Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1907-02-02
The Account Of the Affair, Takes From the Msri-
dian MsruinE Dispatch, Places the Judge
IN az Exceeding Bad Light.

however, talked freely concerning the
trouble and what he claimed led up to
it. During his conversation the room
at the hotel occupied by him was well
fill with travelling men and other friends,
each of whom agIeed that the main |
facts as stated by him were what they
had seen.
Mr.. jenkins story was as follows:
81 was standing at the desk in the
lobby of the hotel Sunday morning
talking to other travelling men-Charles
Saunders, of the city, and a Mr.. Britt,
a stranger. While talking Judge Coch-
ran was noticed Bcross the street, and
| Immediately asked the two gentle
men to search me, remarking to them
that l wanted them to be in position
to swear the truth, if anything hap
pened to me, that | had no weapon.
Both men searched me as l requested.
in a short time the door to the lob
by apened and R. L. Murray walked
in, followed by Judge Cochran. asked
the two gentlemen with whom l was
talking to step aside, and they did so.
Murray covered me with a revolver
while Judge Cochran made stroke at
me with the whip he carried. threwup
my left arm, warding off the blow, and
struck out with my right fist landing
squarely between the eyes of Judge
Cochran. struck in what considered
self defense.
From the force of the blow, fell
to the floor, and Murray grapped me,
striking me over the head with his re-
volver and handling it in threatening
manner. While he held me in the cor
ner, with his drawn pistol, Judge Coch-
ran used his whip he carried. After
the difficulty both men walked out.
am not seriously hurt, two slightly sore
places can be felt on my head, and my
right fist sore from the blow I struck.
Later Mr.. Britt was seen in the lobby of
the hotel and he told practically the same
story. He did not know whether Mr.. Muir
ray had the pistol in his hand when he
walked in the door, but says he did see it
during the difficulty. Mr.. Britt verified
the statement made by Mr.. jenkins
that he searched before the difficulty,
and stated that he found no weapon of
any kind. He said he was surprised at
the request, Bs he had no idea that
trouble was brewing.
Other gentlemen who claim to be
present talked in the same vein. One
of them said that considerable foul Ian
guage was used during the difficulty,
and that the ladies in the lobby as well
as those in the dining room hastily re-
treated either to the rear of the res
taurant or up the office stairs. A num-
Der of the men in the lobby are said to
have sought safety in flight, as soon as
the trouble started.
The one mystery that surrounds the
entire occurrence appears to be the un-
derlying cause of the trouble. Mr..
Jenkins stated that he did not care to
go into detail until he had consulted his
attorney, and none had been engaged
up to the hour Of the interview In an
swer to the questions, however the fol-
lowing alleged facts were brought out,
Mr.. jenkins being the sole authority
for them.
There is a great deal behind this oc-
culrence which will probably snot be
brought out until the case is aired in the
courts. 1t dates back some two years
ago was fined $574 by Judge Coch-
ran for hitting viii Allen, a Shubuta
negro, in the face wish my fist. Before
that fine was paid, however, the negro
was arrested for perjury, and matter
placed before the grand jury. | am
told that the sentiment was for an in
| dictment, but none was ever allowed to
be returned. paid the fine. was
also fined $25 for alleged adultry, and
an indictment was returned against me
for carrying concealed weapons.
In this connection, however, there
is great deal to be told as to how the
indictment was returned, including some
| allegations of bribery or attempted
bribery. l have several bits of evil
dence that will be submitted at the
right time on this When demanded
trial for carrying concealed weapons,
| was told that the indictment was lost.
| have never been tried on that charge.
q have been engaged in working up
evidence on which to base affidavits for
warrant against Judge Cochran on
charge of public drunkenness in office,
the alleged offense having been com
mitted at or near Quitman. have all
the evidence arranged and held a con-
ference with some north Mississippi
friends last week to decide to go to
| Newton to have the warrant issued,
Business matters interviewed, and the
Newton meeting was postponed until
! next Wednesday.
This occurance in the lobby of the
Grand Avenue will not interfere in any
way, | believe, in carrying out my orig
inal intention. | do not care to go into
details in this connection right now,
however AS far as know now, our
engagement for Newton on next We'd
nesday will be filled and warrant will
probably be issued at that time.
Comments of all descriptions are be-
ing made, and suggestions of the prob
able future actions of the principals in
the case are numerous. Of course none
OF these suggestions bear the stamp of
official sanction of the gentlemen whose
names are being used. The return of
Judge Cochran is being awaited for fur
Their developments, the hearing of the
case yesterday morning in police court
having been postponed until next Mon