The Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Ark.) 190?-current, 1908-02-13
JUDGE KILLED BY HIS son
FAMOUS FEUD LEADER MEETS
FATE WHICH OVERLOOK
MANY OF HIS FOES.
THRICE TRIED FOR MURDER
Had Quarreed and II Is Thought This
Led to Death of Principal in
Marcum, Cox and Cockrill
Assassinations.

Jackson, Ky. Feb. Former Coun-
ty Judge James Hargis, for many
years member Of the state democratic
executive committee, accused of COM
plieity in many murders and promi-
nent figure in the feuds which have
disrupted Breathtt county for severa!
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 a 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 infu
ence of liquor. Judge Hargis, ii IS
said. spoke to his sen about his drink
ing and a 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
raying like maniac and the officers
were compelled TO drag him to Jail.
Judge Hargis has been for years a
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
,orney Mareum and Jim Cockrill
IHdgr Harsis was the political leader
eff the democrats of the Tenth dis
triet and was the boss" leader OF
Breathitt county. For years his sway
was not opposed, but some years ago
Mr. Marcum had the temerity % OPP
pose Hargis in a Law case From tina.
date Marcum is said 10 have been
marked man,
Was Tried for Murder.
lie had been on trial at various
times for completely in the murder Of
lanes b. Mareum. Jim Coekrll and
Or Cox. but had secured an acquittal
on all the charges He was recently
forced To pay a Judgment OF s. GOO
70 Mrs Mareum in connection with
the death Of her husband verde,
having been found against him in the
circuit court at Winchester.
Judge Hargis had just disposed OF
his. the last of the cases in which he
had been involved by his connection
with the Hargis -Cockrill feud when
he paid check Of over $1,000 to
Mrs. Marcum. Mrs Mareum had sued
Judge Hargis and others for 500 900,
alleging thar they caused the death OF
her husband Though Haggis was &C
quilted of the charge al having muir
dered Marcum the Winchester jury
awarded Mrs Marcum $1,000 damages
against him.
The Hargis.Cockrill fued. one o,
which grew the almost innumegable
tragedies with which Judge Hargis
name linked. had its inception in
political contest. The Hargis family
had long been dominant in Breathitt
county. where they conducted a gen
eral store, were engaged in the lumber
business and were generally active
The brothers. James. Alex and Ebert
were good business men and accumu-
lated what in the mountains is
great fortune