Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1922-12-07
RUSSELL
BIRKHEAD
| TRIAL


went on to say that Gov. Russell's at
tention became more and more eager
more and more effectionate, more and
more intimate. She told in her own
way, without the least trace of emo
ton, as though she were speaking by
tators.
She told of the alleged serious con-
sequence of the relations she says she
had with Governor Russell.
She told the court that she wanted
to have the child, for Governor Rus
sells sake, because she knew that he
wanted one very eagerly. She testl-
fed that Governor Russell would not
allow her to have the child, and sug-
gested to her that she go to Memphis
for criminal operation. She further
testified that Governor Russell sup
piled her with medicine which she
said would accomplish this purpose.
Doctor Finished Job.
She declared that she came to Mem
phis and attempted the operation
herself, apparently, with the medi-
cines said to have been given by
Governor Russell and an instrument
also suggested by him.
Her voice quivered as she told how
she failed to perform this unspeak-
able operation upon herself and how
she consulted a doctor in Memphis
who she declared finished the job.
Throughout the hours in which she
was recounting her story, Governor
Russell sat immovable some Is feet
in front of her and glared at her with
piercing eyes. His jaw was firm.set.
At times he would frown and lean over
hastily to confer with his attorneys.
After Miss Birkhead's crosseXam-
ination, however, he smiled and chat
ted jovially with his friends in the
courtroom. The governor thinks
that the day ended with his star in
the ascendancy. He does not think
that Miss Birkhead's story convinced
the jury Miss Birkhead, although
visibly upset about the letter pre-
scented to her at o'clock supposedly
bearing her signature, regained her
self confidence and self-possession
completely after the adjournment of
court.
She thinks that she outwitted Mr..
Cassidy.
Another sensation developed in the
failure of the Birkhead attorneys to
introduce testimony through the
plaintiff to the effect that Theo. G.
Bilbo and others of the governors
friends at the direction of the gov
ernor, sought to buy Miss Birkhead
off.
Judge Holmes would not admit
Miss Birkhead's testimony along this
line. This brings up the subject of
Bilbo. An attachment has been is
sued for Mr.. Bilbo to appear as a
witness in the case of Miss Birk-
heads side. Up to late hour to-
night he had not been found. Some
say he will not come at all-that is,
he will hide out. Others say that he
is avoiding the officers merely to
make it appear that he is coming as
a witness against his will to testify
in a case against the titular leader
of the Vardaman faction in Missis-
sippi.
If Mr.. Bilbo does come his. story
will be interesting.
For a time early this morning it
seemed that the method of selecting
the Jury would overshadow the trial
itself Judge Holmes took entire con-
troll of the situation. He examined
all of the veniremen who were quail
fled to jury service at al. He exam
ined them en- masse. When he was
satisfied, he asked counsel on both
sides if they had any suggestions to
offer.
Miss Birkhead's counsel offered no
suggestions Mr.. Cassidy asked for
Gov. Russell that two or three of the
men be- examined individually. Judge
Holmes examined these individually.
He DISQUALIFIED none of them for
cause. There were SO of the prospec-
tive Jurors in the court room. Judge
Holmes ordered that the last man
summoned be excused.
Judge Holmes then declared that
each side might alternately challenge
pre-emptorially ten men. This was
done. The remaining 10 men consti-
tuted the jury. Five of the IL men
are from De Soto County, just over
the Tennessee line. Not one of the
jurors is from Lafayette County, the
home of Gov. Russell.
! There were six LAFAYETTE County
men on the original panel. Five OF
these men were pre-emptorially
challenged by counsel for the gov
ernor, and one by counsel for Miss
Birkhead.
Witnesses for plaintiff finished
testifying at 3 p. m. today when DR.
Woodward took the stnad for the de-
fence.
(To be continued next week.)