Newspaper Articles 

The Feud INVOLVING 

MARCUM-SPICER-Hargis-JETT-WHITE

BREATHITT-JACKSON COUNTY

JETT TELLS NEW TALE

Declares Hargis Innocent of Marcum’s Death

REPUDIATES HIS CONFESSION

State’s Attorneys Declare Witness Under Influence of Liquor-Will Question Him Again- Alleged Offer to Recant for $1,000-“Tom” White Refuses to Answer Questions and Is Sent to Jail

July 11, 1906 Beattyville, Ky

Curtis Jett, took the stand today in the trail of former Judge Hargis and former Sheriff Callahan, charged with the murder of J.B. Marcum. His testimony was in direct contradiction to his previous confession, in which he implicated Hargis. Today he said that he killed Marcum of his own volition to satisfy his own hatred of him. The testimony was a surprise to the State, and the Commonwealth’s attorney stated that Jett had been drinking and an attempt would be made tomorrow to get him to repeat his confession.

In his testimony, Jett said:

Takes All the Guilt

“Mr. Marcum had prosecuted me in several cases and was my bitter enemy, and I am the man who killed him.” He then told about the assassination, his testimony corroborating that given by B.J. Ewen. Jett said he had not conferred with Thomas White, a friend of Hargis, in regard to the killing. The pistol he used, he said, was his own, and had been owned by him several months. He told the attorneys this morning that Sheriff Hargis had given it to him.The defendants helped to defend him in his previous trial, he said. He did not know, but thought they had paid his attorney’s fees.

Under a rigid examination, his memory failed him, and he could tell nothing  of his or White’s actions preceding or following the killing. Jett did not remember seeing White in the courthouse at all, and said as far as he is concerned, White was perfectly innocent.

Previous to Jett’s testimony, a statement was made by Attorney W.A.Young, of the defense, that Curtis Jett had sent for him, and stated that he would swear that his recent confession was a fake if the defendants would give him $1,000.

It is alleged that Jett stated to the attorneys for the Commonwealth that every influence had been brought to bear on him since making his confession to retract it and swear it was secured by fraud.

Tom White followed Jett on the stand, and asked Attorney Byrd to excuse him, as he did not want to answer any questions. He was asked if he was in Jackson the day Marcum was killed, but declined to answer. Judge Dorsey ordered him to jail.

W.B. Johnson testified that Tom White told him just a few weeks before Marcum was killed that Hargis wanted White to do the fighting for him (Hargis). This testimony was excluded yesterday but was admitted today.

Bribed to Leave Kentucky

At the morning session Moses Felther testified that after the filing of the suit for damages by Mrs. Marcum against Hargis, Callahan, and others, that Hargis, Callahan and French came to see him in Winchester, and did get him to go to Ohio and remain until after the trial.  Attorney Jouett introduced the check for $900 which Felther says was given to him to defray expenses, but which he turned over to the attorneys for Mrs. Marcum without getting it cashed. This was a severe blow to the defense, and was permitted to be introduced over their vigorous protests.

Asbury Spicer testified that he was approached by James Hargis and was to kill Marcum.  Spicer testified that Hargis wanted him to hide in an old house and shoot as Marcum passed by. Witness said Hargis told him to get any aid necessary. Hargis said he would protect them. Witness refused the proposal. He said Hargis ask him in June 1902, to go with Moses Feltner and Tom White to kill Marcum. He testified that he refused to lay in wait in the rock quarry to kill Marcum. He went to the courthouse with E.L. Noble and others at the instance of Callahan. He saw and talked to Jett just before the killing. He said he went after Jett for Jim Hargis and Callahan with instructions for Jett to hurry to the courthouse.

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