The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-27
OYERMYER ON WHISKY
Rogers Examines Him Almost as
Much as He Examines Rogers.
REGENT SAYS he WAS MEYER DRUNK.

A most careful observer could not have
detected the least shadow of embarrass-
ment in the manner of Senator William
Rogers on the stand testifying in his own
behalf yesterday afternoon.
While in the witness chair Senator
Rogers was most easy in his manner and
conversation. He wore his customary
gray coat buttoned at the top button,
his darker vest aud trousers,
"turndown' collar and a black tie.
He is large man and fairly filled
the chair. His iron gray moustache and
imperial did not quite hide his smiling
mouth and his light eyes expressed no
fear. His gray thin hair was carefully
combed and at least one of his broad
toed shoes was often in evidence as he
frequently threw one leg across the
other at the knee.
In his hands he held a brown silk
handkerchief which he twisted and I'M
twisted among the rather pudgy fingers
of his left hand in manner you might
be inclined to call nervous.
His always forid face was ford still
and his something better than two hun
dred pounds had not been diminished by
the ''wear and tear" he had been sub
iected to in hearing himself discussed in
very bad light
He talked freely and seemed rather
anxious to testify than otherwise. He
was not in the least confused on cross
examination and Mr.. Overmyer, for the
prosecution, Gid not make any decided
attempt to upset him.
Mr. Rogers denied every charge that
had been laid against him. He denied
that he had ever drank to excess and
that he had ever been seen too drunk to
walk straight He was joyial throughout
and there was joking that he joined in as
heartily as anyone, even when it was
against him.
In speaking of the fishing incident, he
remarked that the fish did not bite we'll
at the hooks.
"They don't generally, do they" said
Mr. Overmyer, when there is a keg
along?"
well, I don't think that makes much
difference to the fish," responded Mr..
Rogers.
Mr.. Rogers told about his sickness dur
ing the session of the legislature. How
his lungs hurt so he could not speak out
loud, and how he once had Senator Lam
dis do his talking while he told him what
to say: how he went home sick and how
the doctor told him he must take more
whisky and quinine. After that he kept
bottle at his boarding house and took
it three times a day.
81 never kept whisky or beer in my
committee room in all the years I have
been chairman of the ways and means
| committee he said: "along towards the
/ last of the session the Modocs were in
the chamber good deal and in my com
mittee room, and two or three times when
| it came time to take my medicine
drank out OF their bottle because mine
wasn't there"
In speaking of the Cremerie incident
he said that he was not intoxicated, but
simply full of joy that his work was
done.
| Leavenworth, he said that he did not
drink any whisky whatever coming home
on the train the next day
1t was at about this time that Mr..
Thatcher closed the examination for the
defense with the remark, 81 believe that
is all isn't it?"
81 don't know" said Mr. Rogers, smil-
ing, whether that covers all my DRINKS
or not"
"Wen," said Mr.. Overmyer, ''if you
can think of any more to tell about
am perfectly willing you should"
''Fll tell you how it is, gentlemen"
continued Mr. Rogers. 81 have never
drank whisky or beer as beverage in
my life"
He was then turned over to Mr.. Over
myer for cross examination.
Have you ever been intoxicated?'
was the first question he asked, and Mr.
Rogers replied, "No, never have"
And then he continued: always with
in the last three years l have KEPT
whisky in my house. One gallor
has lasted me for eighteen months, and
one quart lasted me all summer-the
same quart"
"To ripen, suppose" remarked Mr
Overmyer, dryly.
81 believe it gets better, don't it?" re-
piled Mr.. Rogers, and there was laugh
ter
Mr.. Overmyer then asked the witness
if he had made the profane remarks
about the church former witness hac
attributed to him.
mo, sir; did not" replied Mr.. Rog
ers. Il did not use any profanity at al
, in connection with the church. I did no
say that religion was u far ee. ! did say
that churcuology was a farce and tina
christianity was now past superstition
I referred more particularly to the doc
trines of evolution, on which I am
crank"
'Do you deny that you ever had t;
have man take you home in our Wagon
from Barnes because you were too intox
ASeAeCN ~ A4AOAoS gOAA IOhAA JO0A0OAAs
81 do. Il is an absolute lie."
sand that you staggered on the street:
of Barnes?"
Eyes, sir; both of them are absolut,
lies," and MIR. Rogers Strengthened up il
his chair and shook his fist in the air."
You also deny that you were intox
icated at either the Cremerie restaurant
the Chesterfield hotel or at Lawrence?"
} 81 certainly do. They are all lies"
Dir. Rogers admitted that at one time
. he drank two or three glasses OF. beer a
the Byram hotel bar at Atchison, 'but,
he added, "you know they have YER
small glasses for beer there"
"rhat's something l am not posted on,
said Mr.. OvermJer, and the spectator
laughed.
what" exclaimed Mr.. Rogers in SUI
prise, weren't you ever there?"
well" replied Mr.. Overmyer medi
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