The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-07
He Receives -Four Pistol
Wounds and Then Falls
Dead in Store.
.BREATHITT BOSS
A MAN OF BLOOD
Had Figured in the Courts oi the
Mountains for Many Years
in Connection With Cox,
Marcum and Cockrill
Murders-Bou
Own Coffin.

JACKSON, Ky. February 6.-Form-
er County Judge James Hargis, for
many years member OF the state Demo-
cratic executive committee. charged
with completely in many killings. and
a prominent figure In the feuds which,
have disrupted that section for several
years, was shot and Instantly killed
In his general store here about $3.50
p. M. to-day by his son, Beach HarGis
The son fired five shots in rapid
succession at his father. who fell dead
while his clerks were waiting on Gus
toners.
The exact cause OF the murder has
not been learned. but 1t 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 a severe quar-
rel several nights ago, when the father,
1t is alleged. was compelled to resort
to violence to restrain his son.
Young Man Drinking.
Young Hargis, 1t is said. had been
drinking heavily Of late. He came
into the store this afternoon and was
apparently under the Influence OF
liquor. Judge Hargis. 1t is said, spoke
to his son about drinking and quar-
rel resulted. Father and son stepped
behind counter. when the son, after
few ninutes' conversation. drew a
revolver and fired five shots. Four
took effect, Judge Hargis falling dead.
The young lady stenographer and
the customers in the store fled In
fright. Young Hargis was arrested
and placed in Jail. He was raving like
a maniac, and the officers were COM
|pelled to drag him to jail.
Boss OF Brcathitt.
Judge Hargis had been for years a
prominent figure in Kentucky in po-
Iitical and criminal circles. He had
figured In the courts in the mountains
for years on account of the murders
OF DR.. Cox. Attorney Martin and Jim
cockrill. Judge Hargis was the politi-
cal leader OF the Democrats OF the
Tenth District, and was regarded as
the '.boss'. OF Breathitt' county. For
years his sway was not opposed. but
some years ago James B. Marcum had
the temerity to oppose Hargis In a
law case. From that day he was a
marked man. Judge Hargis had been
on trial at various times for completely
in the murder OF Marcum, Jim Cockrill
and DR.. Cox. but had been acquitted on
!
forced to pay Judgment OF $4,000 to
Mrs Marcum in connection with the
death of her husband.
Judge Hargis had Just disposed OF
| this. the last OF the cases In which
he had been involved when he paid
the Judgment OF the court. Mrs. Mar
cum had sued Judge Hargis and others
for 100000. alleging that they caused
the death OF her husband. The Hargis-
| Cockrill feud had its inception In a
| political contest. The Hargises had
long been dominant in Breathitt coun-
ty. where they conducted q general
4 store, were engaged In the lumber
business. and were generally active
The brothers, James, Alex and Ebert
were good business men. and accu-
! mulated a fortune.
j Tho trouble with the Cockrills arose
( when the latter opposed Hargis at the
polls. Feeling was bitter when one
day Benjamin Hargis, younger
brother OF Judge James Hargis. met