Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1908 — CARMACK IS SHOT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CARMACK IS SHOT

Street Fight That Ends Ex-Senator’s Career. HE HAD CRITICISED A CITIZEN Latter and Son Meet Him and the Shooting Begins. Ni H , BOTH SHOOTERS HIT IN THE FRAJ Robin Cooper, the Slayer, Seriyusly Wounded—New York Postmaster Shot by a Crank with Fancied Grievance.

Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 10.—Ex-Sena-tor Edward Ward Carmack, editor of the Tennessean, was shot and killed about 4 p. m. yesterday on Seventh avenue north. In front of the Polk flats, by Robin Cooper, son of Colonel Duncan B. Cooper. Carmack was going north on Seventh avenue in front of the Polk flats, and Colonel Cooper and his son Robin were approaching

Seventh avenue on Union street. Soon after they <-aine in sight of one another the shooting began, Robin Cooper, it is said, tired three shotsand Senator Ca.’mack two. Colonel Duncan B. Cooper, it is said, drew his pistol, but did not Are. Senator Carmack fell to the ground, dying instantly. Robin Cooper was sjliot in the right breast and dangerously wounded, but will probably recover. Trouble Was Over Politics. It IS understood that the trouble is one of the results of the recent Democratic gubernatorial primary in which Carmack was defeated. Carmack has, since lie has been editor of the Tennessean. been quite caustic in criticising what he called the Democratic machine, and has had several editorials about Colonel Cooper. Within the past few days, it is said. Colonel Cooper notified Carmack that these editorial criticisms must cease. Yesterday morning another editorial reference to Colonel Cooper appeared in the Tennessean, and this is supposed to have ■been the immediate cause of the trouble. " Smoking a Cigar When Killed. As soon as Senator Carmack fell on the edge of the street. Colonel Duncan Cooper and his son walked a few feet down Seventh avenue to Dr. R. G. Fort’s office, where the wound in his shoulder was examined and treated. The body of Carmack was then taken to an undertaker's. Carmack’s pistol was lying at his side with two of the chambers empty when the body was picked up and was turned over to an officer. The •tump of a cigar Carmack had been smoking was also on the street beside him, where it had fallen from his mouth as he fell. Young Cooper was later taken to a hospital and Colonel Cooper is held at policy headquarters. Robin Cooper is a practicing attorney at tew, twenty-seven years old, and single.

CARMACK HAD THREE WOUNDS Oae in tim Neck Was the Cause of His Death Carmack was wounded three times —ln the ueck, tbe breast and left Shoulder, the wound in the neck being the one that killed him, and two of the bullets went in Yrom behind. A statement issued by friends of the Coopers says that Colonel Cooper had recently talked with E. A. Craig, of Chattanooga, a close friend of Carmack, regarding the Tennessean editorials. Colonel Cooper bad told Craig, the statement says, that he wanted the references to himself stopped; that be was a private citizen, and Carmack had no right to discuss him in the manner be bad adapted. Craig, it is said, saw Car mack about the matter, and reported that Carmack would consent to no relaßous with Cooper. On the day of the tragedy the two Coopers, tbe statement says. went out

of their w«y to avoid meeting Garmack,but they met Carmack walking on Seventh street but on the opposite side of tlie street. Colonel Cooper thereupon said he would go over and speak with Carmack and see if he would not agree to stop making the annoying newspaper attacks on him. Colonel Cooper walked across tfae street and approached Carmack, who was coming facing him at the time. Colonel Cooper had just begun to •peak with Carmack when Carmack drew bis pistol and began trying to fire it while a passing lady was between Carmack aud Cooper, and his •on, who luftl run over when Oarmack began to draw his pistol. It is said that Colonel Cooper asked Carmack to come from behind the lady, when Cormack thereupon tired two shots, botih of which struck Robin Cooper, who had Intervened in bis father’s protection. Then It was after being shot that Robin Cooper fired the fatal shot, Colonel Cooj>er never using a pistol at all. Oarniack’s friends refused to make a statement at this time, but Mrs. Charles H. Eastman, of this city, and J. M. Eastman, of Naw York, were nearby when the tragedy occurred. Mrs. Eastman said they met Carmack and he raised his hat and smiled. He had, said Mrs. Eastman “his right hand up and was about to make a remark when somebody said—it was the older voice—’We’ve got you allright,’ or something to that effect Mr. Carmack raised his eyes, instantly put on his hat and ran bis hand back, when the same voice said: ‘You cbward, you ■re hiding behind a woman ere you?’ “Senator Carmack jumped out so as to get clear of me, and I jumped Into • gateway. I saw that Mr. Carmack had a pistol. I turned and said: ‘For God’s sake, don’t shoot* 1 saw Mr. Carmack wheel and fall in a Leap in the gutter." *---

EX-SENATOR CARMACK.