The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-02-07
Beach Hargis Shoots Father
Before Friends Can Sep
arate Them.
Man Who Hired Assassins to
Kill Political Foes.
HISTORY OF BREATHITT FEUDs

Jackson. KY. Feb. 7.-Formcr
County Judge James Hargis. for many
years a member OF the state Demo
cratic executive committee. accus ID
of complicity in many murders and q
prominent figure in feuds which have
disrupted Breathitt county for several
years. was shot and instantly killed
in his general store here yesterday af-
terno0n 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 cns-
toners.
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. They are re
ported 10 have had severe quarrel
several nights ago, when the father,
I is alleged was compelled to resort
TO violence to restrain his son.
Young Hargls came into the store
ihls afternoon and was apparently un-
der the influence OF liquor. Judge
Hargls. II Is said, roproyed his son
after his drinking and quarrel re-
suited. The son drew revolver aLf
bred five shots. Four took effect, III
noted mountain character falling
dead. The clerks and customers In
the store rushed for the doors and
fed IN fright.
Young Hargis was arrested and
placed In jail lie is raying like a
maniac and officers were compelled
TO drag him TO Jail
BLOODY Record.
Judge Hargis has been for years
a prominent figure In Kentucky. Ia
political aud criminal circles He has
figured in courts In the mountains for
years on account OF the murders Of
Dr. Cox. Attorney Marcum and Jim
Cockrlll HargIs political sway was
not opposed for years. but some time
ago Marcnm had the temerity to op-
pose him In law case. From that
date Marcum IVES a marked man, and
the end was the killing OF Marcum In
the doorway of the court house five
years ago
Hargis mad been on trial at var
Nous times for completely in the muir
der Of James b. Marcum. Jim Cockrill
and DR.. Cox. but secured acquittal on
all the charges. lie was recently
forced to pay a judgment of $4,000
10 Mrs Marcum. in connection with
the death of her husband. a verdict
having been found against him In the
circuit court at Winchester,
The Hargla Cockrill feud, out of
which grew almost innumcrable trag-
odies with which Hargls' name Is
linked. had its inception in a political
contest, Cockrill opposed Hargis at
The polls. Bitter feeling resulted and
Judge Hargis met one of tho COckriil
boys in saloon, and during a gun
play. Cockrill killed Ben Hargis.
In the fail of 1902 came the first
murder I'm the feud. DR.. Cox guardian
Of the Cockrill boys, was the victim.
Cox returned one night from pro
fcssional call and was shot dead ar
he entered his gate. Afterwards John
Smith, John Abner and others of the
alleged lIargas band of assassins.
were accused of the crime, and in a
confession by one of them they as
serted Judge Hargis hired them to
kill Cox.
From this time on the story of the
Hargis- Cockrill feud Is written In
blood. The next to fall WIS Jim
Cockrlll, town marshal Later came
the Marcum murder.
Hargis will be buried in a caskel
which he himself purchased a month
ago,
Hearing Postponed.
Beach Hargis' case was brought be-
fore County Judge Taulbee this morn
ing. but was passed until tomorrow
II is said fTargis had no attorney and
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