The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-02-28


81 had dared hope, he began, THAT
those behind the prosecution would not
liit the curtain and show up the horrible
details Of this case, for in doing 81 IL
simply allows the world TO take anOthei
look at the dreadful pioturr. But since
they have so decided III place all OF the
facts in horrible detail before you.
About / ? miles from town there lived
a family. consisting OF the parents ana
three children. They had the esteem oil
all. Bywaters came here about eighl
wears ago to work Tor the railroad and
express company. Soon he had won the
confidence OF all who knew him; every.
body liked him.
about three miles from here lives an
other family, il consisted Oi the parents
asd eight children-1ye boys and three
girls. They. too, numbered their leads
low the score. Their hospitality and open
heartedness were well known. The great
grandfather of tn. Strother boys and
their own grandfather were members oil
Congress and their father helped protect
our homes during the Civil War. He re-
ceived one honor after another from his
people here
AS the bOysgrew up they went away.
James married French went 10 West
Virginia, Hunt married, the parents died
and 80 il finally dwindled down To Philip
and Viola. They were alone in the house.
The Strothers and Bywa'erses are
blood relations. NlOlas mother and Il.
+. Bywate :. father of Will, were first
cousins. When Will Byweters came to
town he WAS taken into the Strother
home like one of the immediate family,
and soon Viola and he became sweet
hearts.
Finally Bywaters said he would stay
at the house when hilip, whOisa young
man. wanted 10 see his girl, so he was
never suspected.
Alas. there was lacking 10 his charac-
ter one element that makesa good. noble
man aud the one that distinguishes IA
mau from the lower animal. That LACK
ing element WAS the appreciation oi "A
good, vTtuOuS woman, but IN its place
he had a selfish desire.
Soon after the establishment OF IN
proper relations between them she dis
covered her condition, went 10 him aud
begged that no marry her. He laughed,
but she went again. He gave her no ilr-
ther satisfaction sayi z only that he " as
not ready % marry. Then he proposed
the operation. She wept bitterly, but
submitted, as there was nothing else TO
do
THE went TO Washington about Nov.
! ,. she saving she was To visit a school
friend The q, GRAFTON was unsuccessful
Two weeks later another doctor urged
ByWaters 20 marry her but he said he
could not. They were told To return
later, so they came back To Culpep'r
About that time Philip saw Bywaters
walk from a room near his sisters and
his lack of clothing caused the brother to
put his hand on his pistol He restrained
himself with the thought If he shot hls
sister might deny that there was any
thing wrong and there Wa no one To
tell the circumstances Although he r.
strained his hand he wrote To his broth
ers. They came ON and Mrs. flames
tried 10 hnd out about the matter, but
to no avail
They were about 10 seek an eNpla a
ton OF Bywaters when Viola begged that
they not do sO.saying Philips fears were
grOundless Then the brothers watch d.
Bywaters wrote her "A letter, 10y which
YOU shall see how he acted. Then he
said il was time 70 go ba,k 10 Washing
ton She begged him 10 marry her, AID
he said he could not Right here YOU SOC
sell predOminating. Not only did ne sub
ject her 10 physical agony. but he risked
her life and his rather than do the right
thing.
IL am going to show that no power
on earth could have made him marry her
except the point OF a pistol. They we're
the same blood, socials equals, and Ter
character was without u blemish save
for that oi which he was responsible. lie
laughed at her tears and sought relief hy
an operation. They went 10 Washing
ton and be left her alone 20 90 on TIP.
"Then she was taken 10 a hotel, where
she and Bywaters registered underan as
sumed name as man and wife He l. II
her again, saying he had TO come back 10
Culpeper for money. She had no doctor,
no nurse and was alone. When be got
back he found the doctor, for she had
telephOned for him. He also learn d
hat Philip aud his sister had been in
Washington looking for him.
so intent. however, was Bywatcrs
in having nothing to DO with the girl
that he pretended, after tie marriage,
that he was compelled to go to Culpeper
10 have the marriage announced. This
move was blocked by the Strother
boys, and they swOre they would Kill
him if he left their sister in her precari-
Gus condition. Bywaters then request d
that he be allowed to return to Culpsper
and announce the marriage TO his
mother. This was granted upon condi-
ton that he be driven to town 10y Philip
Strother. He refused, and again be WAS
told that if he attempted 10 leave he
would be killed.
He was killed, a. you are well aware.
bnt il was his fault. He had wrODRed
home. ruined a young life, but aside
from all this he was forgiven, provided
he stood 10y his marriage. He failed and
he paid the penalty. There was no
quarrel in the room OF his bride. lie
was shot by Phil and Jim Strother while
attempting 10 leave the girl whom he
had sworn tc love and protect.
you men Of families, concluded Mr.
Jeffries, know how the brother OF that
girl felt. Their sister had been ruined
and the man who had brought this
shame upon her had attempted to Hoe
from her at the time when he should re-
manned with her and helped her bear the
burden. We have put the facts before
you, and those OF you who believe that
the women OF this land shall not be
robbed Of their purity and virtue will
not fail to acquit the brotas.s u. this
wronged girl,
Before adjournment several witnesses
We're examined by both the pOsecutiun
and defense. including DR.. +. H. Lewis
coroner for Culpeper county, who held
the inquest over the body OF Bywaters At
the time OF the shooting. BY means OF q
wax figure brought into court DR.. Lewis
described infinitely the l3 wounds which
were received by the dead man. and in
order that the jury might more fully un-
derstand just where the bullets entered
the body and the number OF shots fired
the clothes which Bywaters wore were
also produced in court.
Ii was understood that Mrs. Viola
NByWaters was to have been q court
witness, but Commonwealth Attorney
Keith announced that the State would
not call her, whereapon Attorney John
l.. Lee stated that the defense would.
IL. q l. h.. HnaHaN