Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1903-06-19
THEY BURNED EWEN'S HOTEL
HE is THE PRINCIPAL WITNESS
AGAINST JETT AND WHITE.
Now on Trial in Kentucky for the Muir
der Of Lawyer Marcum-AIl Guests
Escaped From the Hotel-Milltia
Render Aid-Burnng of Hotel
Considered as Incendiary.

Louisville, KY. June 15.-The Early
hotel, at Jackson, three story build
ing, owned by Captain B. j. Even, the
principal witness against Jet and
White, now on trial there for the as
sassination OF Lawyer j. B. Marcum,
has burned to the ground. There
were is guests i'll the hotel, but all
escaped without injury. There was no
insurance ON the structure, and the
hotel, together with the furnishings
and the effects of the guests, is to-
tai loss. The origin of the fire is~lln-
known, but the general opinion is
that the fire was of incendiary origin.
Captain Even recently put up an ad-
dition to the hotel. This was just COM
pleted, and was as yet unoccupied. 1t
was this part of the hotel in which
the fire was discovered. The town
of Jackson has no fire department,
and its citizens were awakened by the
firing of pistols and guns, and much
excitement prevailed.
A detachment of militia came on the
scene quickly from their camp across
the river and rendered valuable aid in
assisting the guests to escape and pre-
venting the flames from spreading.
Captain Even has been kept at the
camp since he testified that he saw
Curtis Jet fire the shot that killed
Marcum. Nobody was seen to leave
the hotel before the fire broke out.
1t was only two days ago that Jack
son was put under martial law. The
fire has caused renewed apprehension.
The burning of Ewen's hotel is not
only considered as incendiary, but also
as accessory to other acts of intimida-
ton in connection with the pending
trial of those accused Of the murder
of J. B. Marcum, who was attorney
for contestants Of county Offices now
held by leaders of the faction with
which the defendants were identified.
1t has been openly predicted that there
would be the flashing of incendiary
warning, that arson would. go along
with assassination, as disciplinary
measures might be needed in Breat-
HIT county. 1t is now stated that
1tfer witnesses for the state were
not property owners, but that the
Jurors, who are farmers, and witnesses
who could not be found when detach-
ments of troops were trying to bring
them into court are property owners.
The burning of McEwen's property
has not only caused fear for life and
property but also increased the gen.
eral doubt of conviction in the pend
ing case.
The hotel and furniture had been
insured but only a week ago Even
was notified that on account Of threat
ening conditions the company had de-
cided to cancel his policy. The house
and fixtures were valued at $4,000.
They were the savings of lifetime,
and Even and family are now home
less and dependent upon the hospital
ity of the troops in camp.
Gray and Jim Haddicks and Jerry
Lunbe, workmen at the Swami & Day
lumber yards. are reported to have
seen Joe Crawford and Ed. Tharp,
wagoners for the Hargis Brothers,
come across the bridge and return
just before the blaze was discovered
and Major Allen ordered these men
arrested. They were taken into camp
by the soldiers and manacled in the
guardhouse.