The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-12-07
GIRLS CHARGE
IS DENIED BY
GOV. RUSSELL
Miss Birkhead Gives
in Detail Allegations
Against State Elk
ecutiVe.

OXFORD, Miss. Dec. 6.-Lee NJ
Russell, governor Of Mississippi, today
denied in federal court here, alIega-
tions Of wrongs made by Miss Frances
Birkhead, stenographer, basis for a
suit of 100000 damage against Mr..
Russell, now on trial.
Against this, Miss Birkhead, on the
witness stand for nearly three hours,
reiterated in detail charges of seduc-
ton and other allegations made in
her petition for redress.
1t was the opening day Of the actual
trial and a day crowded with sensa-
tional declarations.
Governor Russell, called by counsel
for Miss Birkhead as an adverse wit
ness, was on the witness stand only
comparatively short time, but is
expected to be recalled for a lengthy
examination. He declared the charges
without foundation.
Details Alleged Relations.
Miss Birkhead, who was called to
the witness chair when Mr.. Russell
vacated it, was under cross examina-
ton when court adjourned tonight In
voice scarcely audible a few feet
from the witness box, she gave on
direct examination a detailed MARIA
tive Of alleged relations with the gov
ernor while she was in his employ
during his Campaign for the governor
ship in 1918, and brought her testimony
to a climax with a dramatic declara-
ton that one of the papers offered in
evidence by the defense was forgery.
Did you not admit in the presence
OF former Governor Theodore G. BiIbo
that you were responsible for Miss
ID iyfyl
Bilbo to settle the matter?" was one
Of the questions asked the governor.
81 did not" was the retort.
Denies Authorship.
Introduction of a letter brought a
denial by the governor that he was the
author and. as atest for comparison
as to hand writing, he wrote same
wording from dictation in the court
room. Both admitted as exhibits. The
letter, which Miss Birkhead said she
received while engaged in war work
at Camp Jackson during the 1919
political campaign in Mississippi,
urged the recipient to "get treatment
there" Miss Birkhead charges that she
submittd to an operation at the sug-
gestion Of the governor and as a re-
suit her health was permanently i'm
paired. She testified that the letter
was in Mr.. RusselPs handwriting.
1.-THE governor appeared interesting
and he told me he loved me-" the
young woman testified. each time r.
saw him, he appeared more interest
ing. He told me he was getting di-
vorce."
HE never left the office without
kissing me goodbye" Miss Birkhead
said in another part of her testimony.
Resided In Russell Home.
She told Of going to Oxford and of
her residence at the Russell home
there. Governor Russell had previ-
ously explained that Miss Birkhead
accompanied him and Mrs. Russell to
their home to aid in the sending Of
campaign literature, the purpose for
which, he said, "she was employed"
..Irs Russell and 1 agreed that
Miss Birkhead come to Oxford under
certain conditions to help her out of
some trouble she then was in," Gov
ernor Russell testified.
He declared Miss Birkhead at one
time made charges against DR.. Henry
Boswell. superintendent of the state
sanitarium, similar to
those made against him and shat she
had threatened to shoot the physi-
cian.
Miss Birkhead denied this assertion