Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-05-12

question can sec 1t clearly, and ]
know IL you look at my side you can
see 1t. We can be better friends than
ever. What Is more than that I shall
always be your friend no matter how
you mey feel. l know, because as
asked me the other day when you
took over 20 Christiansburg, what
, thought of Mr.. Hcth, l told her and
/ meant it that thought he was one
Of the best people l knew, and be-
cause that he was always willing to
do more than his part, other people
abused his generosity. need your
, friendship, and l value it, and some
day you will realize that my friend
ship is valuable. l am always your
sincere friend.
"C. e. VAWTER."
| stock, | am dead earnest in what
l say, Don't doubt me or SUSPECT me
OF Interior motives, for l never had
one OF those d-n things in my life
l am too internally honest, and al
ways say just what I think"
PROFESSOR Vawter did not deny tina;
he was the author Of the letters pro
duced by the prosecution.
'" \. AletiueISon, COlleSC pny
stefan at the Virginia Polytechnic In
stitute, was the first witness called
lie told details Of the night Of the
tragedy and Of being the first to ar
rive at the Vawter home. He testified
that Professor Vawter called him over
the telephone about the same time
that Bernard Williams arrived at his
door. y
DIR. A. p. Jones, surgeon of a Roa
noke hospital, testified in technical
language as to the nature of the
wounds, stating that Heth's death
was caused by the shock.
When the Commonwealth rested,
much to the surprise of the specta-
tors, Charles Vawtcr, Jr., eleven years
old son Of the defendant, was called
to the stand. When asked if he knew
the nature Of an oath the child repli.
ed In the affirmative.
What will happen to a little boy
who does not tell the truth?" was
asked him.
He will go to the bad place." was
the ready answere.
The child testified as to being
awakened Ivy pistol shots and of his
father telling him not to worry and
to be good to his mother.
REVIEWS HIS LIFE
sSaE f''t=' - ''''-
FROM COLLEGE DAYS.
Upon taking the stand Vawter prac
tlcally reviewed his life from his col
lege days up until the present time.
He admitted he drank and that it tool,
but very little whisky to "complete
~ down me-" He said he loved Stock
ton Heth as Il brother until he sus-
pected improper relations with his
wife. When asked for specific in
stances of improper relations he
stated that on one occasion he saw
his wife run out Of Heth's bedroom
In night dress. When he asked for
an explanation she said that she was
fixing Heth's collar. He denounced
her, and went to Heth's room and
said:
stockton. you- libertine and rob
Der of homes; what do you mean by
such conduct with my wife?"
lie testified that Heth jerked him
into the room, choking him and ours
Ing him for his suspicion of Mrs.
Vawter.
W. or professod to be unable to
rests. .ye arguments altI~ Oiaudish-
ments ot tieth and his wife, and said
he would always accept their excus.
es.
On another occasion Vaw.er stated
that Heth choked him into insensibi1
ity when he accused him OF kissing
Mrs. VaWter. He stated that the four
no hoI 1,pn u, sc
drinking was when Heth offered him
whisky.
Vawter admitted practically every
detail OF the shooting as was given
before the bail commissioner and
which was produced in court on Tues
day during the opening arguments OF
counsel. When he awakened to find
his wife missing from her bed and
saw her running down the hallway
he Immediately started downstairs
for his pistol. His wife, he stated
chung to him, and he stated that he
thought she said, "Kill me first" At
the top OF the stairs he grappled with
Heth, WHO choked him, and as he was
losing consciousness he fired the 3
fatal shots.
Vawter then told how he went into
the children's room where little
Rachael was found crying. He took
both children into his arms, kissing
them and saying: "Children I don't
know what they will do to father, but
l hare protected You. Whatever hap
pens, ne good to mother"
LOSES CONTROL OF HIMSELF
AS HE TELLS OF TRAGEDY
Vawter completely lost control Of
himself when he detailed the horrible
events of the fatal night. FIe pre-.
scented a peculiar study in psychol-
ogy.
When the prosecution commenced
inofion A4for,o,, 1oaJ- -