The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-09-04
CARMACK'S SLAYER
VICTIM OF MURDER
ROBIN J. COOPER is MYsTERI-
OJSIY KILLED NEAR HOME.
Murderers Unidentified
Tragedy Recalls the Most Notable
Trial in History of VOlun-
teer State.

Nashville, Tenn. Aug. 3O.-Robin
]. Cooper, Nashville attorney,
whose trial for the killing of former
United States Senator Edward W.
Carmack during the celebrated pistol
duel between his father, Col. D. B.
Cooper and Carmack, in 1908, at
tracted countrywide attention, has
been murdered here under mysteri-
Gus circumstances.
Cooper's body was taken from
Richland creek today soon after his
blood-stained automobile had been
found on a bridge near his home in
the fashionable Belle Meade Park
section. The skull had been crushed,
but there was evidence that vio-
lent struggle had taken place before
the fatal blow was struck.
A coroner's inquest late today
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 per-
sons determined to rob him. This
theory is based largely upon evidence
that Cooper drew $4,000 from a
bank a short time before he disap-
peared last Thursday night.
Lured From Home.
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 the clothing indicated
that he had been dragged some dis
tance 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 a daughter of
Milton J. Smith, president of the
Louisville and Nashville railroad, has
been visiting relatives in Louisville.
Ky, and her absence accounts for the
fact that the disappearance Of her
husband did not become known until
today.
There was no evidence that the
Cooper home had been robbed after
the murder and some doubt has been
expressed that the murderers could
have expected 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 Offers Reward.
Governor Roberts has offered re-
ward Of $500 for the arrest and con-
viction of the murderers Of the law
yer. This was later supplemented by
the offer of similar amount by the
family. The police admit that they
have nothing on which to work in
solving the mystery.
The Carmack tragedy. the most
notable in the history of Tennessee,
grew out of the Carmack-Patterson
race for governor in 1908, in which
Col. D. B. Cooper. father Of Robin J.
Cooper, was one of Patterson's closest
advisers.
In the fatal encounter which oc-
Cured on an uptown street of Nash
Vile November 9, 1901. the son fired
the Shot which ended Carmack's life
and in the shooting was himself
wounded.
Father and son were convicted OF
murder in the second degree in the
lower court, but on the appeal of the
case to the supreme court, the YER
dict was reversed as to the son, the
judges standing to 2. The verdict
as to Col. Cooper was sustained 3 to
2. but before leaving the capitol the
father was pardoned by Governor Pat
terson.
The case against Robin J. Cooper
when it came up again in the David
son county criminal court, was drop
ped.