The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-03-27
B|GHAM WEEPS AS
HE TAKES STAND
IN OWN DEFENSE
Gives Detailed Story Of Actions
Preceding Killing of Brother
and Four Other Mem
bers of Family
BY Associated Press

BY Associated Press
Florence, S. G., March 26,--The
defense In the case of Edmund
Bigham, charged with murder in
connection with the deaths of his
mother and other members of his
family, closed its case tonight, and
after hearing arguments by two
attorneys, court, following prcce-
dent, adjourned until Monday
morning.
Solicitor Gasaue made the open
ing argument for the prosecution
and was followed by e.. Il. Nc
Donald for the defense.
Judge Mcmminger announced
Il at he would adjourn the George
town court from day to day un-
til the Bighnni case In finished.
Florence, S. c., March 26.-Ednund r.
Bigham. defendant in one of the most
sensational cases ever tried in this state,
in which he is charged with murder in
connection with the deaths OF his
brother, Smiley, and four other members
OF his family, went on the stand in his
own defense late Today.
Preceding him on the stand at the aft
ernoon session were his wife and his IL
year-old daughter, Louise. The testimony
of the members OF the Bigham family
which had been expected to come today
drew an. even larger crowd of specta.
tors than had marked previous sessions
of the trial.
Mrs. Bigham told in much detail the
story of the happenings at the Bighan
home on January 10, the day of the
tragedy, in which Mrs. M M. Bigham,
the defendants mother; Mrs. Margie
Black, his sister; l.. Smiley Bigham, a
brother, and Leo and John McCraeken
adopted children of Mrs. Black, we're the
victims. She gave her testimony as II
reading from notebook, and even UNI
der croSs-examinatlon by Solicitor
basque, showed no signs of nervous.
ness.
DAUGHTER ON STAND
Louise bSham, tae yodng laughter
also told a story that duplicated that oil
her mothers, except In minor details
tier memory Iaileo IN some Details VITAL
~ affecting her father S defense. When
called upon to recognize Detective
lnchelberger and say whether she hao
made cer5ain statement to him, she dls-
owned ever seeing the detective.
Edmund Bigham gave detailed story
OF his own actions from January &c
the time of the death of his relatives. lie
spoke in clear voice and appeared u
nave an excellent memory Tor details
Inc continuity OF his story was broken
however, when he reached the eruss-eA
animation stage ana when a question
came up that was not easily answered
he would lean toward Sollcilor Iasque
asking him TO hold on minute, Of
Just walt"
When he described the finding of hi!
brothers body, Bignam showed the frs
sign of feeling. breaking into soos, anc
1t was several minu.es before he couit
continue. The witness again broke int
sobs when he described the finding O
the bodies of his SISTER and the Nc
Cracker children.
Bigham made a statement concerning
the financial affairs of the family, tell
ing of loans he had made and declaring
he never had received any share in his
fathers estate. The family owed him
he said, something like $4,000, and hs
had given them mortgage covering the
difference between that amount anc
S47, V00, the amount named In the face Of
the deed to the property which had been
made to him by the rest of the ramliy
1t was this Decd he said. his wife sought
to record the day he was placed in jail
WHY HE KEPT DEED
On cross-examinativn Blgham was
asked why he had kept this deed in his
possession after it had been refused rec
ord He declared that Monroe Spears OF
Darlington had told him to keep the deed
but admitted Mr.. Spears never had seer
the paper
Didn't he tell you TO destroy that deed
or it would break your neck?' shouted
the solicitor.
mo, he didn't replied the witness. n
he had | would have done 1t.
The reply caused a roar of laughter
in the courtroom and resulted in Judge
Memminger declaring recess until
o'clock tonight.
With sobbing voice the defendant toit
of how he had seen his mother stagger
ing In the yard, her face covered witt
blood. He had just returned from
short trip to Robert Foxworths to SCI
him about hauling some wood Wnei
he left the house with his famlly, N
SAID, ne nau seen olhiics' 7iiS ie'~
standing near some beehives.
''The last time saw Smiley was righ
there" he said, AS / came home al w
top Of the red hill | saw Smiley, NJ
hand in front of him, going across Tn
road. About 60 yards from the house
saw mother.
Describing incidents about the hous
the morning after the tragedy. Bishan
said that shortly after daylight n
opened the blinds and then went out =
| the lot with Mr. Flowers. He says
! gave him a pistol; take his word Tor II
for / don't know. Between me ana M.
God never went out OF tnat yaru lrol'
| that time til Sunday night. 1 don't re
member telling the searchers the direc
ton to take to find Smiley's body.
did tell the direction | had seen hin
going
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