New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28
MRS. BYW4TERS'S STORY.
Placed on the Stand to lid tie De
fence Of Her Brothers.

Culreper. Va Feb, Mrs William Bywaters
whose husband Killed by her brothers James
and Phiip Strother December l. last. was the
principal witness in their trial to-day. She was
placed on the stand by counsel FOR the defence
and although compelled 10 into court in an in
valid's chair maintained her composure. and when
court adjourned for luncheon had completed her
direct and cross examination.
Beginning with her early association with the
dead man and with her love for him. she told the
jury OF her betrayal under promise OF marriage Of
her pleadings with Bywaters to make reparation. OF
Bywaters's insistencc upon criminal operation. OF
her refusal at FIRST. and then her agreement and
visits with Bywaters 20 Washington, where two
operations were performed. When her condition
became known to her brothers and she confessed
they demanded of her betrayer that he Immediately
marry her. In answer TO Il question. she said that
She did not think that Bywatcrs At first intended
to marry her. She dos erbed the restless desire
Of Bywaters to !, We her within a short time after
the ceremony aud then OF her brothers opening
fire upor him. She was unable to give minute de-
tails of the shooting. she too overcome by
the excitement Of the moment.
The trial Jagged somewhat at the afternoon SEES
sion, the defence calling only two wltnesses-Mrs
Edward l.. Gaines. sister. and George French
Strother, brother of Mrs Bywaters.
Those who crowded INTO the little courthouse
We're 80 nsistent that Judge Harrison ordered tho
room cleared. ana the proceedings were heard by
only the court officials and jury, the counsel and
into the Strother home, his affection for Viola and
the circumstances leading to the tragedy. She de
clarcd repeatedly that her brothers did not enter
tain the remotest thought of killing Bywaters up
to tho time Of tae shooting.
While an actual witness TO The shooting Mrs
Gaines displayed but haZy recollection OF the
words passed between Bywaters and her brothers
in the bedroom immediately before the latter opened
fire. She remembered, however. that Philip had
fired the first shot Bywaters rushed past her in
an attempt To escape down the back stairway. The
presence Of Mr.; Gaines IL the lower room. she
added, prevented flight in that direction. when
Gaines forced Bywaters back into the bedroom he
made second attempt to escape, this time through
open window ana onto the roof OF the rear
porch, both James and Philip strother then open
Ing fire She stuck steadfastly TO the statement
that her brothers had hred most of the shots
through the window after Bywaters ched the
roof, and not while he in the room as the
prosecution contends
George French StrotheTs testified that he came
here in December with his brother James because
of reports about his sister being away from home
He said that while he did not favor marriage
between his sister and Bywaters, he agreed to the
ceremony after lis brothers had persuaded him
that it would be the only way cover their sis
ter's shame His testimony like that OF Mrs
Gaines, was emphatic that none, of the brothers
thought OF killing Bywaters until they were con-
WINGED he intended to abandon Viola that night