The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-11-27
SAUFORD
THROWS A BOMB
Especial to News and Observer

as highly elated over the result of the
first days evidence in the Gattis-K ilgo
trial, which began in the Superior court
here late yesterday afternoon.
The plaintiff, Rev. T. ]. Gattis, made a
magnificent witness for himself. Though
en- the stand for more than six hours
and subjected to a long and searching
examination he acquitted himself in a
manner most favorable to his cause. He
went on the stand at the opening of
court, and his direct examination lasted
three and a half hours. He was crossed
examined during the afternoon for exactly
the same length of time. The cross ex-
animation brought out no material con-
tradictions of his direct testimony or
damaging admissions.
The most sensational feature of the
day was Judge ShufOrds evidence to the
effect that DR.. kilgo's reputation in
S~partanburg, his former home, was that
of "a manipulation and ecclesiastical poll
tician, a man who some times reaches
his objects by indirect methods and
manipulates bodies to get position for
himself and others" Judge Shuford said
he had spent six weeks in Spartanburg
soon after DR.. Kilgo left South Caro-
lima and he learned these things from
men of the highest character.
Against the admission of this evidence
the defendants are fighting desperately,
and Judge HOke has reserved his decision
until tomorrow morning. 1t is recognized
by all that it's admission will be very
damaging to the defendant Kilgo, though
his attorneys say they nave a large num-
Der of dispositions from South Carolina
refuting the charge.
Before beginning examination of wit
nesses this morning attorneys for the
plaintiff put in evidence the pamphlet
giving an account of the Clark ilgo con-
t%roversy and containing the speech on
which the suit is based, then Mr.. Gattis
went on the stand.
TESTIMONY OF MIR. GATTIs.
Mr.. Gattis testified that he was a Meth
odlst minister and had been a member
of the North Carolina Conference for
about forty years; also for a number of
years he had conducted in Durham a book
business as colporter and Sunday School
agent under the auspices of the confer
encC.
At this point the witness was asked
concerning the loss he sustained in bust
ness by reason of DR.. kilgo's speech.
To this counsel for the defendants OBJ
jccted, arguing at length that no special
damages were alleged in the complaint
and that this must be lone before special
damage can be proved.
The court held that the complaint was
sufficient, but that if it proved INSULT
clcnt in course of investigation he would
allow it to be amended.
The testimony along this line therefore
proceeded. Mr.. Gattis said he was agent
for religious books for both the South
Carolina and North Carolina conferences.
For the year 1897 his sales amounted to
$24, 500.
This the witness added, was the
business done by myself and partner"
Mr.. Burton, of counsel for the defend
ants: so, may it please your honor, it
appears that he has a partner. Now. to
sue for damage to his business, the other
partner must be made a party to the
suit
Judge Graham, of counsel for the plain
tiff, argued that his was an action for
damage from statements about one of
the parties and not about the partnorhip
business, therefore the action may be
maintained by the party injured.
The court took this view of the matter
and the investigation proceeded.
Mr.. Watson: You say your sales in
1897 amounted to $24, $50. What were the
gross profits?''
Gattis: about s4,7oo, and expenses
from 1900 to $1,000"
How was your business affected by the
Clark-Kilgo controversies
My sales for December. 1897. were
$i,649.37; my sales for December, 1898.
were So, 133. IS"
Was there any change in the confer
CncH laws 9hn1t n1nnrtnrc that y-o,,1I
have thus affected your sales?"
"None that | ever knew Of"
Give your sales for the past three
years?"
"In 1897 my sales were 1924, 800; in 1895,
after the kilso speech, they were $12, 4f2,
and in 1898 they were S3,774. In January,
1899, we went into bankruptcy"
Has there been any change in regard
to your clerical calling since the publica-
ton of this platform?' daughter by
everybody in court.)
Mr.. Watson: Il mean pamphlet.
Brother Aycock's presence in this case
makes me think Of platforms.'
Mr.. Gattis: For twelve years before
was book agent l had a pastorate with
, q comfortable parsonage. While | was
book agent | made a comfortable living;
but when the book business failed me |
asked for a paStorute. One was given
me which paid ne 1913. Out of this |
had to pay house rent. This year. on ac-
count of slight physical ouhlcs | am to
be put on the Supcrannuated list. This
VIII pay, | understand, $175 to $3.50"
Were you examined as a witness in the
Clark-kilgo controversy, and how came
you to be eXamined?'
Il received a request from Judge Clark
asking me to testify. | declined. Then
was subpoenacd by j. H.. Southgate.
PRESIDENT of the board of trustees OF
Trinity College. | declined to accept ser
vice, unless the bishop advised me to dc
SO. My financial hacker, Mr.. j. S. Carr,
advised me not to testify. Ny friend
Major Guthrie advised me in the same
way. Others, among them my attorneys.
Boone & Bryant, advised me to testify.
Judge Clark said my name would be
called whether | consented to testify or
not. Mr.. Southgate advised me to so on
the stand and tell what l knew. SO,
finally, | decided to testify"
Then the witness told of a conversation
he had on the train with Judge Clark as
he (thc WitneSs) was on his way home
from South Carolina.