Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-11-24


csy Associated Prsss)
prcEMoND. Va, Nov. 2S.-Henfy
cav Beattte Jr., awakened at the usual
tim. so1av. on what. By law. was the
/. last day OF his life. Tomorrow' snorus
after daybreak. he win surrender nm
lie N the death chair IN expiation OF
~. murder OF his young wife
He slept we'll. hut tossed resuessly
a though bad dreams had been his com
nansous throughout the long night
There were no signs Of breakdown
mis- morning. the prisoner dressing WIN
the same fastidious care that he has
taken ever since he entered the state
penitentiary and the death cell
MINISTER is COMPANION
Rev John ]. FIX put in an appear
.nc. e.rlv ana probably win remain with
Bsattie during the Day. The elder Beat
ne. Douxias Beattie, brother Of the con-
victed man. and the attorneys VINO oe-
Tended him in the trial that ended IN
his conviction OF murder. Joined me
minister soon afterwards
Neither Beattie's attorneys nor his
relatives believe he viii confess before
his lift Is taken His spiritual advisers
are or another opinion They entertain
the hope. amounting almost to q con-
,rfctfon. that he win do 50.
II he is guilty 1 feel reasonably Ger
,air IA win acknowledge all" said Rev
Or. FIX. TO go to his death with lie
On his ms would be sacriIege and Beat
lie n at peace with his Maker
soLTCTTOUs FOR FATHER
The fact remains. however. that
shrourh All the ordeal attending BIS
fFf,v and CONVICTION young Beattfe mas
.sourht In every way TO spare his aged
rather as much as possible. The elder
Beattfe IL said TO remain firm IN the
belief OF his sons innocence.
II Is q question as 70 wnether tne
condemned man considers ne owes II 10
hIs father. TO. whom he has brougt so
much main and so much disgrace. TO go
10 hSs death with sealed lips. IL Is
9cnhta1 bg many mat new found reiig-
- v.iII outweigh the prisoner sense
- consideration he believes Is due his
father. and prompt a confession
GIVEN COMMUNION.
Beattfe received the sacrament OF the
Lords supper wednesday afternoon. ne
protested religion and told ms spiri 1s
advisers that he faced the unknown
wfth eouananaity. Although Beattie Is
xubdued in demeancr. the wonderful
nerve that thus far has sustained the
condemned man has not deserted him
me sacrament was administered with
an due solemnity in the death cell In
the stare penitentiary yesterday AFTER
noon Rev. John J. Fix. the Presoy-
rerisn minister, who has labored with
Beaftis since his condemnation. Of
ciated assisted by Rev. BENJAMIN Den
mis-. OF South Richmond The only other
person present was the prisoners aged
and nroken-hearted father. The vigil
lance OF the death watch was not re-
laxed during the ceremony. although the
guards withdrew 10 the corridor.
NERVE is UNBROKEN.
Reports that Beattie's iron nerve had
broken have been disproved- During the
desDerate EFFORTS made for a new trial
and for . reprieve at the hands Of the
governor Of the state the high tension
under which the convicted man labored
stretched his nerves as taut as piano
wires Naturally he was irascible and
given 70 sudden fits OF anger. But these
have disappeared
That Beattie now is resigned to his
fate Is proved by remark TO his guard
today when the suggestion was made
that Governor Mann might grant a re-
prfeve at the eleventh hour.
Let Us get Il over with" Beattie Is
declared TO have said. If 1t has to be,
the sooner Il is ended the better"
IL developed that the elder Beatrie
within the past few days paid secret
visit TO Governor Mann in a final de-
spafring EFFORT 10 gain the governors In
reference IL was unavaiIing.
PROGRAM FOR DEATH
Invitations have been sent TO the II
witnesses who viii compose the jury in
the death chamber Friday morning. Tn
der the law the witnesses must present
themselves at the prison before O'Clock
on that morning. Shortly thereafter
Beattis will be led from his cell 70
the chair The preparations viii be
extremely brief and within ten minutes
at the most the jury viii be trooping
from the chamber OF death
The same mails that bore the invita-
lions 70 the witnesses brought more than
lo0 letters TO Governor Mann Some OF
the writers commended his policy OF
non-interference with the mandate OF
the law Others Historically called upon.
him TO intervene. To none OF them was
any attention paid.
SPENDS DAY READING.
Beatsie spent the day in reading While
much cs his reading il Of a religious
nature. he maintains still his keen IN
terest in the daily newspapers. He pays
especial attention TO the sporting pages
ana reads them avidiously- His appetite.
so hay his guards. is excellent and he dis
PLAYS no abnormality. either mentally
or physically.
Unless there is a sudden breakdown.
Beattfe viii walk 10 his doom unabashed
and unafraid-
A report that Beulah Binford had ar
rived here today caused a distinct sensa-
non. Later. however word came from
New York that the girl was still there
and would make no attempt to come to
Richmond.