Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-17
'DISTURBER OF THE PEACE
Country Better OFF if He Had Been
Dead 20 Years Ago"
STORY OF STATE LIBRARIAN
Miss Skef6ngton Recites Encounter
With Accused and His knowledge
of Tragic Happening.


recent and unusual blizzard, there was
another big crowd at the courthouse
early this morning. This would indi-
cate that not even a cold snap. which
most southern people are unprepared
to meet, can chill interest in the trial
of Col. Duncan B. Cooper. Robin J.
Cooper and John D. Sharp, charged
with the murder of former Senator E.
w. Carmack.
There was the usual delay on the
part of attorneys in assembling. A
court officer gave as an excuse tae
cold weather"
IF the court can drive Ave miles and
get here on time, these attorneys nave
got to do it," was Judge Harris terse
comment.
There were even more women IN the
room today than yesterday. II mas
never been considered good form Ill
Nashville for women to attend court
except when summoned. But 1r1enos OF
the daughters of Col. Cooper and the
wife of John Sharp-all Of them OF un-
questioned standing in soclety-have
determined to show their sympathy ny
their presence in the courtroom.
When this became known other wom-
en- broke the ice Now it is quite a
In the afternoon an increasing num-
Der Of high school girls may be seen
in the balcony. their school books I'M
der their arms or in their laps
Testimony Against Sharp.
w. ]. Smith, q well known insurance
agent, was the first witness called to-
day. He testified that he was well
acquainted with Mr.. Sharp, and that on
abusive language in regard to Carmack.
On cross examination Mr.. Smith stated
that the remark, which was to the eff
feet that Mr.. Carmack was disturber
of the peace in the politics of the state.
and that the country would have been
better off If he had been dead twenty
years ago." took place three years ago
L. A. WEIGH. barber. was the next
witness. He stated that one day just
before the election in November last,
Sharp had, in speaking Of Carmack, ex-
pressed himself forcibly about an edi-
torial written by Carmack in the Nash
Vile Tennessean. The expression. as re-
lated by the Witness is somewhat similar
to that which was uttered in the presence
of the preceding witness.
Miss Mary Skefi1ngton. state librarian,
next testified. She said that on the after
noon of the tragedy she left the state
capital at o'clock, and that while on
ttH avenue north sic UGdrO tne SnOtS.
She saw Sharp approaching from the
north just before the shooting. Miss
Skeffington asked him what the noise
was. He replied its shooting"
What shooting?" asked the witness.
1t is Col: Dune Cooper shooting Senator
Carmack,' was Sharp's reply.
After making this remark. said Miss
Skeffington, Sharp turned. The two walked
south for a little distance. when they
separated.
Witness later saw Sharp standing at
the scene of the shooting. She asked
him if Carmack was dead. He replied in
the affirmative.
The cross-examination of Miss Skeff-
ington was brief, nothing important be-
ing developed.
Three Together Before Tragedy.
f. NJ Morgan, a post Office clerk tes-
titled to having seen the three defendants
in the Arcade. four blocks from the scene
Of the tragedy, short while before i,
occurred.
Charles B. Horn, a real estate dealer
was the next to testify. after five othe,
witnesses had failed to answer to their
names. Mr.. Horn said that on one occa.
sion. before the primary election, when
he and Sharp were discussing the cam
paign. Sharp used strong language Ir
regard to Carmack.
counsel Tor the state objected to a
question asked by the defence as to the
political belief of the witness. Judge
Hart sustained the objection, holding
that the witness could state that a con.
versation occurred and that the remark
by Sharp was the result Of a disa
ment.
Miss Theresa McKeon. the next witness
of
shortly after the shooting, she heard 3
man. afterward identified as Col. Cooper
say:
Doctor, l don't want any one to enter
here except officers. l don't want te
have to shoot another man.
When asked by counsel for the state
If she could recognize the man who made
the remark Miss McKeon pointed on
Col Cooper She was asked only one O,
two questions on INSTRUMENTATION.
II. .. van Deren, secretary of the city
board of education corroborated the tes
timony of Miss Mckeon as to the rema RI
made by Col. Cooper.
Miss Fort Heard Shots.
Miss Lizzie Fort testified that she re-
sided at the Polka flats At the time OF
the shooting she was seated at a window
in her room and heard the shots. which
she said, were five in number. Three
were almost Simultaneous but there wa.
slight interval between the fourth ant
fifth.
On cross-examination Miss Fort de-
scribed the location of Col. Cooper and
Robin Cooper when she arrived on the
scene.
5. II. Warwick, assistant secretary of thu
Nashville Credit Mems Association, testi
fled in regard to remark made by Robir
Cooper on street car, to the effect thai
Mr.. Carmack Ought TO be in hell" Thi,
was in the spring of 1903.
Testimony Of Yesterday Afternoon
At the afternoon session yesterday DR.
James Wittenbers. an oculist in the Ar
PENDANTS. and that twenty minutes previ-
Gus to the tragedy he had seen them
walk past his place of business and pro-
| coed in the direction Of the spot where
the tragedy took place.
John Tindall, lad Of twelve, who was
selling papers the afternoon OF the kill
| ing. testified that he had seen Col. Cooper
| and his son Robin just before the shoot
| ing and heard Col. Cooper say:
I'VE will get him" or We will catch
him"
Mrs. Emily Blake. a stenographer in the
Noel building, stated that half an hour
before the tragedy she was in Robin J.
| Cooper's office and saw him and his IA
Their leave that place. She said she
! thought there was something wrong with
| young Cooper, as she spoke to him anC
| he did not acknowledge her greeting, and
| that he appeared pale.
Turkish Earthquake Exaggerated.
| CONSTANTINOPLE. February 17.-Ne