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1935 Edith Maxwell murder case...



Item # 716943

November 20, 1935

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Nov. 20, 1935

* Edith Maxwell murder case (father)
* Appalachia - Pound, Virginia


The back page has a photo of Edith Maxwell with heading: "Try Girl for Slaying Her Father" and brief text. 
The top of page 5 has a one column heading: "ROOMMATE SAYS GIRL THREATENED TO SLAY FATHER" with subhead. (see images)  
Complete with 38 pages, rag edition in great condition. A few small binding holes along the spine. 

background: The Edith Maxwell murder case was a sensational and controversial event that took place in Pound, Virginia, in 1935. Edith Maxwell, a 21-year-old schoolteacher, was convicted of killing her father, Trigg Maxwell, during a domestic dispute. She claimed she acted in self-defense after he allegedly attacked her for coming home late. The case gained national attention, especially from women's rights groups and the media, who saw Edith as a symbol of the struggle for female independence in a conservative, patriarchal society. After multiple trials and appeals, public support and a campaign led by prominent figures like Eleanor Roosevelt helped secure a pardon from Virginia Governor James Price in 1941. The case inspired films and novels and remains a notable example of how gender, regionalism, and media shaped American legal narratives.

Category: Pre-Civil War