The Iberia Sentinel, October 1934 Ex-Judge James Colvin Meets Tragic Death C.L. Casey, embalmer and funeral director of Iberia, was called to prepare the body for burial. Funeral services conducted by Rev. Virgil Smith, were held Sunday afternoon, at 3 o'clock from the Mt. Union Church in Miller County, near the Colvin farm where he and his family lived prior to their moving to Camden County. Mr. Colvin was born May 4, 1877, being 57 years, 5 months and 2 days of age at the time of his death. He was married to Maggie Cochran (other sources give her maiden name as Fendorf) and to this union thirteen children were born, ten of whom are living. He is also survived by his widow, two sisters and one brother. Mr. Colvin bore the reputation of being a law abiding and highly respected citizen of the communities in which he resided, and his untimely death is deeply deplored by his many friends and neighbors. He served two terms as associate judge of the county court of Miller County, from the second district, and his services in this capacity proved himself a man of justice and sound judgment. Ex-Judge James Colvin, formerly of Miller County, met a tragic death last Saturday morning when he was shot and killed on his premises by Samuel McCracken. Both Colvin and McCracken lived on the same farm known as the Dave Wiseman place near Glaize City in Camden County. The farm, which recently fell into the hands of a loan company, was owned by McCracken prior to the time the loan company took over. We are informed that Colvin leased a portion of the farm and moved onto it over a year ago and that McCracken still retained possession of a part of it. It seems that a dispute arose some time ago over possession and the division of the crops which became embittered, culminating in the tragic accident. According to authentic reports, Colvin went afoot to the field Saturday morning in advance of his sons who were to follow in the wagon. Before advancing far into the field, it is alleged that McCracken had concealed himself, armed with a shotgun, behind a corn shock and as Colvin approached, McCracken fired, the discharge from the weapon hitting Colvin in the shoulder, inflicting a ghastly wound. No one witnessed the shooting, but judging from the tracks found on the ground, it appeared that Colvin had been able to recover his standing position and when he arose he was shot again, the discharge from the gun this time tearing away the entire front part of his face. McCracken fired, leaving his gun and when the Colvin boys reached the scene of the battle their father was breathing his last. The sheriff of Camden County was at once notified of the fatal shooting and he joined by a posse of neighbors and other nearby citizens, went in pursuit of the alleged criminal. He was taken near Toronto and after being forced to surrender, he confessed, it is said, to the crime. His alibi was that that he did the shooting in self defense, claiming that Colvin approached him with an open knife, however this statement was refuted by the finding that Colvin's knife was still closed in his pocket. McCracken was arrested and placed in the Camden County jail at Camdenton to await his preliminary hearing which, we understand, was held Monday.