Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-06-18
ENENS HOTEL DESTROYED.
Principal Witness Against lett and
White Suffers a Financial
Loss.
APPREHENSION INCREASED At JACKSON.


Who Are Charged with the MUIR
der of J., b. Marcum Is In Danger
of Being Shot and Sleeps With
Soldiers.
Louisville, KY, June 15.-The City
hotel at Jackson, KY, a three-story
building, owned by Capt. B. j. Even,
the principal witness against Jett and
White. now on trial there for the as
~sassination of Lawyer j. B. Marcum,
was burned to the ground early Sun
day morning. There were Is guests
in the hotel, but all escaped without
injury. There was no insurance on
the structure, and the hotel, together
with it's furnishings and the effects of
the guests, is a total loss. The origin
of the fire is unknown, but the belief
Is general that the fire was of incen-
diary origin.
Capt. Even had recently put up an
addition to the hotel. This was Just
completed and was as yet unoccupied.
It was in this part of the hotel that
The fire was discovered.
The own of Jackson has no fire de-
partment, and its citizens were awak-
ened by the firing of pistols and guns,
and much excitement prevailed. A de-
tachment of militia came on the
double quick from their camp across
the river and rendered valuable aid in
assisting the guests to escape and
preventing the flames from spreading.
Capt. Even has been kept at the camp
Of the militia since he testified last
Monday that he saw Curtis Jett fire
the shot which willed Marcum. No
body was seen to leave the hotel be-
fore the fire broke out. 1t was only
two days ago that Jackson was put
under martial law. The fire has
caused renewed apprehension.
Arson and Assassination.
The burning of Ewen's hotel is not
only considered as incendiary, but as
accessory to the other acts of in
timidation in connection with the
pending trial of those accused of the
murder of j. B. Marcum, who was an
attorney of contestants for county of
fees held by the leaders of the fac
ton with which the defendants were
Identified. 1t has. been openly predict
ed~that there would be the flashing OF
i~ncendiary warnings, that arson would
go along with assassination as dis
culinary measures might be needed
in Breathitt county.
Capt. B. J. Marcum was the CHIEF
witness for the prosecution in the
. pending trials of Curtis Jett and Ton
White. Even is the deputy sheriff who
testified that he saw Jett as he ad
!, vanced with pistol in hand to fire the
last shot into Marcum's PROSTATE
body as it lay ihjthe courthouse door
way. Through fears for his own safe
ty ke testified that he did not dar'
| to allow Sheriff Callahan and Count.
Judge Hargis to know what he hat
4 seen. When it did become known h
was first a prisoner in his home, ant
\ then he fed to the country until h
could have protection OF troops.
:, House Under Guard.
c Ewen's house has been under guar
of a detail OF soldiers for severa
weeks, and as a more stringent pre-
caution against assassination he slep
In camp at provost marshal's head
a quarters. Several days ago a part
visited him at his home and made hir
: a proposition that if he would repudi
g ate what he had related on the viii
ness stand, saying he testified to wha
was not true because of the excite
be given $4,000 by a certain prominen
m citizen, and that if he did not accer
this offer he would be assassinatet
e He encouraged his visitor to return i
IS the afternoon and stationed two wit
g nesses in a closet who overheard
IS repetition of the proposition and tn
d threat which was accompanied by tn
It tender of the five crisp $1,000 note
d No one Has doubted that Even was j
actual danger, but fey were prepare
1t came Sunday, and it is generally b.
.e lieved that the %incendiary fire was du
to the statement made to %Inspectc
3. Hines about the attempt at bribery a
well as Ewen's testimony.
l. Even Family Now Dependent.
Mrs. Even and her children ar
re poorly clad, and lost everything. Th
e. hotel and furniture had been insured
d but only a week ago. Capt. Even wa
r notified that on account of threaten
e. ing conditions the company had d.
IS cided to cancel his policy. The hous
and fixtures were valued at $1,000
n They were the savings of a life-tim
c. and Even and family are to-da
r, homeless and dependent OF the no
a. Pitality of the troops in camp.
Joe Crawford and Ed. Thap, Wagon
r GERS for the Hargis brothers, are III
der arrest at the military camp, al
~ the Hargis faction is making an effo1
to obtain their release.
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