Page:The World's Most Famous Court Trial - 1925.djvu/21

Rh hearing of Mr. Scopes?

A—I was in town that day, I heard Col. Neal, a part of his talk and a part of the other side.

Q—You just heard the lawyers talk?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—You would not pay much attention to that anyway?

A—I could not hear them, I was not close enough. I would pay attention to what I could hear, but I could not hear it, though.

Q—You have heard about evolution, I suppose?

A—Oh, yes, I have heard of evolution all my life.

Q—Have you read any of it?

A—No, sir; I never read on evolution at all,

Q—Did you ever hear anybody talk against it or for it?

A—Well, I have heard lots of talk against it, and some talk for it, whether either one knew what they were talking about, I don't know. They might have been like me, did not know.

Q—You have not any opinion as you stand there now, as to whether it is a true doctrine or a false one?

A—No, I do not think I have. I could hear the evidence in the case and then decide.

Mr. Stewart—I submit that is not a proper interrogation, whether evolution is true or not. The correct test is whether or not he has an opinion that the defendant is guilty or not guilty.

Mr. Darrow—I was going to follow with that.

The court—Go ahead.

Mr. Darrow—I did not get up to that.

Mr. Stewart—My objection is, I do not think the other is proper.

The court—Yes, go ahead.

Q—(Mr. Darrow) You have not any opinion now as to whether Mr. Scopes ought to be convicted or discharged?

A—I do not know what he taught. I do not know anything about it, only what I have read.

Q—You have no prejudice against evolution?

A—No, sir; as far as I know evolution, I have not.

Q—You have no prejudice against Mr. Scopes, one way or the other?

A—No, sir.

Q—Mr. Taylor, you would not sit on a jury without you thought you could be perfectly fair?

A—I try to be fair wherever I am at.

Q—And you think your mind is in such shape that you could be perfectly fair?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—You went to the public schools here I suppose?

A—Not in this county.

Q—In Tennessee, I suppose?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—How far did you go?

A—When I went to school they did not grade like we do now, I went through high school.

Q—They taught science in the schools?

A—No, sir.

Q—Do you take many newspapers?

A—I take one, that is, one outside of the county, I take the county paper.

Q—Do you take a religious paper?

A—Yes, sir; I take a religious paper.

Q—How?

A—Yes, sir, one church paper.

Q—Have you read anything about evolution in it?

A—Yes, something about it. I have not read anything about evolution in a church paper. I see the headlines, but have not read it.

Q—Did you ever hear anybody speak on it?

A—Yes, sir; I have heard them speak, preach on it, that is, ministers of the gospel preach on it.

Q—What is that?

A—I have heard ministers of the gospel preach on it one time.

Q—Your own church?

A—Yes, sir; in my own church.

Q—Well, did you form any opinion on that account?

A—I don't know that he told me any more than I knew about it.

Q—Now, you say you are sure you will be fair of mind, I will not