Page:The World's Most Famous Court Trial - 1925.djvu/25

Rh The court—Are you related to the prosecutor or to J. T. Scopes, the defendant?

A—No, sir.

Mr. McKenzie—You can ask Prof. Gentry, Col. Darrow. We pass him to you.

Examination by Mr. Darrow:

Q—Where do you live?

A—I live about two miles from here.

Q—Farm?

A—Yes, farmer and teacher.

Q—How is that?

A—Farmer and teacher in the public school.

Q—Been teaching in the public schools here in Tennessee?

A—Yes, sir, in Rhea county.

Q—How long?

A—About twenty years. I came here in 1901, over twenty years.

Q—Do you own your own farm?

A-Yes, sir.

Q—How large a farm?

A—Right about 106 acres.

Q—And for how many years have you been teaching and farming?

A—Several years.

Q—Are you still teaching?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—Winters?

A—I teach in the fall. Start in August and teach the winter months.

Q—You have a family, I take it?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—Belong to some church?

A—Belong to the Baptist.

Q—Been a Baptist for a good many years?

A—Well, about twenty-five years.

Q—Never belonged to any other church?

A—No, sir.

Q—Common school you teach in?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—Do you teach in the high school?

A—No, sir.

Q—Do you read the papers?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—And magazines?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—Do you go to church in town or out where you live?

A—Go out where I live and come to town some.

Q—You visit around a little?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—Well now, you have, of course, read and thought some about the theory of evolution, have you?

A—Yes, sir; I read the books and taught evolution.

Mr. Darrow—Read that answer.

Mrs. McCloskey (court reporter):

A—Yes, sir, I read the books and taught evolution.

Mr. Darrow:

Q—How long have you been reading?

A—I don't know; a long time.

Q—I don't ask you to be exact.

A—I started when I was a school boy and read those books. I have read them off and on all my life.

Q—Still read them?

A—Yes, sir, I have and read them once in a while when I want to refer to something. I have read them all my life.

Q—Well, I am asking your opinion, but you have an opinion, haven't you ?

A—Of course a person would have an opinion about such as that if he had thought and read about it.

Q—You could not give Mr. Scopes a fair trial?

A—Yes, sir, I think so.

Q—You know pretty well?

A—Well, I know I could.

Q—Probably I oughn’t to ask you this question, but if you were sitting here as a juror, of course, you know how important that is, don't you?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—You know how important this matter is, and that it has caused a great deal of discussion?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—And you know there are people who feel pretty strong on both sides?

A—Yes, sir, I know that.

Q—And you are a school teacher?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—Do you think it would embarrass you in your position as school-teacher, embarrass you any as a juror?

A—Well, not as I know of any.

Court—Would it have any weight with you in the jury box, Mr. Gentry?

A—No, sir.