Cass Co. Tx - Killing of Benj F. Cocke by W. R. Hass

From:  June W. Tuck  <jparks@neto.com>

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Cocke, Benj. F. - On the 18th. W. R. Hass killed Benj. F. Cocke at
Creekman^Òs Store in the northwest portion of the county. As we heard the
circumstances it all occurred about a dog. Hass had a dog. Leaving the
store, someone whistled the dog back, which incensed him, and he said, in
his exasperation, he would kill the man who would repeat the experiment.
Cocke did it. Hass returned; angry words followed. Cocke got a gun and
said if shooting was the game, he was ready. Hass was behind the store;
both playing hide and seek; Cocke placed his head around to find where
Hass was, when Hass shot him, killing him instantly. Some say Cocke was
armed, others say he was not. Hass is in Jail at Linden and says he acted
in self defense. Both men were old men, Cocke was 55 and Hass was 60. The
latter we did not know. Cocke was a man naturally of kind feelings, and
we believe him an honorable man. He leaves a wife and nine children.
(Printed in the Daily Times, reprinted in The Standard, April 6, 1872)