The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-05-05
Several Practitioners Testify
But Little Progress Made in
Case Yesterday
PROSECUTION TRIES
TO FIX MENTAL STATUS
Jury Will Go to Vawter's Home
Today-Professor Resigned
From Faculty May TRIAL
Will Go On Next Week

Especial TO The Richmond virginian.)
Christiansburg Va. May AFTER
Mrs. Rachel Henderson XaMter,s- dra-
matte testimony of yesterday. when
she laid bare the facts of her broken
marriage vows, the testimony at to-
days session of-ehe court seemed dull
and undressing to the scandal
loving crowds that tramped 10 the
courtroom. Hardly had court con-
vened before the spectators became
aware that they were to sit long
while listening to technical opinion of
many prominent doctors. who testi-
fed for the prosecution relative to
whether Professor vawter was sane
or insane at the time he wrote the
Aensational letter to Stockton Heth
az, asking him to settle for liquor
which he purchased in Roanoke and
virtually giving His wife to Heth.
half dozen practitioners were
placed on the stand by the prosecu-
zion In its efforts Ia get the jury to
tndge whether the accused WAS sane
snsane or a degenerate but their
ere or more physicians will take the
rand tomorrow morning 10 testify
fnf the state and then the Jury will
p taken 10 Blacksburg to visit the
WawtSr home.
n VII Continue several Days.
4 i IL certain row that tho trial will
r"' be concluded before some time
nfXt week, rs there are yet num-
her Of Witnesses in rebuttal and sur
rehuttal 10 be called.
Professor Fawter was recalled this
afternoon and testified that he had
only one class In second physics a
week and that this class met twice
week sic admitted that during
May ials ne missed nearly one-haH
OF these classes because of his mental
condition. Continuing he said that
the students complained about his
ssak Of attention, 20 his classes ard
I'D they claimed this, was due to his
Ascoholic eNresses. He testified that
Professor Johnson of the Y. r. I.
faculty told his wife Of the students
compliant Later, he declared that
his relatives held consultation with
reference In his mental condition.
Al the morning session the defense
announced that they would rest their
case after Il. l. Flags. cashier of
hank AT Blac kshurg, and Y. W Win
ter. testified they saw Nawtcr the
night OF the tragedy and he was not
drinking Following this the prose-
cu;ion asked for recess to prepare
their witnesses In rebuttai.
Fe~tiR.-~ A. ~ Isieeer= fsrfer~.===%
Miss Ethel Brown. OF Baltimore
PRODUCED leaves from the Roanoke
Wine and Liquor company ledger
showing the amount of Nawters ac-
count. She testified that Professor
yawters brother had ordered whis-
kew and had II charged 10 his broth
er's account A letter was produced
fror Professor vswter dated Septem-
her "a, 1915. ordering the company
mot TO fill phone orders or orders il
his brothers name. On cross exam
nation Miss Brown was tripred sew
efaI times.
Professor T. p. Campbell. dean Of
the v. r. I, faculty, testified that
Bernard williams roomer in the
vawter home. told him the night Of
The shooting that Heth said: Bull.
ing me. tore the sleeve off his shirt
tryinE to keep him from shooting me.
INIT l cc1lldn't" Campbell admitted
that Hefh was family connection
of his wife and regarded him in the
same light az his son Pryor. who was
one OF Heth's chums. Attorney Cali
{houn. OF the defense, caused the wit
1.-The commonwealth a written state
ment and had been in conferences
with them. He denied that he would
hike to see Vawter punished.
A. N Keith, employed at white
horn' farm. which Stockton Heth
managed. told OF listening to a tele-
phone message between Professor
Vawtcr and Stockton Heth, at the
time yawter was leaving with his
little son to visit Lynchburg hos
pitai. He said that Vawter told Heth
Inc could find Mrs. Vawter at a GER
tain address in Roanoke. Attorney
Calhoun ridiculed him for caves
dropping.
Mrs yawter did not appear in court
Athis morning. She remained at her
ashome in Riacksburg. Apparently he
&rhows no effects OF her trying ordeal
m yesterday.
d President J. d. Eggleston, OF " p
MI. said late tonight that Professor
4Vawter had resigned Nav /. as
member OF the faculty DIR. Joseph
IN. williams. dean OF the department
Of mathematics. will fill vawter's 20