The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-12-20
BYWATERS BURIED
Great Crowd Attends Funeral
Widow Very III.
INTENSE INTEREST FELTlN THE CASE

Despite the heavy rain, hundreds of
townsmen and farmers visited the home
OF VIM. F. Bywaters, in Culpeper Mon
day. To attend the funeral of the young
man who was shot To death 10y his
brothers-in-law. James \. aud Philip
Strother, Just after he had married their
sister saturday evening
While the funeral service was being
conducted at the modest home of Mrs Il.
F. Bywaters. mother OF the victim, the
three Strother brOthers-GeOrge French
aud the two accAsed-were at the Nir-
ginia Hotel with members of their family
and advisers Mrs. Bywaters, the wild
owed bride, had only the counsel of her
sister. Mrs. Edward l.. Gaines, and her
physician, DR. II. I. Cheh. who has
watched her condition untiringly.
INQUEST SIT FOR WEDNESDAY.
The Strothers have declined to discuss
the subject because the jury OF inquest
summoned bv Coroner t. H. Lewis will
meet again Wednesday and Mrs Gaines,
their sister, is To be- the main witness IN
less the accused men decide 10 make
statements TIP to this time they
have not decided what they will do. but
il is thought they " i'll reserve their YER
sion of the shooting undl 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 verdict Wednesday. Dr. Cheli has
ordered absolute peace and quiet for his
patient. IL is hoped that she will be- able
u appear before the jury by January >.
and this date viii be- selected Tor the con
tinuance OF the hearing.
IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL.
II was tine desire of the family that the
funeral service be- as private ~ possible,
but. despite that fact, there were about
20 vehicles in the cortege as it moved
through the streets 10 Fair View Gene
terry. where the body was buried IN the
family lot. The Phoenix Lodge, of Odd
Fellows. had their ceremony at the
grave.
There was uo eulogy Of Mr. Bywaters,
aud the ministers. Revs T. " Mu1frey.
of the Baptist church: Frank Well. ofthe
Methodist church. aud J. ". Ware, of 81
stephens Episcopal church used POI
lions OF the burial service from each
creed
The casket WAS borne by the Odd
Fellows and six cousins OF Mr. Bywaters
acted a. honorary pallbsarerS. They
were j. f. Duncan. James Tmberlake.
Burnett Miller. \ H. Browning. I. +
Grimsley and John :. Barbour.
Mrs. Gaines was Miss Nellie StrotheT.
She and her husband. DR.. Edward l..
Gaines. weEt 70 R,therwood. where the
widowed bride lived with her brother
Philip. Saturday evening They did not
arrive until the marriage ceremony was
over
WHAT DID MRS GAINES HEAR
Most OF the discussion prior to the
shooting was heard 10y Mrs. Gaines, but
il was not until the bridegroom ran to
his wiie's room that the connection Is
said u have begun Mrs. Gaines. it Is
said. did not enter the room until shot
had been fred Then. il has been said.
she hurried her husband out OF the room,
leaving Bywaters. his wife and his two
brothers-in-law there.
Both sides have refused 10 say any
thing for publication. but 1t is SAID that
the present idea Of Bywaters relatives IL
to retain a prominent lawyer 70 investl-
gate the facts in the case.
ATTITUDE OF THE sTROTHER BOYS.
On the other hand. friends OF the Stroth-
ers declare they have nothing 10 conceal
and will bring out every detail. They
say when Bywaters declared he intended
TO return to bis mothers home IN Gull
pepper. after the ceremony, Philip StrOth-
er said be- would drive him 10 town If he
would promise TO come back, but the
victim. II is said. never answered
Rumor has it that the StrOther broth
ers believed Bywaters wanted 10 leave
their home so that he would not legally
recognize the marriage and put in claim
that be had been forced 10 wed their SIS
ter. They felt. il i said that Bywaters
would have them put under bond 10
keep tie peace SO a. to protect his life
against them and then have the mar
rage set aside.
SYMPATHY FOR THE WOMEN.
While much sympathy is being express
ed for the victims mother, who has been
seriously affected by the shock oil her
sons death. that which is felt for the
young widow is equally strong. She has
always been looked upon as sweet girl
who was devoted To Bywaters. Every
one thought she would be his wife some
day, and Der sweet face and charming
manner won her the admiration OF near
~ everyone in Culpeper.
From herchldhood Bywaters had been
her companion. it is said, and they We're
together much Of the time While she Is
not considered beautiful, she has an at
tractive face and wealth of golden
brown hair. She is tall, slender and
sly lish.