The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1908-02-14
JUDGE HARGIS KILLED.
Shot To Death In His Store At
Jackson By His Only Son.

feudist of Breathitt county, was al
most instantly killed by his only son.
Beach Hargis. on Thursday evening
of last week
The tragedy took place at 2:4O
o'clock in the afternoon. and was
witnessed by several of the clerks
and a number of customers who
were making purchases in the store
al the time,
The news soon spread over the town
and in a quarter OF az hour the street
were filled with excited and horror
stricken people. who stood in groups
discussing the deed
Judge Hargis was killed with his
own pistol. Colt ..forty-five." which
Beech stole yesterday from a drawer
in the store where it was usually
kept A few minutes before the muir
der Judge Hargis was walking around
In the store chatting pleasantly with
his customers. while at the time his
son was in a pool room a block away
paying pool
Miss Mary coffy. a clerk in charge
OF the Woman's dress goods depart
mer;. sa,s she noticed Beech enter
through Tie front door Of the store.
near where she was waiting on a Gus
toner, l-.d take a seat directly fac
iLs t.edoor. She noticed that he
had been drinking.
In a few minutes Beech arose and
walked over TO a counter. At that
time Miss Coffy walked through an
other department. leaving James Bro
ply. Judge Hargis and another clerk
and a costumer whom Brophy was
waiting on. and Beech Hargis in the
dry goods department. She had scarce
l. reached the other room when the
firing began.
The others who witnessed the shoot
ing say that Judge Hargis walked
toward his son ard said something
to him.vhereupon the boy at once
drew a revolver and began to fire.
emptying its contents into his faith
ers body.
Judge Hargis first caught hold Of
his son in an effort to disarm him
The young desperate threw his coat
over his fathers face and thus blind
ing him. pumped the contents of the
revolver into his fathers body. one
OF the five shots taking effect below
the left nipple. three in the abdo-
men and one in the leg
June Jett was at a desk making an
entry. when he heard the report He
rushed in. but reached the wounded
man only in time to catch him Just
as he sank to the floor Judge Har-
gis said to him in a deathly whis-
pr: I'm killed"
These we're the only words he
spoke
DR.. Kash arrived and directed the
removal OF the wounded man to his
hoRe Judge Hargis expired as they
were carrying him. in less than ten
minutes after the shooting
Deputy Marshal Govan Smith and
Grover Blanton. having arrived on
the scene Immediately after the shoot
ing. arrested young Hargis and took
him to Jail. after a struggle, in
which he acted like a mailman
Soon afterward the report was cur
rent that the prisoner had taken
morphine in his cell. but 40 confirm
alton OF this or any word OF his
condition could be secured from the
| Jail officials who are guarding him
closely.
Young Hargis had been on a pro-
ltracted spree. and some DAYS ago his
fsther administered whipping The
ehastisement was the cause Of The
murder today. the son having contin-
ned his debauoh. nursing his resent
ment until his father again upbraided
him for his conduct
/ Though il sounds like travesty
there is rejoicing tonight in Jack
son. The end OF the strife has come
Peace has daWned. though its coming
was sped BY the assassin's bullet Tbs
tragic end of Judge Hargis was not
a surprise. except as to the author
Of that end One devout old elder Of
the Christian Church. tonight
quoted. as he shook his head in grave
disapproval. Vengeance is mine.
will repax. saith the Lord God Of
hosts. and then he added. He
who kills with the sword must be kill
ed with the sword