The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-28
RELATIVES JUSTIFY
DEED OF STROTHERS
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

I
ordeal for tie sake OF her brothers and
barred her soul 20 the gaze OF score or
more strange faced, plying men. Mira.
Gaines stood beside her, encouraging her
with look and tender little touches or the
hand. Several times the sick woman
faltered and hung her head, but again
courag eously took up the burden. Near
the end physical weakness nearly over
came her. She appeared 10 be in PAIN
and the prosecution courteously broke
of its gentle cross-examineuon and al
1 lowed her 10 be wheeled out Of the court
room.
Mrs. ByvRferS' story.
| Upon taking the witness stand Mrs. By
waters began her testimony.
What is your Manner she was asked.
Viola strother Bywaters."
How old are your
"Twenty-three years"
/ Witness said she was eighteen years Of
age when she left the Episcopal Female
Institute.
4 was nearer nineteen years. she cor
rected.
, How long had you known the gentle
man you afterwaTd married.
! Il had known him since 1 had worn
short dresses. she replied. Il was a
/ little child"
Tell the jury what was his manner
and department toward you, said Mr..
Lee
when I was a small child he treated
me Just the same as a brother would"
/ Before your fathers DEATH" said coun-
/ sci, did he treat you IN a manner TO indi-
cate he wanted to marry you?
He became more afrectonate after my
/ fathers death" she said.
/ After her fathers death. in 1904, she
stated, the family consisted Of her
mother. her sister Bessie. Philip, and her
/ self Her brothers, she said. were as
sweet and lovely 10 her as they could
/ possibly have been.
Z believe you were the baby girl OF the
/ family"
Yes. and the youngest child"
! After her fathers death the visits Of
Bywaters became more frequent. and his
conduct. she said, was that OF a brother.
! Now. my child" said counsel, tell the
/ jury when the improper relations first
began"
About four months before my mothers
death"
And when did she die?"
About fourteen months after my
/ fathers death
She Loved ByWHteTs.
Mrs. Bywaters then went on with her
story:
Il loved him and he said he loved me.
He told me ne would then have greater
love for me. and 7 thought II was true,
and believed in him. loved him and had
( confidence in him and felt that he would
marry me as he had promised 70 do.
/ When she realized her condition, she
/ said. she spoke to Bywaters and ne said
that she was mistaken. Bywaters sug-
gested an operation. She had no idea
what such an operation meant. and she
did not know anything else TO do. Finally
she consented. and early in October, on a
Tuesday. she went 10 Washington"
Did Bywaters go with you
NO"
When did You go?'
Il went at 1920 o'clock and he went at
9 o'clock.
Reaching washington too late to see
the physician, she stated, they went 70
the Montrose Hotel and remained over
night. The next day they went to the
doctors Office and she was operated upon.
Who was that doctor?" Mr.. Lee asked
''Dr. Leon"
The doctor. she stated. seemed angry al
Bywaters. but the latter did not resent
/ what he said. The operation was not sue
cessful and two weeks later they returned
to Washington, going TO the ONCE Of Dr
/ Walters.
What happened upon the occasion OF
the second visit2''
Doctor Advises Marriage.
"Dr. Walters said he could not help me
and told lis the Nbest thing we could dc
was 20 get married"
Witness wss then questioned with re-
gard to the time Bywaters was seen by
her brother Philip coming from the diree-
ton OF her room.
He sent for her brother Jim, she said
and. Of course. she entered a denial %
their acc lsatjons.
She was asked If Byvaters had COM
munIcated with her by letter after that
incident occurred. and she said he did
The letter was produced and identified
by witness
/ Attorney Lee read the letter. which was
/ addressed. My Dear own Viola" and
signed Yours forever. lovingly. Billy"
The letter was as follows.
MY own Dear Viola You just cant
imagine how ] feel just feel broken
hearted. never was as blue IN my life
You and ali your people have always
been so nice TO me, and now for then
10 suspicion me of a sneaking act. &
nearly kills me to think about il. ! cam,
down on the early train this morning anC
have been IN my room the most Of the
day. Never was troubled as much in my
life.
lie Met Brothers.
7 met Jim and Phil each last night and
was 50 IN hopes that they would mentor
the subject 10 me. was riding past and
they were driving in a trot. recognized
the horse and stopped. and we talkeG
about different things. and I was praying
for them 70 say something 10 me abou
the matter I would have mentioned IL
but though. probably YOU would not wan
them TO know you had said anything t.
me about IT,
Il am going 20 tell Phil the CirCum
stances when I see him again: that 7 wen
into the room TO see II there was a glas.
I could take a drink out OF, and I hearC
him open the hall door. and did not wan
him to see me attempting TO take a drinl
for fear It would tempt him.
Don't fall 70 come here Wednesday:
am anxious 10 sec you. ] viii sure NEE
YOU al the train, then you can go right uI
to Blanche Millers. | am so lonesome to
night to see you, dear. Write me as sooT
as you get this, if you can. Yours for
ever, lovingly, BILLY.
''P. S.-If Phil knows you said any hin;
TO me about the matter, suppose you reaS
part Of this lester to him. Do what yol
think best"
The letter. the witness explained, wa
Z rt-Y-if4ar In N4roeLfru4rr, M a. ~nr,fofraE ,