Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-12-12
GIRL LOSES PLEA
FOR DAMAGES FROM
GOVERNOR RUSSELL
j0RY.eapoars vERbIcT OF NO
CAUSE OF ACTION IN 100000
SUIT TRlso ON SEDUCTION
CHARGE.

Oxford. Miss, Dec 12.-tBy A. P)--
Lee NJ. Russell, governor of Missis-
elppi, was In effect, cxonerated Ivy q
jury In the United States District
Court here last night OF charge Of Sc
duction and other serious allegations
by verdict finding for the defendant
in suit for $4,000 damages insti-
tuted by Miss Frances Cleveland Btrk-
head, stenographer.
The verdict. the climax OF onc of
the most sensational lawsuits ever
filed in a Mississippi court. was re-
turned at 6.0S o'clock. just twenty
eight minutes after the arguments
were concluded, instructions given and
the case submitted.
Neither OF the principals wGs in
Tie court room when the jury present.
I'd it, verdict. Governor. Russell, wfth
Mrs, Russell, went to the home OF Ats
brother Immediately after the jury re-
titsas Members of Hrs counsel aisc
had let the. court room. Miss Birk-
Head andJher Attorneys feft al che SAME
time for their hotel, and the crowd
which toria weeR had packed ia 'coaiT
room TO its capacity had passed from
tffe Fulfilling. evidently in the behef
that no nanfediateivetdiet was In pros
peet " ~ hf -
7 septral' NEWSPAPER men, court at
fackes and handful OF the more do
trrfnincd OF those who had followed
the trfal during it's week OF seiisal
fionhl' developments renaieed wheh
the Jury fiFt6 III with its verdict.
I IL cofrt iine,l effly the reauiRet seven
words: "NR, the iary,i find for the
elefenkiht." 'stli -t6' H@t
Fornlef. Governor Theodore Bilbo,
who was sought dd'a witness by coun-
sci for Mis- Birkhead, failed TO ap-
pear yestrday. Court had adjourned
Saturday afternoon tntH Monday TO
give time tofocate the former gov erIl-
or WHEN he was not or hard yes
terdap informing there was n confer
erce bctwcen opposing. counsel and
judge Foote's, and. there being no fur
ther wiffies3es 10 examine, II was de-
cided ID. begin the dfgfments.
Governor Russeii and Mrs. Russell
sat With doafnsea for defense during
the argunefit al the! riidrning session
OF court. Sr Russell heard Mr.
Caftpbeil's arraignrhen t with tightly
drawn lips
Mss Birkhcad. diminutive, was al
most hiding trout view seated behind
her coufsel Her expression was Sc
rioug more serious than, at any time
during the tfiaL
Submission Of the case to the jury
followed four hours OF argument In
which Ileas we're made for the ex
oneration Of the governor and on the
other fon a verdict upholiing the CON
tentfbH of the young woman that she
had been WEonsed by the state ex-
ecutiye and was deserving OF redress.
Miss Bfrk'iea,i had asked for $780,
ono DAMAGE. FIFTY thousand dollars
was asked on each OF the two counts,
one clllrgng seduction and the other
impaiTIasnt of health as result of
an alleged operation.i
The verdict was returned by fury
composed OF men ranging in age from
46 to rs years All are married.
Thirty-four witnesses were exam
ined during the. seven days the case
had been on trial here, after having
been filed in the First United States
District Court at Jackson. where it
Mas dismissed for want of jurisdiction.