The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-16

of court in Breathitt County opened with reign of terror. One term Of court was over tapping another. While the petit jury continued hearing testimony in the murder cases of Curtis Jett and Thomas White, the grand jury was hear Ing evidence in the cases of Joseph Craw- ford and Edward Tharpe, teamsters for the Hargis brothers. who are held without bond on the charge of arson for burning the Ewen Hotel The arson cases as well as the murder cases are the last in a long series of similar crimes in connec- ton with the feud that has been raging here for almost three years.
 In these feudal conflicts one faction has been almost exterminated by assassina- tons and fights and the present prosecu- ton. Is against representatives of the dominant faction which includes local of ficials. It was due. to this condition that the State troops were needed for the pur- pose of serving sunnmonses on witnesses. making arrests and protecting life and property.
 Troops Are overworked.
 The small force of troops was over worked again today in serving summonses for witnesses for the grand jury as well as witnesses for the trial. They worked yesterday as firemen and are engaged night and day for police duty under the provost marshal.
 Judge Redwine today divided his time between the murder and the arson cases. Early in the morning before court con vened he heard the habeas corpus cases of Crawford and Tharpe and afterward at different times excused the trial jury while he gave instructions to the grand jury.
 The defense opened with 6 statement that 1t would prove an alibi and introduc- ed both Curtis Jett and Thomas White on the witness stand on their own behalf to testify that they did not enter the court house until after J. B. Marcum. the attor- ney for the contestants for county officers had been shot down. Both prisoners made exceptionally good witnesses for themselves.
 Jett was especially cool and confident and apparently unconcerned. The moth- CTS of both defendants heard their testi- mony and Miss Sarah Hargis. daughter of the county judge and leader of the dominant faction was, as usual, an inter ested listener.
 Arson of Smaller Importance.
 Although the people of Jackson are in- tenseiy interested in the arson cases, the leaders of the dominant feud faction are not 50 much concerned in he grand Jury as in the trial of Jett and White. The penalty in Kentucky for arson is from one to twenty years of Imprisonment and In case of conviction the general belief Is that the sentence would come nearer the minimum than tho maximum cnder eN- fstfffg conditions in Breathftt County. But in the murder cases there is no compro- mise in the sentence if a verdict of guilty should be re ldered. In the doubtful event of conviction there is a general be- lief that confessions might precede execu- tion and there Is no limit to the under current of comment as to who would be involved if either or both of the defen- dants should ever tell all they know. While one class is apprehensive Of the re- suits of conviction. ethers are apprehen- sive of what would follow acquittal so that there are none in Breathitt County without anxiety as to the near future A verdict may come tomorrow or the next day.
 A Night of Terror.
 Although this place has become accus- tuned to assassinations and to incen- diary fires during the feud of the last three years. 1t had never had such night of terror as that of last night. Many spent a sleepless night, not as mem- bers of any vigilance committee patroll- ing the streets, but within their own doors. as many were expecting the torch to be applied to their houses next Four teen residences and stores, owned by Cardwell-Cockrell sympathizers have been burned in Jackson since 1900 and the number of lives lost greatly exceeds that number.
 One week ago today the trlal of Jett and White began. Many witnesses fled, and the commonwealth had to close its case because witnesses could not be se- cured. The fate of B. L. Ewen. one of the witnesses who did not run away, shows that the approximations of other witnesses were well grounded.
 The Town Is Coweu.
 This feud-ridden town. the people of which had somewhat shaken off intimi- dation under martial law, is today the same timid place as before the State militia arrived. When the troops were first sent here, there was feeling of re- lief, and the people said that some of the wrongs would be righted because the intimidated citizens would now talk out. s nee the burning yesterday of the large new hotel of B. l.. Ewen the principal witness against Jett and White, and the rally of the Hargis faction to the aid of men suspected with having burned it. the hopeful citizens shake their heads
 
 any relief The newly finished Ewen Hotel had forty rooms and it was great ly needed. It is pointed out that of the fourteen incendiary fires here during the past two and a half years. ten of them have taken place in the day time.
 A Pitiable Spectacle.
 The Ewen family, including seven chill dren, in the military camp presented a pitiable spectacle today. Even tried to console his heart-broken wife and daugh ters. but their distress was too great. The two daughters had escaped from the burning hotel in wrappers and the small CT children in their night clothes. Kind hearted citizens. although feeling they are running the risk of their lives and property. have sent them clothing and bedding. They were breakfasted by the soldiers. Quartermaster Casey making them a special bill of fare. Scores of people gathered nearby to look at them Major Allen in charge of the troops, or dered the crowd dispersed and the guard lines set back 80 that the distressed fam fly might not be so annoyed.
 The Jail last night was under a heavy guard. but the prisoners suspected with burning Ewen's house were detained in the camp They were kept in the camp guard house manacled, so that they have no opportunity to escape They were greatly frightened during the night. fearing mob would come to release them, and that the soldiers would Shoot them. Crawford cried during the night and repeated. What a fool; what a fool 1 am."
 Held for Grand Jury.