The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-15

JACKSON, KY, June 14-At o'clock this
morning Joe Redman, watchman at the
lumber yard of Swami & Day, discovered
flames issuing from the roof of Ewens
Hotel, situated in the mountain side, three
hundred yards from the depot. The alarm
was given, and Lieutenant Kinnard, with
the provost guard, turned out to render as
sistance. Soon hundreds of people were on
the scene. Heroic work the part of the
soldiers and citizens probably saved the
entire south side of the town.
The Even Hotel is at the end of a long
row of miners cottages all of which were
in grave danger. When those in the hotel
were notified the fire was under such head
way that the guests who had not arisen had
only time to save part of their clothing.
The two grown daughters and Mrs. Even
had been up late, having visited Captain
Even in the military camp.
John Clarey, of Louisville, a telegraph
operator, who was sent by the Postal COM
pany to Jackson to handle the matter sent
to the newspapers during the feud trials,
was asleep on the second floor. In the ex-
citement he was not awakened until the
flames had shut of escape from the front
stairway. and he almost Suffocated
while coming out of the rear stairway and
fell unconscious ana half dressed on the
ground when he finally freed himself from
the danger. Mrs. Even and her children
are poorly clad, and lost everything. The
hotel and furniture had been insured but
only week ago Captain Even was notified
that. on account of the threatening condi-
tions the company had decided to cancel
his policy. The house and fixtures were
valued at about $4,000. They were the saw
ings OF e lifetime, and Even and family
are tonight homeless and dependent on the
hospitality of the troops in camp.
Gray and Jim Haddicks and Jerry Luntz,
reported having seen Joe Crawford and
Ed Tharp, wagoners for the Hargis Broth
ers come across the bridge and return just
before the blaze discovered, and Major
Allen ordered these men arrested. They
were taken into the military camp by the
soldiers and manacled in the guardhouse.
Gray Haddicks was retained by the provost
guard as witness.
Soon the Hargis people were very active.
They sent attorneys John O'Neil, of Cow
ington and b. b. Golden of Barboursville,
defending Jett and White. and swore out
writs of habeas corpus before Judge Red
wine, making them returnable at once The
writs were served on Major Allen and he
sent the prisoners to the courthouse under
strong guard, commanded by Captain
Maddox
Commonwealth's Attorney Byrd asked
TO fi.e a response. He asked that he be
given till tomorrow morning. but Judge
Redwine demanded that it be filed at once.
This was done and the attorneys argued
the case before Judge Redwine Two of
the most interested spectators were County
Judge Hargis and Sheriff Ed Callahan. The
dIeueu the men were being
unlawfully held by Major Allen. as they
were witnesses in the Jett and White cases
| for the defense. Attorney Byrd argued the
| case for the commonwealth and Major
Allen, against whom the habeas corpus pro-
ceedings were brought. Judge Redwine
finally decided to admit the men to bail
in 5000 each. County Judge Hargis and
| Sheriff Callahan had bonds drawn up. but
after consultation between them and the
| lawyers, they refused to sign the bonds,
and the men were taken by the soldiers in
/ side their lines and are tonight rnanacled
! in the military guardhouse with heavy
| guard on watch and strong outposts
The grand jury VIII meet tomorrow and
Judge Redwine said these cases could be
| taken before that body. The Haddicks
boys and Luntz fully identified the men
and IL Is claimed some members OF the
Even family saw them come out of the
/ house. IL is supposed they watched their
4 opportunity and while the members of the
family were in the dining room rushed UP
the back stairway and threw a lighted
| torch or ball of rags saturated in oil into
/ the garret and then made their escape
| The men evidently knew the construction of
! the house. There was no fire in any of the
fiues In that section of the building
i Howard Fulks, a boarder, heard persons
come up stairs hurriedly and run down
again
| Crawford and Tharpe have both stopped
/ at Ewen's hotel and were familiar with
the building and the habits of the family.
The burning of Ewens house fulflls In
| part the threat made by the man whom
| Even says called at his home last Satur-
! day a week ago and offered TO bribe him
by giving him $500 II he would alter his
| testimony.
The fire threw the community accus-
toned 10 violence. into unsual excitement
| which continued tonight. Even those who
have tried To be neutral In the Breathitt