The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-12
John Smith Makes Confession
duplicating Jim HargiS and
Ed. Callahan.
BREATHITT COUNTY CASES
DANGER is SOMEWHAT SUeSID-
ED AND IT is THOUGHT TROOPS
WILL NOT BE NECESSARY AT
THIS TIME.
Publishers Press1

A
| Jackson, KY. Jan. 11.-John Smith,
one of the men under indictment for
the murder Of DIR. B. d. Cox, made a
| confession, which is in the hands of
B. r. Jouett, attorney for the common
wealth In this confession Smith
names James Hargis and Ed Callahan
| as moving spirits in the crime. He
| says Hargis and Ed Callahan induced
him to enter the conspiracy against
DR. Cox, making promises to see that
he was acquitted and to give him a
job. He tells of the murder in detail,
and says Ed Callahan gave him 500
after the killing, saying Jim Hargis
sent it to him.
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 on the
corner, and when Dr. Cox left his
ONCE and started home and got oppo-
site where we were in hiding, Ebert
Hargis was to call to him so we would
know it was DR.. Cox. We stayed un-
der the shed about one hour, and
while we were there Ed Callahan
came to us and stayed with us until
just about 20 minutes before Dr. Cox
was killed, and he told us to be sure
and not miss him. And when DR.. Cox
did start from his Office and come
down just across the street from us,
Ebert Hargis called to him and said:
rs that YOU 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"
Judge James Hargis and his sup
porters are stupefied as the result of
Smiths confession that he helped as
sassinate DR.. Cox at the order of
Judge Hargis and Sheriff Callahan.
Smiths confession bears out in every
detail the story told by Asbury Spicer,
who also swore he was employed by
Hargis and Callahan to kill Cox. His
confession was made last June. Har-
gis swears that Smith is lying. Some
of Hargis staunch supporters are
turning on him since the Smith con-
fession. Smith fears for his life, and
is begging for protection against the
wrath of Hargis and Callahan. The
situation is acute. Hargis remains
closely in his store.
Conditions here are easier since the
writ of prohibition was granted, pre-
venting the special judge, w. M.
Carnes, from presiding in the Hargis
trial. Judge Carnes left for Frankfort
to explain to the court of appeals his
action in making rulings in favor of
Hargis.
Judge Carnes convened court and |
made the announcement that the |
court of appeals issued writ of pro-
hibition restraining him from further
action in the case and adjourned court |
until 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 Friday and make
some orders in the cases.
He says his rulings refusing to /
quash the indictment against Hargis
and his method in choosing an elisor
were within the discretion of the
court. He said if he was prevented |
from trying Hargis he would go into
the cases of William Britton, John
Smith, John Abner and Ebert Hargis, |
all of whom are charged with the
same assassination.
Adjutant General Lawrence and
State Inspector Hines came here to
look over the situation before troops
are sent, but would give out no state
ment. 1t is almost certain that troops
will be sent to prevent riotiag.
State Inspector Hines says the sit
uation does not warrant sending
troops to Jackson, and he will recon-
mend that none be sent.
Adjutant General Henry Lawrence
left Jackson for Frankfort to make his
report to Governor Beckham regard
ing the situation in Beathitt county
General Lawrence refused to discuss
the nature of the various conferences
he held or to express an opinion OF
the situation. 1t is known that repre-
over the entire case with the adjutant
general and told him the state of feel
on the part Of the anti-Hargis faction,
iue to the ruling Of the court Gen.
.ral Lawrence wanted to know if it
was not in their power to prevent trou-
Bile. and they told him they succeeded
n quelling the disturbance Wednes-
lay when things looked serious, but
hey frankly told him they did not be-
ieve even company of soldiers could
have prevented riot had Judge
proceeded with the trial