Jasper Cochrane, 30-year-old white farmer living about two miles from New House, just over the line in Rutherford county, shot himself through the heart Wednesday afternoon about 4 o’clock just after he had been placed under arrest by Deputy Wright of Ellenboro. Cochrane was charged with living in fornication and adultery with a young girls who had been living with him and his wife since she was five years old. A relative of the single girl is said to have reported the matter to the officers and a warrant charging him with the crime was read to him by Deputy Wright, whereupon Cochrane asked to go into the house and make preparations to go to jail. It is reported that he had a conversation with his wife and the wronged girl; after which he went into the back yard and fired a fatal shot through the heart, dying instantly. A coroner’s inquest was held before the body was removed and the jury found that he came to his death from a pistol wound inflicted by himself.
Cochrane bought a small farm near New House several years ago, moving to it from some other part of Rutherford county. His farm was paid for except about $300. A wife who was Miss Royster before marriage and four or five children survive. His remains were buried at Mount Olivet church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock.
From the front page of The Cleveland Star, Shelby, N.C., Friday, Sept. 1, 1922
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