New-York tribune., 1922-12-07
Gov. Russell, on
Stand, Denies
Girls Charge
Mississippi Executive, at
Trial for Seduction, Says
Young Woman Accused
Another Official
She Tells Story in Tears
Reciies Alleged Relations;
His Writing Compared
With That in n Letter

OXFORD. Miss, Dee. (By The As
soeiated Press Lee VI. Russell, Gov
ernor Of Mississippi, denied to-day Il
Federal Court allegations made By Mis-
Frances Birkhesd, stenographer, whie'
/ brought about the suit for $4,000
damages against Mr.. Russell now bein'
heard. Miss Birkhead, testifying io
nearly two hours, part Of the time u
tears. reiterated charges Of seduction
and other allegations made in her peti
tion. II was the opening day Of th'
actual trial.
Miss Birkhead was under eross.ex'
animation when court adjourned. In
voice scarcely audible she gave on di,
rect examination details Of alleged
+ relations with the Governor while shs
was in his employ during bis campaign
I FOR the GovcTnOrsh.p in 1915 Hne
I brought her testimony TO n climax 0y
declaring one Of the papers offered 10
evidence was a forgery.
Deniee Alleged Admission
Governor Russell asserted that hs
had employed Miss Birkhead as =
stenographer in Jackson. lie cenieo
he had talked with her ir JACKSON
drug store prior 10 her employment
and declared he had not admitted 70
former Governor Theodore q. blloo
that he was responsible for her con
dition or asked Mr. B.lbo to settle ihe
matter. ,a,,.,
Introduction Of letter signed Mary.
brought denial by the Governor tna' t1
he was the author, and, g. test IVl
comparison Of the handwriting, WIote
the same wording from dieiation N the
court room. Both were suomitted rs
exhibits. The letter. which Miss bifk-
head said she received from the Gov.
ernor while engaged in war work a,
Camp Jackson during the lslg poiitlcai
campaign in Mississippi, urged the re-
cipient ITO get treatment there.
Miss BiTkhead charged that sne sto-
mitted 10 an operation at the sugges'
tion Of the Governor, and as result
her health was permanently impaired
"The Governor appeared interestin y
and told me be loved nc" she testiheo.
Zach time | saw him he appeared more
interesting. He told me he was getting
q divorce. He never LETT the once
without kissing me goodby."
She told Of her residence a. the Rus
sell home IN Oxford. Governor Russell
had previously explained that Miss
Birkheed accompanied him and MIS-
Russell 10 their homo 20 aid IN the
scnding Of campaign literature.
"Thrcatened Another Official
Governor Russell declared Miss Birk-
head at one time made charges against
Dr.. Henry Boswell. superintendent Of
the state tuberculosis sanitarium, slmi-
lar 70 those made against him, ans
that she had threatened 70 shoot the
physician.
Mise Birkhead denied this assertion
and declared her differences with pf.
Boswell we're over authority given 4
mntron az the state institution, where
she also was employed.
Miss Birkhead was shown a letter
Gearing her name, which asserted tnat
sbe had no cause 70 complain against
DR.. Boswell, and pronounced 1t forg-
cry.
Miss Birkhead asserted tha, at vari-
ops times sums OF money were paid her
BY men purporting to be emissaTI,ies o. o,
I the Governor. Governor Russell salu
he had never authorized any payments
70 Miss Birkhead, and so FAR as ne
knew none were made other tnan pay
ment Of her regular salary as stehog-
rspher. A.,
At the request Of attorneys ior tne
plaintiff an attachment was IN tnS,
/ hands Of the United states marsha.
to-day directing former Governor blIoy
10 apDcar as a witness. Miss blIKheSo ga
will be recalled 20 the stand when 'hs
trial is resumed tomorrow.