The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-30
ARGUMENTS BEGIN IN
DEGG MURDER TRIAL
BUSINESS HOUSES IN GA0sDEN
ARE GENERALLY CLOSED IN
OBSERVANCE OF THANkSGlV-
ING.

Gadsden, November 29.-(Special. 1.-The
examination OF witnesses in the Yoh-
lande Degg murder trial was finished
shortly before noon in the city court to-
day and the arguments by the attor-
neys were Immediately commenced. Judge
Disque stated that he would not limit
the arguments, as all the other cases
set for trial in the court for this week
had been continued until next week. So
liotor Martin commenced the argument
for the state and will be followed by j.
E. Blackwood for the defense 1t Is
doubtful if the case will get to the jury
before Friday afternoon.
The defendant, Yohlande Degg, was
placed on the witness stand in her own
behalf this morning, and told her slory
in a straightforward manner and was
cool and collected throughout a searching
cross examination. She said tnat sne nau
killed Aubrey Womack, after he hao
knocked her down twice, and related the
story in about the same manner as mas
already been published. The garments
she wore on the night of the murder
were brought into court, and were given
to her for Identification, and they pre-
scented a grewsome sight as the blood pc
shattered black robe lay across the VIII
| lie gaze by the woman. The woman
| alleged paramount Will Hasson. was also
placed on the stand, and became very
much confused in mis- statements IN
| close cross -examination. The case mas
| been one of the most sensational ana
disgusting ever tried in the courts mere
and the general public will feel greatly
relieved when it is over
The one-story residence at the corner
of Sixth and Broad streets, and occupied
| by Mrs Adelia Adams and family, was
partly destroyed by fire this morning at
| 10:45 O'clock The fire had gained great
Roadway before ii was discovered and II
| was about half destroyed before the f1re
| dc apartment could get on the scene ana
get to work The greater part OF the
| household goods of Mrs. Adams were
saved The house was the property OF
| Col. r.. b. Kyle and was insured The
| loss was $1,000.
All the banks, public offices, except
those in the court house, We're closed
| today in observance of Thanksgiving The
| principal stores closed in time for the
employees to attend the Union Thanks
| giving service, which was held in the
First Methodist church. Bishop f. r..
| Hendrix, TIE pTtSlul1S OnlctI Vi =iho
| North Alabama conference which is now
| in session, preached the Thanksgiving
| sermon. Nearly all of the industries
| closed for the afternoon and all building
| operations were practically suspended Tor
| the day A spirited game of basketball
| was played between the different Y M.
| c. A. teams and number of social af-
| fairs are in progress tonight
| Everett the little son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Bernard Payne. died at one of the local
hospitals last night, after having suf-
fered for nearly two weeks from burns,
the fellow never recovered and death was
| a relief The funeral services will be held
| from the residence Friday morning.
The Etowah County Bar association
net this morning and adjourned to meet
next Monday morning at o'clock. This
was necessary on account of the city
| court being in session and a number Of
| the lawyers being busily engaged. The
| proposed new court legislation is attract
| ing a great deal Of attention and many
| plans are being discussed. The one most
| in favor seems to be the creation of a
| new judicial circuit, to be composed of
| Blount, st. Clair and Etowah counties.
| George s. Rouse, administrator of the
estate of the late Thomas II. Clements,
has instituted suit in the city court
! of Gadsden for $4,000 against the Louis
| VILE and Nashville railroad alleging that
Clements met his death while in their en-
ploy and by reason of its negligence.
| Clements was the engineer on one of the
| Inflated trains which were wrecked at
| IValee several months ago