The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1921-07-08
HORRIBLE MURDER
in MARTIN COUNTY
JUDGE MCCOY KILLED BY REL.
ATIve FOR REFUSING TO
DRINK MooNsHlNE.

Inez, KY, July 6.--On last Sunday |
afternoon the most atrocious crime
ever committed in Martin county was
committed about FIVE miles south OF
Inez, when Judge John j. Mccoy was
murdered by T.. J. Mccoy. Of Floyd
county. Judge Mccoy had started for
Inez from his home on Wolf creek and
mad stopped at the home Of his sitter,
Rachel DeLong and was sitting on the
porch when Mccoy came up, in the
company Of Ep Thompson and Jno.
Cornett, Jr.. and called Judge to the
gate and ssked him to take a drink of
moonshine which he declined to do.
Tom then caught Judge by the beard
and dragged him about one hundred
and fifty feet, cutting him everai
times with knife, II is said. He then
cut Judges throat and death resulted
in short time, Mccoy. Thompson
and Cornett were lodged in jail Mon
day evening MOonshine is the only
motive given for the murder as there
was no trouble existing between the.
parties. Judge Mccoy was almost S4
years Of age. He is survived by his
widow, four sons and cne daughter.
| Also three brothers and five sisters
besides host Of relatives and friends.
Another Account
| Warfield, KY, July 6.-The follow
\ ing detailed account Of the murder Of
former County Judge J. J. Mccoy is
given by the Martin County Advertis-
err.
| x-County Judge J.. j. Mccoy was
Killed in cold blood on the afternoon,
Of July 2nd by his lxinsman. Thomas
Mccoy. of Thomas, Floyd county, Ky.
| The Judge who was So years of age
had left his home on Wolf Creek on
the morning preceding the tragedy to
lgo 10 Inez TO attend the Fourth of July
| celebration at that place. He had
reaehed the home Of Mrs. Rachel De-
Hong on the water tfsi-sss=ssf s. Geld Water
4 4 Creek y here the inflrmities OF old age
compelled aim 10 take ZIP his lodging
for the night.
Tom Mccoy was ranging some cattle
Ion the headWaters of this creek despite
the fact that livestock was forbidden
] to run at large in. this territory by
II law These cattle had damaged the
crops OF Mrs. Deiong, an aged widow
II md she and her son had confined
Il them in lot, near the house. Tom
Mccoy hearing Of this. accompanied
by his SON in-law and nephew, came
over after the cattle. on the way they
obtamed supply Of moonshine liquor
and. had become insanely intoxicated
lThey tore down the fence and turned
the cattle out and started to drive
them away.
Judge Mccoy. in the meantime, was
sitting on the porch OF the Delone
lhome and had said nothing or done
lnothing to prevent their taking thu
ea tile, as he could see they were ii
i the last stage OF intoxication-
RI For some reason Tom Mccoy re.
, turned to the house. He called hii
lkinsman out to the fence seized hin
/ nv nh, -,;,,,,s- sshite heard and almos
! severed his head from his body with !
1pocket knife Then dragging and jerk
/, ling his victim over the ground. h
continued to plunge the knife into hi
slbody until his nlaniacal blood lust wa
satisfied He then stripped his shir
4 which had become soaked with bloo'
4 Of his victim and fled down the creel
4 from the scene of his crime. Togethe
Iwith his companions they went yellinl
like wild men, putting the inhabitant
of this isolated community in fear Q
their lives. They continued their wa,
: down the creek to the point where tn
:. Panther Fork road leads to VOL
: creek They took this road and re
! turned to their home an Johns creel
MAGISTRATE Reuben Davella wa
Icalled to the Delong hcIre 70 huid a
7 inquest and cfficers Deleng and Bus
kirk were put on the .rail Of the mur
: Iderers. They were found at their home
Z Just below Thomas, KY and professe
7 70 know nothing Of the crime. The
: Iwere brought to Inez and placed i
9 ljaii. Tom Mccoy later claimed he wa
lacting in self defense.
Feeling is running high against tn
murderers.
r, j. j. Mccoy was at one time Count
Judge OF Martin county and was note
!, Tor his pfoFreEsircness He opened u
and built many miles Of public road
a and conducted the county's affairs !
a manner above criticism He ha
! been q resident ~ Wolf Creek all hi
<. life with the exception Of q few year
spent in the state Of Washington. II
was good citizen and liked by every
one. He was quiet and law-abidin
6 and never harmed anyone.
d He leaves behind him numerous re-
n atives to mourn his end He had tw
a brothers. p. p and A. Mccoy. living
e Lawrence county Another brothe
le navid, lives on Wolf Creek. He wa
an uncle Of Attorney W. r. Mcco
lof 1nez
Tom Mccoy is son OF big And,
II Mccoy, deceased. He is an only sc