The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-05-08
ATTORNEY SHOT DOWN..
James b. Marcum Killed By an
Unknown Enemy at Jackson,
Kentucky.
ELECTION fuEo REACHES CLIMAX.
s'apcrs In Content Ftl~d ~ the MUIR
derrd Man After BeinR Wnr"e0
that uis Life Was Ia DANGER
Friends Afraid to Approach the
Dody-Assm-sin Escapes.

Lexington. ny. MAY Just after
he had finished filing paper, reopen
ing the contested election eases of
Breathift county. Hon. James H. Mar
cum was shot and killed. Monday, ny
an unknown assassin. He fell IN ms
tracks in The front entrance Of the
courthouse al Jackson. KY. and never
spoke. death being almost instanian-
cous. lie fell within n few yards 81
where Town Marshal James tochrell
Was snoi down in July. the assassin
being stationed in the courthouse in
each instance.
Marcum was counsel for the fusion
lists who are contesting for the oihces
Of county Judge. sheriff and other
places now held by democrats. ~ a
result of his efforts and his s,mpa-
thy with the Cockrell faction in the
IIargis Coekrell feud he had for a
year been generally regarded as
marked man" Various plots to as
sassinate him have been reported and
sworn 10 in afiidayits. For - days
last fall h, was prisoner in his own
home daring not even TO go out on
his porch. The bitterness of the fcud
somewhat abated. however. and the
election eases were allowed 10 sleep
until Monday.
PerIIous Case Resumed.
Despite warnings. Marcum felt safe
in resuming his interrupted practice
some time ago and felt secure in fil-
ing n motion TO reopen the cases
which had imperilIed his life months
before. Al eight o'clock he went TO
the courthouse at Jackson and the
papers were filed. He walked from
the clerks Office to the front door OF
the courthouse. and facing the street.
engaged i'm conversation with BenJa-
min Ewing. friend. The corridor at
his back was full Of men. Ewing was
half leaning on Marcums shoulder.
Tn. men had been talking about
three minutes. and il was $3.50 o'clock
when "A shot rang out in the rear OF
the corridor. Marcum staggered. and
as he sank TO the floor another shot
was fired. The first bullet entered
the back 10 the right OF the spinal
column. and passing through The
breast and body. struck the door fac
ing him. The next shot passed
through the top of his head and was
aimed as he reeled. The shots ap
peared 10 come from "A doorway. Oh
possibly from behind door in fh'
corridor. but as the passage was
quickly cleared amid great confusion
nc one seemed able To state accurate
IN where the assassin was located
Friends Feared 10 Approach.
Marcum's body lay for ten minutes
untouched. Even his friends fcarc'
10 approach the place or to touch fh'
body. II was finally picked mp b,
friends and carried 10 a drugstore np
posite and from there was taker
home. some say they saw the assas
sin run out Of the rear door. aud 4
seems certain that he made his escap'
that way during the confusion. II \
generally believed that the ASSASSIN
was recognized by several persons
but no one has thus far had the conr
age to name him.
Marcum was a trustee OF the Ken
tucky state college. United state
commission Of his district and repre-
! senfed the Lexington a Eastern rail
rosi and other large corporations. "
. had praciiced iaw in Ereathtt coun
Nv for T.. years. He had aNoide'
fcuds and until he took charge 81 III
election eases. which involved IN
Hargis faction. had been a friend q
+ members OF both factions. For tire
months. beginning last July he d.
not leave his home. and after thai 70
months was always accompanied b
his Wife and women friends or carrie
one of his children with him for pro
lection. The funeral viii take plac
in Mount Sterling. probably .
"Wednesday.