The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-11
MAY Be FURTHER
ARRESTS IN Case
Suspect Others OF Guilty knowledge
OF the Murder of MIS-, James
Rufus Wilson.
DID NOT ATTEND TRIAL
Neither Mother Nor Brother OF Con-
denIned Men Were Present When
They Were On Trial for Their Lives.

Especial to The Richmond Virginian.l
Bristol, Va, May 10.--Rumors are
current that there may be further
arrests In connection with the fiend-
ish violation and murder of Mrs.
James Rufus Wilson, for which Luther
and James Canter, brothers, were las
week sentenced to death after one
of the most sensational trials of Its
kind ever held in Southwest Virginia.
After the case of James Canter was
disposed of late Saturday afternoon.
the officers got a clue that others
proba bly, had guilty knowledge OF
what is considered the most atrocious
crime ever perpetrated in Washing
ton County.
Luther Canter was convicted upon
his own confession. The circum-
stances in the case all pointed to the
guilt of James Canter. but none to
the guilt OF Luther Canton, exc apt
the iatter's confession. In his con-
fession he stoutIy maintained that his
younger brother James Canter, had
no Fart in the murder or any knowf-
edge of 1t. However. the jury cor
victed James Canter on circumstanffal
evidence and under an instruction or
the court that he could be convicted
of murder in the first degree, even
though not present when the murder
was committed, If the jury believed
that he in any way aided and abetted
In she crime. 1t was shown tEst
James Canter had been infatuated
with Mrs. Wilson for a year or more.
that he had made statements con-
corning carnal desires toward nor.
that blood was found on hts overaits
after the tragedy. He told conflict
ing stories as to his whereabouts ut
the time of and before the tra gedy.
However, he vigorously maintained
that he had no part in 1t or any
knowledge of it.
Did Not Attend Trial.
circumstance that was comment
cutien was that neither the boys'
mother. Mrs. John Canter. nor their
elder brother Will Canter, attended
the trial. 1t was claimed that II
James Canter were at home at the
time of the murder as he claims, that
they should have brought in the
mother and brother to testify to this
important fact.
The two brothers are under sem
tence to die in the electric chair at
Richmond June IL. Many believe
James Canter will finally confess his
part in the crime, while others think
there Is a bare possibility of his in
nocence and that he may go TO his
death averring his entire innocence.
Judge n. r. Oglesby, OF this city,
who defended the Canter brothers,
having been appointed to do so be-
cause of their inability to engage
counsel, Is confident that James Can
ter Is innocent of any completely In
the murder of Mrs Wilson. and be-
lieves that Luther Canter. for whom
he put in a plea of guilty, perpetrafed
the crime unassisted by his younger
brother. He says that IT Is singular
that the Commonwealth, with no
other evidence of his guilt except his
confession, believed Luther Canter 70
the extent OF taking his life but re-
fused to believe him when he said that
his brother. James Canter. had no
connection whatever with the tragedy
Feeling Ran High.
Feeling in Washington County ran
so high that II was necessary to rush
the brothers to Roanoke for safe
keeping. after their arrest on Aprii
"a They were brought back to Ao-
ingdon and tried under guard OF one
hundred and fifty men armed with
Winchester rifles While many doubt
whether the brothers were ever In
any actual danger OF mob violence,
the concensus of opinion is that Judge
Preston w. Campbell took wise pre-
caution in furnishing the guard Tor
| the accused men.
James Canter. since his condemna
ton, declares that he did not have
| fair trial and that he Is innocent
Whether he and his brother. Luther
Canter. will go to their death assert
| ing James Canter's innocence, Is a
matter of speculation here. The ma
iority of the people who heard the
! trial feel confident that James Can
/ ter will confess his part in the viola
ition and murder OF Mrs. Wilson. The
crime is made more aggravating OH
/ account of .he fact that Mrs. Wilson
had taken a kindly interest in James
! Wilson, who was employed by her
husband read the Bible to him fire.
auently and tried to improve his con-
dition.