The Washington times., 1917-05-07
Trial Begins Late.

alcoholic diseases
Trial Begins Late.
The trial was late starting today
because Of the failure of Judge Moffett
10 put in his appearance. He had
gone to his home in Salem for Sun
day and his train was late this morn
ing.
other principals in the case were
tardy also. The jury was brought I'D
before 10 o'clock, but for an hour
they were the only ones in evidence
in court. Neither Vawter nor any OF
his counsel had arrived and the prose-
cutting lawyers were in Common
wealth Attorney Roop's office with
Lieutenant Heth and his father.
Neither did the courtroom nil as
rapidly as usual. At 1890 there were
only q score or 80 of persons on the
benches.
Among the early arrivals were q
quintet who appeared rather incon-
gruous amidst the rough mountaineers
making up most Of the audience APP
parently they represented four gen.
erations, an aged woman Of the &C
eepted grandmother type, q matron
probably in the forties, apparently
the others daughter, a strikingly
handsome young woman, and her hus-
band, probably the third generation.
and their little girl.
All were smartly dressed and APP
peared in striking contrast to their
surroundings.
Those WhIskers Gone.
A. the jury was marched into
court this morning there was a sen
sation which rapidly spread all over
the town
A ]. Altizer, whose full, flowing,
white whiskers have been an hirsute
example for the entire county for
years, had trimmed them
The whole towns talking. about 1t,
and everybody's trying 10 get an
explanation. After wearing a patri-
arch's beard for two decades, the
Juror appeared with a closely trim
med mustache and slightly
elongated imperial.
It's generally believed he was try
ing to put himself in strong with the
deputy sheriff, Harvey Hylton, Of
whose whiskers his now are perfect
Imitation.
At least, It is known that Hylton
paid the BARRIERS bill. which was 80
cents. Maybe Hylton's motive was
philanthropy, or maybe he only
wanted to fx his friend 30 that his
wife can't recognize him when he
gets home
Certainly no one recognized the
Juror after he had had a college"
haircut and his shave
Dome Seems T0ppIInE.
The judges train was more than an
hour and a half late and court did not
reeonvene until 11.l0 Then the proceed
ings were held up for some time because
of a report. which gained rapid circula-
ton in the court room. that the dome
was likely to fan in because OF the great
strain placed upon the building by the
enormous crowds attracted to the trial
Last week. the Judge was forced to clear
the gallery. which had sagged percepti-
bly, and threatened to fan. Today II
was noticed that the crack had spread
and that there was danger Of the court
house dome tumbling in on the throng
beneath.
Judge Moffet Immediately called op-
posing counsel into conference. presum-
ably to discuss the advisability OF clear
Ing the room OF every one except those
who have business at the trial or finding
q new building in which to sit
Court in Film House.
As the result of the conference, IL
was decided to move the trial to the
village opera house, the one motion
Z picture theater. This process took a
long time, but finally it was accom-
plished-
Jury, Judge, and clerk occupied the
stage, attorneys for each side occu-
pied the baldhead row. and newspa-
per men were placed in the orchestra
gallery.
It was the most bizarre scene of
the bizarre trial as court was finally
reconveped at 1880, the stage lights
ablsze and the theater just as crowd
ed as II there was being staged a hlm
drama instead Of a human one.
Despite the delay in moving the
court, DR.. J. S. De Jarnette, superin-
tendent OF the Western State Hospital
at Staunton. finally was called to the
stand by the prosecution in rebuttal.
After telling Of nearly thirty years.
work among the insane he was asked
the Hypothetical question regarding
the sanity Of the author of the pay
my bill and take my wife" letter
written by Vawter. This question
IL exactly the same as that PROFOUND
ed by the defense, with the addition
OF the statement that Vawter hac
competently served on the V. P. 1.
faculty for twenty years.
VawteF Seen To Shudder.
Vawter, sitting in the front row OF
the theater, the full blaze OF the vari-
colored lights upon him, shuddered
and closed his eyes as the letter was
read As soon as the question was
concluded, DR.. De Jarnette tried to ex-
plain that he believed the author OF
the letter had caught his wife and
Heth in q compromising position and
was afraid 10 act. Ne was only al
lowed, however, to say that he be-
lieved the author was sane Asked
by Mr.. Lee II there was doubt as to
this question, he said there was Some
Under cross-examinAtion, Colhoun
asked him pointedly: What is your
relation to the Heths7'
None at all, sir" said DR.. De Jar.
nette.
He said he was connected with the
Tylers and the Hoges, who are related
70 the HethS.
Further eross-exRmination was
waived.
8ne, Says Expert.
DR.. J. c. King. superintendent OF a
private sanitsrium for sufferers from
,arvou. Af.aasas 80 p.aat Radford ,yas