The Washington herald., 1906-12-17
lBy a STAT corrs.pondent.l

OulpepEF, Va Dec. i6.-After a short
session Of the coroner's jury, late this
afternoon, James and Philip Strother
were bound over in the sum of 5000 each
Tor the murder of William Bywater,
whom they are accused of having shot to
death within an hour after ne married
their sister. Viola Strother, Saturday af-
ternoon.
Not in years has this historic town been
stirred to its foundations as it was by
the news of the killing of Bywater at
the Strother home. "Rotherwood," three
miles south of Culpeper-
Friends of the dead man. who are num-
bered by the score, stood about on the
street corners all day TO discuss the trag-
edy, and on every side during the day there
were mutterings about there being 10
jail in Culpeper."
Crowd in Street All Night.
All night long, while the post mortem
examination was being conducted by Cor
oner E. ". Lewis, in the Hawley under
taking establishment, there was crowd
In the street, eagerly awaiting news. and
this afternoon there were many hOtheads
who freely said that had the Strother
boys been brought 70 the city while the
news Of the tragedy was fresh. there
would have been added trouble for the
mills of justice in the county which de-
rived its name from Lord Culpeper.
Not until after O'Clock this afternoon
were the warrants sworn out against
James Strother and Philip Strother,
charging them with the murder of By
water. The warrants were drawn W in
the Office Of Dr. Lewis by the light Of a
coal-oiI lamp. by Commemorative Attor-
ney ". c. Waite. and signed by Mayor
Alden Bell
The two men we're brought to Coroner
Lewis Office from the Cuipeper home, in
which they had been quartered by Sheriff
A. w Pulliam. who has had CHARGE of
them since the shooting Saturday even
ing. They were accompanied by another
brother. FFeAch strother, and the war
rants were served on them in the Office,
the sherin making the return to Mayor
Bell, who acted ex oficio owing TO the
lack Of a county court, which was long
since abolished.
Asked TO Fix the Bail
Although there were a score of people in
when Sheriff Pulliam asked If he should
make the return on the warrants to
Mayor Bell: and then John R. Jeffries,
formerly State senator from Culpeper
County. but now a resident of Norfolk
announced that he would submit enough
OF the story Of the case to the bail COM
missioner for the latter to judge as TO
the amount of bond necessary, which was
left entirely TO his discretion
At the farther end Of the room sat
James Strother and his youngest brother,
Philip and when Mr.. Jeffries announced
that he would call upon the middle
brother, French. for his story OF the case.
the silence was ominous. and the two
brothers back of the little stove made no
sign that they were interested in the
case.
You mean for me to tell what have
been doing since l came here?' asked
French Strother. in a voice that was a
suppressed sob.
only since YOU came to CuIpeper, "
replied Mr. Jeffries
Then the dramatic scene in its humble
setting began. French Strother Is a big
man, with a clean-cut face. and with the
appearance of a man who knows what
he wants.
When I came 10 Culpeper Friday
morning he said, with an effort, con-
trolling his voice. Il came because we
had reason to believe that our sister
needed our assistance. When I arrived
she was not at home. and man known
here was also missing
Room Is DeathIy still.
BY this time, the spectators in the room
hushed every sound until there was
deathly stiffness, every ear tense for the
story. which was told straightforwardIy
and without hesitation, although il bared
the trouble of one Of the oldest families
IN Virginia.
Later in the day. Friday. she re-
turned" continued the brother OF the be
reaved bride. "and I met her down town
] told her that her uncle u. G. Lemon)
was waiting, and for her to go on home
After protesting a few minutes, she
agreed 10 60 Saturday morning, By
water came Out TO the house. and I re-
mOnstrated with him. but after protest.
Ing his friendship for the family I finally
permitted him 10 see my sister. as she
also impOrtuned me TO be permitted to
see him. She was in bed, i'll. and
charged him with having taken her to
washington. nnaily permitted him TO
see my sister, and then they both con
fessed they had made the trip to Wash
ingtOn.
willing TO Marry Her.
Then he asked that he be permitted
10 marry her 1 told him that I did not
want him to marry her. But he Insisted
and promised that he would take good
care of her. I did not know what to do
I finally consented 10 the marriage, but
I told him at that time If he ever de-
serted her or mistreated her I would
shoot him. He said that if he did any
thing OF that kind he would want to be
killed. / promised l would keep my part
of the compact My sister also pleaded |
that she be permitted TO marry him. but
as she was seriously i'll and in nervous /
condition, hardly knew what TO do
L left before the marriage was per-
formed. and did not see Bywater again
After a few questions from counsel |
French Strother sat down, and the tense |
little crowd inhaled a deep sigh of relief |
that the narrowing tale had been com |
pleted.
After DR.. H. T. Chelf. one of the ply
sicIans who attended Viola StrOtheT. had |
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