Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-12-15
owed $175,OOO-and didn't have cent
left with which to liquidate his indebt-


81 own the controlling stock in The
Nashville American-it's yours" he
said, or words to that effect.
Ana that was how Col. Duncan
Brown Cooper became the publisher OF
one of Tennessee's most prominent
dailieo.
Cooper had already served in the
state legislature. But he found more
fun in pulling the strings that made
political puppets dance tan in being
a puppet himself. He became po-
litical boss of gigantic power, his paper
his chief instrument.
Prestige of Family.
He had not only the prestige that
went with influence but also that OF
family. His wife was a cousin OF
President James K. Polk. One brother,
Edmund, had been private secretary to
Andrew Johnson; another, William,
was Chief Judge of the Tennessee Su-
preme Court ard Harry Cooper was
also prominent in politics.
Cooper knew the intricacies Of the
counting room, but he wassno man Of
the study. The American, flourish
ing daily, needed new blood to enliven
its editorial pages. Some one showed
the colonel a few editorials written for
paper by country lawyer, Ned Car
mack.
Cooper was quick to spot talent in
them.
Get that man on my paper" he
ordered.
Up from Columbia came the gawky
lawyer, clad in homespun. That was
in SO. His editorials attracted atten-
ton. So did his clothes. A brother
worker gently limited one day that the
man who could write such powerful
editorials should dress the part ac-
cordingly. So Ned Carmack went to
tailor, and under careful tutelage
soon fiowered like the lily of the field.
Cooper and Carmack became boon
companions. The older man admired
the mental traits of the youngster, who
was beginning to ripen. Carmack also
had served a term in the legislature,
and his tongue was running his pen
close race for laurel wreaths.
Cooper became a national figure in
inner political circles. He spent much
of his time in Washington, where he
was admired by President Cleveland
and Democratic leaders, who realized
the power he held down South. The
years We're beginning to tell on the
cavalier. His locks began to thin.
Duncan Cooper was becoming bald.
Carmack was blossoming into virile
manhood. He had learned the ways
Of the world. In 1889 he founded the
Nashville Democrat, and when it was
merged with the American he became
editor-i chief. In 1892 he was made
editor of the Memphis Commercial
Appeal.
Carmack was another Henry Waiter
son-with a bit more vitriol in his ink
bottle, and less of the milk Of human
kindness in his bosom. Where Cooper
was the suave cavalier, Carmack was
the dominating master Of men. Cooper
let other men carry out his wishes.
Carmack began to carry out his own.
Wins Congress Seat.
In 1896 Carmack defeated for con-
gress in the 10th Tennessee Congress
sional District Josiah Patterson, an
other famous old warhorse Of the re-
construction period. Carmack's flights
Of oratory made him tomous through
out the state. But where Cooper made
only friends, and those the kind that
clung to him with tentscles Of steel,
Carmack made friends who would die
for hinl-and enemies who would readi-
ly have killed him.
The wheel of political fortune u ned
and Carmack was sent to the United
States senate. That was in 1901, Roose
velt had just thrown his hat on the
White House sofa, and was beginning
to show his teeth. Carmack had just
tasted real power, and was beginning
to discover the lash hidden beneath
his tongue.
And Col. Duncan Brown Cooper was
becoming a little more fat, a little more
opinionated, and-a little more bald.
Cooper loved a man who was a
fighter. That may have been one Of
the reasons for his attachment to Ned
Carmack. 1t also accounted for the
admiration that he began to feel for
Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt was a
Republican-but also fighting gentle
man. Cooper expressed his admiration
for him openly, and eventually put his
legs under the presidents hospitable
table.
Down at the other end Of Pennsyl-
vania Avenue Carmack watched "Dunc
flirting around the White House" He
couldn't stomach Roosevelt, and for
Dune to go salaaming in that door was
too much for the Hot-spur OF
Tennessee politics" No doubt he told
Duncan just what he thought of it.
Every one knows that Carmack didn't