The Washington herald., 1907-02-03

Baton Rouge, La, Feb. "A trial of
national interest-interest because of the
prominence Of the parties involved-will
be that Of Judge George X. Favrot. Con-
gressman-elect from the Sixth district of
Louisiana. who is now in the East Baton
Rouge parish Jail, charged with the muir
der on November last Of one of the lead
Ing physicians of the Capital City.
The shooting az the time created in
tense excitement in Baton Rouge and
awakened interest throughout the eoun-
try, coming as it did just the day after
Judge Favrot had been elected 10 Con-
gress TO succeed Col s. N. Robertson, the
oldest ranking Democrat in the House of
Representative.
The characters involved brought the
tragedy into the Hmelight. George Fav-
rot was judge of the Twenty second Judi
cial District Court. He had just closed
campaign against Col. Robertson, and.
although pitted against him in the con-
gressional fight was the governor Of
Louisiana and other strong forces he had.
which he had conducted successfully de-
feated the oldest Democrat in the House,
Col Robertson. who has represented this
district in Congress for twenty years.
Or. r. H Aldrich who was slain by
Congressman-eIect Favrot was one of
the popular physicians of Baton Rouge.
and he took high rank in the medical cir
cles of Louisiana.
He and Judge Favrot had been school
mates and colIegemates together. They
had gone 10 the same institute in Baton
Rogue. They had attended the Louisiana
state University together They had be-
gun their successful professional careers
in the city at about the same time, one
as lawyer. the other as physician. The
friends AID ability OF one soon brought
him to the front among the bar of the
city the ability of the other soon made
him one of the leading physicians of
Baton Rouge.
Unwrittcn Law Invoked.
As to the cause OF the terrible tragedy.
Judge Favrot has said nothing. and his
friends would only say that it was about
an improper remark that Judge Favrot
believed Dr. Aldrich had made about his
wife, a remark of such nature that
nothing but the unwritten law could be
applied.
on November Judge Favrot's at
torneys made statement. saying:
Judge George *. Favrot, by advice of
his counsel, Will not make any detailed
statement at this time; but he authorizes
Us 10 say that the killing OF Or. r H
AIdrIch resulted from his persistent circu-
latiOn of slandeTous reports about Judge
FavrOts wife which We're of SUCH a
character ass 10 force Judge Favrot 10 act;
and that complete justification for such
action VIII be shown at the trial of the
case.
What the sIander0us reports were that
Dr. Aldrich is alleged to have circulated
has never been disclosed.
Tbs trial Of Judge FavrOt promises to
be notable one. Eminent counsel have
been retained TO defend him, and his de-
feEse viii DE justification through the IN
written law Of the South. which gives
man the right TO protect the honor and
Aanlc of his home.
The prosecution viii be in charge Of
District Attorney Wax The district AZ
tOrney has completed preparations for his
presentation Of the case. He will point
out 10 the Jurors that they have sworn
10 be governed by the law; not the "un-
written law The court knows no IN
written law He viii then go to show
the circumstances of the killing
The defense viii be In charge Of T. J.
herran and Laycock * Beale. three Of the
leading attorneys of the city Judge Ker-
nan, the counsel for the defense. who.
according 10 the statement given out by
the attorneys viii try 10 prove tina,
Judge tdvTOt was justified in killing Dr.
Aldrich under the uuwritten law, made a
national reputation for himself last sum
mer, when he delivered an address be.
fore the American Bar Association I'm ST.
Paul upon the "Unwritten law Of the
land"
This trial viii be, perhaps, the first time
in the history OF the country that a dis
trict attorney has been called upon 20
prosecute the judge under whom he. a
few weeks before, worked, his b0yhood
friend, and on whose ticket he was
elected
The Trial Judge.
The judge in the case VIII be II. F.
Brunot one of the leading attorneys Of
the Capital City bar. who for nine years
was district judge, and who was only de-
feated little over two years ago by Con-
gressman-elect Favrot, whom ne will now
try for murder.
Judge Favrot has been in jail. con
fined in the Parish prison, unable to get
a hearing because Of the fact that the
district has no judge.
The popularity of the Congressman
elect has been well marked during his
confinement in the parish prison While
popular in the city, and one Of the leaders
OF the city's political Fife. his pOpularlty
extends TO the country, and among the
farmers he IS held as a friend and in
esteem. There is never a day that passes
but what number do not cali upon him.
and sit and chat with him
Mrs. George X FaVrot is one of the
handsome young matrons Of Baton Rouge.
and has been "a leader in the society OF
the Louisiana capital for some years. She
is an attractive and personally charming
woman. Before her marriage she was
Miss Josephine Holt, the daughter Of Dr..
King Holt himself a prominent physician.
and for the past several years in the state
quarantine service, as one of the medical
inspectors in "a South American port. MIR
and Mrs. FavrOt have one child. George
IL FaVr0t jT-, bright little fellow. or
fourteen years
Or. AldriCh left q wife and three sons