The bee., 1908-02-13
JUDGE KILLED BY HIS SON
FAMOUS FEUD LEADER MEETS
FATE WHICH OVERLOOK
MANY OF HIS FOES.
THRICE TRIED FOR MURDER
Had ouarreled and 1t Is Thought This
Led to Death of Principal in
Marcum, Cox and cockrilT
Assassinations.

Jackson, KY. Feb. Former Coun-
IT, Judge James Hargis, for many
years member of the state democratic
executive committee. accused Of com
plicity in many murders and a promi.
nent figure in the feuds which have
disrupted Breathitt county for several
years, was shot and instantly killed in
his general store here Thursday after
noon by his son, Beach Hargis. The
son fired five shots in rapid success
sion at his father, who fell dead while
his clerks were waiting on customers.
The exact cause of the murder has
not been learned, but it is supposed
to have been the result of differences
which have existed between father
and son for some time. The two men
are reported to have had quarrel
several nights ago, when the father. It
is alleged. was compelled to resort to
violence to restrain his son.
Young Hargis, it is said, has been
drinking heavily Of late. He came
into the store late in the afternoon
and was apparently under the inau-
ence of liquor. Judge Hargis, II is
said, spoke to his son about his drink
ing and quarrel resulted.
Father and son stepped behind a
counter in the store, when the son,
after only a few minutes CONVERSE
ton. drew a revolver and fired five
shots. Four took effect the noted
mountain character falling dead
The young lady stenographer and
the/customers in the store rushed for
the doors and fed in fright
Young Hargis was arrested by Town
Marshal German Smith and Grover
Blanton and placed in jail. He was
raving like maniac and the officers
were compelled to drag him to Jail.
Judge Hargis has been for years
prominent figure in Kentucky politi-
cal circles. He has figured in the
courts in the mountains for years on
account Of the murders of DR.. Cox. At
torney Marcum and Jim Cockrill.
Judge Hargis was the political leader
of the democrats of the Tenth dis
trict and was the boss" leader of
Breathitt county. For years his sway
was not opposed, but some years ago
Mr.. Marcum had the temerity to OPP
pose Hargis in law case. From that
date Marcum is said to- have been a
marked man.
He had been on trial at various
times for completely in the murder of
James 3. Marcum. Jim Cockrill and
Dr. Cox, but had secured an acquittal
on all the charges. He was recently |
forced to ray a judgment of $4,000 |
to Mrs. Marcum in connection with |
the death of her husband, a verdict
having been found against him in the |
circuit court at Winchester.
Judge Hargis had just disposed Of
this, the last of the cases in which he
lad been involved by his connection
with the Hargis-Cockrill feud, when
he paid a check of over $1,000 10
Mrs Marcum. Mrs. Marcum had sued
Judge Hargis and others for 500 600,
alleging that they caused the death Of
her husband. Though Hargis was ac-
quilted of the charge of having mur-
dered Marcum, the Winchester jury
awarded Mrs Marcum $4,000 damages
against him.
The Hargis-Cockrill fued. one of
which grew the almost innumereble
tragedies with which Judge Hargis
name linked. had its inception in a
political contest. The Hargis family
had long been dominant In Breathitt
county, where they conducted gen
eral store. were engaged In the lumber
business and we're generally active
The brothers, James, Alex and Ebert
were good business men and accumu
lated what In the mountains is a
great fortune.