The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-01
JURORS IN TEARS
AT STROTHER STORY
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE
affair by a telegram from Philip again
asking him to come TO Calpeper He and
French Strother went at once. Philip
deceit as to her address, and they waited
for her return. She came the night Of
Thursday. December 10.
They decided they would not question
her Thursday night, he said-that they
would wait till F'riday-but Viola came
downstairs and kissed him. She said:
Jim, / guess you think I'm guilty now,
but I'm not"
He questioned her and she admitted
she had not been at Rectortown.
Il asked her what she was doing in
Washington" he said. "and she said she
went there to have her back treated. She
denied everything absolutely, and I told
her to go to bed that We would talk It
over in the morning"
Did Not Want to Meet Bywaters.
Continuing, he said he did not see By
waters Friday morning. and did not want
to see him. He told Of what had been
said 10 him about the confessions of his
sister and Bywaters, French giving him
the information
1T was after dark when / reached
Rotherwood Friday night he said. and
Viola was in bed-in a dying condition, l
thought Viola told me practically what
she said'in court yesterday but not all.
as she was so weak / would not let her
talk too much.
The marriage was agreed upon" he
said, and when I was about 10 start 10
town I asked when the marriage was 10
take place. Had any time been fixed? l
| inquired. French told me to leave that
to him"
Saturday morning he went fully into a
| discussion Of the secret relations between
his sister and ByWateTs. desiring to de-
termiue il ByWateTs was sincere In the
matter OF wanting 90 marry her They
decided, witness said, that the marriage
should take place without delay and be-
/ fore Bywaters had an opportunity TO
| leave town.
Deceased Sought Delay.
At that time" said defendant, BY
waters did not know Of the conclusion
they had reached for an immediate mar
riage. Bywaters thought the marriage
would not take place for a month or six
weeks Philip told me Of a converse
/ ton he had with Bywaters that day, in
which Bywaters asked for postpone
ment Philip also told me that when
/ they reached the clerks office Bywaters
again asked for a postponement"
/ Defendant then told of going to the
! courthouse and meeting Bywaters. The
/ latter shook hands with him and called
/ him Cousin Jlm," although he had not
addressed him In such manner for sew
/ erai years.
81 called him VIII" stated the de-
/ PENDANT
/ Defendant told Of his offer to advance
money to be used in purchasing a home
( for Bywatcrs and Viola and starting him
lin business. stating that everything should
/ be in her name. Bywaters was still anX-
/ ious o. postpone the marriage, thinking
suspicion might be aroused by the mar
! rage taking place SO soon after the re-
/ turn Of Viola from Washington.
4 told him Viola would do anything for
him-that she would die for him and was
willing 10 die for him this morning,
/ Il WAS agreed to have the marriage per
formed at 8 o'clock. and 10 explain that
I the hastv marriage was the result Of his
sisters illness OF typhoid fever
I Bywaters Finally Agrees To Marry.
Defendant drove the minister out 10 the
Imony DIT Strother declined 20 go be-
Icause he was indisposed. When witness
reached the house and went to Viola $
room he found Bywaters there. Again,
I h. said. "ByWatcrs asked for a postpone
ment TO some future time. giving rs his
/ reason that Viola wanted a church wed
ding. He was always after "a postpone
lmenL Ten minutes was consumed ia this
conversation. Bywaters urging delay.
Defendant became impatient and di-
rected Philip 20 send the minister home
/ He also told him 10 telephone for French
to come home.
/ ''Bywaters then raised his hand. said
tie defendant. "and said he wanted 20
U-arry Viola ana nurse her through her
/ Illness. Minister Ware then performed
/ the ceremony. his fee. so having been
paid him. Bywaters did not have SO, and
witness paid part Of tho fee.
/ Il was dark. and il WAS necessary 10
Hight the lamp in order that the minister
might read the ceremony.
Then I stopped and kissed Viola. said
/ James, "and shook hands with BywateTs
/ 1 had accepted everything In good faith,
and had no more idea Of any trouble fol-
lowing than D have that I am going 10
drop dead now.
Il told Bywaters that Viola was bis
wife and that it WAS his duty to nurse
and care for her.
He then repeated to Bywaters the lnan-
cial offer ne had previously made, but
/ Bywaters paid no attention to what he
said.
Makes Excuses to Leave.
1T was all horrible TO me, - said defend
ant He would have paid more attention
to a hound dog than he did to Viola.
Fifteen or twenty minutes later I was
again IN the room with Bywaters and
Viola. Then Bywaters said he wanted tc
go 10 town He said he wanted 20 tel
his mother Of the marriage and get out
announcement cards. Another excuse was
that he wanted to get more clothes.
IT reasoned with him, and told him OF
the promises he had made. I reminded
him that his duty was to his wife; that
there was TO woman in the house eX-
cept Viola. and she needed his presence
and attention
/ "Bywaters' conduct indicated that he in
tended to desert Viola and leave the coun-
try that night. Finally an offer was mad,
that Philip would take him TO town if he
would return with him. He was willing e
go with him. but he was not willing tC
return. Philip and ! went to the dining
/ room and Bywaters was somewhere near
Mrs. Gaines came in, and was told of the
marriage. The question of Bywaters re-
naming was again discussed, Bywaters
saying, Here's Nellie; she can stay with
/ Viola
Mrs. Gaines said she could not remain
and during the conversation Bywaters be
came abusive, vindiCtIve. and self.
| ncen,.tirn Ar Izuinrs Than had the Il M