Tag Archives: Feuds

A Christmas Lynching

Posted on December 25, 2025 by sdbowling

A long-running feud between two families led to a bloody jail raid and murder on Christmas Day. Learn about the events from this spectacular trial from 1929. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Breathitt High School, Feuds, Jackson, Murder, Politics, Tragedy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The End of Cood

Posted on October 3, 2024 by sdbowling

Cood Bowling took a lethal dose of morphine in the Breathitt County Jail allegedly to stop the ghost of his victim from visiting. Learn more about this little remembered Breathitt County tragedy. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Feuds, Middle Fork, Murder, Tragedy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mrs. Hargis Dies at 64

Posted on March 31, 2023 by sdbowling

Louellen Day Hargis was thrust into the spotlight at the turn of the last century because of the national attention given to the Breathitt County feuds. She died in 1929 at the age of 64. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Feuds, Jackson, Murder, Religion, Tragedy, Women | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Death of James Cockrell

Posted on January 27, 2023 by sdbowling

James Cockrell is one of the numerous men who died because of their family connections or their own actions during Breathitt’s bloodiest days. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Feuds, Jackson, Military, Murder, Spanish-American War | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Marcum Family

Posted on January 19, 2023 by sdbowling

The Marcums were once a large and prominent family in Breathitt County, and then the feuds started. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Feuds, Jackson, Murder | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Enemies to The End- And Beyond

Posted on December 13, 2022 by sdbowling

Miles Terry took the grudge he carried to the grave, but he made sure his children continued his fight long after he was gone. Continue reading →

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James Hargis- the Victim?

Posted on September 14, 2022 by sdbowling

The power of newspapers through a look at Judge James Henderson Hargis- feud leader or victim? Continue reading →

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Letter Showed the Power of the “Hargis Machine”

Posted on May 3, 2022 by sdbowling

James Henderson Hargis built a kingdom of power and influence in Eastern Kentucky that extended to Frankfort and beyond.

This letter showed his power over Kentucky’s “Boy Governor” in 1903. Continue reading →

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Remodeling the Jail – 1879

Posted on March 21, 2022 by sdbowling

A group of designers worked the totally remodel the Breathitt County Jail in 1879.

Their eye for design and work were only temporary. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Feuds, Jackson | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Killing “Bad John” Akemon

Posted on February 14, 2022 by sdbowling

It took several bullets to kill “Bad John” Akemon, but he tried for one more bite before he died.

One of Breathitt County’s leading feudists was killed in February 1911. Continue reading →

Posted in Breathitt County, Feuds, Murder | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments