Norwich bulletin., 1922-12-07
GOV. LEE RUSSELL DENIES
 ALLEGATIONS OF STENOGRAPHER

Oxford, Miss, Dec. 6.-(By the A. P.)-Lee Nj. Russell, governor of Mis- sissippi, today denied in federal court allegations made by Miss Frances Birl1- head, stenographer, which brought about the: suit for $10O,000 damages against MT. Russell now being heard.
 Miss Birkhead, testfying for nearly three hours, reiterated charges of se- duction- and other allegations made in her petition. l. was the opening day of the actual trial.
 Governor Russell, called by counsel for Miss Birkhead as an adverse wit ly short time, but is expected to be re- called, He declared the charges were without foundation.
 Miss Birkhead. who followed MT. Russell, was under cross-examinat on when court adjourned.
 In a voice scarcely audible, she gave on direct examination details of alleged relations with the governor while she was in his employ during his campaign for the governorsh:p in 1918 and brought her testimony to a climax by declaring one of the papers offered in evidence, was forgery.
 The taking of testimony began this | afternoon after, selection of a jury was accepted with unexpected rapidity.
 Governor Russell asserted that he employed Miss Birkhead as a steno. grapher in Jackson. He denied he talk ed with her in Jackson drug sto-e prior to her employment, and in turn declared untrue various other alleged incidents:sS
 ! "Dids you not admit in the presence os former Governor Theodore G. Bibc 1 that you were responsible for Miss ls De- bo to settle the matter? was one oi l the questions asked the governor. 1 .'1 did not" was the reply.
 Introduction of letter signed Mary {; brought denial by the governor that i he was the author and, as a test fol ! comparison. as to handwriting, he wrot, i the same wording from dictation in tn ! court room. Both were submitted al l exhibits. The letter, which Miss Birk l head said she received while engaged 1 in war work at Camp Jackson during
 the 1919 political campaign in Mfssis sipp!. urged the recipient ito get treat. ment. there"
 1 Miss Birkhead charges that she sub 1 mitted to an operation, at the sugges ] tion of the governor and as result he
 health was permanently impaired. Sh l testified the letter was in Mir. Russelir . handwriting.
 l Miss Birkhead, part of Nthe time ii
 tears, was under direct examination fo
 nearly two hours.
 ''The governor appeared interesting and he told me he loved me-" she tes {! tified. Each time saw him he ap
 peared more interesting. He told me n was getting divorce"
 | :'He neyGr" left the office withou
 kissing me good-bye,"1 Miss Birkhea said
 i She told of going to Oxford and 0 her. residence -- at the .> Russell hom there. Governor Russell had previous fly explained that Miss Birkhead accom- panied him and Mrs. Russell to the!
 home to aid in the sending of campaig
 l&erature-the purpose for which, a,
 said, she was employed.
 Mrs. Russell and I agreed that Mis- Birkhead come to Oxford under certai conditions to help her out of som
 trouble she then was in,' Governo Russell testified. z
 He declared Miss Birkhead at on time made charges against Dr. Henr Boswell, superintendent of the tubercn 1 losis sanatorium similar : to those mad against him and that she had threaten
 ed to shoot the physician.
 I Miss Birkhead denied this assertic 4ACI QulSECllCSS hlln O
 Boswell were over authority given .i
 matron: at the state institution wher
 she also was employed. i Miss Birkhead was shown a lette bearing her name; which asserted ths she had rno& cause to- complain again. Dr. Boswell and declared it a forger, Miss Birkhead declared at Var,ou , times sums of money were paid her b men purporting to be emissaries of Il , governor <.
 Governor Russell declared that l
 had, never authorized any payments
 Miss Birkhead and 80 far as he kne < none were made other than pay1e
 of the salary agreed upon at the tin | she was in his employ. q At the requests of attorneys for u d plaintiff an attachment was in u d hands of the United States marshal t t day directing former Governor BiIbo y appear as a witness. Miss Birkhe,
 will be recalled to the stand when t 'e trial is resumed tomorrow.