Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1911-08-23
MRS. OWEN
AS WITNESS
Much Of the Case Of Beattie
Prosecution Depends
on Her ~
IS NOW In DOVER, THIS
STATE, WITH THE BABY
By The United Press.

BY The United Press.
CHESTERFIELD COURT HOUSE,
Va, Aug. 2S.-The low cry of a moth
erless baby may save Henry Clay
Beattie, Jr.. from expiating in the
electric chair the murder of his wife.
Not since the July night when he
rade with his wife's dead body has
the stoical youth made a single in
ouiry about the child-his and the
dead woman's-left motherless by the
crime.
But the clasp Of the fingers Of that
ten weeks old babe and its whimpel-
ing cry may keep from Chesterfield
courthouse a witness on whom the
Prosecution has based a large part of
the case that was planned to force the
rpayment of Beattie's life in exchange
for that of his young wife.
That witness is Mrs. r. V. owen,
mother of the dead woman. While
Beattie inhales his cigarettes and
reads his newspapers in indolent in
difference in his cell, she has crooned
comforting lullabys at the cradle OF
the little mite of humanity that is 20
her the last bitter reminder of her
murdered daughter.
And the love that the helpless in
FAINT has awakened I'm the FIVE weeks
since the tragedy, may prevent the
stricken grandmother from returning
10 Richmond to testify against the
childs father. SINCE the tragedy, Mrs.
Owen has returned TO her home in
Dover, Del. and is beyond the juris-
diction of the court. No subpoenae
can force her to appear. If she comes
she will come voluntarily and tho
prosecution learned today that it is
probable that she will refuse to ap-
pear
Mrs. Owen Important Link.
In the mass of circumstantial evil
dence upon which the prosecution de-
pends to send Henry Beattie TO the
electric chair-Mrs. Owen is an i'm
portant link. Upon what she was eX-
pected to tell of the domestic life Of
her daughter. the prosecution con-
tcmplated building a motive-a hor-
rible motive, based on revolving ply
4 sical facts that would fit the horror Of
the crime.
The prosecution had planned the
story OF a selfish. debauched husband,
Infringing home TO his young wife,
ifrom his wild orgies. a loathsome dis
ease They had planned TO show
that the husband feared his wife's dis
closure Of this infamy would result
in an estrangement with his father,
cutting down of his financial re-
sources. and consequent deprivation
OF his 17-year-old paramour. who was
held only by money. With this as
a motive for the killing of the wife,
the prosecution saw a strong case in
their hands.
Mrs. owen, the prosecution has
been informed, possessNs letter
from her daughter written shortly be-
fore the killing which bears out this
story. But both Mrs. Owen and the
letter are in Delaware and without
them the lawyers for the common
wealth believe that it will be almost
impossible to prove this phase Of Their
case.
Father Arrives Late.
The aged. gray-haired father Of the
prisoner was late in arriving anc
when he finally entered the couri
room he threw his arms about his
son and kissed him earnestly. The
two then took their accustomed seat.
side by side at the counsel table. The
father, his face lined by his cares o
the past six weeks. kept his arm abou
the shoulders of the accused man.
As soon as court was opened At
torney Hill Carter for the defens'
moved to quash the new venire
The motion was promptly overrule'
by Judge Watson and the examination
of talesmen was begun.
A newspaper opinion excused thl
first man examined.
The second talssman was excuses
.ts.f., ~. 20 NanH
ties guilt and the third was allowed
TO 20 because of illness. Another opin
ion eliminated the fourth.