The Hartford republican., 1907-05-17
; jim HARGIS IS
NOW Being TRIED.
Scott Countians Who Convict.
I ed Powers Compose Jury.
Evidence Shows Conpsiracy Not
Only to Murder Cockrill But
Cox and Marcum as Well.

Jim Hargis is being tried for the
second time for conspiracy to bring
; abouk the murder of James Cockrill.
He was tried for vthe saDp1. offense
about a year ago but the JuIy faiild
to agree. Hargis' case is being heard
by jury of Scott county citizens from
among whom a jury that sat in the
first trial of Caleb Powers was select
ed. That Scott county jury prompt
ly found Powers guilty on the remotest
circumstantial evidence, given by con-
fessed purjurers. The vast majority of
Kentucky citizenry is waiting with en-
during pstienc to learn if direct, and
uncontradictable evidence of Hargis'
conspiracy to murder and his boasted
acts in aiding and and abetting his
convicted and confessed co-conspira-
tors to escape apprehension or pun
ishment will prove as effective in es-
tablishing guilt as a few suspicious
utterances of irresponsible adventures
The trial was begun in earnest at
Lexington last Saturday. The testi-
mony began in the afternoon, some of
which proved to be new and of SEN
sational character, especially the state
ment of John Smith, that Judge Har-
gis had offered when both were at
Frankfort, to go at once and get
Smith a pardon from Gov. Beckham
in advance If he would kill Cockrill.
He also said that Hargis told him
that he (Hargis) could get pardon
for anyop" in the Frankfort peniten-
tiary.
Smith stated that he was resi-
dent of Breahitt and had known Ed
Callahan since he was a boy. Prior
to the time DR.. Cox was killed he had
an interview with Judge Hargis at
Frankfort relative to IL; conspiracy.
Ed Callahan was with Hargis, and
Smith told them he was afraid to kill
Cockrill and it was in response to the
statement that Judge Hargis offered
to get him a pardon from Governor
Beckham before he did any of the kill
ings. Smith swore that Judge Hargis
told him, Bill Britton, and Jesse Spicer
in April, 1902, that James Cockrill DIR.
Cox and ]. B. Marcum had to be kill
ed. He said that in June following
Hargis sent word for him to come to
Jackson. On arriving at Jackson he
went to HaEgis' store where he met
Ed Callahan, Judge Hargis, Elbert Hal
gis, Curt Jett, Bill Britton, Jesse Spice
and John Abner.
About IL o'clock that night all but
Judge Hargis and Ed Callahan went
over to the court house and before
leaving Judge Hargis gave them three
rifles, 32, 3S and A Winchesters.
Abner and Smith slept in the Sher-
ifs office that night and the others
went away. The next day, which was
Monday, Ed Callahan came in about Il
o'clock and told them that Cockrill was
in town. Shortly afterward Curt Jett
came in and told them Cockrill was In
the street and the three then left the
Sheriff's office and went to the court
room, which is in the second story OF
the building. They all took their po-
sitions at the windows. The first time
Smith saw Cockrill was when he was
leaning against post in front OF the
Cardwell building. Abner and Jett be-
gan firing and Cockrill ran down the
street. AS he was running Smith said
he shot at him once. After the shoot
ing they left the court room and Abner
and Smith went to the Sheriff's office
and stayed until dark. Curt Jett went
downstairs almost Immediately.
That night Smith and Abner went
to the store of Judge Hargis, and Ed
Callahan, Elbert Hargis, Judge Hargis
Jesse Spicer, Curt Jett and Smith were
present Smith said he was afraid to
leave and Judge Hargis told Curt Jett
and Elbert Hargis to get shotguns
and assist him in getting out of town
s. S. Taulbee, County Judge OF
Breathitt, was then placed on the
stand and repeated the now famous
statement which he said Hargis had
, made to him. 81 wouldn't kill jim
Cockrill myself, but | would pay the
best lawyer l. could get to defend the
man who did and would sit by him
in the court house while he was being
tried" He said Hargis had made this
statement to him in the courthouse
at Jackson a short time before Cock
-rill was killed.
y Jackson Creetch stated that he met