The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-08
STROTHERS SET FREE.
coNTINuED PROM FIRST PAGE.

CONTINUED PROM FIRST PAGE
into the falling snow free and acquitted
men, They went at once to the Virginia
Hotel, where a joyful family reunion was
held
When seen at the hotel, James Strother
expressed his relief and happiness 81
broken tones. My wife and / are very
happy and greatly relieved" he said
Mrs StrOther was not as sure OF the
oatcome as !. but we both counted on
acquittaL II Is especially gratifying to
know that my brother and I were tried
by a strange judge and jury and found
innocent Of wrOngdOing. ! want 70 pub
licly thank everybody that has stood BY
US through this ordeal and especially
those who are strangers 10 Us, but whose
letters and messages Of support helped Us
greatly in the crisis"
Praise for Judge Harrison.
Phillip Strother had little to say. Il
never doubted what the verdict would
be-" he said with a smile. and at no
time was I uneasy"
Counsel for the defense and prosecution
were unanimous in their praise of Judge
Harrison. They spplauded his rulings
throughout the trial. and acquiesced gen
orally in the suggestion Of Attorney r
Walton Moore that the Court OF Appeals
Of Virginia would be graced by the ap-
pointmcnt Of Judge Harrison 10 that
body. to which end there is a movement
on foot throughout the State.
Mr. and Mrs. James STROLLER and Mr..
French Str0ther viii leave for their home
in WeIch, W. Va, tomorrow. and II is
expected that Phillip will accompany
them for short visit
Mrs Viola ByWsters is still critically I'D.
bat as soon as she is able 70 travel she
VII! go 20 West Virginia 70 recuperate
and try to forget the drama in which she
played so important a part.
story of the Tragedy.
Judge Harrison's words to-day marked
the close of trial that will 60 down In
history as one OF the most remarkable
cases on record in Virginia. William +.
Bywaters. killed on December Is last by
James and Philip Strother, was the sec
ond cousin Of the brothers. Both families
lived in Culpeper County, and their names
are among the oldest and most hOnOTed ia
the State Viola StrOther was the baby
~ the family. and ByWaters, seven years
her senior, made a pet Of her as did every
other member Of the family. When she
became Of age. Philip Strother was the
only male member Of the family here. and
had the care of his younger sister By
waters was admitted 10 the house freely,
and regarded as a member Of the family
He and Viola had become sweethearts,
and il was expected that they would
marry some day. Bywaters often came
20 the house and stayed over night as pro-
tector Of Viola and her sister Bessie while
Philip was away on business.
Bywaters violated the trust imposed in
him. When the danger Of exposure came
be east aside her pleas for him TO marry
her and insisted that she come to Wash
ington for an operation. Three trips were
made. Bywaters brought the girl back 70
CulDeper in almost dying condition.
The Wedding. Flight, and Killing.
Her brothers suspected the condition OF
affairs and finally forced a confession
from Viola and Bywaters. French
Strother told Bywaters he was going
to XIII him, but Viola pleaded for his life,
and her brother agreed that o marriage
should take place and the affair kept
from the public Bywatcrs married the
girl Saturday. December i. in the pres
euce of James and Philip Strother. I'M
mediateIy after the marriage he tried 20
get away and come to town. The brothers
feared he intended 10 desert their sister
and force an annUlmeut of the marriage
under the laws Of the State.
They determined 90 watch him. A few
minutes later. when the family group
was standing at the sick girls bedside
Bywaters made q dash for the stairs.
Ph Up fred at him but missed. Bywaters
encountered +. J.. Gaines, brOther-iH-law
20 the Srother boys, at the foot OF the
stairs and was forced back 10 the room.
He darted 10 the window and leaped out
as both brothers advanced and fred upon
him. Philip ran 10 the window and
emptied two revOlvers in the direction OF
the sound made by Bywaters on the tin
roof Of the porch below. James ran down
into the yard and emptied his revolver
upward at the dim form he could see in
the darkness.
When Bywaters was found on the roof
by uegh5ors, who arrived few minutes
later. he was dying with thirteen bullet
wounds in his body. James and Philip
Strother surrendered TO the sheriff OF the
county and were placed under bonds and
allowed their liberty