The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-04-28
THE GAITIS-KILGO SUIT
REMOVED FROM GRANVILLE

besides many extra copies con
tanning accounts of the trial with the
evidence and addresses of the counsel
were sold and given away and dlstrlDul-
ed over said county. Reporters desks or
tables were piled up with such papers IN
the court room for free use and circu-
lation each day. The trial lasted about
ten days, running over into the night for
several nights. That the second trial in
November, 1901. also attracted a crowd
Of people and it lasted about seven days;
that the crowds IN attendance came from
all sections Of said county at both of
said trials; that the speeches OF the
counsel for plaintiff were very spirited
and calculated to arouse great popular
feeling against the defendants; that one
of said counsel attacked affiant in very
strong language. Another attorney
charged the president of the board OF
trustees of Trinity College with being
against free schools, and said the whole
of Trinity was actuated by this spirit.
Another attorney attacked the college
over which affiant president and by rea-
son of the fact that certain large sums
of money had been given it by those who
are largely interested in the MANUFACTURES
of tobacco into cigarettes suggested with
much dramatic effect that there be ad-
ded a new motto of Trinity College read
ing: "Ernditio ct Religio ct cigarette
ct Kilgo." This utterance was largely
applauded by the large crowd of farmers
and others who were present; that each
trial became a subject Of universal con-
versation in this county; that it was
discussed in the stores of oxford, in the
homes, on the streets, at the church
doors, on the roads, at the hotels. Men
grew angry and excited as to what the
verdict would be. Bad feeling was
aroused all over the county. "kilgo,
"anti-Kilgo' men arose. The case took
even a wider turn. It found its way INFO
the newspapers of the State; for a perod
beginning with November, 1900, and not
yet fully ended in issue after issue OF
the local papers this ease was discussed
in a harsh manner and in such way as
to create bitter feelings against the de-
PENDANTS and in favor of the plaintiff.
When a cruel thrust was made by q
hostile editor in North Carolina against
the affiant of Trinity College, the same
Wais copied in said papers-at times
several such clippings appearing in one
paper, some of which Will more fully ap-
pear hereinafter. After the case first
went to the Supreme Court from the
trial jury a new trial was awarded,
Whereupon the Supreme Court was bitter
ly asSailed IN the local newspapers as
being PARTISAN. This matter was also
discussed among the people all over the
county when a new trial was granted.
A second time the discussion became
more extensive and more bitter-affiant
has learned that at least a score Of peo-
pie in Granville county begged his attor-
neys not to appeal the ease at all, for if
a new trial was granted a new jury Of
! he GO1Dtu WDIlG oiyp x1na 600 DO
After the verdict was announced at one
trial an excited partisan is said to have
pulled from his pocket a pistol and 10
have fired the same in the streets OF
oxford under the dome OF the court
house. IN order that it may appear why
such excitement arose and such feeling
has been aroused affiant states that the
case has not proceeded at the trials upon
the lines of the complaint to-Wit: The
things by him alleged to have been ut
tered in a speech in yindicatiOn of his
character from the aspersions of the
plaintiff at a meeting of the Board OF
Trustees of Trinity College, but that the
said trials have been conducted along the
line of exciting popular frenzy against
the defendant because of certain things
beth before and since said investigation
affecting his supposed views on finance
and other questions. Afiant has always
been advised by his attorneys that the
plaintiff had made out no case of libel
against hin and under the advice of coun-
sci has never gone on tue witness stand
to deny the matters and things set forth
in the pamphlet offered in evidence in the
case and made against him. The local
newspaper to which reference has been
made is a family paper. It does not
/ Gc~ ~ .As-. $500
Ii is intended and written for the people
of Granville county. It consists most
largely Of correspondence from all over
the county. These letters show great
skill and ingenuity of expression and
make the paper very popular. They are
read in practically all the reading house
holds of the county. It's opinion has
great weight in the county. It's editor
is what was called the judge of pro-
bate, now clerk of the county court. By
unanimous consent perhaps, there is no;
a better news gatherer in North Caro-
INA than this paper. 1t has an extern
Sive circulation in Granville county, and
it IS a splendid reflection OF popular feel
ing in the county. Affant through his
counsel has collected many of the com
mcnts and clippings which have from
time to time appeared in said paper
though he has not collected all Of then
because the file of papers kept by one
Of his attorneys was destroyed. He at
taches same hereto, and marks it a
as an exhibit.
As to the employment Of D. L. Russell
his attorney affiant states that he did ne.
employ him nor did his, co-defendants a!
he is informed. He is also informed tina
Gov. Russell, a short while before has
rardoned a negro, convicted in Oxford o
a secret assault upon a white citizen O
sC0d influence and high character, ano
that this act had made the said governor
very obnoxious to the citizens of Gran
Vile county, hence the reference in tn.
enclosed clippings to said Russell's ON
plovment by defendant and affant ma,
state that at the first trial here of popu
! lar excitement ran 50 high in this coun
, ty that threats We're freely made in OK
+, ford that mon would not have vote
for one Of the defendants attorneys. the,
elected Governor Of North Carolina. be
, cause he made a vigorous defense @
affant before the jury. If hi
, speech had been made before hi
= election. Affant has twice been will
mo To have tbiS case trioJ i, ~ ~ ,ri1