American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-03-11
Reported for the American Republican,
BALTIMORE CITY COURT.
Prtsent-Judges Brice, .NisJet and Worthington
TRIAL OF HENRY McCURRY,
FOR MURDER.

FUN M u hDEh.
MONDAY, March 10th, 1915. The case of
Henry McCurIy, indicted for the murder of
Paul Roux, of Macon, Georgia, having been set
for trial to-day, long before the meeting of the
Court, there was large number of persons
collected about the Courthouse, awaiting the
arrival of the prisoner. Upon his arrival, the
Court room was soon densely crowded with
persons eager to see the accused. Within the
bar there was also large number OF legal gen.
tlemen and others collected. The new arrang-
ed entry within the bar, was found to be OF
great advantage in the ngress and egress Of the
prisoner, keeping him entirely free from the
crowd. The accused was placed in the crimi-
nal box; and the clerk proceeded to call the re-
gular panel, for selection of ury to try the
case, the usual question being propounded,
"have you formed or expressed an opinion as
TO the guilt or innocence of the prisoner at the
BARR AT an early stage of this proceeding, J.
NJ Harris, Esq. counsel for the accused, desired
10 put the additional question to person about
20 be sworn as juror, care you a member of
the Order of Independent Odd Fellows?" To
this, George r. Richardson, Esq. States attor-
ney, demurred, upon the ground that, if that
fact were established, it did not dis1ualfy the
party from acting as juror.
Mr. Harris thought otherwise, and, in an ar
gument to assign reasons therefor, said he had
been informed that the obligations imposed by
the Order, upon its members, required that they
should prosecute Cor persecute) unto death, any
person who should violate his plighted faith or
offend against q brother. After some remarks
by Mr.. Richardson, in reference to tn @ law in
such cases made and provided, the Court APP
pointed Carroll Spence, Esq, and John NJ.
Edgar, Esq, jury to try the issue thus made,
being that Of "favor"-or disqualification to act
as Jurors, in case where the prisoner stood &C.
cused of numbering an Odd Fellow, as in this
case. Mr.. Spence and Mr.. Edgar, having been
sworn, took their seats in the jury box. Mr..
Harris then read to them proclamation issued
by the Grand Lodge of the o. |. o. F., through
the columns of the Clipper, Offering reward
for the murderer Of Paul Roux, member of
The fraternity. Witnesses were then called to
ascertain the truth of his impressions, and to
try the case of the competency of persons to act
as Jurors, who were attached to the Order.
John A. Thompson, sworn. | am a member
Of one of the Lodges under the jurisdiction of
The Grand Lodge of |. o. o. F. of Maryland;
| was formerly Grand Secretary. 1t is expect
ed we shall communicate with distant Lodges
on behalf of matters touching the Order or a
brother. Paul Roux was recognised as a mem
Der of the Order, from a certificate of member
ship found upon his person, after death. 1t
was concluded he had been murdered, and we
felt it to be our duty to do all in our power to
ascertain the murderer, and offered the reward
, We are bound together az a family, and no
other feeling influences our action than should
characterize the domestic relations of life We
feel more anxiety on behalf of our own house.
hold than for persons in general; but holding
the laws ofthe land paramount to all others, we
impose no obligation upon the brotherhood
which would require of them to discriminate
between man and man in cases of offence a.
ganst the laws of the country.
Questioned by Mr.. Richardson There is
no relation rendering US more hostile to per-
son offending against member of the order
than if it were dene to any other individual in
the community. We feel bound to obey the
laws of the country, and impose no selfish obi
cations in contradiction thereto.
Questioned by Mr.. Harris. We are bound
together as brothers; and, from our fraternal
relations, feel an obligation to put our hands
into our pockets to aid distressed brother, but
recognise no such obligation to other persons
IN the community.
Henry >. Sanderson, sworn. am aware
of the action of the Grand Lodge. All good
Odd Fellows obey the laws of the land; and,
as good citizens, we are bound to ferret out the
perpetrators of crime. When a brother is in
, trouble or difficulty we are bound to aid him;
but we would not screen a member guilty of
crime, from the penalties of an offended law.