Kentucky's Famous Feuds and Tragedies: Authentic History of the World Renowned Vendettas of the Dark and Bloody GroundMutzenberg, Charles Gustavus
History
Kentucky's Famous Feuds and Tragedies: Authentic History of the World Renowned Vendettas of the Dark and Bloody Ground
Mutzenberg, Charles Gustavus
Crime -- Kentucky; Vendetta -- Kentucky
Both the county judge, Hargis, and Sheriff Callahan hated Marcum and
had been his sworn enemies for a long time. The statements of Feltner
made by him to Marcum from time to time implicated both these officials
as the chief conspirators, although Mr. Marcum at the time he gave out
his statement to the press, refrained from quoting their names. He had,
however, done so to the writer on several occasions.
At the time of Marcum's assassination Judge James Hargis and Sheriff
Callahan were seated comfortably in front of the Hargis store.
(Probably the seats had been reserved in advance so as to be certain of
not missing any scene or act of the tragedy.)
They had an unobstructed view of the court house door, were bound
to have seen what occurred there, yet continued to sit unmoved, and
never made the least effort to locate or ascertain the assassins. They
appeared not in the least disturbed, certainly exhibited no surprise.
Why should they? The conclusion is irresistible--but we shall let the
reader draw it.
Capt. Ewen testified that he was standing at the side of Marcum when he
was killed. Marcum was leaning heavily upon his shoulder. Just before
the shots were fired Tom White passed by the two men, turned and gazed
into Marcum's face. Marcum said "that's a bad man, and I'm afraid of
him." The next moment the shots were fired.
As White passed Marcum the latter turned his back to the rear of the
corridor and the witness Ewen turned with him. This put his face to the
rear of Marcum and he recognized Curtis Jett and saw him standing there
with a pistol in each hand.
Marcum having fallen to the floor, Capt. Ewen stepped out of doors
to save his own life. The position of Jett and of his gun made Ewen
believe that he would be shot next. A few moments later Jett appeared
at the side door of the court house, looked out, then walked calmly
down the steps and mingled with the crowd.
Tom White, so the testimony of other witnesses shows, was standing in
front of Day Brothers' store just before the murder. An acquaintance
invited him to take a drink. He refused, saying he had not time, that
he was looking for a man. He caught sight of Curtis Jett, motioned to
him, and the two entered the side door of the court house. White then
passed on through the corridor to the front door, and in the manner
detailed attracted Marcum's attention, while Jett took his position
behind him. White immediately turned to the side of the front door to
escape the bullets he knew would be coming.
After the murder Jett and White came immediately together again at or
near the jail and walked down the street unmolested.
Tom White had come to Jackson several days before the murder,
ostensibly to secure work, but only one man was introduced to prove
that he made any sort of attempt to obtain employment. Jett and White
were seen together before the shooting and immediately afterwards.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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