Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-07
most NOTORIOUS MAN N State
His Son Beach Had Seen Drinking
Heavily and When Father Reproved
Him the Former Opened Fire and In.
stantly Killed His Father-connec.
ted With Many Crimes.
tpy AssocIatea prehs.l

JACKSON. KY, Feb. 6.-Fornleri
County Judge James Iiarsis, for many
years Il member OF the state Demo
cratic executive committee. accused
OF completely in many killings and 4
prominent figure in tho teuds which
have disrupted Breathit county for
several years. was shot ami instantly
killed in his general store here about
800 p. m. today 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 cus-
toners. The exact cause OF the muir
der has not been learned. but II Is
supposed 10 have lpen the result OF
differences which have existed be-
tween father and son for some time.
The two men are reported to nave
had several quarrels several nights
ago, when the father. Il is alleged
was compelled to resort 10 violence 10
resist his son.
Young TIargls. it Is said, had been
drinking heavily OF late. He came
into the store this afternoon and was
apparently under the Influence OF II,
Quor.
Judge Hargis. 1t Is said. spoke to
his son about drinking and quarrel
resulted. Father and son stepped be-
hind counter when the son. after a
few minutes conversation. drew re-
volver and fired five shots Four took
effect and Judge Hargis fell dead
Young Hargis was arrested and
placed in jail. He was raving like
II maniac and the officers We're COM
PEELED to drag him to Jail.
Connected With Many Murders.
Judge Hargis has been for years q
prominent figure in Kentucky in poll
teal and criminal CIRCLES. He has
figured in the courts In the mountains
Tor years on account of the murders
OF DR.. Cox, Attorney Martin and 'Jim"
Cockrell.
Judge Hargis was the political lead
or of the Democrats of the Tenth dis
trict and was regarded as the boss"
OF Breathlt county.
For years his sway was not opposed,
but some years ago James b. Mar
cum had the temerity TO oppose Har-
gis in lew case. From that date he
was marked man.
Judge Hargis had been on trial at
various times for completely in the
murder of Marcus, "Jim" Cockrell and
Dr. Cox, but had been acquitted on
all the charges. He was recently
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 liaen involved, when he paid
the Judgment of the court
Murder Childs Play With Him.
Mrs Marcum had sued Judge Far-
gis and others for 100000 alleging
that they caused the death of her hus-
band.
The Hargls- Cockrel fcud had its
inception in a political contest. The
Hargiscs had been long dominant in
Brcathit county where they conducted
general store. were engaged in the
lumber business. and were generally
active The brothers. James, Alex.
and Ebert were good business men
and accumulated fortune.
The trouble with the Cockrells arose
when the latter opposed Hargis at the
polls. Feeling was bitter. when one
day Biniamin Hargis. a younger bro
Their OF Judge James Hareis, met one
OF the Cockreil boys in u ''blind III
GER near Jackson ana vas killed by
his enemy.
In the fall OF 1902 DR.. Cox. the guar
dian of the Cocllrell boys. who lived
in the outskirts of Jackson. was shot
as he entered his gate ON his way
home one night by assassins conceal
ed across the way.
John Smith, John Abner and Others
Of the alleged Hargis band We're ac
cused of tho crime, and in confess
sion made by one OF the members,
Hargis was charged with having hired
him to kill Cox. From this time on
the glory of the Hargih Cockrell fued
was written In blood The next 10
fall was Jim Cockrell. the town
marshal.
Mareum Knew His Fate.
Shortly after the murder OF Cock
rell, James u. Marcum. the attorney
for the Cockrell. boys, created a ire
mendous sensation by publicly de-
ciarlng in Lexington that he was a