The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1919-09-05
ROBIN COOPER FOUND DEAD
NEAR NASHVILLE.

NASHVILLE, TENN, Sept g.
Robin J. Cooper, a Nashville attor-
ney, whose trial for killing a former
United States Senator Edward w.
Carmack, during the celebrated pistol
duel between his father, Colonel ID.
B. Cooper and Carmack in 1908 at
tention, has been murdered here
under mysterious circumstances.
circumstances.
Cooper's body was taken from
Richland Creek Saturday soon after
his bloodstained automobile had been
found on bridge near his home in
the fashionable Belle Meade Park
section. The skull had been crushed,
but there were evidences that vio-
lent struggle had taken place before
the fatal blow was struck.
A Coroner's inquest late Saturday
developed no clues to the murderer
or murderers, but the police are pro-
ceeding on the theory that Cooper
was lured from his home by persons
determined to rob him.
This theory is based largely upon
evidences that Cooper drew $4,000
from bank short time before he
disappeared last Thursday night.
An automobile stopped at the
Cooper home Thursday night, and,
according to the police, the occupant
sought fresh supply ofgasoline. Mr.
Cooper, without hat or coat, got out
his own car to accompany the man
to garage.
The authorities assume that the
young lawyer was lured from his
home to the secluded bridge over the
creek and there done to death. The
condition of his clothing indicated
that he had been dragged some dis
lance before he was thrown into the
| water. Physicians who examined the
body said the small amount Of water
| found in the lungs was evidence that
Cooper was dead when dropped into
the creek.
Mrs. Cooper, who is daughter of
| Milton j, Smith, President of the
Louisville & Nahville Railroad, has
been visiting relatives in Louisville,
KY, and her absence accounts for
/ tine Tact that the disappearance OF
her husband did not become known
until Saturday.
There was no evidence that the
Cooper home had been robbed after
the murder, and some doubt has been
expressed that the lawyer would have
any great sum on his person. His
empty pocketbook, however, was
found in the bottom of the automo-
bile.
Governor Roberts has offered re-
ward of $500 for the arrest and con-
viction of the murderers of the law
Y 1-41 vnrr, ~
by an offer of similar amount by
the family. The police admit that
they have nothing on which to work
in solving the mystery.
The killing of former Senator Car
mack grew out of the race between
Carmack and former Governor Pat
terson for Governor in 1908. Colonel
D. B. Cooper, father of the young
lawyer, was one of the closest ad-
visers of Patterson and ill-feeling
between Cooper and Carmack de-
voloped during the political cam
paign.
After the election the two met on
the street and exchanged shots
Young Cooper was with his father
and fired the shot that caused Car.
mack's death. Both father and son
were convicted by the lower court
of murder in the second degree, but
the State Supreme Court reversed
the verdict as to the son and remand
ed his case for a new trial. When
young Cooper was brought to tria
again the charge was dropped.
Colonel Cooper never served any
part of his sentence, having been par
doned by Governor Patterson.
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