Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-05-07
SHOT DOWN.
James B. Marcum Killed By an
Unknown Enemy at Jackson,
Kentucky.
ELECTION FUED REACHES CLIMAX.
papers In Contest Filed By the Muir.
dered Man After Being Warned
TINT His Life Was I'm Danger
Friends Afraid to Approach the
BOdy-Assassin Escapes.

Lexington, n.y., May 5.-Just after
he had finished filing papers reopen
ing the contested election cases of
Breathitt county, Hon. James B. Mar
cum was shot and killed, Monday, by
an unknown assassin. He fell in his
tracks in the front entrance of the
courthouse at Jackson, KY, and never
spoke. death being almost instantan-
eous. He fell within a few yards of
where Town Marshal James Cockrell
was shot 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 offices
of county judge, sheriff and other
places held by democrats. AS a
result of his efforts and his sympa-
thy with the Cockrell faction in the
Hargis-Cockrell feud he had for a
year been generally regarded as a
marked man." Various plots to as
sassinate him have been reported and
sworn to in affidavits. For 72 days
last fall he was a prisoner in his own
home daring not even to go out on
his porch. The bitterness of the feud
somewhat abated, however, and the
| election cases were allowed to sleep
until Monday.
PeriIous Case Resumed.
Despite warnings, Marcum felt safe
in resuming his interrupted practice
some time ago and felt secure in fill
ing a motion to reopen the cases
which had imperilled his life months
before. At 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 in conversation with Benja-
min Ewing, a friend. The corridor at
his back was full of men. Ewing was
half leaning ON Marcum's shoulder.
The men had been talking about
three minutes, and it 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 to 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 APP
peared to come from a doorway, or
possibly from behind a door in the
corridor, but as the passage was
quickly cleared amid great confusion
no one seemed able to state accurate
ly where the assassin was located.
Friends Feared to %ApprOach.
Marcum's body lay for ten minutes
untouched. Even his friends feared
to approach the place or to touch the
body. 1t was finally picked up by
friends and carried to a drugstore OPP
posite and from there was taken
home. Some say they saw the assas-
sin run out Of the rear door, and it
seems certain that he made his escape
that way during the confusion. 1t is
generally believed that the assassin
was recognized by several persons,
but no one has thus far had the our
age to name him.
Marcum was a trustee of the Ken
lucky state college, United States
commission of his district and repre-
septed the Lexington G. Eastern rail
road and other large corporations. He
had practiced law in Breathitt coun-
ty for II years. He had avoided
feuds and until he took charge of the
election cases, which involved the
Hargis faction, had been a friend OF
members Of both factions. For three
months, beginning last July he did
not leave his home, and after that foI
months was always accompanied by
his wife and women friends or carried
one of his children with him for pro-
lection. The funeral will take place
in Mount Sterling, probably on
Wednesday.