Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-13
VONDERM|LLER HELD
Preliminary Hearing on Charge
of Numbering Reeves.
HAD THREATENED TO KILL
Sought Arrest Of Brother-in-Law on
Day Of Tragedy.
FEARED VICTIM, HE SAID
Had Quarreled After Fishing and
Drinking Together-Story
Of Shooting.
HAD Threatened TO KILL
FEARED VICTIM, HE SAID

| Louis J. vondermiller. charged with the
murder Of his brother-in-law. John
Reeves, at Syphax station. on the morn
ing OF June 8, was held by the grand jury
without BAH. after a preliminary hearing
| this morning. The hearing was held in
Alexandria county courthouse, at Claren-
don. Va, before Judge Louis Da1bert
| Crandal Mackey, commonwealth attor-
ney, conducted the prosecution. The de-
tense was represented by the law firm Of
Moncure Wampler & Cloth Of Alexandria
county.
Vondermiller pleaded not guilty to the
charge of murder.
The warrant accused him of Staying
Reeves with a load of buckshot fired
with murderous intent. Frank Dennis.
special county police officer, and William
Reeves. a Washington fireman and a
brother of the victim Of the tragedy. were
the only witnesses.
Going to Kill Man.
Dennis told OF meeting Vondermller
about 1 o'clock in the morning. several
hours before the tragedy. Vondermiller
told Dennis that he was going to kill
man. Dennis advised him not to take
the law into his own hands. Wonder
miller talked to Dennis excitedly of his
trouble with his brother-tn-law Reeves
who, he said, had tried to choke MIS-
Vondermiller, Reeves sister.
Dennis urged him to get warrant Tor
the arrest Of Reeves, and went with MN
10 the home Of Constable Burke. Burke
was not home and they went 10 the
home of Judge Dalbert.
AS Dennis was entering the house Won
dermiller turned on his heel, declaring
he was going to kill Reeves beIore sun
rise Dennis made no attempt TO arrest
before he could say another word TO MIN.
Tried to Use Revolver.
Dennis saw the dead body of Reeves
later in the morning lying in the rail-
road station at Syphax. Under cross-ex-
animation Dennis said that Vondermiller
had admitted to him that he had snapped
revolver four or five times at Reeves
while he was choking Mrs. Reeves. but
that it would not go off.
Dennis said that he was unable to get
a straight idea of Vondermiller's trouble.
as Vondermiller talked in an excited ana
disconnected way when he met MN De-
fore the tragedy. Vondermiller told Den
mis- that he had tried to have ,b hee shes ar
office, where he was directed 10 some
other law officer.
Dennis explained that he did not put
Vondermiller under arrest for making
threats to kill, as he got out OF his way
at the same moment tnat ne uecidIeu HIS
purpose to Stay Reeves.
Held Reeves Bad Man.
Dennis told of one gun shell having
been found in the bushes about forty
wards from the railway. In place large
enough for a man to lie down the weeds
and grass at that point had been beaten
down. Tracks made by a mans feet We're
discovered. Dennis says that Vondermil-
Ter in the course Of their talk before the
tragedy, had told him that he and Reeves
had been fishing and drinking together
and that Reeves was bad man Wnen
drinking. Vondermiller SAID ne was
afraid to go home. as he had had trouble
before with Reeves and knew what he
was.
Walter Reeves. a fireman in Washing
ton was the other witness called by the
commonwealth. Reeves was on duty at
the quarters Of No. 2 truck on the MORN
ing Of the tragedy. when he received a
message that his brother was shot He
| hurried home. where he found the coroner
making an investigation. Vondermiller
met Reeves In Washington. where he
| came after he did the shooting. Reeves
| said that vondermiller admitted to him
| that he had killed his brother.
| Both Moderate Drinkers.
| Reeves testified that Vondermiller was
| a man who drank moderately at times,
| and that his brother also was usually a
/ moderate drinker. Fireman Reeves knew
of no great trouble between the pair be-
fore.
Vondermiller told Fireman Reeves
that he and Reeves brother had had a
fuss at Syphax Station and that he
told Reeves ne would give him one
more chance. Reeves stopped to pick
lup rock, said Eondermiller, and he
then shot him, and he fell across
the railroad tracks shot him again.
iNondermiller also told the dead man 5
brother that his victim choked Mrs.
Vondermiller the night before me
witness admitted that his brother was
Ieasily angered when drinking. He
would not take anything" from any
body at such times, said Reeves.
i Il went to the station / aimed my gun
at him and said. III give you one more
| chance He picked UP a rock and
\ shot at him. AS he fell on the railroad
tracks l shot again." Vondermiller told
Fireman Reeves the witness testified. Nc
witnesses were called by the defense and