New-York tribune., 1906-07-12
JETT TAKES THE BLAME.
Does Not Stick to Confession That
Hargis Inspired Killing.

Beattyville, KY, July 1.-THE most sensational
testimony yet given was introduced to-day at the
trial OF ex-Judge Hargis and ex-Sheriff Callahan
for conspiring to have ]. B. Marcum killed. Curtis
Jett, who recently confessed to the Common
wealths Attorney that he had been paid by Tom
White, one of Hargiss henchmen, for the killing
which he said had been at the instance of the de-
PENDANTS. was put on the stand, and admitted the
killing, but took all responsibility for it himself
Tom White, who followed Jett on the stand, re-
fused to testify and sent to jail by the court
Jett admitted the assassination Of Marcum, and
told the manner in which the crime was commit
ted.
Mr.. Marcum had prosecuted in several cases
and was my bitter enemy, and I am the man who
killed him. he said. He had not conferred with
White in regard to the killing The pistol he used
was his own and had been owned by him several
months, he testified. though he told the attorneys
this morning that ex-Sheriff Callahan gave It to
him. The defendants helped to defend him in his
previous trial. he said. and he thought they had
paid his attorneys fees He suddenly lost his
memory at the most crucial moments and could
tell nothing Of his or Whites actions before or
after the murder. Jett did not remember seeing
White in the courthouse all.
That Jett has had some change Of heart is ap-
parent. The reason may be found in the statement
OF Commonwealth's Attorney Adams, who said
Jett had been drinking MI Adams said that
other attempt would be made tomorrow to get
Jett to repeat his confession
statement made by w. A. Young of the
oerences Uhat Curtis Jett had sent for him and said
that he would swear that his confession was a
fake If the defendants would give him 81 OO0 On
the other hand Jett said to the attorneys for the
commonwealth that every influence had been
brought to bear on him, since making his confes-
sion, to retract IT and swear that II was obtained
by fraud.
Tom White followed Jett the stand but when
he refused to answer questions after being told bv
the court to do So Judge Dorsey ordered him TO
w. B: Johnson said White told him Just a few
weeks before Marcum killed that Hargsis
wanted White to do the fighting for him CFIargis)
rms testimony was excluded yesterday, hut was
admitted to-day.
1.-The morning session of court Moses Feltner
ages by Mrs. Marcum against Hargis Callahan and
others, Harsis. Callahan and French came to see
MN IN Leslie County, and asked him leave the
country and not testify in the case. He said thew
later came to him in Winchester and did get him
TO go TO Ohio and remain until after the trial The
check for $780, which Feltner says was given 10
him to defray expenses but which he turned over
to the attorneys for Mrs. Marcum without getting
II cashed was introduced in spite of vigorous pro-
tests by the defence.
Asbury Spicer testified that he was approached by
James HSrgis and was asked to kin Marcum
Harss telling him to get any aid necessary, and
that he would protect him. Witness refused to ac-
cept the proposition Witness said Hargis asked
him in June, 1902, to go with Moses Feltner and
Tom White to kill Marcum but he refused. He
saw and talked to lett just before the killing He
said he went after Jett for Jim Hargis and Gala
han, with word for Jett to hurry to the courthouse