The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-02-14
JUDGE HARGIS IS
KILLED BY HIS son
Shot Down in a Quarrel With In
tOxiCated Youth.
Was A LEADER OF FEUDlSTS.
Political Leader of His County and
Head of the Clan of Hargis in the
Feud With Cockrills Shot Five Times
While Reproving His Offspring for
Drinking, and Dies Instantly

While Reproving His Offspring for
Drinking, and Dies Instantly.
Jackson, KY. Especially =. Shot
down in his own store by his only
son, on whom he had lavished every
affection, Judge James Hargis noted
feudist leader and the leading figure
in the eastern part of Kentucky, es-
pecially in the mountains, died few
minutes later in his home.
Beech Hargis, the son, is 23 years
old and had been drinking heavily.
| Entering the store, he drew gun
after brief quarrel with his parent,
and fired five shots into the latter's
breast and abdomen.
The dying mans last words were
an unavailing plea for mercy.
Mercy, mercy, you've killed mel"
appealed the elder man as he lay on
the floor. Young Hargis' answer
was to fire two more bullets into
| his parents PROSTATE body.
The tragedy occurred in Hargis
Bros. store and was witnessed by
two customers and stenographer.
All three fed.
IepOfC VI SulClues
Young Hargis was later removed
to Jail by the town marshal and
deputy, but he struggled like mad
man until thrown into his cell. Soon
that he had taken morphine in his
cell, but no confirmation of this or
any word of his condition could be
secured from the jail officials, who
are guarding him closely. The news
of Hargis' end came as profound
shock to the residents of Jackson
and Breathitt County, on whose
bloody feud records his name ap-
pears on almost every page.
There did not appear to be any
prospects of further violence, how
ever.
The young Hargis had been on a
protracted spree, and l;ome days ago
his father administered thrashing.
The chastisement was the cause of
the murder, the son having contin-
ued his dissipation, nursing his re-
sentiment until his father again up
braided him for his condition.
Hargis was 48 years of age.
The son was arrested by Deputy
Marshal Govan Smith and Grover
Blanton, and fought like a maniac
before being placed in Jail.
Had Ordered Casket.
A peculiar incident connected with
the death of Judge Hargis was
learned when the National Casket
Company, of this city, received a
telegram from Mrs. Hargis, saying:
"Send coffin picked by Judge Hargis
two weeks ago."
f0rfniOhf aUn TndOQ HarUjS
went to Louisville to make some
purchases for his store and inciden-
tally to buy some collins. While
being shown through the warehouse
by salesman his attention was di-
rected to solid mahogany casket,
on which the price was quoted as
$1,000. He was much struck with
this and said: ''If l die I want to be
buried in this coffin" He evidently
told his wife of this, for the wife
shows knowledge Of the matter.
Judge Hargis was not a well-edu-
Gated man, but he had practical
learning, to which he added shrewd
natural insight in business affairs.
A Man OF Violence.
Judge Hargis has been for years
a prominent figure in Kentucky in
political circles and in criminal an
nails. He has figured in the courts
in the mountains for years on account
of the murders of DR.. Cox, Attorney
Marcum and Jim" Cockrill. Judge
Hargis was the political leader of
the Democrats of the Tenth district
and the "boss" of Breathitt County.
For long time his sway was not
opposed, but some years ago Mr..
Marcum had the temerity to antag-
onize in law case. From that date
Marcum was marked man.
He had been on trial at various
times for completely in the murder
of James B. Marcum, Jim" Cockrill
and DR.. Cox, but had secured an ac-
quittal on all the charges. Recently
he was forced to pay judgment
of 1000 to Mrs. Marcum in connec-
nection with the death of her hus-
band, verdict having been found
against him in the Criminal Court of
| Winchester
Judge Hargis had just disposed of
this, the last of the cases in which he
had become involved by reason of
his connection with the Hargis-CocS-
rill feud, when he paid check of
more than $11, 900 to Mrs. Marcum.
Mrs. Marcum had sued Judge Hargis
and others for 100000 damages,
alleging that they caused the death
of her husband. Though Hargis was
acquitted of the charge of having
murdered Marcum, the Winchester
jury awarded Mrs. Marcum, dam
| ages.