Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-12-09
TRIAL OF GOVERNOR
RUSSELL REV0LVES
ABOUT LETTER en-
Continued from Page u

filed and ACCESSIBLE to all of the
newspapers, and explained that the
information given to the individual
paper was to enable it to have the
statement in type in advance in or
der that it might score scoop"
Miss Birkhead was excused after
being under. cross examination for
more than two hours.
Mrs. c. F. Skillamn, to whose
home in Clarksdale, Miss, Miss Birk
head went after her visit to Mem
phis, was the next witness. She told
of Miss Birkheads physical condition
at the time of her visit to her home
Tells of Ring
did she tell you about an auto
mobile and a diamond ring given
her?" Mrs. Skillman was asked.
Mrs. Skillman said she was TOLD
that the automobile and ring were
given her by a young man and thai
Miss Birkhead pawned the ring while
in Memphis to obtain funds.
"Billy'H McGraw, of Yazoo county
Miss Birkhead's home, was next call
ed as a character witness. Her rep
utaIon was good, he said.
In answer to a question as to Miss
Birkhead's complexion, he declared
he noticed nothing unusual about it
Except the powder and paint thai
all girls use" E. n. Ferris, also
of Yazoo county, also testified her
reputation was good.
Governor Russell then. was recall
ed and his attention called to what
was described as a difference in form
of making the letter M" in the
copy made by the governor in court
yesterday of the much discussed
Mary letter. The governor noted
the difference in the form of the
same letter in other papers he identi
fled as bearing his signature.
The governor smiled as he retort,
ed to a question that Il usually
make it as I like-didn't know there
was any specified rule"
A call then was sent for Z. L.
Lenker, an Oxford banker, to give
his opinion as to the letter M III
the copied letter as compared with
the same letter on checks and othel
papers he had handled signed by
the governor.
Governor on Stand
Governor Russell preceded the
young woman on the stand and was
briefly examined, having been called
by plaintiff counsel as an adverse
witness" He denied all the charges
contained in Miss Birkhead's peti
ton and declared in reply to d ques
ton by her counsel that he had moi
stated in the presence of former
Governor Theo G. Bilbo, of Missis
sippi, that he was responsible for hel
condition, or that he had requested
Mr.. Bilbo to make an effort to have
the matter settled. The governor is
expected to be called to the stanC
later by his counsel.
An attachment has been issued di
recting Mr.. Bilbo to appear as {
witness.
In her direct testimony, Miss Birk
head told of her alleged relation:
with the governor while she was EN-
. during the gubernatOrial campaign
in 1918,
1.-The governor appeared interest
ing and he told me he loved me.
she said. Each time 1 saw hin
he appeared more interesting. He
3 told me he was going to get a di
Vorce."
He never left the office withou
kissing me goodbye" Miss BirkheaC
, testified further on in her examina
| ton.
Denies Statements
She denied a statement of the gov
ernor that she had made charge:
against the superintendent of state
tuberculosis institution similar tt
those brought against the governor
She declared that she had been ap
, preached by men purpOrting to rep
! resent the governor who made hel
! an offer of money to sign a letter
! which would, in effect, have absolveC
/ the governor from any wrOngdoing
She refused to sign, she stated.
! Governor Russell testified that HI
! had at no time authorized any pay
ments to Miss Birkhead other thar
| the payment of her salary while il
his employ and that he knew of III
money having been offered her fOl
| such purposes as she alleged.
1t was estimated this morning tina
| several hours will be required befor,
| the cross-eXamination of Miss Birk
| head is completed.
T. G. Graves, called as the frs