The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-04
BY A. r.. w. N1Aol<R.ErH.

Chesterfield Courthouse, Va. Septem-
Der 3.-SeeinS before him a hope of q
future in which the shadow OF death
by law shall no more hang over his
head, Henry Clay Beattie, Jr., charged
with the murder of his wife, stated
emphatically this afternoon that he
would so on the Witness stand to-
morrow morning and tell in his own
way and In his own words the story
which he believes will save his life
Though he is beginning to show
signs of the terrible strain under
which he has been laboring. the pris-
oner is still cheerful. and seems to
have no dread as to what the day VIII
bring forth. He has spont much time
in reading over the minutes of the
coroner's Inquest. the verdice. Cd which
charged him with numbering his wife,
morrow will vary not jot from the
story he told before
Certain He Can Convince Jury.
BcAttie Is anxious to go on the
stand. for he appears to be firmly con-
WINGED that he can convince the jury
OF his innocence. Harry NJ Smith. Jr..
OF counsel for the defense. seems, too.
to be satisfied that the twelve men
will believe Henry rather than his
wealeispg cousin, the boy upon whose
testimony the prosecution rests Its
chief hope.
smith,, accompanied Oy DOuElaS
Beattie. visited the accused and held
brief conference with him this after
noon under o wide9preading oak. AS
a ttorney and prisoner donferred in
the open, the twelve men upon whom
Henry's fate must finally rest recltned
not far away under another tree.
Just before Mr.. Smith departed
staff correspondent of The Times-Dis-
patch was allowed to speak to the
prisoner.
81 am very gInd to get this oppor-
tunity of going on the witness stand"
he snid. "In fnct, they couldn't keep
me OFF II they tried"
HAS anybody tried to keep you from
the wftness stnnds" he was asked
YES, some people think I would
wenken my case If should testin,
but I have told them, md say now,
TINT I'D go ON that stand and tell
story II thought I We're going to be
killed the next minute. want to tell
the jury my story. aud when they hear
1t am confident that their verdict
will establish my Innocence md that
Will walk ont of TINT court room
free man."
Certain of Acquittal.
,Beattie spoke unreservedly and en-
phstically. whatever others may think.
Henry Beattie believes that he will be
acquitted OF the charge OF numbering
his wife. He stood for few moments
nervously picking his teeth and watch
ing his attorney and his brother enter
an automobile in the road. He waved
his hand in farewell and patted
collie dog which dashed up to- where
he stood. But his respite was brief.
Jailer Cogbll laid his hand gently on
the young mans sleeve and slowly
they walked into the jail.
Mr.. Smith appeared more erthusias-
tic and hopeful shan he has appeared
since the beginning OF the trial. II am
confident" he said, that Henry can
clear himself. Just consider that what
has been said against him has been
entirely circumstantial evidence, and
Mr. Kastelbergs testimony shows the
danger OF relying upon circumstantial
evidence. 1t was only by accident that
we discovered Mr.. I<astelherg, and we
had almost to drag him into court HfEr
testimony shows that IL was ne whom
the boys saw fixing an automobile on
the side OF the road the night OF the
murder, and doesn't that raise a big
doubt as to the other evidence which
the prosecution has brought out?
ITS question OF veracity between
Henry and Paul" he went on. and /
reckon the jury Will soon decide the
issue when they hear Henry tell his
own story of the affair.
I'm my experience I have always
found that an innocent man wants TO
tells his story to the jury. leave II
to the prisoner himself 70 determine
whether he shall go on the stand.
and Beattie has always been insistent
that ne shall tell his story In his own
way"
Prisoner Early to Bed
The Jury spent the day comfortably
walking about and ioil'ng under the
trees on the court green, In the morn
ing they went TO Salem Paptist Church
where two pews were reserved for
them. The pastor lad heen forewarn-
ed that they you'd attend, and tnerc
Continued on Third Pase.)