Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-02-26

county clerk, went on the witness Stand
IA testify 10 the procurement OF license
lfor the Strother- Bywaters marriage on
December Is. Witness said he heard
James Strother, who was with Bywaters
when the license was obtained, say TO
bis fu'ure brother-in.lsw, 81 mean BUSH
ness" Clerk Ooous said the TWO wanted
10 bold q conference before obtaining
the license. He let them occupy his
room. Witness said Bywaters remarked:
"I'm going to be married at O'Clock. "
Rev josiah Ware told of being sum
moued 10 the Stother home aud Ia n
performing the marrisge ceremony. The
minister said be wss told the BRIDE. ore
was i'll in bed with typhoid fever, and
that the couple had peen engaged q
number of years. The bride wa given
away by her brother jams Bywaters
gsvs The bride a wedding ring, The
% mister said the license was handed
him by james Strother.
he i'd he saw thu Str Their boys ex-
tend he hand Of friendship to Bygaiers
and he was impressed With the idea that
all was harmony.
The N mister said Bvwsters vas lean
ing over Mrs. Bywsters kissing her when
he left rbe ROOM.
L. B Crump said be was summoned
to the Strother home after the shooting.
Witness said Ph lip remarked on the
night OF the tragedy: 81 did IL because
be ruined my sister. We made him
marry her, but he tried TO run away
and sbo him."
D-puty Sheriff Bowersett said there
we're ia iications that the shooting was
done 10 Mrs. Bywsters' room. Parts OF
the blind were found on the HJor and
bu lets we're buried 10 the wal.
Mr.. X it'll announced that the jury
would he taken to the scene If the tray
edy Immediately after dinner.
Attorney Lea asked what was he
prosecutions plan about calling Mrs.
Viola Bywaters as witness.
Commonwealth Attorney Keith an-
nouuced that, 10 view of the fact that
the prosecution had not been allowed to
intervie@ Mrs ByWaters, she would D. t
be called as a witness for the State.
MIR. Lee replied: 80 long rs ny
voice and the voices of my colleagues
control this sItustion. that youn1 woman
shall never he interviewed by any man
uOless in the comp ny of one of her
f-mal- relatives. TusI opportunity has
always oeen open to the prosecution
We will put her on the stand and let
the jury SEE her pitiabie condition and
b or the story from her own lips"
Mr.. Keith said he did not care to in
terview Mrs. Bywsters in the presence
witness for the defense
judi Q Harrison said be would clear
The curt room Of spectators when Mrs.
Bywalers went on the stand.
John G Lennon, said be lived near
the Strother bone and heard the shoo-
iug He said Philip Strother admitted
that he killed By~sters and said b.
eould do the same thing over again.
James said: II want you to unders AID
bat l did some OF that shootin | d d
my duty"
Lsmon said he found Bywaters alive
on the roof and told of the death Strug
gle and calls "mother" and water.
The father of Bywsters and james
Strother wept as the story was told.
After the shooting Jim leaned over
ard kissed and Rugged VIOLA" said the
wi ness. "She cried, and said, j m, |
lied like houni dog to YOU, but l will
tell all, all She wruug her hands and
said. Il can never lift up my head
sgsin.' Jim said, mo you can't live 10
Culpeper after this "