New-York tribune., 1911-09-01
bEATT|E IN TEARS AS
HIS FATHER TEST|F|ES
Son Loved His Wife and Was
SoreIy Grieved at Her Death,
Parent Tells Jury.
ATTACK PAUL'S TESTIMONY
Grandfather Says His Character
Is Not Good-Witnesses Re-
flute His Story of Pur-
chase of Gun.

Chesterfield Courthouse. Va. Aug. 81
Henry Clay Beattie jr.. indicted for the
the murder Of his wife, sobbed like
child to-day when his gray haired
father, in a low. tremulous voice, told
of the domestic felicity Of his son and
the slain woman, Louise owen Beattle.
1t vas the first time that the stoical
calm OF the prisoners countenance had
given way during the trial. The testi-
niony OF the father IN behalf of his son
came as the dramatic close of a long
days battle by the defense against the
evidence heaped up by the prosecution
Tomorrow the accused himself Will go
on the stand and the defence VIII rest
its case.
Battering constantly against the tesu-
mony OF Paul Beattie, cousin OF the prls-
oner as to the purchase Of the gun with
which it was admitted Mrs. Beatue was
killed. his delivery of it to Henry and MS
subsequent conversations with the ac-
cused. the defence introduced severai
witnesses to cast doubt upon the vera
city of Paul.
1t emphasized that point when II pro-
Ouced David D. Beattie, Paurs grand
gather and the uncle of Henry, VINO tes-
titled that Paul's character was not good'
IT was another intense period in the trlai'
for. with apparent regret the aged man
told Of his grandsons shortcomings
MI fttta Of the
day Of Paurs testimony came when
Ernest H. Nebltt said that on Sunday,
July 16, he saw Paul Beattie on the
bridge where he worked handling a
single barreled shotgun. Paul had
maintained ever since the Coroner's in
quest that he disposed of the shotgun
the same day he bought it. Saturday
July -. by giving it to Henry. Subse-
ouently the defence brought many wit
nesses to tell of Mr.. Nebltt's good char
acter and brought others to attack
Paurs veracity.
z. H. Lewis, an employe Of the Beattie
etore, in South Richmond, declared that
people spoke OF Paul Beattie as the big
Fest liar in town
Prisoners rather Testifies
Henry Clay Beattie, sr., father Of the
prisoner. was under examination for an
hour lust before court adjourned for the
dav. AS he stepped TO the witness stand
The prisoners face flushed. The gray
haired man. his face deeply wrinkled and
male. smoke in q voice scarcely above
Ioopad fprNtsa r1
the bench To listen TO him. He talked
with great effort, repressing an ever
fecurrent emotion. He told Of how his
life had been saddened by the death of
some Of his children: how Henry in his
infancy had been neglected, because
twins came into the family during his
fovhood, and described how on this ac-
count and the death Of his own wife he
had grown closely attached to his son.
He described the strong love that eH-
listed between Henry and his wife, test-
iying that he himself grew to love his
daughter-in-law as one Of his own chill
dren.
When her baby was born said Beat
lie. speaking Of the dead woman, 1T was
like starting life over ior me to see the
prandchnd. II drew us all together very
much"
The father spoke highly Of his sons
character and controverted the testimony
of many witnesses for the prosecution
that Henry showed no signs Of grief
after his wifes murder. He declared
that Henry sobbed and moaned almost
all night after the tragedy
Upon taking the witness stand Henry
Clay Beattie ST. father Of ire prisoner,
gave his age as ffty-eight and said that
his wife was dead and that the prisoner
was his son and was twenty-seven years
old. His examination continued. as fol-
lows:
What aee was Henry when his mother
died." asked Harry VI. Smith, jr., Of coun-
SCI for defence
About sixteen" the elder Beattie re-
Have your relations with him since then
become closer or more distant on that ac-
count
Certainly closer"
do you know what his eputation for
truth and veracity was amoig the people
with whom you associated"
Good
How long has he been withyou in your
store
Eight years He has charge Of the shoe
and gents furnishing Departments and
docs ba RrN-ipu