The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-15
Hotel of Principal Witness in Jett Trial is Burned Down
 by IncsndiaTiGs
FIRE HAS SERVED ID
 RENEW THE APPREHENSION
People Fear Evidence and There Is Doubt of Jett and White Being Convicted-Ewen Offered
 a $5ooo 1rlbe.

Jackson, Ky, June 14,-At o'clock this morning Joe Redman, watchman at the lumber yard of swann & Day. discovered flames issuing from the roof of Ewen's hotel situated on the mountain side. 300 yards from the depot. The alarm was given and Lieutenant Kinnard with the provost guard turned out to render as- sistance Soon hundreds of people were on the scene
 l Heroic work on the part of the soldiers and citizens saved possibly the entire south side of the town.
 The Ewen hotel is at the end of long row of miners cottages. all of which are in grave danger. When those in the hotel were notified, the fire was under such headway that the guests who had not ! arisen had only time to save part of their clothing.
 A Narrow Escape.
 John Clarey, of Louisville, telegraph operator, who was sent by the Postal company to Jackson to handle the mat ter sent to the newspapers during the feud trials, was asleep on the second floor In the excitement he was not awakened until the flames had shut off escape from the front stairway and was almost suffo- cated while coming out of the rear stair way and fell unconscious and half dressed on the ground when he finally freed him self from the danger. Mrs. Ewen and her children are poorly clad and lost every thing. The hotel and furniture had been insured but only a week ago Capt. Ewen was notified that on account of threaten ing conditions the company had decided to cancel his policy. The house and fixtures were valued at about $l0,O0O. The prop erty represented the savings of life time and Even and family are tonight homeless and dependent on the hospital- ty of the troops in camp.
 Two Are Arrested. | Gray and Jim Haddlcks and Jerry Luntz. workmen at the Swann & Day lumber yard, reported having seen Joe Crawford and Ed Tharpe wagoners for the Hargs Brothers, come across the bridge and return just before the blaze was discovered, and Major Allen ordered these men arrested. They were taken in- to the military camp by the soldiers and manacled in the guard house
 
 provost guard as a witness.
 Soon the Hargis people were active. They sent for Attorneys John D. O'Neil of Covington and B. B. Golden of Bar bourville, defending Jett and White, and swore out writs of habeas corpus before Judge Redwine. making them returnable at once. The writs were served on Major Allen and he sent the prisoners to the court house under a strong guard com manded by Captain Maddox.
 Case Argued. | Commonwealth Attorney Byrd asked Judge Redwine for time for Major Allen to file a response. He asked that he be | given till tomorrow. but Judge Redwine demanded that it be filed at once. This was done and the attorneys argued the case before Judge Redwine. Two of the most interested spectators were County Judge Hargls and Sheriff Ed Callahan. The attorneys argued that the men were l being unlawfully held by Major Allen, i as they were witnesses in the Jett and | White cases for the defense. Attorney Byrd argued the case for the common wealth and Major Allen against whom the habeas corpus proceedings were brought Judge Redwine finally decided to admit the men to ball in 5000 each. County Judge Hargis and Sheriff Calla- l han had bonds drawn up but after con- 1 sultation between them and the lawyers | they refused to sign the bonds and the ] two men were taken by the soldiers in- 1 side their lines and are tonight manacled | in the guardhouse with heavy guard on l watch and strong outposts.
 The grand jury meets tomorrow, and Judge Redwine said these cases could be taken before that body. The Haddicks boys and Luntz fully identified the men. and 1t is claimed some members of the Ewen family saw them come out of the house.
 Watched Opportunity.
 It is supposed they watched their op- portunity and while the family were in the dining room rushed up the back stairway and threw a lighted torch or ball or rags saturated with oil in the garret and then made their escape. The men evidently knew the construction of the house. There was no fire in any of the flues in that section of the building. Howard Fuks, boarder heard persons 1 come up the stairs hurriedly and run down again.
 Crawford and Tharpe have both l stopped at Ewen's hotel and were fa- milar with the building and the habits l of the family.
 The burning of Ewen's house fulfills in 1 part the threat made by the man whom l Ewen says called at his home last Sat urday a week ago and offered to bribe him by giving him 5000 If he would alter