(a) Upon the application to the district court of any grantee, or of any person claiming under him, verified by the oath of the applicant, setting forth that the grantor is dead, out of the Virgin Islands, or refuses to acknowledge his deed, and that any witness to such conveyance refuses to appear and testify touching the execution thereof, and that such conveyance cannot be proved without his evidence, a subpoena may issue requiring such witness to appear and testify before the court touching the execution of such conveyance.
(b) Every person duly served with such subpoena who, without reasonable cause, refuses or neglects to appear, or after appearing refuses to answer upon oath touching the matter, shall forfeit to the injured party a sum of not more than $100, and may also be committed to prison as for a contempt of court, there to remain until he submits to answer on oath as aforesaid.