Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-06
SHOT HER PHYSICIAN
Mrs. Birdsong on Trial for Her
Life.
NEW ORLEANS SENSATION
Connected With Aristocratic Southern
Families.
HISTORY OF CRIME RECALLED
Beautiful Girl Was Married When
Only Sixteen-Social Favorite-
Aged Since Tragedy.
new ORLEANS SENSATION
HISTORY OF CRIME RECALLED

Angie Birdsong was arraigned in the
Copiah county court yesterday on the
charge OF numbering DIR. Thomas Butler a
physician of Monticello. The Indictment
was read by the district attorney. and In
cool. deliberate voice, but with eyes
flashing definance at the array OF counsel
for the prosecution. Mrs. Birdsong replied:
mot guilty"
Two days were consumed In selecting
twelve men who will decide whether Mrs
Birdsong was justified in Staying her
former physician and Intimate friend. Then
attorneys. among them being the ablest
counsel in the commonwealth. battled
twenty hours over the selection of the jury
Judge Miller announced adjournment OF
court until tomorrow morning. when the
state Will open Its case.
A woman OF striking beauty. refined and
accomplished. Mrs. Birdsong presented an
unusual picture as she entered the court
room yesterday and took a seat among the
brilliant lawyers retained for the defense
She was quietly but stylishly dressed and
her air OF calmness and seif-possession
astonished the crowd.
On the right sat her uncle, United States
Senator A ]. McLaurin. who Is directing
the defense. On the left was r. ". Miller,
Mississlppfs foremost criminal lawyer. the
to the penitentiary several years ago in
spite OF the money and influence OF that
defaulting official.
In the same group were A. Q. May for
mer state treasurer and railroad commits.
sioner; George w. May OF the jackson bar
and r. L. Dent of Gufport,. cousins of Mrs.
Birdsong: They all will take active
part In the defense. Assistant District At
torney Greaves A. H. LONGING, a cousin OF
the murdered man: A. c. McNatr of Brook
haven: r. p. Willing OF Jackson, Luther
Grice Of Monticello and H. J. Wilson OF
Hazelhurst are on the STAFF OF prosecutor
Much spirit and bitterness will be added to
the fight by reason OF the fact that nearly
all the attorneys are blood relatives of the
accused woman and the man she killed.
Spirit Not Broken.
While her spirit has not been broken by
the nervous ordeal through which she has
passed since the tragedy in the little VIII
lage OF Monticello one Year ago. Mrs Bird
song has the appearance OF a woman who
has endured much mental suffering. Her
complexion has lost its rosy tint, and al
though only twenty-five years OF age she
has the look OF q woman in the thirties.
Her two children, aged six and four years.
accompanied her into the court room and
took seats at her side Her husband. DIR. e.
H. Blrdsons. under indictment for compile
tty In the killing. occupied a seat with the
group OF attorneys.
Tha facts of the killing are not In dispute.
The fate Of Mrs. Birdsong depends wholly
on the jury's Interpretation OF her motive
for the deed She admits the killing OF DR..
Butler In the manner described by witnesses
at the preliminary trial. going to his ofnoe
on the morning OF November q. 1908 and
shooting him down without warning.
Two shots were fired inside the office,
Mrs. Birdsong retreating to the street and
her victim following. As he staggered to
the little gallery in front OF the Office tho
third shot was fred and the physician fell
dead on the pavement. Mrs. B!rdsong then
handed her weapon to passerby and
calmly returned home.
Two Versions Of Affair.
Sixty witnesses have been summoned, a
majority Of the number for the purpose OF
giving testimony concerning the relations
that had existed between DR.. Butler and
Mrs. Birdsong. The prosecution viii en-
deavor to show that intimacy had been
one of long standing and that Mrs. Bird
song had tried to persuade the physician to
elope with her. which he refused to do.
On the other hand, the defense will seek
to prove that Dr. Butler placed her under
the influence Of morphine and seduced her:
Of the drug and realized what had hap
pened, without consultation with husband
or friends she went Immediately to DIR.
Buffers office for the purpose Of killing
him.
DR. Butler was about forty years OF age.
a bachelor. enjoyed large practice and
high standing in his profession His fam
lily, like the Birdsongs. is extensively con-
nected by blood and marriage with the
foremost families of the state Mrs. Bird
song was formerly Miss Angie Fox and
when only sixteen years OF age. She is an
horsewoman, OF splendid
and fond of all outdoor
sports.
In event of a conviction and appeal TO the
supreme court a peculiar complication will
result. Attorney General Williams, who
Is required to conduct prosecutions before
that tribunal Is also cousin of Mrs. Bird
song. He will be compelled to conduct the
case himself yield his duties to the spe-
cial counsel employed.