The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-24
TRYING TO usLEAD PEOPLE.
Editor Biblical Recorder Either PreJu-
... diced or Not Posted on Gattis-
KiIgo Trials I'm Granville.
(Oxford Public Ledger.)

(OXford Public LEDGER
The Biblical Recorder of June 21st
has the following to say concerning
The Gattis VS.. KilgO case:
This libel suit for 100000 damages
has drawn it's weary length over .
years and through seven trials; and
from what the lawyers say, the non
suit ordered by Judge Moore in wake
Superior Court last week, though
Iealing a heavy blow to Mr.. C,atts
cause, will not bring the suit to an
end. There are IA lawyers in the az
fair, and lawyers are sometimes great
life prolOngerS!
"In the seven trials five verdicts or
decisions have been in favor of Mts;srs,
Kilgo and Duke. Three of these have
been Supreme Court VerdictS. THIS
should suggest that Notwithstanding
the fame of one of the defendants and
the wealth of the other, justice APP
pears to be on their side.
For our part the suit has become
painful; not only wearisome but pam
full. Too long has it afflicted our com
mon wealth.: too long has it distressed
a great denomination; too long has 1t
held up good men for the scorn ana
the venom of attorneys; too long has
If torn the hearts of thousands. NAY
it soon be laid away once more and for
all -
"An ugly feature of the latest trial
was the conviction of two men OF the
crime of tampering with men drawn
for the Jury. They deserve the 30 days
IMPRISONMENT visited upon them
This seems to be an attempt TO
prejudice the people against the cause
of Rev r. J. Gattis. 1t also seems 10
us that the editor of the organ of "a
great religious denomination would
state the facts as they are and not as
fcl n
he. He must kmow there has never
bcen a verdict of a jury for Kilgo and
Duke. The first trial of the case IN
Granville was on a demurrer filed by
the defendants, and Judge Bryan
sustained the demurrer, ana upon
Gattis' appeal the Supreme Court re-
versed Judge Bryan's decision. On the
trial at November term, 1910. OF Grah-
Vile Superior Court, the jury gave MI
Gattis a verdict for 100000. Defend
ants appealed. and the Republican
Supreme Court held that Judge Woke
committed an error. and sent the case
hack for a new trial At the NoVem-
her term, 1901. of Granville superior
Court. before Judge Shaw the jury
gave a verdict for $4,000 in Mr
Gattis favor. and the defendants ap-
pealed and the same Republican gu
nrome Court held that Judge Shaw
trial. The case was then on deteh-
dants affidavit moved to Wake county,
and at the special term of court Judge
Moore stated that he believed the Su~
nreme Court was wrong in it's opinion,
but so long as it stood he felt he must
be controlled by it and therefore ne
would enter a non-suit, and let the
ca Sc go back to the Supreme Court
and lief them reverse the former de-
error.
No one can tell from his article who
attempted to bride the jury, nor in
whose behalf the attempt was made.
Why not tell the people Bro Bailey
that the attempt was made in behaf
Of Kilgo and Duke by the republican
ex-Sheriff of Wake and another man,
at one time prominent in republican
local councils, in behalf of Kilgo and
Duke? When you pretend to give The
people an account of transaction.
why not give them the whole truth
It is true this case has occupied a
'ong time, no doubt to Mr.. Gattis and
his poor wife. it has seemed an age.
For 38 years he had been a minister
in good standing in his church, not
4 suspicion against his character,
honored and trusted by the confer
onces of two States with wife and
daughters loved and respected by all
who knew them. and because ne
obeyed the mandate of his church
college and testified as to what he
knew about the matter under con
siderat ION a most villainous charge is
brought against him; his reputation is
blasted, his business is Destroys, mis-
health and that of his A-~tcate wife
greatly impaired, and an opportunity
is denied him to show in the courts
of his country that this charge is
false, and a very great injustice has
been done him. No doubt he has often
exclaimed How long, Oh Lord, how
long!'