Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-03-01
TIE srRnrHERs Trial.

told Of how be shot Bywsters. COntlnn-
ing he said I then ceased shooting
and went to the phone and sent for the
sheriff and later talked to Judge CHM
sley, whom I informed Of the death Of
Bywaters.
Asked if his brother Phil got out OF
the window at all during the shooting,
the prisoner replied that he did not, bu!
remained in the room,
Strother, in reply to a question from
his attorney as to whether be really
meant to kill Bywaters when he attemp-
ted to leave the house, said that be did.
"Just as soon as be tried to desert Viola, "
added the witness, 81 had no thought
but 10 kill him. was like wild beast,
and no power on earth could have pre-
vented me from taking his life "
At the request Of counsel the prisoner
then gave further facts concerning his
family. He told of the purchase OF
the old plantation because it had been
10 the family for 80 many generations,
and he desired that the StrotheTs should
continue to own it. he then touched
upon bis great love for Viola Bywaters.
al have always been devoted to her, "
said he, "ior she was the youngest child
and the favorite of my mother, who on
her deathbed called noe to her and said,
Jun, take care of her. You are the
only one she can look to
At the afternoon session Philip Stroth-
or, the other brother charged with the
murder of B, waters, was called to the
stand. Mr.. Moore, counsel for the de-
fense, conducted the examination.
Witness explained that he was 25
years old, and had been living at Roth
erwood all of his life, aud since his faith
er's death had conducted all the farm
work.
When Intercepted concerning his
Grst supicions that Bwaters was having
improper relations with his sister, tho
witness said that he began to have fears
10 this direction after the night lie had
seen Bywaters crossing the ball in his
night clothes.
"What did you do then 30
III wrote to my brother Jim. Tor he
was older than myself, and / looked %
him for advice"
The prisoner then referred 10 his trip
to Washington with Mrs. Gaines, and
the subsequent telegram sent asking his
brother Jim to come to Culpeper, and
said that bis brother Immediately came
to Cnlpeper at his solicitation.
CATER sending the telegram" he
continued, al returned to Culpeper
myself from W Washington, met my broth
ers Jim and French at the Office OF Or.
John Strother, where / was told that
Viola, who arrived home ahead of me,
had admitted all 10 my brothers az
RotherwoGd and that the marriage had
been q reed upon
Further questioned, the prisoner said
that he was the first. II meet Bywaters
alter the marriage mad been agreed upon
and that the latter stated he was perfect
~ willing to marry the girl. lie said
that Bywaters accompanied him to the
clerks Office TO get the license, when
they met his brother, James S;rolher
and requested that the marriage be post
pOned.
'rThe marriage vas insisted upon, and
| took BywaIers out to Rotherwood in
my buggy that afternoon and witnessed
the marriage that night"
'Did you expect any trouble resulting
from this marriage ~ asked the counsel.
"None whatever We felt perfectly
satisfied after the marrisge"
"Did you take any partin the CONVEX
sation down stairs when Bywaters and
Mr.. Gaines had words down stairs '
No | was not present
Witness then said that nothing further
happened until Jim Stro,her went up
stairs and asked Bywaters what he was
going to do.
eve thought" he said, "BYwaters
was going to escape, and we we're watch
ing him ~
"What happened after yonr brother
made this remark TO Bywater,
All Of rs remained in the room for
awhile, when Bywaters, who was sitting
by the bed of my sister, rushed down
stairs, but was stopped by my brother
rn.law and brought back into the room.
Immediately Bywaters darted out Of the
window, which was near the bed upon
which my sister lay.
"What did you do then 90
"Both Jim and myself advanced TO
he window and began shooting. 1 had
tTo pistols on my person, one which
had been IN my p session, and ! fired
several shots, omptying my revolver, |
believe"
Answering a question propounded by
Mr. Lee, the witness stated that he did
DOT get out Of the window, which Was
lpen all the time, nor did he shoot after
Bywaters was down. He stated that he
did not see him fail, but when be DIS
covered that he had fallen he ceased
firing.
Mr.. Moore then questioned the wit
ness concerning the finding of Il cuff
button on the roof belonging to him.
ShIch would indicate that he had gotten
out of the window in his pursuit of By
waters. Witness admitted that it be
IOnged to him, but was knocked ont OF
nis sleeve by his arm striking against
tho blind OF the window.
The attorneys for the defense then
turned the witness over to the counsel
for the prosecution, and for q halt hour
be was subjected to severe examination
at the hands of ac!iog Prosecuting At