Evening star., 1937-04-28

after drinking bout in Harlan Town,
left for 'old man Musick's house"
in nearby Evarts on the evening To-
year-old Bennett Musick was killed.
The departure of the squad Of gun
men was about 7 o'clock, some 90
minutes before the killing, according
to testimony given by Lawrence How
ard and his wife. Martha, who had
been eating and drinking with the
deputies in the Harlan Grill between
6 and o'clock
The youthful Howard, who has tes-
titled on several occasions previously
and who has been threat tened since
coming to Washington, said he had
been asked to go along" with the
squad that night, but declined. He
has now been warned not to return
to Harlan, he added.
Two of the Accused Listen.
Two of the deputies in the alleged
drinking bout, George Lee and Allen
Bowlin, sat near the witnesses, their
broad-brimmed black hats clenched
tightly in their hands, as they heard
themselves drawn into the murder
picture.
Previously the committee heard
James H. Brewer, Baptist deacon and
part-time coal loader. tell of events
preceding the firing on Mr.. and Mrs.
Marshall A. Musick on Sunday after
noon, January 81, 1887. A mine su-
perintendent had tipped him of that
something Of the kind was going to
happen. Brewer said.
Testifying in fat, nearly inaudible
tone, Brewer recalled that his brother
in-law, Tom Holmes, a mine superin-
tendent, told him on the afternoon Of
January 81 not to become excited
about anything that might happen
that day
Later, he said, Mrs. Musick came to
call, and Mrs. Brewer told of seeing
some automobiles parked up the road
and asked Mrs. Musick to stay for fear
she would be molested.
After Mrs. Musick rejoined her hus-
band at neighbours and both walked
down the road, Brewer said, he heard
some shooting.
Recognizes Deputies.
He went down where the shooting
occurred and said he recognized Depu-
ties Bob Eldredge, Hugh Taylor and
Frank White.
A few days later, Brewer continued,
Lee and Bowlin came to his house,
saying they had search warrant for
"l,lO0 pounds Of meat"
They looked for the meat" in his
dresser drawer, Brewer said, explain
ing he supposed they were looking for
United Mine Workers literature.
Brewer said he had not been a mem
Der Of the U. NJ w. since 1884
Taylor also told Of the Musick kill
ing. testifying that Irving told him
that If Musick'S wife hadn't been
along that Sunday afternoon, Musick
would have got bullet in him"
Taylor said he was approached by
Frank w. Hite to participate in the
shooting up of the Musick house.
At this point, an affidavit from
Claybourne Taylor, brother 4 Hugh,
was introduced, stating that Irving
told him they were going to kill
Musick or run him out of the State"
Both Taylors refused.
Night Of February . Recalled.
Calling Mr.. and Mrs. Howard to the
stand. La Toilette returned to events
OF February 9, the night Bennett Mu-
sick was murdered.
About $50 in the evening, Mrs.
Howard said, she and her husband
were in the grill with Deputies Lee,
Alfred, Angel. Bowlin, White and
Merle Middleton
The men were drinking quite a Bit"
Mrs. Howard continued, and Lee
placed two guns on his table.
After Bowlin had said several times
that they must 60. the witnesses
agreed, the deputies asked Howard If
he wanted to accompany them.
We're going up to see old man
Musick." they quoted one Of the
sherif1s.
The deputies left about o'clock,
Mrs. Howard said. The Musick slay-
ing occurred about $50.
Have you heard from home since
you've been in Washington" La Fol-
lette asked.
Yes, from my brother" Howard
answered. He said my mother was
worried about stories that the deputy
sherifYs were going to take me for .
ride"