The Washington times., 1906-12-27
Bride-WidoW'S Family OBJ
ject to Her TeStifying
Against Leon.
Sentiment FaVors Slayers,
Who May Be Freed on
"UnWritten Law"
Relative of Dead Man Thinks
Strothers Did Honor
able Act.
By a STAN CorresDondent)

(By "a STAN Correspondent
CULPEPER, Va, Dec. 27.-Dr.
Leon, the Washington physician al
legged by Mrs. Viola By1Yaters to
have performed a criminal opera
tion upon her at the instance OF
young William Bywaters, prior TO
his enforced marriage and subse-
quent death at the hands of her
brothers while trying TO desert her,
will escape prosecution if the girls
testimony is depended upon to in
dict him.
1t was authoritatively stated here
today by a member of the Strother
family that, while they very much
desire TO sec Dr.. Leon punished and
are willing TO assist in any way pro-
vided their sister could testify with
out a trip to Washington and the
publicity of a trial. that if the latter
is necessary, Dr. Leon would have
TO go unpunished, so Ear as this in
diyidual case IL concerned.
VIII Not Push Case.
II l. generally conceded here. even
BY those not familiar with this attitude
OF the Strother family. that tho case
viii not be pushed for this reason alone.
a detective sent out by the Washing
ton Detective Bureau last week did not
obtain the coveted interview - the
young widow. as she Was 90 sifT 70 re-
ceive him. II Is also understood that
the decision not to appear against Dr.
Leon for the sake OF the family pride
may have also Influenced the family in
not having Mrs. Bywaters make q fur
ther statement regarding the opera ton
20 the Washington detective
Until receipt OF the information car
ried exclusively IN The Times OF Mon
day afternoon, the Strother family WAS
not aware that young Bywaters had
carried their sister to a Washington
manicure, introducing her as his wife.
Mrs Tyson" and that while there the
girl had confided her troubles to one
OF her sex. expressing her love. and at
the same time her distFust of ByWaters
with whom she lived at the Montrose
Hotel for two weeks following the
operation. This Information Is reSartied
here as favorable TO the defense. IndF-
caIng as IL does that the girl had mis-
slFlhgs as TO the fulhllment Of the
promises Of the man she had so com
pleleiy trusted, and strengthening the
contention OF the strother brotbers tbaf
her as his wife
Uphold the Slayers.
Now that the excitement first attend
ing the killing Of young Bywaters has
suoslded the matter is being more calm
~ discussed. 1t still is the chief tonic
OF conversation in Culpeper and this
entire section OF the state. The Stroth-
eF DfoIhers are in receipt OF many let
'sTs IRON dinerent portions OF the State.
expressing sympathy and commendfne
their action in taking the life of Ry-
waters, while he was attempting To de-
sert their sister an hour after marry
Ing her Letters from parties In other
States have also been received. one from
physician in Charleston being espec-
tally strong
While young Bywaters has many
strong friends, it must be admitted that
since the testimony OF Mrs Gaines. and
the young widow. Mrs. Bywaters was
made public, there has been q reVuIsiOn
Of public sentiment. and il is genera Ilv
conceded that the Strothers have an al
most impregnable defense behind the
''unwritten law"
Bywaters' Kin Justifes It.
relative of young Bywaters. while
admitting his admiration for the man
who met such a tragic death at the
hands of his brothers-in-law. deplores
his unmanly action in attempting to de-
sert the bride he had wronged. and ex-
pressed the belief that the case would
not go to trial, but would end with
the grand jury.
James a. Strother. one of the princi-
pals, has returned TO his home at Weich.
/ w Va, while George r, known as
French. has returned To Lexington. The
younger son, Philip, still has apartments
at the Virginia Hotel, the Strother home
'RotherwOOd." having never been re-
opened since the night of the tragedy
At the home Of Mrs. Gaines, her sister,
the young bride and widow still lies
upon a sick bed, under the care OF
physicians. all visitors being denied ad-
mittance.
No further developments are expected
in the case until James and Philip
Strother appear before the grand jury
on the third Monday in January.