Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1 Examination by Mr. Foster. Accepted as a juror in the case of Illinois vs. August Spies et al.
Examination of Andrew Hamilton (second appearance), 1886 July 2.
Volume D, 350-352, 3 p.
Hamilton, Andrew.
Hardware store owner.
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(Additional questions to Mr. Hamilton by Mr. Foster.)
Q Mr. Hamilton, I want to ask you a question or two. I want to ask you if you remember, or whether in fact you have had within a few days a conversation with one of your neighbors in regard to the duties of a juror, in this case that you remember of?
A I think not, not that I remember of.
Q Is there a meat market next door to you, or very near there?
A Yes.
Q Do you know the gentleman that keeps the market?
A Yes.
Q Do you know whether he has been summoned in this case?
A He has.
Q Have you had any conversation with him that you remember of in regard to the duties of a juror in this case?
A Not that I remember of; it is possible that I did, but not that I remember of now.
Q Did you say to him or any one else that the defendants in this case ought to be made an example of?
A No sir, I never made that remark.
Q You never did make such a remark?
A Not that I remember of. In this particular case, as I have said, I don't know these men.
Q You never said in substance that these men ought to be made an example of or we might as well give up business?
A Not these men--somebody; I presume I did.
Q Your remark, then, if you made it, would have reference to the guilty parties that were responsible for the occurrence at the Haymarket?
A If you will allow me to explain; I presume that I dont know as much about this case as I should have done because during all these times I had a very sick wife and had to attend to her very closely and at the same time attend to my business, consequently I did not converse or probably know as much about these men as I would under ordinary circumstances.
Q Do you remember any such language as I have suggested here being used by anybody--making an example, or giving up business?
A No, I do not; and yet I could not say positively that I have not said it; but I don't remember of having said it.
Q But if you said anything of that kind you say it had reference to the parties that were responsible for what was done, and certainly not with the connection of these defendants?
A These men I don't know now except once in awhile seeing their names in the papers; if these are the men I should say yes--it if was proven to me that these are the men.
Q Do you mean that the persons who are responsible for the throwing of the bomb should be made an example of, or that any one holding the doctrines of anarchism or communism?
A Well, the doctrine of anarchism --I don't know what it is and I don't think they do.
Q As you answered me before you answer now, that you are ready to try these men without any prejudice to any former convictions and opinion, and entirely and purely upon the testimony which shall be produced here?
A Yes.
Q And you have no doubt of your ability to do it?
A I haven't the slightest.
Q There was no conversation between you and any one else in regard to your willingness or eagerness to sit on the jury, was there, or your desire to sit on the jury?
A No.
Q You know there is nothing of that kind?
A I am pretty positive that I do not desire to sit here, but I mean to tell the truth.
Q Mr. Hamilton, are you acquainted with any of the gentlemen representing the prosecution?
A I don't know any of them.