Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-26
THE LOVING TRIAL.

Houston, Va, June 25.-The trial of
Former Judge Loving, charged with
the murder of Theodore Estes, was re
sumcd today. At the adjournment of
| court yesterday the defendant had just
begun to relate a conversation with
his brothcr-in-law, Harry Sneede who
told of the alleged drugGing of his
| daughter which led to the killing when
| the attorneys for the prosecution OBJ
| jectcd on the grounds that Judge Low
| inG's statement would be hcarsay evil
| denCe.
No women of either side were in
court today. Among the relatives, who
+, were seated beside the defendant were
his brother, Major J. Thompson Low
ing and his son, w. G.. Loving, Jr. At
| torney STROBE for the defence argued
| in favor of the admissibility of the
conversation with Sneede and Attor-
neys Harmon and Vouldin replied.
Judge Barkdale finally allowed
Judge Loving to relate the cOnversa-
ton with Snccde, thus sustaining the
| defence.
When the judge had concluded his
remarks the jury was brought in
Judge Loving then took the stand and
! continued his testimony from the point
| where he stopped yesterday. He said
| that on the morning of April %. Harry
Sncede came into his office and with
some hesitation said that while he
| (Sneede) was out buggy riding on the
evening prior. he saw Elizabeth Low
| ing and Theodore Estes out riding.
!. r. l.. Kidd came to the home Of
F,,.
| ing that Miss Loving had returned
from her buggy ride in had condi-
ton Continuing The witness said:
"Srccdc went to the room at Mrs.
Kidd'G and saw Miss Loving in bed.
She Was dCIirouS and her condition
WAS pitifuI. Snccdc said that in the
parI-r nr til" Kidd home he saw Mrs.
Kidd and Theodore Estes told them he
! would 80 for Il doctor. Estes, however,
insisted in getting q doctor himself.
DR.. Strothcr arrived and she did not
recognize him.
Hairy said that he returned home
that night and decided to tell me. I
was shocked and sent for my wife and
daughter. After dinner | asked Eliza
beth in my room and told her of the
conversation with Harry SncCde. She
got down on her knees and between
sobs said that Theodore Estes request
ed her to 80 buggy riding. They drove
down to the house where Theodore
Estes lived ana he got ont and re-
manned for some time. They then
drove, She said III the direction Of
Gap. While returning Estes produced
a bottle of WhiSlcy and offered her a
drink, but later did take drink and
in second felt dizzy and queer. She
requested him to drive fast and return
home instead Of continuing to LivinEs-
ton. He went rapidly up the mountain
in an opposite direction. After that she
became unconscious and did not knoW
what happened. When asked If Estes
had assaulted her she said Estes had
forced himself upon her and she had
only a faint recollection.
This revelation came to me like q
thundcrbolt from q clear sky. | loved
my daughter and no power on earth
could have restrained my hands" Tho
witness then began to weep. C"ntin-
ing Loving said:
an this condition Of mind I went out
intending to put that man to death. /
Saw Estes in car with two negroes
ana waved them aside and said to
Estes You are the young man who
takes Young ladies out driving ana
drugs and ruins them: I heard no
reply and when he made a motion as
to leave the car ! shot him. ! then
surrendered myself to the nearest
magistrate
The witness in reply TO questions
stated that for two months prior TO the