The Washington herald., 1907-06-30
Special to The washington Herald.


Houston, Va, June 29-Judge William C.
Loving, Of Nelson County manager Of
the estate Of Thomas F. Ryan, who has
been on trial here this week for the muir
der of Theodore J. Estes walked from
the courtroom this afternoon a free man.
That was the verdict of the jury after
celebrating ffty-fve minutes. The YER
dict was received with shouts Of approval
In a statement issued at midnight, c0un-
sci for Judge Loving says it Is a fact that
Estes really attempted to attack Miss
Loving, but that he did not succeed.
The Estes family issued a statement
denying emphatically that an assault was
even attempted, and say they were pre-
pared to prove that fact,
The case went to the jury at 40 The
verdict was returned at 80. The agree
mont was reached on the first ballot
Members Of the panel said they believed
Loving was insane when lie killed Estes.
Hears Verdict Read.
The accused man. on being told to stand
up and hear the verdict read, was ap-
parently the coolest man In the building
H looked straight at the clerk, not a
muscle moving nor the least uneasiness
or fear being noticeable. The clerk read:
we, the jury find the defendant not
guilty"
After hearing the verdict Loving turned
TO his wife and caught her in his arms
and kissed her. His counsel congratu-
lated him. and for the first time # was
observed that tears were standing in his
eyes. Friends crowded around him and
shook his hand. and he went 90 the jury
box, accompanied by his wife and her
sister. thanking the members Of the jury
for their consideration and vindication.
When Judge Loving had been formally
discharged. he and his wife went 10 the
hotel where their daughter was awaiting
them. It was a dramatic meeting between
father and daughter She had been ap-
prised Of the verdict, and her joy had
given way TO tears. and when she saw
her father she spra g 70 his arms and
kissed him. The father, mother, and
daughter were quickly lost 10 sight in the
privacy Of their rooms.
Plead Unwritten Law.
There were four speeches by lawyers
to-day. Senator William P. Barksdale
opened the case for the defense this
morning. speaking less than half an hour.
He urged the people Of his county to
show their manhood and reverence for the
purity of women by freeing the man who
had dared 10 brave the penalty Of the
law in defense Of a woman.
r. Walton Moore. of Fairfax. devoted
his remarks 10 an exposition Of the law
and the instructions. saying that a liberal
Interpretation Of the latter could but re-
suit in Iiberating the accused man.
John L. Lee. Of LynchbuTg. made the
appeal to the jury for Justification Of the
act Of the man WHO was being made 20
answer for his defense Of his home. He
told Of his long friendship and acquain-
lance with Loving, and that the latter
had said to him that he did not care
what was done 10 him. but for Gods
sake protect my daughter" Mr.. Lee was
pathetic in his picture OF the destroyed
home and urged the jury not 10 place
another burden on the family.
Wood Bouldin closed for the State in a
speech of an hour and three quarters,
arguing the law i'm the case and the inter
probation 10 be given 20 the instructions.
His plea was for justice. not for ven
geauce.
Miss Loving Going Away.
Judge Loving viii return 60 his home in
Nelson and will resume his management
Of the Ryan estate. Miss Loving will go
70 a distant State for rest and recupera-
ton. She is almost a nervous wreck.
John P. Swanson. brother-in-law Of
Estes, I'm a statement this afternoon says
that the report that Estes family are to
+ titUte a civil suit against Loving is
incorrect and that nothing of the sort is
contemplated.
Alfred Baker, a negro witness, whose
testimony was ruled out and who was not
allowed 20 testify, became demented on
his return home and is bemoaning the
fact that he wanted to tell the truth.
sheriff Estes Disappointed.
Sheriff NJ K. Estes, Of Nelson County.
the father. was greatly disappointed at
the ruling Of Judge Barksdale by which
testimony 10 show the falsity Of Miss
Loving's statement was declared mad
Missile. It was her confession 10 her
father Of the happenings Of a buggy ride
on the night previous that caused Judge
Loving to XIII young Estes without warn
ing next day. Judge Barksdale held. as
Justice Fitzgerald did in the Thaw case
that the truth or falsity Of Miss Loving's
statement was not material. so long as
she had actually made the statement to
her father.
Sheriff Estes is one Of the substantial
citizens Of Nelson County He is wealthy
and popular He has lived I'm the county
all his life. and his father and grand
father were there before him. Pretty
nearly everybody In the county who is
not related 20 the Lovings is related by
marriage or otherwise 10 the Estes
family
II am not seeking vengeance" said
Sheriff Estes. Nothing is farther from
my desires. All I want to do is 10 clear
the good name Of my boy. II he was an
oss1ll8nt of women I want to know II
although should il prove true IL would XIII
ne. II he was not. and was the true
manly young gentleman 1 always believed
him 20 be, I want to know 1t. and I want
the world 10 know il I am getting along
IN years now, but my only desire Is 10
Continued Page 3, Column 4.
MINT In no With SiIveryyora