“UNWRITTEN LAW" MURDER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8844, 21 June 1907, Page 4

“UNWRITTEN LAW" MURDER.

The “unwritten law,” which is a stronger force than ever in the Southern States, despite its condemnatiou by the jury- in the Thaw ease, Is responsible for a sensational tragedy, in Virginia. _ 3 The Hon. William 0. Loringjformer judge of Nelson County, shot and instantly killed Mr Thodor f Estes, a walthy young man who managed, the Virginian estate of Mr Thomas P. Eyan, the New York millionaire, because Estes drugged and then ruined his nineteen year old daughter. Estes was an Intimate friend of the Loving family for years, and was a welcome gnest at their mansion at Lovingston. He frequently went 'riding with Miss Loving, who is conisdered one ox the prettiest girls in Virginia. Estes invited Miss Loving to go. for a drive on Sunday night. He brought her home about IX o’clock insensible, and later sent Dr. Strother to attend her telling the I doctor that the girl was intoxicated. Dr Strother found that the girl was suffering from the effects of a drug, and lie made a more serious communication to her father. The latter waited until she had recovered sufficiently to toll her story. Thereupon lie loaded a double-barrelled gun, and went in search of Estes. Ex-Jndgo Loving drove for miles I through tho raiu, searching the Ryan estate for Estes. He finally found him at a wayside railway station superintending a gang of negroes, who were unloading goods from a car. Raising his gun ho shouted, ‘ ‘So you went driving with my daughter on Sunday night, did you?’ Estes threw up both hands immediately as a sign that he was unarmed. The other man fired both barrels in quick succcsssion, the second charge nearly decapitating Estes. „

The negroes tried to assist Estes, but ex-judge Loving said : ‘ ‘ Its no use; he’s dead; I shot to kill.” He then throw down the gun, and asked the frightened negroes the _ way to tho nearest magistrate’s office. He passed the night in gaol, but was released next morning on £IOOO bail, which was furnished promptly by two leading citizens of Nelson County. All tho estate owners in the County offered to furnish bail in any amount. Ex-Judge Loving said to the Magistrate; “I waited to learn all the facts. Then nothing could have stopped me from taking that man’s life. I did it after careful consideration. ’ ’

Several of Estes’ near relatives armed themselves and announced their intention of retaliating on the Loving family, hut they wore dissuaded in consequence of public opinion supporting the murderer. The Magistrate admitted that the amount of bail was very low, but lia took th-‘ attitude ft hat Loving could not do otherwise than he did, after hearing the story of his daughter’s betra 1 under particularly revolting circumstances. The “unwritten law” sentiment is so s troug in Virginia that doubts are expressed whether . Loving will be compelled to undergo the formality of a trial.