The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-05-27
TIRED JURY
listen To
ROOSEVELT.
Sleepy Crowd Of Jurors Heard
Libel Testimony
Colonel Roosevelt Called to the
Stand Himself Today
Reviewed His Whole Life in
His Testimony

Marquette, Mich, May 27.--Col.
Theodore Roosevelt took the witness
stand in his libel suit against George
A. Newett who in an editorial charged
him with drunkenness. The plaintiff
entered his denial.
He admitted using light wines at
meals, but said he never touched
strong liquors except on the advice of
physician or after great exposure.
He said he does not smoke or touch
beer.
His testimony, elected by his attor-
neys, covered his life history from his
birth to the present time, dealing in
| he has held. The period of service in
| the Spanish war was gone over.
In detail he mentioned practically
every drink he does and does not
| touch. citing specifically the instances
| wherein he has departed from his
usual habits. He told of his campaigns
for the presidency and when, where
and of what drinks he partook.
| For example, he, said, during the
Ohio campaign last year,, during nine
| days / touched nothing whatever on
seven of the days excepting at night,
as I have mentioned before going to
! bed. not drinking drop Of any kind
until l undressed and went to bed"
He had testified that he had fire.
quently, just before going to bed,
drunk either one or two goblets of
milk, with a teaspoonful of brandy to
the goblet. He said: IF there is more
than a teaspoonful, I dislike the taste
and don't drink it."
For instance, take the day 1 spoke
at Duluth last year. In the morning,
/ reached Superior and spoke there.
We went over to Duluth and took
lunch, there being no liquor at lunch.
II then dictated two speeches l in
tended to make at Oshkosh and Chi
cago. then went for an automobile
ride, and afterwards to dinner. No Ii
quor was served at dinner. and I didn't
drink a drop of wine or liquor of any
kind during the day.
II stopped and spoke few sentence
es at a dinner Of doctors at their re-
peated request. then made two
speeches in the evening and went
back to the car When / went to bed l
took two spoonfuls Of brandy in milk
and that was the only drop of liquor
touched that day. / was in Duluth only
that day."
average day and amount Of liquor con-
sumed by him in a day.
Salient Poinrs.
MIR. Roosevelt's direct testimony
lasted an hour and the cross examin
alton Immediately began. In substance
Mr.. Roosevelt defended himself as a
man of complete sobriety, although
not q total abstainer. Some OF the
leading points in his testimony were:
Never drunk on a highball or cock
tail in my life"
Don't smoke, don't drink beer nor
red wine.''
"only wines have drank have been
white Wines"
Whisky and brandy were drank at
doctoris orders, or possibly on an oc-
casion after great exposure"
"At public dinners / sometimes drink
a glass of champagne or perhaps two.
On an average drink, perhaps, one
glass Of champagne in a month"
Adjournment was taken until Q
o'clock.
Sleepy Jury.
It was sleepy looking jury which.
having spent half the night in being
selected. filed into the court today to
listen to the story of the Roosevelt
Newett libel suit.
The lawyers looked sleepy. so did
the reporters and many of the specta-
tors, although it was expected Colonel
Roosevelt would testify.
Despite the late vigil, the juiymen
are all hard working men, accustomed
to early hours. They were stirring at
daylight in the juryroom where they
spent the night and where they must
remain isolated until the verdict is
returned.
Deputy Sheriff James Jamerson and
Under Sheriff Bennett, whose duty it
is to care for the twelve men, were
their charges. The crowd gathered
early in the courtroom to be well UP
in line and get in good seats for the
opening Of the noted trial.