The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-09-02
Mysterious Circumstances Sur
round Killing.Of Robin J. Coop
er, Nashville Attorney
BODY TAKEN FROM CREEK
Skull Was Crushed and There
Were Evidences of Violent
Struggle-No Clue to the
Guilty Party or Parties.

Nashville, Tenn. Sept. Robin j.
Cooper, Nashville attorney, whose
trial for the killing of former United
States Senator Edward w. Carmack
during he celebrated pistol duel be-
tween his father. Col. d. b. Cooper.
and Cormack in 1908 attracted coun-
try-wide attention, has been murder
ed here under mysterious circumstan-
ces
Cooper's body was taken from
Richland creek soon after his blood
stained automobile had been found
on a bridge near his home in the
fashionable Belle Meade section. The
skull had been crushed, but there
were evidences that violent struggle
had taken place before the fatal blow
was struck.
A coroner's inquest developed no
clues to the murderer or murderers,
but the police are proceeding on the
theory that Cooper was lured from his
home by persons determined to rob
him. This theory is based largely
upon evidence that Cooper drew $10,-
600 from a bank short time before
he disappeared last Thursday night.
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
tance before he was thrown into the
water. Physicians who examined the
body said the small amount of water
found in the lungs were evidence that
Cooper was dead when dropped into
the creek.
Mrs. Cooper who is a daughter of
Milton ]. 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
earlier.
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 I'm the bottom Of the automo-
bile.
Governor Roberts has offered a re-
ward of $500 for the arrest and con-
viction Of the murderers of the law
yer. This later was supplemented by
offer of a 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 ID. B. Cooper, father of Robin J.
Cooper. was one of Patterson's clos.
est advisers. In the fatal encounter.
which occurred on an uptown street of
Nashville November 8. 1908. the son
fired the shot which ended Carmack's s
life, and in the shooting was himself
wounded. Father and son were con-
yicted of murder in the second degree
in the lower court, Out on the appeal
: OF the case to the Supreme court. the
verdict was reversed as to the son.
the judges standing three to two. The
verdict as to Colonel Cooper was
sustained. three to two, but before
leaving the capital the father was
pardoned by Governor Patterson. The
case against Robin j. Cooper. when
IL came up again in the Davidson
county criminal court was dropped
Victim of BlackmaiI.
Nashville. Tenn. Sept. The
police believe Robin Cooper was the
victim OF a gigantic blackmail plot
This conclusion was reached today
after 4s hour, effort to unravel the
mystery behind the death Of the
young attorney, whose mu,tilated
body was found Saturday morning
in Richland creek, after the discov-
cry OF his bloodstainded motor car on