Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial transcript no. 1 Examination by Mr. Grinnell. Accepted as a juror in the case of Illinois vs. August Spies et al.
Examination of G. W. Adams (first appearance), 1886 July 14.
Volume H, 30-35, 6 p.
Adams, G. W.
Painter and paint salesman for George W. Pitkin.
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[Image, Volume H, Page 30]
G. W. ADAMS.
MR. GRINNELL: (Q) What is your name?
A G.W.Adams.
Q Where do you live?
A Evanston.
Q What is your business?
A I am a painter by trade.
Q Do you carry on your trade now?
A I have not this last year - I have been on the road.
Q Doing what?
A Salesman.
Q Salesman for what?
A George W. Pitkin.
Q What is his business?
A Mixed paints.
Q Where is his place of business?
A 217 and 219 South Clinton Street.
Q A wholesale concern?
A Yes.
Q How long have you lived in Evanston?
A 22 or 23 years.
Q How old are you?
A 27.
Q Where were you born?
A In Danville, Illinois.
Q Where did you follow your trade as a painter?
A All around - I have been in Evanston and I have been here.
Q Were you doing business for yourself or employed by others?
A Just a journeyman worker.
Q Do you belong to any labor organization?
A No sir.
Q Did you ever belong to any?
A No sir.
Q Have you any church affiliations?
A Yes.
Q What church?
A Methodist church.
Q Are you a member yourself?
A Yes.
Q Are you a married man?
A No sir.
Q Do your people live in Evanston?
A Yes.
Q You have been one year with Pitkin?
A I commenced with him the first of this year.
Q Were you a traveling salesman for anybody prior to that time?
A No sir.
Q You traveled thoroughout the Northwest selling mixed paints or selling goods at the store?
A Michigan is my territory.
Q How much of your time is spent traveling?
A It was all spent while I was with him. I am not with him now?
Q When did you cease his employment?
A Along about the 1st of June some time.
Q Of this year?
A Yes.
Q What are you doing at present?
A Nothing.
Q Were you in town on the 4th of May?
A No sir.
Q Where were you then?
A I dont know what town I was at - some place in Michigan.
Q Where were you when you first heard of the Haymarket meeting?
A I cannot tell the town - I dont know.
Q Did you see it in the newspapers or hear it in conversation with others?
A I saw it in the newspapers and heard it, both.
Q Was that before you got home?
A Yes.
Q When did you get home on that trip?
A I cannot tell exactly; along about the middle of May I guess.
Q Did you form any opinion from what you read and heard as to the nature and character of the crime perpetrated at the Haymarket square?
A I did.
Q Did you form any opinion as to whether or not the defendants were guilty?
A I did not.
Q Have you any opinion on that subject?
A No sir.
Q If you were taken as a juror in this case do you believe that you could determine their guilt or innocence upon the proof presented to you in court regardless of everything else?
A Yes.
Q Have you any conscientious scruples against the infliction of the death penalty in proper cases?
A No sir.
Q Do you know any of the defendants?
A No sir.
Q Have you ever seen them before?
A Not that I know of.
Q Have you any prejudice against labor organizations?
A I have not.
Q Do you believe in maintaining the laws of the state and the government of the United States?
A Yes.
Q Have you any sympathy with any individuals or class of individuals that have for their purpose or object the overthrow of that law by force or violence?
A No sir.
Q Do you know of any reason whayever why you cannot fairly and impartially try this case upon the proof presented to you in court?
A No sir.
Q And upon that alone determine whether or not the defendants are guilty?
A No sir.
Q Do you know any of the counsel upon the other side - any of the lawyers representing the defendants?
A Only by reputation.
Q Have you ever had any personal contact with them?
A Not to my knowledge.
Q Do you know anything about Socialists, Communists and Anarchists?
A Very little.
Q What you do know you found in the newspapers?
A Yes.
Q What you got you found in the newspapers?
A Yes.
Q Are you a married man?
A No sir.
Q You live with your parents?
A I am boarding with my brother.
Q What is your brother's business?
A He is village clerk at Evanston.
Panel of four jurors tendered to defendants.