Page:The World's Most Famous Court Trial - 1925.djvu/31

Rh fixed opinion, captain; a fixed opinion about—?

A—As to whether he is guilty or innocent?

Q—As to whether he is guilty or innocent?

A—No, sir.

Q—Captain, could you go into the jury box and try this case free from passion or prejudice, divesting yourself of any opinion you may have, and try this case according to the law and the evidence?

A—I think I could, sir.

Court—He is a competent juror.

J. G. McKenzie—We pass Capt. Thompson to you.

Examination by Mr. Darrow:

Q—You have lived here a good many years?

A—Yes, sir. I have lived in this county all my life. I haven't been here all my life; I was born in this county and raised here.

Q—You are a United States marshal?

A—Yes, sir, I was, for six—or five years during Wilson's administration.

Mr. Darrow—That doesn't prejudice you with me.

Q—Where were you stationed?

A—Knoxville.

Q—All your life you have lived at Dayton?

A—I didn't live at Dayton; I lived about the center of the county, General.

Q—You aren't a farmer, are you?

A—I own a farm; I am no farmer.

Q—That is different. Are you in any other business?

A—No, sir, not at this time.

Q—Do you know Mr. Scopes?

A—I do not. I hardly know the man by sight. I have seen him; I have seen him on the streets since I have been here, but as to knowing him, I don't.

Q—I presume that you belong to the church?

A—I do. I am not a good member, not as good as I ought to be.

Q—Of what church?

A—Methodist.

Q—Do you work at it very hard?

A—Well, no, sir; not as hard as I ought to.

Q—Is that church here at Dayton?

A—No, sir; it is up in the country.

Q—You go sometimes?

A—I beg your pardon?

Q—You go to church sometimes?

A—Yes, I do.

Q—Your wife probably goes more than you do.

A—More than I do.

Q—Well, now, do you read much?

A—I am not an extensive reader, outside of magazines and newspapapersnewspapers [sic]; I am not a book reader.

Q—You are not a book reader?

A—No, sir.

Q—Do you take a number of magazines?

A—No, sir, I can't say that I do; I read a great many magazines, but am not a subscriber.

Q—Have you ever heard evolution argued?

A—Yes, I have read that a good deal, and also in the papers.

Q—Now, Mr. Scopes is charged with violating the law. Have you ever given much, if any, attention to the question of evolution?

A—I never have.

Q—That is one of the things you have not studied?

A—No, sir.

Q—You haven't any opinion about it at the present time?

A—Well, I couldn't say that I have no opinion. I have never—it is a question I have made no study of.

Q—So your opinion would not be worth much?

A—No, I don't think it would be, General.

Q—Most of us have opinions on everything?

A—That is true.

Q—And a good many things of which we don't know a thing about?

A—And ought to know more than I do.

Q—Well, you know yourself; you do not know enough about it to form an opinion at this time, a decided opinion; that is an important question you haven't studied, and on it your opinion would not be worth much?

A—I don't think my opinion on evolution would be worth very much to the court or to any court or on the outside generally because it is a