The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??, 1954-02-27
Old Man Goes
Task of
M Living
Quiet and Well Respected Farmer
Charged With Murder Has Cared
For His Daughter and Her Children
For Many YearsPreceding Tragedy
By Randolph L. White

Charlottesville, Va.-Last weekend this writer xis+od
the nome OF Robert Lee Bracket-Unce Bob" AZ ba ia
fondly dubbed by his neghbors in the North Garden
community some IL miles south of Charlotesvilewbo
Staying OF his son-in-aw.
Our visit was not for the purpose of questioning the
Ola gentleman in regards to his present difficulty but to
view the scene of the alleged crime and make press
photos OF the accused highly respected citizen of the
community.
Apparently of reticent nature "Unce Bob" did NOT
ready to be photographed However after being
assured that being photographed would in no wav icon
aoZe MS case, he reluctantly agreed
We found Mr.. Bracket and his entire bousebo,d
busy with the chores of farmer folks terrific wash
was being hung out In the bright sunshine by his dauph
ter, Edith widow of Richard Allen Byers 80 whom her
1ather Is charged with Staying Saturday afternoon
February 13, and Uncle Bob" was busy SPLITTING aa,
on chunk of stovewood
BRACKETS agility and alerness bellies his 80 vears
OF age Although his appearance indicates that he has
experienced of hard toll at the lob of TRYING
TO exc out decent living for himself and family from
the soil surrounding his Spacious odtime farm house
ne seems to have weathered the task we'll
His quaint old farm home perched high on the hill
IN the foothills of the historic Blue Ridge Mountains of
virginia IN an atmosphere of Stiffness repeatedly the
scene Of many trying hours for Bracket his wife Aunt
Nanne-thelr daughter Mrs. Edith Byers wife of the
SLAIN man and the three grandchildren sons of the de-
ceased and his widow ages 9, II and IL years
Bracket and his wife repeatedly told county police
officers at the time of the tragedy Byers had been
source OF trouble in the home since his parole from the
Virginia Penitentiary four years ago.
Mrs. Mamie Bracket, mother of Mrs. Bvers, is
reported TO have told Sherffs Deputies L. Frazier and
r. r. Marsh, who arrived at the Bracket home shortly
after the shooting that Byers had been "acting up"
since his return from Charlottesville earlier in the dav
OF the incident She repeatedly told the Officers that
Byers had smashed dish after eating potatoes from il
on the Afternoon Of the Staying Also that on the day be-
fore the fatal affair Byers had broken lamp chimney
while in rage.
Mrs Edith 'Byers wife of the victim is reported to
have told the officers that her husband had been beating
her and abusing her for the wenyour hours preceding
his death
Byers, the slain man, is reported to have received
several prison sentences in Virginia during past dec
ade or longer. One being for housebreaking one for
hodup and attempted robbery the third for assault
with deadly weapon.
Bracket with whom Byers wife and children have
made their home is reported to have provided as best
he could during his son-nlaws incarceration for the
deceaseds family
The trial will probably take place during April. &C
cording to E. c. Wngfied prominent local attorney who
has been retained to defend Bracket