The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-25
bEATT|E
IS REGARDED AS
STRONG WITNESS
Investigators Try to Find
Weak Spot in Story
SMALL
ONLY GIVE STRENGTH
Add Naturalness to the Main
Points in Narrative and
Bear Out Important
Details

we nave investigated every
thing In connection with the EVIL
dence of Paul Beattie, that has
naturally suggested. itself to us
or has been suggested by Others.
We have every confidence in tho
CORRECTNESS and relia biffty OF the
story that he has told. We have
uncontrovcrtable support of the
main features OF his story by
other witnesses thar relatives and
at the proper time they win be
introduced II his testimony II at
tacked."-L. L. Schcrcr. Chief In
veStigator.
The story told by Paul Beattie in
private to Chief Of Detectives Thorn
AZ Mcmahon and afterwards under
oath at the ner inquest. of his
purchase OF tho shotgun, with which
the police claim Henry Clay Reattie,
Jr, murdered his wife. Louise Owen
Beattia, IL regarded by the police nj
expert criminal lawyers, who were
present and heard It. as one OF the
most remarkable stories ever told by
a witness on the stand. :
The perfect ~clearness of the story.
the remarkable in which the
tEA NLst "a iosLlCtdr LII dIc
borne out and its apparent absolute
truthfulness. enhanced by the small
inaccuracies. which give strength to
the general story by their natural
ness. make this, in the opinion of
experts OIL c~riminology, one of the
strongest pieces OF evidence that could
be produced.
Passing through one Of the most
trying ordeals to which a man can
he subjected. telling a story which
he believed would go far to fasten
upon his cousin a crime for which the
law would demand his life, answer
ing In a straightforward manner every
question that could be devised by
one Of the most skiliful and astute
attorneys in the State. who was there
for the purpose OF breaking down
the weight of his testimony. If pos
sthle. Paul Beattie left the witness
stand weak from the exhaustion of r.
severe strain. which comes into the
lives of but few. Yet strong In the
conviction of having withheld moth
ing OF Importance from either side.
Pitfalls Are Vain.
Time and time again was the wit
ness led away from an important de-
tail for a few minutes to be brought
back suddenly with a question bear
Ah AbPt 49, Az ~ af aI~
swar in line with what had been setd
by him before. Only moe did he
become confused. and then on a ques-
ton of time. Mr.. Smith In the course
OF his questioning introduced weeks
and months in reference to when
Henry Beattie had called Paul up
on the phone. which caused some
confusion.
When the. witness got himself col
lected and learned from the attor-
ney that he desired to know when II
was that Henry Beattie first called
him on the phone and made an ap-
pointment, at which time the pur-
chase OF the gun was first discussed.
he answered Immediately that 1t was
on the Friday night of the week be
fore. which has been s~ubstantiated.
In telling where nc purchased the
gun, without giving the name of the
pawnshop. ne told its location and
every time distinguished 1t from the
questioned az To which Tn~wnshop.
and each time he designated the
same one. making no mistake.
In describing the purchase OF the
gun. he stated that he paid for 1t
with a ten dollar bill. His cousin,
he stated. had given him four dol
lars in small bills, with which to buy
the gun. Asked why he did not buy
the gun with the small bills, he did
not remember. but his wife had un-
consciously given the reason for THIS
the night before In conversation with
newspaper reporters. when she told
.lidentically the same story in prin-
cfpal details as was told by Paul on
the witness stand
The Ten Dollar Bill.
In her conversation the night be-
fore Mrs. Paul Beattie stated that
she had given Paul some money 70
pay some small hills for her. and that
Paul had paid the bills. 1t Is quite
natural that Paul should have put the
money given him by his wife with
the money given him by his cousin.
When asked on the witness stand
what he Had paid for the gun, he
stated that 1t was either So or $3.50.
When asked by Attorney Smith how
much change he received, he stated
that 1t was either IS Or $3.50. he
didn't remember which.
This forgetfulness OF small details
was commented upon by many who
heard him testify as an evidence O;
the naturalness of his story and the
ENTIRE ABSENCE OF ANY CON.
COCTION OR EVASION.
That the police discredit any the
DRY tending to onnec Paul Beattie
with any knowledge of the crime
was made evident at the Very out
set, when newspaper men asked Cap
tain Mcmahon upon his arrival a,
the Loving home. where the inquest
was being held with the two Bear.
ties In charge. Henry under arres,
and Paul detained as a witness, II
Paul had been arrested. The an
swer was emphatic: mo. Nor VIII
he be. He Is the States chief wit
ness and will be protected as such"
This statement was later reiterated
by Special Agent l.. L. Scherer, who
has been most prominent in the in
vestigation.
I'VE would just as SOC hin OF
turning Henry Beattie loose as Of ar
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