The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-12
EVEN WAS OFFERED $5,00O
Condition Was That He ExOn-
 crate Curtis Jett.
Witnesses Swear That They Saw the Latter Emerge From the Court House After Assassination
 of Marcum.


 great change here today
 Futting the town under martial law With provost marshal in charge of everything has created consternation in some circles and relief in others.
 The soldiers who are now on guard at olnerent places and on picket duty are able to make arrests anywhere and take those who are under arrest before the grand jury an1 not before the county judge.
 As the probability of martial law had been freely discussed for some time, the warning factions knew what 1t meant as soon as the provost marshal was appoint ed last night.
 The presence of State Inspector Hines also still continues to be a matter of anxious speculation. The closing of the blind tigers" and the vigilant patrol of the troops to see that tho closing orders of the provost marshal are rigidly enforc- ed have stopped me random firing in and about he town during the nights and also made quite a difference during the day.
 With Colonel Williams in command of a battalion of troops to execute any order of the provost marshal and State In- spector Hines watching the progress of the trial as we'll as the conditions in the town, there is now a general impression that Governor Beckham proposes to see that there is order in Jackson and that the law takes its course in Breathitt County.
 Witnesses Relieved.
 Such is the comment on all hands. the witnesses are no longer thought to be so apprehensive as to what may happen to them. Some even go so far as to think that the intimidation that prevailed in ku fnp haa 1nat ffa fOrna It was openly stated today that B. l.. Ewen would not have dared heretofore to have told about being offered 5000 if he would not testify against he defendant. Residents refer to the testimony today to show that the witnesses as well as others feel easier.
 The provost marshal of Jackson rrr orts the situation quiet, notwithstanding some excitement over the testimony of B. l.. Ewen and Mrs. Mary Johnson. the sister of Marcum.
 The crowd at the court house was much larger today. The soldiers brought Jett them all in court. Jett was as confident as ever, and White was more Respondent. Whites mother Is with him and constant ly begging him to tell the whole truth. Miss Sarah Hargis. daughter of the coun- ty judge, was today seated beside the de- fendants.
 The sensational disclosures made yes- terday and this moring by Capt B. J. Ewen, the principal witness against Cur tlss Jett, has thrown Jackson into fu- rore of excitement and intensified the an- ger. There was much stir about the court house.
 $5,Ooo Bribe Offered.
 Captain Ewen detailed the story of att tempted bribery when several days ago he was offered 5000 and the money was counted out to him, if he would agree to alter his testimony so that 1t would not incriminate Jett.
 home. and those who made 1t gave the preference of accepting 1t or being killed If he testified against Jett Ewen held another conference today with Inspector Hines regarding the matter. and sensa- tional developments are expected Ewen was in the camp last night, and will re- main in the care of the militia until the soldiers leave, and then go with them.
 The first witness called was Hezekiah Combs. He swore that he saw Jett and White together few minutes before the shooting of Marcum in the court house.
 He saw White move toward the side door of the court house and make a mo- tion to Jett to follow him. He did not see Jett again until after the assassina- ton
 Prince Landrum, deputy Circuit Clerk, testified to scenes about the court house at the time of the murder.
 Saw Jett Emerge.
 Miss Laura Rawlings, clerk in Day Brothers store. testified that she saw Jett come out of the side door of the court house just after the shooting of Marcum A severe cross examination by O'Neal could not shake her in her statement
 Seldum Back testified the same as Miss averring that he saw Jett come out of the door after the shooting
 Henry Hurst Marcums brother-in-law was at the postoffice at the time of the shooting and he testified to what he saw after he reached the court house.
 In the cross examination of Hurst the defense objected to reference to Joseph Moore's statements about poisoning pris- oners. Court took the admission of this evidence under advisement, Goodloe Combes and Ned Strong testified to scenes after the shooting. Grannis Back son of Judge Back, testified to seeing Jett en- ter the court house just before the shoot Ing. s S. Taulbee testified to seeing Ewen looking into the court house while the shooting was going on and then run down the street Court ruled that Hurst could testify as to the conversation about pois- 1 oning prisoners. but attorney for the de-  fense withdrew the question and the evil dence could not be entered. The conver- sation was that Tom White was told by Hurst that two men would give $2,OO0 each to have the prisoners poisoned in case of conviction to guard against confessions Mrs. Mary Jackson when put on the stand this afternoon. reaffirmed what she had related in a statement last night She said Jett admitted to her that he kill ed J. B. Marcum.
 Killed by Hargis's Money.
 After my brother was dead" she said. I started home. Curtis Jett and Tom White overlook me. I asked Jett if he killed Jim. He answered 'Hargis's money did 1t, but fired the shot
 White denied that he fired a shot. But once I saw White laying Tn wait in a rock luarry to kill my brother. It was near ny brothers house last June"
 She had to be repeatedly cautioned against offering hearsay testi nony, re-
 Continued on Page Five.)