Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-11
SMITH TELLS WEIRD
TALE ABOUT CRIME
Confesses That He Was One of
Cox's Murderers.
PAID TO KILL PHYSICIAN
Two Other Men in the Conspiracy to
Assassinate Him.
HARGISAND FRIENDS STUPEFIED
Self Confessed Murderer Says That He
Was Paid 800 for His
Part.
Two Other Men in the Conspiracy II
Assassinate Him.
FRIENDS STUPEFIED

JACKSON. KY. January 11.-John Smith,
who is one Of the men under indictment for
the murder of DIR. d. b. Cox, has made q
confession. which is now in the hands OF
Attorney Jouett, representing the common
wealth In this confession Smith says
James Hargis and Edward Callahan in
duced him to enter the conspiracy against
DIR. Cox. making promises to see that he
was acquitted. and to give him work. He
tells about the murder in detail, and says
that Callahan gave him 500 after the kill
ing OF Cox, saying James Hargis had sent
the money.
According to the confession three men
shot DR.. Cox Smiths words in describing
the murder are:
$50 Judge and Ed put us three-Spicer.
Abner and myself-under the barn shed and
sent Ebert Hargis to stand ~ the corner,
and when DR.. Cox left his Office and started
home, and got opposite where We were In
hiding, Ebert Hargts was to call to him
so we would know 1t was DR.. Cox. We
stayed under the shed about one hour. and
while we were there Ed Callahan came to
US and stayed with us until just about
twenty minutes before DIR. Cox was killed,
and he told us to be sure and not miss him.
And when DR.. Cox did start from his home
and came down just across the street from
US, Gilbert Hargis called to him and said:
Is that you, Door and he said: Yes and
stopped, and all three Of us fired at the
same time, or so near the same, that it
was all one report"
Situation is Quieter.
The situation here is aufeter since Spe-
cfal Judge W. NJ. Carnes was enjoined
by the court of appeals at Frankfort from
presiding ir the case of Judge James Har-
gis, charged with the assassination of Dr..
Cox
Judge Carnes left for Frankfort today
to explain to the court of appeals certain
of his rulings in favor Of Hargis. He said
if he was prevented from trying Hargis he
would go into the cases of William Bitten,
John Smith. John Abner and Ebert Har-
gis all of whom are charged with compile
ity in the assassination OF Cox
his room in the Imperial Hotel before he
left.
Hargis Stupefied.
Judge James Hargis and his supporters
were stupefed today as the result of John
Smith confessing participation in assassi-
mating Dr. Cox at the order of Judge Har-
gis and Sheriff Callahan. Smiths confess
sion bears out in detail the story told by
Asbury Spicer, who swore to being employ
ed by Hargis and Callahan to kill Cox
Spcer's confession was made last June.
Hargis swears that Smith is lying. Some
of Hargis' stanch supporters are turning on
him since the Smith confession Smith fears
for his life, and is begging for protection
against the wrath of Iiargis and Callahan.
Hargis remains closely in his store. state
Inspector Hines has just arrived here from
Jackson, and says the situation does not
warrant sending troops to Jackson, and he
will reco Mnend to Gov. Beckham that none
be sent.
Court of Appeals Issues Writ.
Adjutant General Henry Lawrence Jack
son left this morning for Frankfort to make
a report to Gov. Beckham regarding the
situation in Breathitt county. The repre-
sentatives Of the commonwealth told the
adjutant general that they did not believe
a company of soldiers could have prevented
a riot had Judge Carnes proceeded with the
trial. Judge Carnes convened court this
morning and made the announcement to-
day that the court Of appeals had issued
a writ OF prohibition restraining him from
further action in the case and adjourned
court until next Friday. He also passed
the cases of Ebert Hargis. Bill Britton,
John Abner and John Smith until the same
date
Judge Carnes said he did not know what
final action the appellate court would take.
but that he would return to Jackson next
Friday and make some orders in the cases.