Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-19

the Leaning members OF the par mere 1eOrBe
French Strothers and Mr.. Taylor, brother
in-law, were also there. The men discussed
the tragedy and explained to counsel 1use
what was done from the time that Phihp
with the marriage license until the time
the dead body OF the victim was removed
from the tin roof OF the porch. The house
had been Deserted SINCE Saturday night,
after the sick and PROSTATE widow was re-
moved to the house Of Mrs. Gaines, her
sister.
II has been limited that sensational de-
velopments are expected. but Attorney Glib
that he could not conceive what they Will
be. He said he could not imagine that
any of the witnesses who are to be called
would be able to throw any additional Hight
upon the subject, not even the widow
1t developed last night that two brothers
of the widow traced her to the office OF
the Washington physician who Is alleged
to have performed the operation. and that
there is a strong probability that he will
be prosecuted. 1t Is regretted by some
of the parties to the affair that he cannot
be brought to Culpeper county and pros
ecuted.
About a month ago a brother OF the
young woman first suspected that there
was an intimacy existing between the cou-
pie" said friend of the two families to
a representative of The Star. land he kept
a close watch upon their movements VIII
Bywaters had been treated as member
of the Strother family. and he had the run
brother of Miss Rosa Strother. His con-
duct became suspicious, however. and ne
was watched as well as he could have been
without the brothers doing anything to
excite his suspicion
The Visit Here.
Just when Miss Strother left here to go to
Washington was not definitely ascertained,
nor could the Strother brothers learn II she
went with her cousin. That she went there
however. and to what physician she went
is definitely known. and the brothers expect
to take action against the physician. NO.
body in Culpeper disputes the statement
that VIII ByWaters was the most popular
young man in this section of the county.
and people in the town are already speak
ing Of his loss. On the other hand they
also tell of the popularity of the Strothers
family, referring to the men as being sub
stantial and influential citizens.
While counsel for the defendants were
busy yesterday preparing their side OF the
case, c. M. Waite. the commemorative at
torney, was not idle. 1t Is deemed certain
that the coroner's jury will hold the Stroth-
er brothers for the killing of Bywters, as
that body, it is stated, is charged with the
duty of only passing upon the facts. not
having the right to look into the sentiment
tai side of the case Upon conclusion or the
inquest the defendants will be called upon
to answer charge that was filed against
them In warrant issued by magistrate.
1t is probable that an examination Will be
waived and that bond for the appearance
of the defendants at the January term of
the court will be renewed
A Legal Battle.
Should the grand jury return an indict-
ment. and it is more than probable that
such will be the case. counsel will then
have to engage In an interesting legal bat
tie. The case promises to be the most in
teresting criminal trial that has taken
place in Culpeper county for a number of
years. According to the statement of one
of the attorneys interested in the case, the
defense will be made under the so-called
.'unwritten law" 1t Is realized that coun-
sci for the defense will have to contend
against the number of shots fired by the
defendants. Friends of Bywaters will prob
ably claim that the latter was not going to
desert his sick bride, but that he was mere
ly going to return to town to spend the
night with his mother. as he had promised
her. The firing of so many shots. 1t is
contended by friends Of the dead man.
shows that the Strother brothers wanted
to do more than merely prevent him from
leaving the house.
The six men who compose the coroner
jury are representative business men. and
it Is confidently expected that they will do
full Justice to both sides. One of the jurors
is c. l.. Cline. who conducts general
merchandise store, and two others, R. p
Jasper and w. NJ. Irvine. are clerks in
local stores. E. A. Walters, a contractor;
,
and C. s. JONES' farmer are the other
Jurors.
Contentious Of Defense.
It will be contended by the defense that
VIII Bywaters never had any idea Of re-
naming with his wife and taking care Of
her. That he so declared, 1t is stated. will
be shown when the case comes to trial,
and there will be other and perhaps more
sensational features of the case shown.
Everybody who knew the two families I'M
derstood that Bywaters was as much at
with his mother. Her brothers. 1t was
stated, were frequently away from the
house, and they were often heard to re-
mark that the girls were all right VIII
Bywaters will look after them 1t was
common occurrence for him to reach the
house at night. put away his horse and re-
tire. The next morning he would be at the
breakfast table. and then he would go his
way. He asked no questions nor did he
offer any explanations. All went well I'M
til about a month ago, when Will Bywaters
was seen near the room of Miss Viola at
tired only in his nightclothes. Then the
brothers started the investigation which
ended in the shooting. Between the mid
night discovery in the hal and last Satur-
of the couple. Miss Viola. 1t is stated. went
to Washington upon three occasions, each
time saying she was going to visit a friend,
and the claim Is now made that the Wash
u
operated upon her made three attempts be-
fore he was successful.
Doubt About the Facts.
Bywaters had said he would not live with
his wife. but after the situation had been
thoroughly discussed the brothers almost
reached the conclusion that he had chang ed
his mind. but still there was that lingering
doubt. which subsequent events show ed
was not without foundation. His excuse fo-
wanting TO come TO town was that he
wanted to keep a promise he had made to
his mother. He sa he would tell her of
the marriage and he would return that
night.
IF you want to go to town." said one OF
the brothers. Il will drive you there and
bring you back"
During the discussion Of the matrimonial
affairs the brothers endeavored to dispel
the reason Bywaters had always advanced
for not wanting to marry his second cousin:
that he was not able to support her. He
was told that her share In the estate, about
s., coo would be advanced her and that one
of the brothers would make them a present
of 500 With this money he was told, they
could engage in business and there was no
reason why they should not get along well.
Bywa:ers admitted that the proposition
sounded well. but still there was something
about his conduct to cause the Strother