The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1903-06-16
WHERE LAW is PROSTRATE.
Hotel Belonging to Principal Witness III
Marcum Case Burned Attempts
at Bribery.

burning of Ewen's hotel this morning
is not only considered as incendiary
but also as ac" Dry to other acts Of
intimidation in connection with the
pending trial of those accused of the
murder of j. b. Marcum, who was
an attorney for the contestants for
county offices, now held by leaders Of
the faction with which the defendants
were identified
1t has openly been predicted that
arson would go along with assas,
sination, rs disciplinary measures
might be needed in Breathitt county.
1t ia now stated that other Witnesses
for the commonwealth are not prop
erty owners bnt that the jurors, who
are farmers, and witnesses who could
not be found when detachments of
troops we're trying to bring them into
court, are property owEers. The
bnrning of Ewen's property not only
has caused renewed fear for both life
and property, but also increased the
general doubt of conviction of either
of the prisoners.
Capt. B. j. Even WAS the chief
witness for the prosecution in the
pending trial of Jett and White. lie
testified that he saw Jett rs he nd
vanced with The pistol in his haud to
fire the last shot into Marcum's pros
trate body rs it lay in the court
house doorway.
Several days ago mau visited him
at his home and made him propo-
sition that if he would repudiate
what no had related on the witness
stand; saying that he testified to what
was not true because of the excite
ment which he WAS under, he would
I've given $4,000 by certain prominent
citizens and that if he did not &C
cept this offer he would be assassi
mated
He encouraged his visitor to return
in the afternoon and stationed two
witnesses IN II closet, who overheard
a repetition of tho proposition and
the threat which was accompanied
by the tender Of five one thousand
dollar notes. No one has doubted
that Even was in actual danger but
few were prepared for a step 30 des-
perate as that which came today, and
it is believed generally that the in
cendiary fire WAS due to the statement
to State Inspector Hines, about the
attempted bribery as we'll as to Ewen's
testimony.
Mrs. Even and her children were
poorly clad and lost everything The
hotel and the furniture had been in
sured, but only week ago Capt.
Even was notified that on account OF
threatening conditions the company
had decided to cancel his policy.
The house and fixtures were valued
! p about $4,000. They were the
savings of n life time and Even and
family tonig,lt are homeless and de-
pendent on the hospitality of tn,
troops in the camp.
THE FIRE ''-
Louisville, Ky, Juno 1l.-fht
CITY hotel at jackson, KY, three
story building owned by Capt. B. }
Even, the principal witness against
Jett and White, now on trial for the
assassination Of Lawyer j. B. Mar
cum, was burned to the ground early
this morning. Fifteen guests wer,
in the hotel but all escaped without
injury. There was no insurance OF
the structure and the hotel, with it,
furnishings and the effects of th,
guests, is total loss. The origin 0
the fire is unknown, but the belief II
general that the fire was Of incendi
ary origin.
The town Of jackson has no fire
department and it's citizens were
awakened by the firing Of pistols and
guns and much excitement prevailed
A detachment Of militia came on
the double quick from their camp
across the river and rendered valua-
bl" aid in assisting tho guests to
escape and preventing the flames