The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1920-05-01 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

REPLY TO CHARGE OF MURDER. not regarded as serious. was detained. The police court proceedings relating to Fairview-road i neastly a very quiet last Sunday's tragedy were opened yesterresidential quarter of Otton, but on Thum- day morning at ithe Borough Court, before day afternoon it presented a very animated Dr. A. E. Harris (chairman) and Col, M. spectacle. Shortly after noon a erowd C. Ellie. began to aesemble in front of the deceased Frank Lawrence Andersen, of Sun-street, girl's home, and when the coffin, which was then appeared in the dock on the charge covered with beautiful wreaths and Bowers than on 26t1i April, 1920, he "did murder was sdremnly conveyed from the house Elsie Dorothy Birkett" MT. J. Roberto down the garden path. the assembly num- said that lie represented prisoner. bered several hundreds. The crowd meanly Andersen was looking pale and ill. He consisted of women, some with peram- , walked very slowly, and seemed a little bultators and others carrying infants in their arms. While presenting • morbid scene, one could not fail to notice Si striking tribute of sympathy of the crow . with the relatives of the deceased. M took off their hats. while the women, some of whom were greatly moved by the tad I spectacle and sobbed, bowed their heads as I the coffin which conveyed the remains of I the victim of the tragic love drama were I placed in the hearse. The cortege then I move:II/slowly off, between two deep rows of people who lined the route along Fairviewroad and down Arno-road for a dietanct of several hundred raids. The assembly then quickly dispersed. some wending their way to Woodchurch, while others visited the scene of the tragedy in Poplar-road,  No less pronounced was the widespread interest and sympathy at Woodchurch Cemetery, where on arrival thb procession was met by the Rev. . Bradley (curate of St. Saviour's. Orton). The picturesque church was crowded long before the funeral party arrived, and the bnief but deeply impressive service moved many to tears. The mourners then made their way to the family grave, which is situated in the west of the churchyard, and around which four or five hundred people were gathered. Following the reading of the committal prayers by the officiating clergyman, the co was lowered to its last resting place. many of the large assembly being visibly affected bV the touching scene.  Mr. Birkett, the deceased's father, who has been bedridden for some time past, was unable to attend. The chief- mourners were Mr. Birkett (brother). Mr. C. Birkett (uncle). Mr. and , Mrs. Sbirro (brother-in-law and sister), Mr. and Mrs. Renton (brother-in--law and sister), Mr. William White (grandfather), Mrs. Joe White (aunt), Mr. and. Mm. Byrom insole and aunt). Mr. and Mm. Rorta (uncle and aunt), Mr. John White (uncle), Mies G. White (cousin), Mr. A. White , (uncle), Miss K. Roberts. Miss Lovett, Miss Chisholm, Miss Anderson. The bearers were Messrs. W. White and Joe White (uncles), C. Byron and G. Chisholm, A large number of beautiful floral tributes were received from relatives and friends. The funeral sentrogemente were carried out by Mx. Alec C. Smith, of 202, Conway-street.  I x 7.1 , • .r` ,