Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-02-21
The strO hers Trial.

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Culpeper, Feb. 21.-With no defense
save the ''uuwritteu law" as il has been
Knocked in the South for generations to
protect the honor Of wife, sister or daugh.
ter, Philip aud James Strothsr went on
trial here today for their lives. Their
billing of William F. Bywaters is not
denied. They fred eleven shots into
By Aaters IS he was att mpting to escape
from the Srothers home after they had
comp lied him to marry their sister
Vida, whom be had seduced.
TIL prominence socially and politically
OF the families Of the prisoners and tn cir
victims, together with the sensational
circumstances surrounding the tragedy,
has attracked the attention OF the entire
S nth. The little town was crowded to
day by the friends of the two families
and tbrongs of outsiders who come for
miles by rail and in carriages and on
horseback to witness the opening Of
what promises 10 be one of the most not
able trials ever held in this section of
the country.
James Strother, one of the defendants
Is a leading lawyer OF Welcb, W Va,
and member OF the legislature of that
ate. He happened to be home on a
visit at the time of the tragedy.
The victim, Bywaters, was o clubmsn,
horseman, hunter and leader in the
social act of this county. Viola Strother,
h bride of an hour, was one Of the vii
lsge bellies.
Esrly in December last Viola return
ed from a visit in Washington Ill. Ply
siclans were sent for, aud to them she
confessed that Bywaters had accom-
Iauled her to Washington where, in the
a tempt to conceal the consequences OF
their relations, be bad caused criminal
operation to be Performed upon her. Sue
had remdioed 10 w shington two weeks
under his care, and that of notorious
doctor of that city.
Her confession was repeated TO heI
brothers, Philip and James They lost
no time in hunting out Bywaters aud
under threats OF his life inducing him Ia
marry the girl. According to their Story
he professrd repentance and his love fol
Viola, aud promised 10 make her a
good husband. The brothers procured O
license, and that evening the marriage
took place. Viola lay desperately sick
in bed. The Ceremony was scarcely per-
formed when Bywaters said that be
must return to Culpeper, some four miles
from the Strother home He was told
by the girls brothers that he must re,
main and care for her, and they refused
to listen to his promise to come back
later in the evening. A few minutes
afterward he started 10 leave but was
confronted by another member of the
family. He then ran upstairs, through
The girPs roonl, and 'bolted for the win
dow, apparently intending to climb down
from the porch roof. Just as he step
ped out of the window, and in sight Of
his girl bride, the two Strother brOther'
who had followed him, opened fire. By
waters fell on the roof dead, his body
riddled.
The Strothers will claim that By
waters inteoded absolutely to desert
their sister. 10 which event her shame
" uld be published to the community.
Also, under the Virginia law, he weu d
have been able later to procure a divorce
on the grounds of duress and The fac!
that he had not lived with his wife after
the ceremony.
The prosecution will claim that By
waters had fulfilled his duty 10 marry
ing the girl, and that his death was 8
cod-blooded murder.
Oh account OF the relationship Of
Judge Gdmsley, Of the Culpeper circuit,
to the Bywaters family, Gov. Swanson
des gnated Judge Thomas W. Harrison,
of Winchester, to try the case. The
bast l-gal talent in Virginia will repre-.
sent the defendants, John Jefiries, Of
Norfolk, being chief counsel. Micajab
Woods, OF Charlottesville, noted for hi:
prosecution of the famous McCue case
was retained by the Bywsters family TO
assist the pr secution.
Before 10 o'clock this morning the
clans began gathering in the court house
here for the rial. Judge Harrison aud
the lawyers were prompt TO arrive. The
accused brothers Philip and ] mes, oc-
cupltd seats within the bar, while near
them sat considerable number of their
male relatives.
Mr. Keith, Commonwealth Attorney,
stated that counsel on both sides had
agreed that it was inexpedeut to get a
jury from Culpeper. After some dis
cussion the lawyers agreed to leave th 9
to the bench. Judge Harrison, of WIZ
ster, stated he would prefer for the
jury to come from his circuit and coun-
sci readily acquiesced in thIs.
Deputy Sher q Bowersett accordingly
was directed to 20 to Shenandoah county
FIR fly men and the order was made
a 4 4