The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-18

Duke anu attorneys UtteT CHp1dl'
ic Disclaimers. The Evidence Ad-
duced.
After a long hearing and argument
Judge Moore yesterday afternoon
found Messrs. ]. Rowan Rogers and
J. P. Sorrell guilty as for contempt in
having tempered with and attempted
to influence Jurors King and Maroon.
summoned as regular jurors in the
case of Gattis VS.. I<ilgo, which was
on-suited on Friday.
Rules for contempt were issued on
Friday afternoon and promptly served
on the two respondents.
After finding the facts, both as to
their acts and as to their unlawful
purpose and intent, Judge Moore inn
posed a sentence of thirty days in Jail
and a fine of $50 on each respondent.
Both parties appealed.
Both the defendants, 3. n. Duke
and j. C. KiIgo, went on the stand
and denied in explicit terms either
that they knew anything of any at
tempt to influence the jury or that
they had employed or authorized the
employment of either of the respond
ents.
To the same effect tested all of the
attorneys for the defense who were
within reach of the court yesterday.
SO that the moving cause prompting
Messrs. Rogers and Sorrell To their
activities with respect to the jury is
still a mystery.
J. Rowan Rogers. who is civil
war veteran and for q long time a
in the county having once been
sheriff. is a slight man with hair still
black, slight black mustasche and a
goatee tirged with grey. For the
past few years he has held a minor
position in the Federal court here. He
evidently felt his position keenly, sit
ting crouched in his chair, silent and
with steady eyes. waiting for the end
Of the long hearing. There were
many expressions of sympathy ex-
pressed for him, both before and after
the judgment Of the court was known.
J. =. Sorrell, who is also a Repub-
lican well known in the county, is a
large man of a red Visage with a
hooked nose and elevated eye brows
shading pale blue eyes. He has a
reddish-grey beard and is bald to the
dome of the head, which is fringed
with red hair which stuck out yester-
day with ruffied expression of sur
prised concern.
The array of the counsel being
sworn, with Messrs. Duke and Kilgo
thrown in was an impressive sight
Never was such a respectable and
successful party of swearers.
The defendants, accompanied by
their attorney, Mr.. Fuller, of Durham,
returned last night on a special train
chartered by Mr. Duke.
The judgment of the court in the
case of Mr.. Rogers was as follows:
Judgment of the Court.
North Carolina, Wake county
In the Superior Court, June, 1905,
Special Term.
In re j. Rowan Rogers. Finding OF
Facts and Judgment.
This matter coming on to be heard
before the undersigned judge of the
Superior Court in open court in the
city of Raleigh, county of Wake. and
State of North Carolina. on the 18th
OF June. 1905, and being heard, and
the court having considered the rule
TO snow cause served upon the re-
spondent j. Rowan Rogers. the an
swer or responses of said respondent
to said rule. and the evidence offered
III SuppoII Oh SdlQ rule, and also that
offered in support of said response or
answer. and the court having also con
sidered the argument of counsel. finds
the following facts:
l. That the Governor on or about
the 18th day of May 1905 ordered
special term of this court to be held
on the 18th of June. 1905
2. That 5000 after said 18th of Nav.
1905. the commissioners of Wake
county drew the names of eighteen
persons to serve as jurors at said
special term.
8 That among the names so drawn
was that of r. M. King, who was
thereafter duly summoned to serve
as juror at said special term.
4. That the only trial before the
jury set for said special term was th.,
case of Thos. J. Gattis VS.. j. c. Kilgo
and 3. n. Duke.
s. That after said r. NJ King was
summoned as a Juror as above stated
the respondent. j. Rowan Rogers. ac-
oompanied by one J. p. Sorrell. went
TO the field of the said Kink where
he was at work. and called him off
some - or 80 yards and privately at
TEMPTED to corrupt and influence said
r. NJ. King to help the defendants III