Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-18
WIFE MUST TELL
HOW HUSBAND DIED
Mrs. Viola ByWaters to Throw
Light on CuIpeper Tragedy.
FRUSTRATED WITH GRIEF
Brothers Responsible for Her Hus-
bands Death to be Heard.
FUNERAL OF THE VICTIM
Great Outpouring of Friends at Cere-
mony-Feeling Over the Shoot
ing Still Intense.
FUNERAL OF THE VICTIM

CULPEPER, Va. December 1s.-With
the burial of William F. Bywaters yes
terday afternoon came the third act in
the tragedy that has shocked Culpeper
county. In the downpour of rain friends
of the dead man came from all parts of
this and adjoining counties to attend the
funeral. The tragedy is the one and all
absorbing topic here and the feeling of
the people is intense.
With the resumption tomorrow of the in
Guiry by the coroner some sensational de-
velopments are expected.
James and Philip Strother, who are
charged with the shooting and are now
out on 5000 bail. will make statements.
Several other witnesses are to be examined
and the hearing is to be adjourned until
January 2 at which time 1t is expected
Mrs. BywaterS will be able to appear and
tell the jury what she knows of the affair
The fact that the parties to the affair
were distantly related has made the inter-
est in the case much greater than 1t
would otherwise have been. While there
is intense feeling shown over the killing
there has been no outward demonstration
70 indicate that further violence is to be
attempted.
1t was reported here this morning that
Mrs. Bywater had died last night but
the report was denied by the sister of the
Frustrated woman. The patient 1t was
stated this afternoon, has greatly, i'm
cover in a few days. The Strother
brothers who did the shooting were in
town this morning, and they left here
about noon to return to the house in
which the tragedy. was enacted. 1t will
be their first visit there since Saturday.
Coroner Lewis favors taking the testi-
mony behind closed doors.
Mr.. William F. Bywsters was-well known
in this city. especially among the followers
of the races. 1t is said that he was here
during the last meeting at Benning- and, 1t
is stated, he spent part of the time at the
home of friend. On the eth and 18th of
November he registered at a local hotel, but
the latter occasion did not occupy a room,
telling the hotel clerk that he was going to
the house of a friend. He was not seen here
again by the hotel people until the day be-
fore he was killed
He then called ut the hotel where he had
been in the habit of stopping and had the
proprietor cash check for s..
Friends of Mr.. Bywater residing in this
city were shocked by the news of his death.
ON TIE occasion of his last trip to this city
he showed that he was greatly worried
about something but he made no mention
of troubIe to his friends, so far could be
asCeTtained today.
Despite the heavy rain. hundreds of towns
men and farmers visited the home of Mr.
ByWaterS yesterday to attend his funeral
Probably man in the county had so
many friends as Mr.. Bywaters. and had it
been clear day his funeral would have
b'tn one Oh lllt largest ever KNOWN mere.
While the funeral service was being con-
Quoted at the modest home of Mrs. b. F.
Bywaters, mother of the victim, Pied
mont street. the three Strother brothers
George French and the two accused-sat in
the Virginia Hotel with members Of their
family and advisers. Mrs Bywaters the
widowed bride, who played the most i'm
portant part in the tragedy. had only the
counsel OF her sister, Mrs. Edward l..
Gaines, and her physician. Dr. II. T. Chelf,
who has watched her condition untiringly.
until lac declared this afternoon that he be-
Neved she was improving.
As this third act of the tragedy was on
men. women and children walked about the
streets OF Culpeper discussing the matter
Some looked AZ the case in one way and
others in an entirely opposite direction. but
few persons cared to give their personal
opinions of the case Both sides have many
friends. and there is beneath all the quiet
conversation an intense desire to learn
more about the affair
Inquest Set for Wednesday.
The Strothers have declined to discuss the
subject, because the jury of inquest sum-
moned by Coroner F.. IL. Lewis will meet
again Wednesday morning. and Mrs
Gaines, their sister. is To be the main wit
ness, unless the accused men decide to make
statements. I'm 10 this time they have not
decided what they viii do, but it is thought
they will reservs tEeir version O the shoot
ing until their sister. Mrs. Bywaters has
told her story.
Because of the illness of Mrs. Bywaters
the jury of inquest will not be able to rem
der q verdict after their session Wednesday
Dr. Chclf has ordered absolute peace and
quiet for his patient. 1t is hoped that she
will be able to appear before the jury by
January and this date will be selected
for the continuance OF the hearing. So. out
of respect To the victim. there was nothing
accomplished during the day. which caused
the funeral TO be even more conspicuous
Vrf
sensational feature developed.
An Impressive Funeral.
1t was the desire of the family that the
funeral service be as private as possible;
but, despite that fact. there were about
twenty vehicles in the cortege as it moved
through the streets to Fairview cemetery
where the body was buried in the family
lot. Three ministers of different denomina-
lions conducted the services at the house
and the Phoenix Lodge of odd Fellows had
their ceremony at the grave.
There was no culogS of Mr.. Bywaters and
the ministers -Revs. +. w. Winfrey of the
Baptist Church, Frank Wells of the Metho-
dist church and J. w. Ware OF St Ste
phsu Episcopal ChurCh-used portions OF
thu burial service from each creed. The
prayers and services did not require much
time. and soon after q clock the start was
made To the grave.
The caskct was borne by the Odd Eel
lows. and six cousins of Mr.. Bywaters acted
as honorary pallbearers. They were Messrs.
J. f. Duncan. James Undertake. Burnett
Miller. y II. Browning, I. Il. Grimsley and
John : Barbour
Several prominent men. most of whom
were relatives of the victim, and several of
whom are related to both familes-for Mr.
BywattrS and the men accused of killing
him were Cousins-were at the house. Judge
Daniel a. Grmsey. before whom such a
case would have been tried under ordinary
clrcums tances. is an uncle of the victim
Tall. slender and dignified. the old gentle