Edward W. Carmack
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Edward Ward Carmack (November 5, 1858 – November 8, 1908) was an attorney, newspaperman, and political figure who served as a U.S. Senator from Tennessee from 1901 to 1907.
Following his political service, and after an unsuccessful run for Governor of Tennessee, he returned to his job as editor of the Nashville American. He was shot to death on November 8, 1908 over a feud precipitated by his editorial comments in the paper.
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[edit] Early life
Carmack was born in Sumner County, Tennessee. He attended The Webb School, then at Culleoka, Tennessee. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1878 and began practicing in Columbia, Tennessee. He served as Columbia city attorney in 1881, and was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1884.
Carmack joined the staff of the Nashville Democrat in 1889, later becoming editor-in-chief of the Nashville American when the two papers merged. He later (1892) served as editor of the Memphis Commercial, now The Commercial Appeal.
[edit] Political career
Carmack was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1896, and served two terms in that body, March 4, 1897 - March 3, 1901. He was then elected by the U.S. Senate, serving one term in that body, March 4, 1901 - March 3, 1907. Carmack served on the Lodge Committee investigating war crimes in the Philippine-American War.
Carmack failed to secure reelection to a second Senate term, being succeeded by former governor of Tennessee Robert L. Taylor, and returned to the practice of law. He then contended for the 1908 Democratic nomination for governor; when this proved to be unsuccessful as well, he then returned to editing the Nashville American.
[edit] Death and legacy
On November 8, 1908, he was shot down on the streets of Nashville over something he had said in the newspaper regarding Col. Duncan B. Cooper which had prompted a feud.[1]
Perhaps in large measure because of the spectacular and violent nature of his death, a large bronze statue of Carmack [1], engraved with several quotes from on its surroundings and pedestal, was erected on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol building in which he seems to be gesturing to the plaza across the street. His remains were returned to Columbia, and he was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery there.
[edit] References
- ^ "Woman Tells How Carmack Was Slain", .pdf, The New York Times, 1909-02-17. Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
[edit] External links
- More information on Congressional Biographical Directory
- Tennessee Newspaper Hall of Fame: Edward W. Carmack, 1858-1908
| Preceded by Thomas B. Turley |
United States Senator (Class 2) from Tennessee 1901-1907 Served alongside: William B. Bate, James B. Frazier |
Succeeded by Robert Love Taylor |
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