The Indianapolis journal., 1903-05-05
ATTORNEY ASSASSlNATED
JAMES d. MARCUM SHOT DEAD BY AN
UNKNOWN MAN.
Victim Had Just Filed Papers in a
Contested Election Case-Murderer
Was in the Courthouse.

LEXINGTON, KY, May AUST after
he had finished filing papers reopening the
contested election cases of Breathitt coun-
ty James B. Marcum was shot and killed
by an unknown assassin. He fell in his
tracks in the front entrance of the court
house at Jackson, KY, and never spoke,
death being almost instantaneous. He fell
within a few yards of where Town Mar
shall James Cockrell was shot down in
July, the assassin being stationed in the
courthouse in each instance.
Marcum was counsel for the fusionists.
who contesting for the offices of county
judge, sheriff and other places now held by
Democrats. AS a result of his efforts and
his sympathy with the Cockreil faction in
the Hargis- -Cockrell feud he had for year
been generally regarded as a marked
man." Various plots to assassinate him
have been reported and sworn to in afn-
davits. For seventy-two days last fall he
was prisoner in his own home, daring not
even to go out on his porch. The bitter
ness of the feud somewhat abated, how
ever, and the election cases were allowed
to sleep until Monday. Despite warnings
Marcum felt safe in resuming his inter-
rupted practice some time ago and felt Sc
cure in filing a motion to reopen the cases
which had imperiled his life months be-
fore. At o'clock this morning 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 CONVEX
sation with Benjamin Ewing. a friend The
corridor stretching out to his back was
full Of men. Ewing was half-leaning on
Marcums shoulder. The men had been
talking about three minutes and ii was $50
o'clock when 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 facing him. The next shot passed
through the top of his head and was aimed
as he reeled. The shots appeared to come
from doorway or possibly from behind
door in the corridor, but as tn, passage
was quickly cleared. amid great confusion
no one seemed able to state accurately
where the assassin was located.
A telegram from County Judge Harris
received at $50 O'Clock tonight states that
the assassin is still unknown after a dill
gent search and no arrests have as vet
been made even on suspicion. Marcum's s
body lay for ten minutes untouched. Even
his friends feared TO approach the place.
Men feared to touch the body 1t was
finally picked up by friends and carried
to a drug store opposite and from there
taken home. Some say they saw the as
sassin run out of the rear door and II
seems certain that he made his escape that
way during the confusion. 1t is generally
believed that the assassin was recognized
by some people. but no one has thus far
had the courage to name him. though this
| question Is on every ones lips.
Marcum was a trustee of the Kentucky
| State College, United States Commissioners
| of his district and represented the Lexing-
| ton & Eastern Railroad and other large
| corporations. He had practiced law in
| Breathitt county for seventeen years. He
| had avoided feuds, and until he took charge
| OF the election cases which involved the
| Hargis faction had been friend of mem
| bers of both factions. For three months
| beginning last July. he did not leave his
| home. and efter that for months was al
ways accompanied by his wife and women
| friends or carried one of his children with
him for protection. The funeral will take
! place In Mount Sterling probably on
Wednesday.