Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-18

was not present. Mrs. Bywaters and her
son, Mr. Hugh L. Bywaters, were there.
Capt. T. E. Grimsley, another relative;
Mayor Alden Bell Commonwealth Attor-
ney C. M. White and Messrs. w. E. Coons,
William Nelson and Army Utterbach were
conspicuous among those present. In TACT,
there were men and women representing
nearly all classes of life, for it seems that
the victim had friends everywhere.
Speculation as to Testimony.
When the body of young Bywaters had
been laid to rest the gossip became more
general. Speculation to the next steps
in the investigation became the popular
topic, and while all conversations started
with expression of sympathy for the
family of the victim, it could readily be
seen that all interest is now centered on
the approaching session of the coroner's
jury
Mrs. Gaines was Miss Nellie Strother a
sister of Mrs. William F. Bywaters She
and her husband. DR.. Edward l.. Gaines,
went TO RotherWood, the home of the late
Col. John r. Strother, her father, where
the widowed bride lived with her brother
Philip, Saturday evening. They had hoped
to get there in time to witness the cere-
mony, but did not arrive until it was over.
What Did Mrs Gaines HearP
Most of the discussion prior to the shoot
ing was heard by Mrs. Gaines, but it was
room that the commotion is said to have be-
gun. Mrs. Gaines, it is said, did not enter
the room until shot had been fired. Then,
it has been said, she hurried her husband
out of the room, leaving Bywaters, his wife
and his two brothers-n-law there.
The people are anxious to hear what Mrs.
Gaines will say regarding the conversation
which passed between her brothers. her
husband and her brother-in-law before they
all went upstairs. Both sides have refused
to say anything for publication, but it is
said that the present idea of BywaterS'
relatives is to retain a prominent lawyer to
investigate the facts in the case. No name
has been mentioned in this connection, but
1t is said the family of the victim is most
anxious to know what took place after the
marriage
Attitude of the Strother Boys.
On the other hand, friends of the Stroth-
ers declare they have nothing to conceal
and will bring out every detail. The same
persons have their own version of the
shooting, and place emphasis upon certain
statements they say facts They say
when Mr.. Bywaters declared he intended to
return to his mothers home in Culpeper,
after the ceremony, Mr.. Philip Strother
said he would drive him to town If he
would promise to come back. but the VIC
TIM 1t is said, never answered.
Rumor has it that the Strother brothers
believed Bywaters wanted to leave their
home Immediately SO that he would not
legally recognize the marriage and put in a
claim that he had been forced to wed their
sister. They felt, it is said, that ByWaters
would have them put under bond to keep
the peace SO as to protect his life against
them and then have the marriage set aside
Scarcely any one has slept much in Gull
pepper since the shooting which came upon
them Saturday night like an earthquake
At first there was some feeling against the
Strothers in Warrenton, it Is said, for Mr..
Bywaters was extremely popular there. He
had a great many friends among the horse
men in that section, but if there is any
feeling existing there now tits of the deep
rooted sort not apparent to the average
observer.
Sympathy for the Women.
While much sympathy is being expressed
for the victims mother, who has been seri-
ously affected by the shock of her sons
untimely death, that which is felt for the
young widow is equally strong She has
always been looked upon as a sweet girl
who was devoted to Mr.. Bywaters Every
one thought she would be his wife some
day, and her sweet face and charming man.
ner won her the admiration of nearly every
one in Culpeper.
From her childhood Mr. Bywaters had
been her companion it Is said, and they
were together much of the time While
she is not considered beautiful even by her
most intimate friends she has an attract
i've face and a wealth of golden brown hair
She is tall, slender and stylish.