A noted desperado killed Mr.B., a good citizen, in the most wanton and cold-blooded way.

Of course the papers were full of it, and all men capable of reading, read about it.

And of course all men not deaf and dumb and idiotic, talked about it.

A jury-list was made out, and Mr.B.L., a prominent banker and a valued citizen, was questioned precisely as he would have been questioned in any court in America: "Have you heard of this homicide ?" "Yes." "Have you held conversations upon the subject ?" "Yes." "Have you formed or expressed opinions about it ?" "Yes." "Have you read the newspaper accounts of it ?" "Yes." "We do not want you." A minister, intelligent, esteemed, and greatly respected; a merchant of high character and known probity; a mining superintendent of intelligence and unblemished reputation; a quartz mill owner of excellent standing, were all questioned in the same way, and all set aside.

Each said the public talk and the newspaper reports had not so biased his mind but that sworn testimony would overthrow his previously formed opinions and enable him to render a verdict without prejudice and in accordance with the facts.