The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1908-02-13
JUDGE HARGIS IS
KILLED BY HIS SON
Shot Down In a Quarrel With In
toyicated Youth.
WAS A LEADER OF fEuD,sTs.
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.


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 a few
minutes later in his home.
Beech Hargis, the son, is 23 years
old and had been drinking heavily.
Entering the store, he drew a gun
after brief quarrel with his parent.
and fired five shots into the latter's
breast and abdomen.
The dying mans last words we're
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 a stenographer
All three fed
Report OF Suicide.
Young Hargis was later removed
to jail by the town marshal and a
deputy. but he struggled like a 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 a profound
shock to the residents of Jackson
and Breathitt County, on whose
bloody feud records his name APP
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 some days ago
his father administered a 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 As 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."
A fortnight ago Judge Hargis
went to Louisville to make some
y, Co.. IL ,Nz -
tally to buy some collins. While
being shown through the warehouse
by a salesman his attention was di-
rected to solid mahogany casket,
on which the price was quoted as
81 500. He was much struck with |
this and said: IF l die l 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 a practical
learning, to which he added shrewd |
natural insight in business affairs.
A Man OF Violence.
Judge Hargis has been for years |
q 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 a long time his sway was not |
opposed. but some years ago Mr.. |
Marcum had the temerity to antag- |
onize In q law case From that date |
Marcum was q 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 q judgment |
of $4,000 to Mrs. Marcum in connec-
nection with the death of her hus-
band. a 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- Cock
rill feud, when he paid a 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.
Mime. Kommisarzhoffskaya.