Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-12-17
TRAGEDY CULPEPER.

woman whom Bywaters had just matrieu
The tragedy occurred Saturday even
ing after the wedding at Rotherwood,
the home Of the Strothers, three miles
fro Culpeper
1t is said that the Strother brothers
we're angered by some act in Bywaters
career prior to his marriage to their
sister.
Bywaters was literally shot TO pieces,
there being ~ wounds in different parts
of his body. The Strother BROTHERS
surrendered to the sheriff after the tragedy.
They were never actually put under ar
rest until Mayor Bell issued warrants
sgainst them yesterday evening. They
| were admitted to bail in the SUN Of So, 900
each, which they readily gave and were
released, the examination being adjourned
until next Wednesday. The bondmen
we're s. Russell Smith. county treasurer;
Edward Perry, r. T. Green and Dr. w.
) Strother.
The principal feature Of the case, as
brought ont Yesterday evening on aPpIi-
cation of the Sirothers for bail. Is that
BE- waters had led nstfay the sister and
had taken ner to Washington, where q
criminal operation was performed. Mr..
Bywaters Saturday procured from the
clerk of the court a license to marry Miss
Viola Slrother, who is daughter OF the
late Col. John r. Sirother, represent
alive of Culpeper county for many years
in the Assembly in this State. He was
seen to leave town about 3 O'Clock in
tho afternoon 10 the company Of young
Strother, a brother of the prospective
bride. They drove direct to the old
STROLLER residence. Rotherwood, about
three miles from town. The services of
Rev. J. T. Ware, rector OF ST. Stephens
Episcopal Church. we're procured and
the couple we're married at 5 O'clock.
Only few friends knew OF the intended
marriage, and the shock to the com
munity when Bywaters' tragic death came
over the phone was overpowering.
After the marriage Bywaters insisted
on leaving the Strother residence for the
night He was vigorously opposed by
the Strother brothers, Philip and James,
both young men. In attempting to
escape Bywaters WAS shot and killed on
the root of the house.
The testimony developed the fact that
the STROLLER brothers had compelled By
waters to marry their sister.
The testimony of Mr. Gaines, the
brother in law, was The most important
of the day, showing what happened after
the wedding at the Strother home.
".Iim and Phil Strother, my vile, By
waters, and myself" said MIR. Gaines,
"were sitting 10 the dining-room. We
we're on the best of termS, and every one
was satisfied with the outcome OF the
day Suddenly Will Bywa,ers said he
vas going back to town, as he had an
engagement for the night. He was told
that he had better not make the at
tempt, az it was not proposed 10 let him
desert bis vile.
"He ran upstairs TO his wiie's room,
and lin and Phil followed. heard a
scnnls up there and followed moment
aiterward. As / get 10 the head Of the
steps, Bywaters burst out Of the room. !
dragged him back, and hs made a break
for a window opeDiugou the porch. The
boys fired on him killing him as he
climbed through the window, his body
falling on The tin roof"
"John G.. I.amen testified that fully
thirty minutes after the shooting he went
to Bywaters on tho roof, and found him
still alive. As be lifted the wounded
mans head, Bywaters whispered
"Mr. Lsmen, Mr. LameD, give me
some water. What will my mother saJ
want my mother. I'm going 10 die"
In few minutes he died in Lsmen's
arms.
The prisoners, after gaining their lib
erty. went directly to Locust Hill, the
home of their brother-in-lsw, Edward l..
Gaines, where their sister, young Mrs
Bywaters, was taken Immediately after
the killing of her husband.
Her condition is regarded So extreme
Is critical by her physician, Dr. Ii. T.
Chel'. She is suffering from nervous
COLLAPSE and hysteria, calling alternate,
~ for her accused brothers aud dead
husband
The testimony Ct Mrs. f. l.. Gaines,
Miss Elizabeth STROLLER, the two prise
ners and Young Mrs. Bywaters will be
taken Wednesday The testimony Of
the latter ia awaited with interest, Of
the Young widow is known 10 have been
deeply in love with Bywaters for several
years.
That Miss Stroller VAS the sweet.
heart OF the dead man was an accepted
fact, their engagement frequently bay-
ing been rumored in the community.
A week ago Bywaters told one Of bis
intimate friends that he expected fC
marry Miss Strother just as soon as hi
was financially able 10 provide hom'
for her.
After the Strother brothers were re-
leased on bail last night, George r
Strother made statement, in which ht
said that his sisters unaccoun table ao
sence from her home last week haC
caused him TO make inquiries IS to hel
whereabouts.
lie said no discovered that she hat
been in Washington, and there under
such circumstances as impelled him t.
20 to Bywaters for an explanation. By
waters swore, with his right hand raised
be said, that he (Bywaters) could not ex
plain her absence. He also, SIrother de-
clares, vowed entire innocence Of til
charges made against him.
Miss -trother, upon her return home
became critically i'll, the brother said
and be succeeded 10 bringing Bysater'
10 her home. He continues: