New-York tribune., 1908-02-07

into his parents PROSTATE body.
The tragedy occurred in Hargis Brothers
store and was witnessed by two customers and
a stenographer. All three fled
Young Hargis was later removed to jail by
the town marshal and a deputy, but he strus-
gled like madman until thrown into a cell
Soon afterward the report current that
he had taken morphine in his cell, but no con-
firmaton of this or any word of his condition
could be obtained from the Jail officials. who
are guarding him closely. The news of Harg1ss
end came profound shock to the residents
of Jackson and Breathtt county on whose
bloody feud records his name appears on almost
every page
The Younger Hargis had been on protract-
ed spree and some days ago his father admin
istered a thrashing. The chastsement was the
cause of the murder to-day, the son having con-
tinued his dissipation. nursing his resentment
until his father again upbraded him for his
condition.
JAMES HARGIS'S CAREER.
Es-Judge Hargis has been for years prom
inent figure in Kentucky political and criminal
circles He figured in the mountain courts
for wears on account of the murders of DR. Cox.
James B. Marcum and Jim Cockrill. Hargis
was the political leader of the Democrats in the
10th District and was the boss of Breathitt
County For years his sway was not opposed
but some years ago Mr.. Marcum had the temer-
itv TO oppose him in a law From that date
Marcum was a marked man.
Hargis had been on trial at various times for
compIicitv in the murder OF Marcum, Cockrill
and Cox but had obtained an acquitta on all the
charges. He was recently forced to pay judg-
ment of IS 900 to Mrs. Marcum In connection
with the death of her husband, verdict having
been found against him in the Circuit Court at
Winchester
The Hargis- CocRrill feud. out Of which grew
the many tragedies with which James Harglss s
name was linked, had its inception in a poiltcal
contest The Hargises had long been dom
inant in Breathitt County, where they conducted
general store we're engaged in the lumber
business and generally active The broth
ers James. Alexander and Elbert. were good
business men and accumulated what In the
mountains is a large fortune
BEGINNINC OF THE FEUD.
The trouble with the Cockrils arose when the
CocI1rills opposed the Hargses the polls.
Feeling was bitter, when day Benjamin
Hargis a younger brother of James Harsis met
one of the Cockril boys in blind tiger near
Jackson There was revolver fight and Cock
riI killed Benjamin Hargis.
In the fall of 1902 came the first assassination
in the feud Dr. Cox, the guardian of the Cock
ril boys was the victim. DR.. Cox lived on
the outskirts of Jackson. He was called from
his home night to answer a professional
call. AS he entered his gate on the way home
he was shot by persons concealed across the
way. Afterward John Smith John Abner and
others of the alleged Hargis band of assassins
were accused of the crime. and in confession
made by one of them they asserted that James
Hargis hired them to kill DIR. Cox.
From this time on the story of the Hargis-
Cofkrill feud was written in blood. The next
to fall was Jim" Cockrill, the town marshal.
shortly after the murder C: Cockrll when in
terest had been mildly aroused. James b Mar
cum the attorney for the Cockril boys, created
a tremendous sensation by going to Lexington
and publicly declaring that he marked
man" and that he had been doomed to murder
by the Hargis elan
ASSASSINATION OF MARCUM.
one morning in May. five years ago. Marcum
went TO The courthouse in jackson to transact
some business. He was standing at the door Of
the courthouse talking to Captain Even. after
ward noted as a witness, when Il shot rang out
Nfarcufn staggered from the steps and fell dying.
bur the assassin stepped up and. to make sure
shot him again through the back of the head
The assassin was Curt" Jett the wild Dog
who has since confessed his part in this tragedy
and who was accused Of the others He and
Tom White are serving life sentences in
the pententiary.
James Hargs will be buried in coffin which
he himself bought about a month ago Some
time in the early part OF last month he went
to the National Casket Company and inspected
The most elaborate collins the company had in
stock Nothing suited him and he finally or
3ared one according to his own ideas costing
s. 800
About 4 so O'Clock this afternoon the following
telegram was received by the company from
Mrs Hargis:
Express to-day casket selected by James /
Hargis as he is dead"
HAMS Restaurant Park Row Bldg.-Refned