits separated by evil fates
hough born for each other. All honor
q Major Duncan and may the bless.
ng of the neacemaker be upon him. |
,Tav he be heir to all the beatitudes.
md especially to the blessing re-
erved for those who hunger and
hirst after righteousness. And thera
.nes also a blessing to His Excel
ency-for as he has been merciful
. Cox. so shall he obtain mercy.
"But the choicest blessings as is
light and proper. are for Governor
'ox himself. For If there ~ any re-
yard for meekness, and any for en-
uring persecution for righteousness l.
axe. he shall inherN the earth and
is is the kingdom of heaven. Yet /
uch Is the meekness of his spirit
hat we doubt not that Governor Cox
rould be entirely comforted with the
lcek mans reward.
IF We pause hSre briefly to review
be unhappy differences that have
rmed these valiant souls against
ach other. ii is for no purpose of re-
ewing the strife. but rather of en-
hasizing by contrast the felicity of
be present situation 1t will serve