A Story from the Louisville Evening Post - May 4, 1903

How Cockrell Met His Death

Leader of Breathitt County Faction

Was Shot From the Courthouse

The assassination of J. B. Marcum, told on page one, is the outcome of still another assassination; that of James Cockrell, on July 2, 1902. It adds a chapter to a feud that has stained Breathitt County with blood. The report of this crime was given in the Evening Post at the time as follows:

James Cockrell, another of the feudists, was shot down yesterday. "Shot in the back! My God! They have got me this time!" he cried, as he reeled away to a support.

Another sharp crack of the deadly Winchester, a groan, a futile effort to draw his revolver, and James Cockrell, of Jackson, beat a retreat, slowly, but with his face to the hidden foe who was pumping the lead to him. Thirty yards he went and then sank to the ground, mortally wounded, a victim of the assassin.

Such in brief is the story of the latest blood-red chapter in the history of Breathitt County. Since November 36 men have been killed in this county, and Cockrell's death makes the 37th that has joined the throng.

Shot Rang Out

James Cockrell, town marshall of Jackson up to a fortnight ago, was standing in front of Cardwell's store, about 1:20 yesterday afternoon, engaged in conversation with Herbert Spencer and other well-known citizens. Suddenly a shot rang out. The report seemed to come from the courthouse. The shot awakened the people of the town from their summer lethargy. Cockrell was the mark for the assassin, and the young man leaped forward and cried out, "Shot in the back! My God! They have got me at last."

From the courthouse came the bullets and Cockrell, wounded as he was, attempted to draw his revolver and backed slowly toward a place of safety. Five shots rang out, and three struck their mark. The first went through his body, the second cut his thorax, while third shattered his right arm; he fell. He was carried into a store, his wounds examined, and he was, a few minutes later, placed on a train and sent to Lexington. He was barely alive at the time, and died soon after reaching Lexington.

Grazed His Head

One of the shots that were fired at Cockrell passed so close to Stewart Hager, a clerk at Cardwell's store, in front of which the victim was standing when the firing began, as to burn Mr. Hager's forehead.

All the additional bullets fired at Cockrell as he ran, embedded themselves in the fences and houses along the way of the fight.

It is supposed that the assassin escaped from the courthouse by descending its rear stairway and out of a rear door, while the excitement was at its height in front of the structure.

At the time of the shooting, Main Street was well crowded with people who ran to all points of the compass in their efforts to get out of the line of fire.

The shots were all sent over the head of a farmed named James Blanton, who was riding down the street on a mule. He immediately put spurs to the animal and was soon far out of the way.

None Saw the Assassin

Who shot James Cockrell, nobody here knows it seems; nobody here, if they do know, will tell. He was shot from the second story of the courthouse, but there the story ends. No one saw the shots fired, but 100 people were near there. It seems incredible, but it is a fact, that the courthouse was not searched nor was there any apparent effort made to apprehend the man behind the gun. The city was in a tumult before the last shot had died out, but inside the feudal threats and insinuations nothing came of it all.

Politics, fancied insults, and what not figure in the case. It means a feud more destructive than any former one in Eastern Kentucky, it is believed. A life will count for naught and law and order will be a side issue.

To get at the bottom of all such affairs is a dangerous problem, and testimony must be accepted as it comes to hand.

In 1901, the Democratic party of Breathitt County changed its representatives. Its nominees for county offices, James Hargis, Edward Callahan, and other leaders of the party were defeated in the primary. The Hargis family charged corruption in the primary, started a newspaper and began abusing the Democratic nominees.

Slapped His Face

Alex Hargis slapped the face of J. Wise Hagins for his comments, and also kicked him.

The Hagins faction started a fusion ticket against the regular Democrats, and the result was defeat for the fusionists. Contests were filed, but they have never been tried. The Cockrell family, it is said, espoused the cause of the Hagins faction. There was apparently no bitter feeling between the Hargis and Cockrell factions.

On February 19, 1902, Tom Cockrell, town marshal of Jackson, and Ben Hargis met in Bailey's blind tiger, in Jackson. A political argument led to blows, and then a gun play. Cockrell killed Hargis, and "bad blood" was on.

The trial of Cockrell was set, but the court officials passed it up and Governor Beckham was forced to appoint Alfie W. Young, a special judge to try Cockrell in August. Each side has its partisans, and no bitter has the feelings grown that every man and woman in Breathitt County ranged, it seemed, on one side or the other.

Tom Cockrell was, of course, relieved as town marshal, and his brother, James, a young man of 25 years, elected to his position. He was always warned to be on the lookout, as the friends of Hargis sworn to avenge the latter's death. Perfectly fearless, he heeded not their warnings.

In a Hotel

About a week ago, Cockrell was dining in a hotel in Jackson, and Curtis Jett, a deputy sheriff and a member of the Fargis faction was also at dinner.

Two traders at the table began arguing about a mule trade, and Jett, it is said, pulled his gun, and shouted aloud, "I wished the d__n mules were dead." Cockrell was asked to preserved order, and he and Jett exchanged shots, damaging only the woodwork of the room. Cockrell told his friends he believed a conspiracy had been formed to kill him and added, "In a fair fight I am not afraid of any of them. All I ask is a chance for my life."

His friends say the shotting now the fruitless of that plot; failing to drop him elsewhere, they resorted to ambush. As Cockrell staggered and fell he said to the first man by his side: "Who shot me? It came from the circuit courtroom of the courthouse. I am going to be game. Help me."

With that he sank into a semi-conscious state, from which he never recovered.

Breathitt County has a bloody record; 36 killings is eight months, and not a legal hanging since 1895.