The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-27
Soldiers at Jackson Keeping a
Close Watch on Cur
lis Jett
TOM WHITE ARRESTED
IN THE NICK OF TIME
Detachment Has Been to Louisville for
More Gatling Guns and Ammuni-
tIon and Officers Are Deter
mined to Preserv. Order.

Jackson, Ky, May 26.-The capture OF
Tom White and the return of Curtis Jett
to Breathitt county were events of today
In the Investigation of the murder of j.
B. Marcum on which chief interest TO-
cused. Tonight the question of whether
more troops are needed is agitstin the
minds of many. While nothing has oe-
CURED to arouse apprehension, there have
been suggestions that do not make all
feel secure. The authorities feel that more
troops are needed; they will be badly
needed, and that any emergency will be
abrupt. There is a well-dehned belief that
when Jett and White are placed on trial
there will be a confession, and that
number of prominent men may be i'm
plicated. Ii is argued that an army Of
men could be quickly gotten together a
the interior of Breathitt county. Ii could
swoop down on Jackson, ana under the
pretext Of lynching, secure the prisoners,
possibly kill some one who possessed
knowledge, and apply the adage that
dead men tell no tales" II is true that
this would be a desperate undertaking.
but desperate things have been done in
Breathltt county, and this view may nor
seem as Incorporate there as 1t would
seem improbable elsewhere.
More Troops Are Wanted.
At any rate Mrs. J. b. Marcum, her
friends and a number of citizens are urg-
ing that more troops be sent, believing
that the men now here and scattered
among various factions could not cope
with mob of mountain men. A consult
taton among officers was held today,
but further than ordering another Calling
gun from Louisville, there is no indica-
ton that relnforcements will be requested.
Tom White was arrested at the home
of his mother, eighteen miles from here,
at daylight by a squad of soldiers under
Deputy Sheriff Little, who made the ar
rest. The house was surrounded and
White was remanded until tomorrow
morning when he and Jett will be
raigned together. At the advice of his
attorney, Judge John Noble he declined
to make statement.
James Johnson. a nephew of the late
j. b. Marcnm, guided the soldiers to
where White was found.
Jett Taken From Jail.
Elizor B. Little and twelve soldiers
went to Winchester today and the order
for Jett was honored by Judge Benton.
He was placed I'm irons and arrived here
and was committed to Jail this evening.
He has employed b. f. French of VIM
chester as counsel. An effort will be
made by his attorney to get a change OF
venue. If this fails. he Will endeavor to
have the jury summoned from outside of
Rreathitt county. The impression is
strong that the conspiracies which have
eliminated In the series of assassinatons
| In Breathitt county will be traced to the
fountain head and startling developments
are expected t..is week. Jett is bitter
against the officials OF Breathitt county
| whom he claimed as friends, and whom
he blames for not coming to his relief.
1t is not known what he expected of
them, but he is bitterly disappointed. The
Jail is heavily guarded tonight.
White Came Near Escaping.
Had not the posse which captured White
ridden steadily all night he would have
escaped An nformer left Jackson soon
after the soldiers did, but was outridden
| by about half an hour White went to
two windows seeking means of escape
when awakened, but seeing soldiers. calm
ly opened the front door and walked out
He wept when he saw friends in the
crowd at Jackson.
One company of militia and Gatlina
squad were at the station to meet Jett.
II was feared that an attempt to assas-
slnate him would be made and he was es-
corted to Jail with a wall of soldiers on
every side. He refused to talk with re-
porters. County Judge Hargis procured
an order and held long private confer
ence with Jett.
Nine witnesses, among them Sheriff CAL
lahan and Judge Hargis, were before the
grand jury today.
Ewens house is still guarded by SOL
diers. Messenger boys who carry dis
patches for newspaper men to the teie-
graph office are escorted by soldiers ana
the greatest precautions are taken against
possible assassination of any one.
Jail Under Military Control.
Judge Redwine this morning issued an
order placing the jail under military con-
troll, and Jailer Spencer turned over the
keys to Colonel Williams. Jett and White
were not allowed to converse with one
another, and occupy separate cells.
Whites attorney was denied the priv
ilege of talking with Jett. The temporary
removal of the jailer was simply to give
the troops the custody of those for whose
safety the militia Is responsible.
Quartermaster Casey went to Louisville
this afternoon under orders to bring back
two Calling guns and large quantity OF
| ammunition He will return with the
| guns tomorrow afternoon.
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