Hattiesburg Daily Progress

JACKSON, KY., MUTE WITH TERROR

The Burning of the Ewen Hotel Shows Futility of Military Protection.

SPECTER OF THE INCENDIARY'S TORCH
Was Before Their Eyes All Last Night
Pitiable Condition of the Ewen Family.
Alleged Incendiaries Are Held for the Grand Jury.

Jackson, Ky., June 15.--Interest in the trial of Curtis Jett and Thomas White for the murder of James B. Marcum, attorney for the contestants for offices, was secondary today to the preliminary hearing of the teamsters of Hargis Bros., arrested by the soldiers on the charge of burning the hotel yesterday of B. L. Ewen, the principal witness of the commonwealth against Jett and White.

Although this place has become accustomed to assassinations and to incendiary fires during the feud of the last three years, it had never had such a night of terror as that of last night. Many spent a sleepless night, not as members of any vigilance committee patrolling the streets, but within their own doors, as many were expecting the torch to be applied to their houses next. Fourteen residences and stores, owned by Cardwell-Cockrill sympathizers, have been burned since 1900, and the number of lives lost greatly exceeds that number. day time.

A PITIABLE SPECTACLE.
The Ewen family, including seven children, in the military camp presented a pitiable spectacle today. Ewen tried to console his heart-broken wife and daughters, but their distress was too great. The two daughters had escaped from the burning hotel in wrappers and the smaller children in their night clothes. Kind-hearted citizens, although feeling that they are running the risk of their lives and property, have sent them clothing and bedding. They were breakfasted by the soldiers, Quartermaster Casey making them a special bill of fare. Scores of people gathered near by to look at them. Major Allen in charge of the troops ordered the crowd dispersed and the guard lines set back so that the distressed family might not be annoyed.

The jail last night was under a heavy guard, but the prisoners suspected

One week ago the trial of Jett and White began. Many witnesses fled, and the commonwealth had to close its case because witnesses could not be secured. The fate of B. L. Ewen, one of the witnesses who did not run away, shows that the apprehensions of other witnesses were well grounded.

THE TOWN IS CROWDED.
This feud-ridden town, the people of which had somewhat shaken off intimidation under martial law, is today the same timid place as before the state militia arrived. When the troops were first sent here, there was a feeling of relief, and the people said that some of the wrongs would be righted because the intimidated citizens would now talk out. Since the burning yesterday of the large two story hotel of B. L. Ewen, the principal witness against Jett and White, and the rally of the Hargis faction to the aid of the men suspected with having burned it, the hopeful citizens shake their head and say today that the state cannot render any relief. The newly finished Ewen hotel had forty rooms, and it was greatly needed. It is pointed out that of the fourteen incendiary fires here during the past two and a half years ten of them have taken place in the

suspected with burning Ewen's house were detained in the camp. They were kept in the camp guard house manacled so that they have no opportunity to escape. They were greatly frightened during the night, fearing a mob would come to release them, and that the soldiers would shoot them. Crawford cried during the night and repeated "what a fool; what a fool I am."

HELD FOR GRAND JURY.
Joe Crawford and Ed Tharp were brought before Judge Redwine this morning and testimony heard on the writ of habeas corpus, sued out for their release by the Hargis people yesterday. Gray and Dicks and Jerry Lundsford identified Crawford as one of the men seen coming from the direction of the Ewen hotel just before the fire was discovered, and A. H. Short said he saw Crawford and Tharp crossing the bridge, going in the direction of the Ewen hotel, an hour before the fire. The prisoners told conflicting stories of their whereabouts on their detention yesterday. Judge Hargis and the attorneys he employed to defend Jett and White, represented the prisoners. Judge Redwine decided to hold them to the grand jury, which was reconvened this morning.