Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-07-30
TOOK DESPERATE CHANCES.
xsuns Mckinley Cockren Determined That
the Murderers of His Brother
Shal Not Escape.

Jackson. Ky, July 25.-After Com
monwealth's Attorney Byrd had an
nounced that the Investigation by the
special grand jury would close at 2
p. m, Friday. without any furthe4 in
vestigation of the Cockrell case, in
which Curtis Jet is charged with
murder and, after Mr.. Byrd has de-
parted for his home in Wolfe u
ty, placing County Attorney Blanton
in charge to receive the final report
of the grand jury, a stir was created
by the interposition of Mckinley
Cockrell, the 17-year-old brother OF
"Jim' Cockrell, who, with tears in
his eyes, besought Judge Redwine to
hold the grand jury until a witness,
who said he saw Curtis Jet and two
other men in the circuit court room
when Cockrell was shot, could have
agchance to identity the two men who,
be said, he knew by sight, but not by
name.
Judge Redwine acceded to the re-
quest, and as a result, bill" Britain.
a deputy sheriff under ed" Callahan,
and Asbury Spicer, a bosom. friend 3f
Jett, are in Jail on a warrant charging
them with murder.
The commonwealth attorney an
nounced, Friday, that the grand jury
would adjourn after the examination
of Charles Green, of Lexington, who
would arrive on the 10 train.
The announcement caused COM
ment. because the investigation, it
was understood, would last a week.
Green, who resided here at the time
Cockrell was killed. arrived at noon,
escorted by 20 soldiers, who had ia
ken Capt. B. j. Even and j. T. Bolin,
a witness in the case against Gardiner
Plummer for the attempted bribery
Of Even, to Lexington.
Carried Baby to Protect His Life.
Green was taken to the courthouse.
surrounded by soldiers with loaded
rifles and fixed %bayonets. Fearing that
even the soldiers might not be able
to protect him, he carried his three
months-old baby in his arms and had
his wife walk by his side, believing
that no one would shoot at him and
risk killing his wife and child.
Green testified that he saw Curtis
Jett and two other men with rifles in
the circuit court room when Cockrell
was killed.
He said he would recognize the men
if he could see them. Commemorative
Attorney Byrd, although Wiley Cold
iron had testified, in a way, that he
saw Jet and two others in a room,
and that one of the others was "Bill'
Britain, made no attempt to get Brit
tan, and departed on the afternoon
train.
Just before the train departed, and
after Green had been escorted back
to the station, Mckinley Cockrell
rushed up to Judge Redwine, who was
on the street, and urged that Green be
held till he could see the men who
were supposed to have aided Jett to
kill Jim Cockrell.
Judge Redwine agreed, and McKin-
ley Cockrell and L. r. Mcleod, of
the militia started at top speed to the
L.. X. E. station, where they arrived
as the train was pulling out.
Mcleod and young Cockrell jumped
On the train and pulled the bell cord
After the train stopped, Green OBJ.
iected to returning on the plea that
he dared not remain over night in
Jackson.
The train started again, and Nc.
Leod again pulled the bell cord. An
argument between Mcleod and the
conductor ensued, but Green was hus'
lied off the train, and, with his baby
taken to Camp Jackson, where he was
not allowed to appear outside a tent
Gets Warrants for Alleged Slayers.
Mckinley Cockrell then went before
Police Judge 4. p. Cockrell, who, I'M
til the troops occupied Jackson, ha(
not held court for eight months, be
cause he dared not leave his store
which is Gro the street from Hargis
: Bros, and secured warrants charging
"Bill' Britain and Asbury Spicer WITH
murder.
! Britain was found at home, is miles
from Jackson, on the o. & X. railroad
He offered no resistance. He asked
permission to go into his room *
change his clothes.
! As a precautionary measure. a mi
iitinman preceded him, and, in TIT
room, found a loaded revolver lying
on the table.
A detail of soldiers departed a
nightfall to arrest Spicer. They re
: turned at six o'clock with Spice
r strapped on a mule. He was arrested
eight miles from jackson.
The turn of affairs caused by Nc
Kinley Cockrell's action has stirred
/ up a great deal of feeling here, ant
: the boy is believed to have takel
y desperate chances.
do you not believe they may ge
you next?" he was asked.
Every likely" replied the boy, "bu
y I'll not let that probability deter m
from trying to have Brother jim
murderers indicted"
G Spicer and Britain will be take
before the judge.
n If Green identifies them they wi
t. be turned over to the grand jury.
Green's evidence as to Jett corrol
v crates that of Capt. Jack Patrick ant
II it is said, makes a stronger cas-
against Jett for the murder of Cocl