The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-01-28
JENKINS HAD SOUGHT
 COGHRAN'S ARREST
Trouble Occurred in Grand Avenue Hotel Yesterday Morning in Pres ence of Large Crowd, including
 Many Ladies.

Meridian, MlSS4, daiudIS -t'-NSptSidip- H. T Jenkins, a travelling man by pro- fession, was horsewhipped in a sensa = tional manner in the lobby of the Grand Avenue hotel this morning about 10 o'clock by Judge Robert r. Cochran, presiding judge of the Tenth judicial dis trict. in the presence of a large crowd, including number of ies, while |. R. L. Murray, candii for constable, eover he victim " l a big revolver. threat Y kill hl II he made any atteml sse.
 In al 3e interview this afternoon Jenkin d that the basis of the trouble 1nds back several years. He has be collecting evidence, he says, upon vi oh to base warrants for the ar rest of Judge Cochran for the purpose of securing an indictment against him. all leging public drunkenness in or near Quit man, and that Cochran had become fully aware of his work.
 Jenkins was fined s574 by Judge Coch- ran for what he claims was hitting a negro Will Allen, at Shubuta, and that before the fine was paid the negro was arrested for perjury in connection with the case, but no indictment was allowed returned against him.
 Jenkins also admitted that he had been fined s25 by Judge Cochran for alleged adultery, and that an indictment had been returned against him for carrying concealed weapons.
 -Ha-elaiined, h9Mevtl. that when lie dc handed a trial on this charge, the in- dietment could not be found by the court, the statement being made that 1t was lost.
 Jenkins Statement.
 According to Jenkins, he and two other travelling men were talking in the hotel lobby this morning, when Murray and Judge Cochran entered, the former in ad- vance.
 Judge Cochran had a small buggy whip and Murray Is claimed to have had a large revolver with which he covered Jen- kins, while Judge Cochran attempted to belabor him with the whip.
 It is stated that Jenkins lodged the first blow and struck the judge square between the eyes.
 Falling with the blow, Murray is then alleged to have held him down in cor ner using his gun threateningly and striking him over the head once while Judge Cochran reached over and used the whip.
 Jenkins is not badly injured, only slight flesh marks appearing on the top of his head, and his right fist being sore from the blow given Judge Cochran.
 Immediately after the fracas in the hotel Murray and Cochran walked out. the former returning later, it is said. when a travelling man roundly scored him for his alleged actions.
 The police stated tonight that both Murray and Cochran had been arrested for assault and battery, and that each had made bond for $50. People in the lobby claim that much foul language was used during the whipping, and that sev- eral ladies were in both the lobby and the dining room adjacent. All sought safety in flight during the excitement
 Was Tremendous Sensation.
 The occurrence, while insignificant in itself, has created a tremendous sensa- tion because of the political prominence of Judge Cochran, an appointee of Gov ernor Vardaman, and the fact that Mur- ray has but recently announced for con- stable in this city.
 Ii is intimated that Jenkins has been preparing evidence for d north Mississip- pi editor. who has been waglng ter rife personal war on Cochran. and had reached the point where he was on the eve of swearing out the warrants at New ton during the coming week.
 Judge Cochran left on an early after noon train for Columbus, where he has been holding court.
 Murray and Jenkins are still in the city. The latter has not been arrested.