Page:The World's Most Famous Court Trial - 1925.djvu/18

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TENNESSEE EVOLUTION TRIAL

Mr. Darrow—May I consider just a moment on the last one?

Court—Yes, sir, you may.


Mr. Darrow—May I ask Mr. Riley one question, your honor?

Court—Yes, sir.

Mr. Darrow's question to Mr. Riley:

You said you couldn’t read. Is that due to your eyes?

Mr. Riley (A) No, I am uneducated.

Q—That is because of your eyes?

A—I say I am uneducated.

Q—Have your eyes bothered you?

A—No, I am uneducated.

Q—You have worked always on a farm?

A—Not all the time. I have worked in the mines a good deal of the time.

Q—Whereabouts?

A—Right up here at Nelson's.

Q—How long did you work in the mines?

A—Some four or five years.

Q—When did you leave the mines?

A—Well, it has been twenty years ago.

Gen. Stewart—I presume, of course, that the defense know, since they ask about the peremptory challenges, that they have three.

Mr. Darrow—Yes, sir, I had already found that out.


Court—What do you say to Mr. Massingill?—for the state?

Mr. McKenzie—I pass him to you, Colonel.

Questions by Mr. Darrow:

Q—What is your business?

A—I am a minister.

Q-—Whereabouts?

A—How is that?

Q—Where?

A—I live in Rhea county.

Q—-What part of it?

A—I live in the second district of Rhea county, twenty miles north of this place.

Q—Where do you preach?

A—I preach over the county in the rural sections.

Q—You mean you haven't any regular church?

A—I have. I am pastoring four churches—have four appointments.

Q—Ever preach on evolution?

A—I don’t think so, definitely; that is, on evolution alone.

Q—Now, you wouldn't want to sit on this jury unless you were fair, would you?

A—Certainly, I would want to be fair; yes, sir.

Q—Did you ever preach on evolution?

A—Yes. I haven't as a subject; just taken that up; in connection with other subjects. I have referred to it in discussing it.

Q—Against it or for it?

A—I am strictly for the Bible.

Q—I am talking about evolution, I am not talking about the Bible. Did you preach for or against evolution?

A—Is that a fair question, judge?

Court—Yes, answer the question.

A—Well, I preached against it, of course! (Applause).

Q—Why, "of course?"

Court—Let’s have order.

Mr. Darrow—Your honor, I am going to ask to have anybody excluded that applauds.

Court—Yes, if you repeat that, ladies and gentlemen, you will be excluded. We cannot have applause. If you have any feeling in this case you must not express it in the courthouse, so don't repeat the applause. If you do, I will have to exclude you.

Q—You have a very firm conviction—a very strong opinion against evolution, haven't you?

A—Well, some points in evolution.

Q—Are you trying to get on this jury?

A—No, sir.

Q—Have you formed a strong conviction against evolution?

A—Well, I have.

Q—You think you would be a fair juror in this case?

A—Well, I can take the law and the evidence in the case, I think, and try a man right.

Q—I asked if you think you thought you could be a fair juror?

A—Yes, sir.

Q—Have you heard about Mr. Scopes?

A—Yes, sir; yes.