The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-30

This afternoon tho city and county
officers working upon the murder had
discovered no 'clew to the perpetrators
OF the deed, They are working upon
the theory that Mr.. Cooper was the
victim OF robbers. who attacked him
with heavy stone. a blow from which
crushed his skull. A coroners inquest
this afternoon found that Mr., Cooper
came toN his death by the hands OF
parties Se tSSarS " bSy by poc tSS ea9 Sat Mr.
Cooper was murdered and robbed and
his body thrown into RichlAnd creek.
According to w. @, Farmer, well known
turfman and a neighbor Of Mr., Coop
er's In Belle Meade park, Mr., Cooper
seovrM days ago drew $4,000 FROM
local bank and II is supposed that the
murderers, becoming aware OF this fact,
enticed him from home under the sup
position that he would have consid-
erable sum on his person
A more careful examination OF the
body was made after II had been
ment In Nashville, This revealed that
the Nlpnosed pistol wound behind the
ear was a cut, Wounds about the fore
head indicated that the victim had been
severely cluhbed, The bridge OF the
nose was broken Dkdth was caused
There Was little water II the lungs
indicating that death had occurred Be-
fore the body had been thrown into
the creek
The coroner's jury will investigate
the case at once, Gov A. II. Roberts,
this morning, offered reward Of $500
for the arrest and conviction OF the
murderer or murderers.
The last seen OF Mr. Cooper was on
Thursday night, when an automobile
stopped at his home In Belle Meade
park, q fashionable suburb west lot
aatIa. la - NAa1 49,
wanted gasoline. and to assist him Mr.,
Cooper got into his own car without
hat and drove off with the other car,
He has not been seen since. Mrs,
Cooper, who Is daughter Of Milton II.
Smith, president Of the Louisville A.
Nashville railroad Is In Louisville. and
her husbands disappearance did not be-
morning, when his deserted car was
found on bridge over Rlchland creek.
The car was splattered with blood
and Mr., Cooper's empty pocket book
was found on the floor OF the car.
Robin Cooper ,,Gs y was eS,n,o one Of ths best
son OF Duncan b. Cooper, formerly
q power In state politics.
Slayer of Carmack.
Robin Cooper killed former Senator
1908 Senator Carmack was defeated
for the senate by the late r. L. Taylor
and then made the race for governor
against Gov NJ r. Patterson Car
mack made the race az prohibition
candidate for the Democratic nominA-
tion, Patterson took the local option
side.
After his defeat, Carmack became ed
itor Of the Nashville Tennessean,
newspaper founded by Luke Lea He
Immediately plunged into bitter cam
palgn against his political enemies.
The chief object Of his invective was
Duncan b. Cooper, Cooper finally
name again. The next morning the
Tennesean carried an editorial entitled,
! 'The Wooden Handle and the Pewter
Spoon" referring 10 the combination
between John l. Cox and Cooper.
Late that evening, while Carmank
was On his way to his home on Seventh
avenue, In front OF the Polk apartment
house, he was met by Duncan and
Robin Cooper, Carmack, the testimony
showed. was In conversation with a
lady, when he was accosted by Duncan
Cooper. Carmack was said TO have
made an attempt to get his pistol The
elder Cooper fired, and at the same time
Robin Cooper fired, the ball from his
pistol entering the back Of Carmacks
neck and ranging upward. John Sharp.
sheriff OF Davidson coanty, was in the
vicinity at the time,
All three were indicted. Sharp was
acquitted Duncan Cooper and Robin
Cooper were convicted in one of the
most famous trials ever hs.d In the
United states The supreme court af-
flrmed the verdict against Duncan
Cooper, the father, and reversed the
verdict OF tho lower court against
Robin Cooper.
A wave Of indIgnatio swept over the
country when Gov. Patterson issued a
pardon to Duncan Cooper before he left
the chamber OF the supreme court,
where the decision was rendered.
Robin Cooper was never tried again
The case finally was dismissed. Robin
Cooper brooded always over the tragedy
which he got into on account or MS
father, He was a mild hammered soft :
spoken young man. with hundreds OF
k,innha mhn stood hX him.