Evening star., 1911-06-05

LOUIS J. vONDERMILL.ER.
hawks that had been stealing his
chickens Louis J. Vondermiller. an en-
ploye of the bureau OF engraving and
printing, who resides at Syphax Sta
tion, Va. this morning borrowed q gun
from -4aurice Ferguson and less than
thirty minutes later he shot and killed
John Reeves. his brother -in-hw
The shooting followed q family row.
llr being charged that Reeves had slapped
vondermiller's wife. his sister, yester.
day. The two families live in one
house on the old Syphax estate near
the Falls Church electric line.
Following the shooting. which occurred
shortly after O'Clock this morning. Won.
dermiller disappeared. About 1890
o'clock, while Commonwealth Attorney
CrandaI Mackey was conducting an In
quest over the body OF Reeves. and tho
Jurors were writing the verdict. Wonder
miller was brought into the room hU
william I. Reeves a brother Of the slain
man.
Fell on Knees Before Body.
A dramatic scene was enacted when
vondermiller fell on his knees over the
body of his victim and said: Il wish q
had been me instead Of you.''
William Reeves. who Is q member OF
fire trucn company No. OF this city. ~
torted: "You ought TO have thought OF
that before You went there and shot ham
in the back like a coward"
Following the Interruption. the jury
proceeded to complete its verdict. whioh
recites that Reeves was shot from behind
and that he died from thirty-seven
wounds In the head. The gum was loaA-
ed with buckshot
The shooting took place at the railway
station where Reeves was awaiting . car
to bring him to this city.
Following the family row yesterday
Reeves and Vondermiller went fishing
near the southern end OF the Highway
bridge. Intoxicants were INDUCED In. and
when Vondermiller returned homo last
night he charged that Reeves h4d
choked him and tried to throw him Into
the river.
Wanted Reeves Arrested.
According to friends. vondeTmiller spsnt
a night OF fear. He appealed TO the po-
lice authorities Of Alexandra county and
asked that Reeves be arrested for threat
ending his life Unable to get assistance.
vonder1niller remained away from homo
all night. Reeves having returned homo
and gone to bed
Commonwealth's Attorney MAckey OtA1-
ed at the inquest that Vondermiller call
ed him over the telephone last night
about IL o'clock and asked that he have
Reeves arrested. He referred him to
Constable Burke. telling him Burke was
on duty at Luna Park and that Burke
would not leave there until late. He went
to Burke's house. said the common
wealth's attorney, reaching there before
Burke returned home. He refused to tell
Mrs. Burke what he wanted with her
husband.
quarters OF No. 2 truck this morning
when he received q message that his
brother was iii. He left the quarters 20
make an investigation and shortly after
ward he te!ephoned the captain that he
learned his brother had been shot.
Before noon he reached the house where
the body OF his dead brother was the
subject OF investigation by the coroner.
He had hold of the prisoner when he
entered the house. only releasing him
when an officer took charge OF him.
1t was explained that Vondermiller came
to the city after he did the shooting ana
saw the brother OF his victim. He said Il
was his intention to return to Alexandria
county and surrender to Sheriff Palmer.
Reeves was careful to remain with him
until he was turned over to the sheriff.
Said to Have Been Drinking.
County officers said this afternoon that
yonderrailler was under the influence Of
uouor when he was turned over to the
sheriff. He was still suffering from the
effects OF the liquor when he reached the
Jail.
This morning Reeves. who y SAID %
have been intoxicated last might. ate
breakfast with his wife and started from
boma with his lunch basket, going to the
station. only about loo yards from the
house, to catch the 1:15 car to 80 to
work at the Agricultural Departments
where he was employed as gardener.
A charge OF big shot in the right side
of Reeves head ended his lite just be-
fore the 7:15 car reached the station.
Vondermiiler stood over the dying form
Of his victim q few minutes and then
walked quietly 20 his house. Arriving