Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-02-27
The Bfide.WIdoW Of The Victim Of
The StrolhsPs Brothers Well
Enough 10 Testify.
EYE WITNESSES TELL OF MURDER
Roy. Josiah Ware, the Minister
Who Performed the Ceremony.
Describcs That Solemn Ever.--
couhseI Have Several Lively
Tits During the Day

tCULpEPBR. VA. Feb. 26.-Cul-
OF t. cir apathy and begun 10 -, ~
and take notice of the many things
that are happening in tho trial OF
the S,rother brothers. who stand
charged with the murder of VIII
Rywatcrs. Curiosity has gotten the
better OF their sense of delicacy
Yesterday afternoon the court room
was packed and jammed with mascu
iiiie spectators. Today the crowd
was even larger.
One and all arc hoping 10 hear
the Testimony of Viola Bywaters. the
rhride-widow OF the murdered man
She was summoned for the State
TO testify against her defendant
brothers. but II became bruited about
mat she would not be asked to
lake the witness chair for the pros
ecution
Why this change has come about
remains TO he seen. There Is n
report that the commemorative At.
tcrqey and his associate, Captain
MiGsjah Woods. have never been
allowed to see tho widow save In
SIG pre- sence of seine member OF
/ hcra family, This the lawyers did
not care to do. They wanted an
interview uninfIenced by family In
aucnces mr. 20 interview at all.
Mr. Ieffer'es, In his opening state.
ment Yesterday. which was d scath.
Inc arra:cnmcnt Of Bywatcrs, indi
Gated many things that the widow
would tell about IL called MS n wilt.
ness. These things all pictured the
dr'd man H. most unfnvorablc
light and tended to excuse the shoot.
Ing done by the brothers.
State Made poor Start.
II is tie pretty general impress.
Ion that the prosecution made a
rather poor start yesterday. although
he proceedings were really prclim.
mary In thc'r nature Tho opening
statement made by Join l.. .Jcrfn.
les, for the defense on The other
sand, must have made powerful
immersion OH the jury.
Clerk w. t. Coons. the first wit
ness called today. testified as to BY
waters actions when the marriage
license was procured last Dccem
Der. Mr.. Coons thought VIolas age
was twenty-thrcc. Bywaters said
nc WAS TO br married about 4 p. ni
but that, his intended was quito
sick The testimony OF this witness
was m.mportant.
Minister Describes Marriage.
Rev. Josiah w. Ware, the fSpisco
pal minister who married tho couple
next testified. One of the Strothcrs
came for him about $3.50 O'Clock on
the day of the killing Arriving at
"Rothcrwood," the preacher was
shown into the parlor. where he
remained alone thirty minutes Then
IL was announced that all was ready
for tho ceremony. although Viola
was very nervous. In the sick room
were the bride. Bywaters and James
Strothcrs.
Viola was weeping; Bywaters was
remarkably composed Tho latter
was holding the girls hand, ant
twice before the ceremony he ask
ed bow she felt. Both parties re-
sponded audibly to the questions
asked by the preacher during the
ceremony
A plain gold ring provided by the
groom was used. Viola wore nc
other rings. The absence OF Miss
bessie Strothers, sister Of the bride
was explained by the statement thai
she had been mp nursing all night
and was very nervous. The parsons
fee. he stated. was $40. Jim Storth
crs handed over the money. Mr.
Jeferies sought to get witness &c
explain the promises eSacted OF the
bridegroom by the ceremony. Mr.
Ware answered by reading the ri,
nal. Whom the preacher first saw
Bvwaters i" was lcnning over Vic
las bed with his cheek close to
hers.
"Had Ruined His Sister"
i. B. Crump. neighbor of til,
Strnthers. next testified On thc
night Of tho shooting, whil" at homo
he heard the shooting. and a hu
man voice. whose words could moi
D" distinguished. Twenty minutes
later messenger from Phil Stroth
crs came for Mr. Crump Several
nccnie wcr6 then at "Rothcrwood.
Pailip Strothcr cxplaincd what had
been done. He said he shot BY
waters because the latter had ruined
his sister James also said ho had
nnt two shots into hiu. u,'innye
heincd to take The body of tho
| porch.
Witness 81 on crns. cyrtniuoIi,,,