Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-05-12
piled that she didn't think that her
husband had a right to write letter
like that to Heth.
HETH WAS WELCOME.


like that to Heth.
HETH WAS WELCOME.
you wanted Heth to be at your
house?"
Yes; l was always glad to have
him there when he behaved himself"
You were anxious to have him
there?"
i can't say how anxious l was, but
always was glad to have him as a
guest"
1t was then developed that Mrs.
Vawter had seen the letter of June is
barring Heth from the house, before
the shooting. She admitted that her
husband had taken 1t from his desk
one day and gave 1t to her, with the
remark, Here's that letter"
l read II" she said, "and remarked
That's very good letter, Charlie, If
there was any excuse for writing it,"
She said she had never seen the
other letters that had been brought
into the case In such damaging fash
ION against Professor Vawter. Mr.,
Lee then began an inquiry as 20 the
use OF liquor In the Vawter home.
Were you in the habit of taking
drinks when you were married?"
l was in the habit of taking them
De fore was married." Mrs. Vawter
calmly replied.
How Old were you when you were
married?"
Twenty"
she said that she had never con-
sidered Professor Vawter a drunkard
ana ala not consider him one now,
she admitted, though that on seyera;
occasions within the past year she
had to phone for her gentlemen friends
TO come and help her straighten the
professor out.
Mr. Lee then turned abruptly on
mrs. Vawter and forced her 10 her
llrst admission of misconduct.
When you had gone upstairs to
go to bea were you undressed?
was when Professor Vawter
came up"
Where did you undress?"
ANSWERS IN WHISPER
Ihen dull flush cpread over the
witness face. "In Stockton's room"
she replied, In voice that trailed
into whisper. =
Mr.. Lee.
/ was In bed when I heard Mr..
Vawter coming upstairs"
How long were you in the room p"
II don't know" III
Your husband said that II was
about o'clock, SO it must have been
some time" ,,"-
Il suppose he KNEW" she admitted,
NOW then, Mrs. Vawter, I am go
ing TO ask you O very delicate cues.
tlon. hate to, but 1t is my duty to
40 so. Did you, while you were In
that. room, have forbidden relations
with Heth?"
counsel for the defense raised n
storm or objections. The courtroom
proke INTO confusion A sharp argu-
meht 'Detween counsel ensued and
finally Judge Moffett ruled that che
should answer the question. "
l suppose I did," answered Mrs.
Vawter, with lowered head.
AND when your husband charged
you with 1t You told him a, deliberate
falseho0d?r
"YGS." #.str
Did it to protect Yourself and
Heth?" '.
II did it to protect myself"
Mr.. Lee then inquired about their
oil going to Mr.. and Mrs. Vawter's
room to talk 1t over. 81 suppose you
ana Heth put up pretty good argu-
ment for yourselves?" he asked.
We certainly did" she answered.
Then you could not have been very
much under the Influence Of liquor If
you could put up an argument like
that?"
mo, not then" ...
WAS NOT IERSELF, Y
~
In her direct testimony Mrs. Vaw-
ter declared that she was so much
under the influence OF liquor that the
events of the night were not clear in
her mind.
Mr.. Lee then announced that he had
finished with the witness. Mr.. Jor
dan questioned her briefly.
AT the time Of which you speak
were you entirely under the influence
OF Heth?" he asked. 81 was" Mrs.
Vawter declared with convincing fer
yency.
Mrs. Vawter answered that she had
and often went to the home OF a rela
tive so Heth would not find her at
home. II was afraid to trust myself
with him." she added.
Mrs. Vawter was then asked to say
If, after Heth died. Mr.. Vawter had
made any proposal to her about testi-
flying in the case.
HE told me-" she replied, "that
there was only one thing to do, that
he would not mention my name, and
would go to the electric chair IL neces
sary. I said,'N I have wronged you
once and will not do it again."
odd Vawter ever intimate to you
or to Heth, so far as you know, any