Arizona republican., 1917-05-03
FINDS WIFE LOVED BY ANOTHER AND
 GIVES APPROVAL
Republican A. p. Leased Wirel

RepuOiiCdn A. r. Leased wire
 CHRISTIANSBURG, Va, May "A story of how Charles E. VaWter, Vir- ginia Polytechnic professor. on trial here for killing Stockton Heth, Jr., had discovered and condoned improper relations between his wife and Heth, and had asked the latter to pay whiskey debt for him was revealed in letters introduced today by the state. They were written by Vawter to Heth last year, the prosecution asserted, and were found by the dead mans sis ter after he had been shot while a guest in the Vawter home.
 The letters were produced during the cross examination of VaWter and apparently surprised the defense. Vaw- ter wrote that he had discovered the improper relations between Mrs. Vaw- ter and Heth; that she had stood by the defendant when drink had made a demon of him, and that now his love for her would not falter.
 Now you can love her with less fear" said the letter; you are not worrying me for it is her happiness, not yours, although 1 like you very much. You are simply a lucky being"
 In the same letter VaWter asked Heth to pay a liquor bill of $63 for him, and also told the young man that his other debts amounted to S2400. He admonished Heth not to mistreat Mrs. Vawter and not to let her know that VaWter knew that she loved him.
 In the first letter introduced Vawter told Heth that he had discovered the latter's relations with Mrs. Vawter and warned him to keep away from the Vawter home. It was about a week later that Vawter wrote urging Heth to forget what had been said and con tinue his visits.
 This letter said:
 T know what happened Sunday af- ternoon. l was thought to be asleep, but in reality was never more wide awake. l came to the door and found out for myself what I have suspected for quite a while. Now I am going to give you the surprise of your life and l only hope that you will be able to appreciate my position. To make a long matter short, I love - beyond what l can express and the conven- tions of this world cannot make me dc anything to mar her happiness. I re- member all the years she has had to stick to me when drink made a demon of me how her love has never faltered Now mine shall not.
 She loves you dearly and you must not hurt her. Never let her know that l have any idea that she loves you ol | that you love her.
 Now l have one favor to ask VOL l to do for me. It will not do for me tC i ever touch one drop of drink again It would mar all our happiness if I die | drink. So, this is the favor. ! owe ] the Roanoke Wine Company $63 (My | other debts are S2400). I want you tC | pay this bill for me when you go tC | Roanoke on the 18th. Please pay il 1 and tell them to mail me a receipt anC 1 rom this l will know that you propose to make me one promise and that i. all l shall ever ask you and that i! that you will not mistreat. 1 mean by that neglect my precious 1 sweetheart and that you will be yer, careful not to cause her to be take, about or get into any trouble what soever'
 During his testimony Vawter stated that on one occasion he saw his wifi, run out of Heth's bedroom in 9 nigh dress, and that when he denounced | Heth, the latter choked him for hi suspicion of Mrs Vawter On anothe occasion Vawter said Heth choked hin into insensibility when he accused hin l II kissing Mrs. VaWter He admitte, writing the letters given in evidence.
 NaWter confirmed virtually ever detail of the shooting as given befor the bail commissioner and produces in court yesterday. When he awakene, at a. m. and found that Mrs. Vawte had left the room he went downstair and got his pistol. In the hall he me his wife, he stated and she clung t him and said:
 Kill me first" At the top of tn stairs he grappled with Heth. wh choked him and as he was losing con sciousness he fired the three fata shots.
 Several times during the examina tion the accused man broke down an Wept.
 Bernard Williams. a student. wh roomed in the Vawter home, testifie that he never knew of the intimate re lations between Heth and Mrs. Vawte, but that the two drank together ire quently and often went into the coun try in Heth's automobile
 After the shooting, he said he hear Mrs. Vawter say: Stockton, dear, it all my fault"
 Mrs. Vawter was in the court rool
 today with the two Vawter childre)
 She will take the stand tomorrow.
 -O-