The Washington times., 1906-12-20
TRIES TO SAVE
BROTHERS FROM
THE GALLONS.
TELLS CAUSE FOR
KILLING OF HER
HUSBAND.

CULPEPER, Va, Dec. 20.-James
and Phillip Strother, held by the
coroner's jury for the killing Of VIII
liam F. Bywaters within an hour
after he had welded their sister,
Viola, on their demand TO save the
girls honor, are walking the streets
today under $1,000 bonds.
The widow bride, who was
thought TO be dying. has given eyi-
dence to help her brothers. She ap-
peared 10 have forgotten her love
for her husband in an effort to save
her brothers from the gallows. The
"unwritten law" viii be invoked TO
clear the brothers, who, without
warning. shot down and killed By
waters as he was leaving his sick
wife.
Ordeal Of Bride-Widow.
The coroner. with his jurors and a
dozen newspaper men. drove four miles
70 the Gaines home to get the testimony
OF Viola StrOther- ByWaters. Owing 10
the critical condition of the girl. only a
few persons could be admitted 10 the
room. The Times stan correspondent
was delegated as the one newspaper man
10 be admitted FOR the purpose OF Sc
curing a stenographic report OF the tes-
tlmony for the grand jury
About the room were grouped the
three strothe- brothers. while Just be
fore the examination began her sister.
Mrs. Gaines slipped TO the bedside. and.
seating herself upon IL, took the hands
of the stricken girl in hers.
Then. IN a TalteTing voice, Coroner
Lewis explained the OBJECT Of the visit
10 the girl
Viola" he said, I'VE know this is a
terrible ordeal Tor you. and We ars go
ing to be Just as brief as We can, but
we want you to try TO control your
self and answer the questions. for its
our duty. YOU know. 10 get this state
ment from you
I know it. Dr. Lewis. the girl re
pl ed. Go ahead, I am ready
'I Was Nearly Crazy"
At times during the examination. the
witness would faIter and glance appeal
inglv around the room before answer
ing. Some OF the answers were vague
ana unsatisfactory. but she would ex-
plain then with Il don't know. / vas so
nearly crszed. ] don't remember what
happened. The first thing ! rememoer
seems to be the shots, and then ]
screamed and got up out OF bed, and
ran down stairs and ran all around.
That is nearly all I can remember, IL
was so awful"
It was only when questioned closely
about the shots IN the room ana about
the trips to washington fer the purpose
Of undoing her shi me that she would
falter and hesitate 81 her answers.
The ordeal over. Coroner Lewis 80
auested Mrs. BywateTs TO affiX her sig
nature 10 the typewriter statement
which she did while lying upon heI
back.
It was long past dark when the party
reached town. all going Immediately te
the office OF Coroner Lewis, where the
jury went into private session Within
thirty minutes the coroner's jury an
nOunCed the following verdict.
we. the cOrOner's jury, duly sworn
according 10 the evidence taken before
US. render the following verdict: Thai
William r Bywaters came TO his deaJf
on the evening of December 10. 1906 al
the home of James A. StrOther, named
RotherwOod by wounds inflicted bJ
firearms Of twenty-five Calibre or larger
in the hands of Jsnes A. and PhillI
StrOther.' Signed. Chas. L. Cline. fore
man, L. 4. Walters. c. 5. Jones. r. =
CONTINUED on Ninth PaEe)