The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-26

were bullet wounds in his body and don't
think the defense viii attempt to deny
that the bullets came from revoivers in
the hands OF the defendants.
Question As to Escape.
THE defense win say that Bywaters
undertook to escape after the marriage;
we will show that he had no intention Of
escaping. They viii say that he was
! trying to escape from the window; we
will produce evidence to show that he was
shot in the room: that there were shots
fired down the stairs in the opposite di-
rection TO that in which the defense will
say Bywaters tried to escape; that there
was a shot fired through the window
blind which must have been closed at
the time. and If closed, how could By
waters try to escape through 1t; and that
the killing was a cold blOOded, deliberate
murder We viii show you that some
shots were fred at the PROSTATE body of
the already terribly wounded man. That
is all our case, gentlemen, and upon the
| evidence we shall introduce we confident
| ~ expect you to find the defendants
guilty"
Defense Is Outlined.
Attorney Jeffries began his statement
with an expression Of regret that the
prosecution had seen fit to necessitate the
raising Of the curtain on the story of the
relationship between Bywaters and Viola
Strother
7 had hoped" said counsel. that it
would not be made necessary for us 10
unfold the details Of this sad affair, but
inasmuch as the prosecution has forced
this upon us. I shall try TO tell the jury
the full story. VIII Bywaters lived here
for twelve years. He was born in the
county. Every one in Culpeper liked and
admired him for his bright, genial, happy
disposition. He had the confidence of
every one. About three miles from here
lived the Strothers, family respected
and loved by the entire community. They
numbered their friends by the hundreds,
and for generations had held the esteem
Of the residents of this part of the State.
Four strOther Children.
at the time when the story Of this
affair really begins, there were living at
the Strother home four Of the children
Bessie. Viola. Hunt, and Philip. Mother
and father We're gone. Bessie married,
and Hunt welded also. leaving Philip 20
take care Of Viola. who was at this time
nineteen years Of age. viii Bywaters.
second cousin to Viola and Philip. was
on the most intimate terms with the
family. He and Viola were recognized as
sweethearts, and he was received freely
1T the house. He was trusted absolutely.
But, alas. there was lacking in his
e character one essential element that goes
10 make a true man, and distinguishes
Us from lower forms Of life; he lacked
the proper estimate and value OF the
virtue OF a pure woman. He played upon
her affection until. with a woman's love
and that is something with which there
Is nothing 10 compare-she was willing
to trust herself 20 him body aud soul.
Soon afterward followed the inevitable
results of this relationship and she be-
came afraid that everything would be
come known and disgrace would fall upon
her and her family.
Byvaters Laughed at Her Fears.
''Yiola told VIII about It, but he only
laughed at her fears. She begged, him
TO marry her. but he said no, he was not
ready TO do that. Instead. he suggested
la trip TO Washington and an operation.
Viola protested tearfully. but finally
Z
was unsuccessful the first time, sec
ond trip was made and another physician
seen, who refused TO act in the matter,
and strongly urged VIII 10 marry Viola,
but he stll refused.
when they returned to Culpeper the
suspicious Of the family were aroused
Philip discovered the secret Of the re-
lations between them. and hestated be-
tween killing ByWaters then and there
and writing his brothers. He finally de-
cided upon the latter course. and wrote
10 James and French 10 come home
After a conference. the brothers talked
to Viola and told her OF their suspicious
and the confirmation through Philips
/ discovery. Viola denied absolutely the
truth of the accusation, and so strongly
did she deny II that the brothers thought
that after all they might be mistaken.
and that il would be we'll to wait and
7 watch.
Viola Warned Bywaters.
! Viola warned VIII Of the state Of af-
fairs, and the two used great discretion
/, in the future. just about last Thanks
giving Day il became necessary for
another trip 10 Washington. Viola beg
t ged VIII to marry her, but still he re-
fused, and the trip was made. You see
here how self predominated in Bywaters'
character"
Objection by Mr.. Keith overruled by the
court.
4 merely want TO show" continued
Mr.. Jeffries, that ByWaters was willing
J to risk his sweetheaTt's life rather than
do the honorable thing, and that he
never intended to marry her and was
b 40
revolver"
Second objection of Mr.. Keith over
ruled.
They went to Washington" said coun-
sell continuing, and the operation was
performed. On their return Viola was so
III that conCealment was no longer pos
sible, and a confession was wrung from
her lips by Viola's married sister, Mrs.
= Gaines, and the brothers. Even then By
waters showed his true nature when he
said that she was as much to blame as
he was.
said He should BE Killed.
French Strotaer told VIII that he
ought to be killed, and that he had al
most determined to do the killing. Then
! both VIII and Viola begged for his life.
He said that he had always loved Viola
. and wanted to marry her. The arrange
ments were made and the marriage took
place, as the prosecution has told you.
Now comes the question that every
|. one must ask, Why did the brothers shoot
Bywaters after he had married Viola?
There is but one reason possible. They
had seen to it that the honor of their
sister was protected and preserved the
! family pride, and there was no reason for
the shooting unless they knew absolutely
that Bywaters was about 70 desert his