Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-08-31
STORY FORCED BY
HIS CONSCIENCE
Cousin of Henry Beattie Declares
Respondent Spoke Words OF
Regret after Murder
MAKES DRAMATIC DISCLOSURE
wish to God ] Had Not Done
It," Words Alleged to Have
Passed Beattie's Lips in
Unguarded Moment.

-
Beattie, Jr., on trial charged with WHO
murder. declared on the witness stand
late to-day that the defendant told him
twcnty-four hours after the murder that
he was sorry he had done 1t.
| The witness did not mention this al
legged confession at the coroner's inquest
where he was one OF the principal wit
nesses, nor had anyone except the prose
cutors staff known anything about II
until. dramatically and Unexpectedly, It
was disclosed by the witness to-day.
The testimony gained dramatic effect
because II came as n climax to the un-
expected appearance in the witness stand
an hour before of Mrs. r. V. owen,
mother OF the slain woman. who had told
pathetic tale Of her daughters unhappy
life due, she declared. to her husband 5
physical ailments.
Paul Bcattie, his lips puivering and
his eyes fun OF tears. declared that he
had hold back tho story when he ap-
peared at the coroncr's inquest. be-
cause II hated to testify against my
own flesh and blood My wife and my
child and duty I owed the city forced
me to tell it,
There was an audible, simultane Gus
gasp from the spectators in the stuff
| fY court room as the witness made
! his startling declaration. 1t was fol-
lowed by an uncanny silence whilc
Paul Beattic Continuod Henry had told
me that he wanted me 10 stick by
him, but said to him, this looks
mighty black to me and you've got
me into lot Of trouble" Henry told
me- ~ wish to God had not done it.
I would not have donn 1t for a million
dollars, but she never loved mo. she
only married me for my money"
Many an eye was focused on Henry
| Clay Beatte, Jr., "a we'll as Henry CLAY
Beattie. Sr., as Paul l3eattie poured forth
his conscience" The gray haired father
OF the prisoner sat N:th lips pressed
tightly over clenchod teeth. often shield
! ing his features from view by n palm leaf
fan Beside him the prisoner fidseted
uneasly. porsrirat!on on his brow and
an alternating flush of blood on his thin
face He buried his fingers in 2 crumpled
handkerchief. held IT occasionally tn his
mouth and lit IT,
Paul Rcattic appeared to grow
stronger az he rid himself OF his stor".
When he had come to the alleged con-
his plaintivc tone sank lower. Stl.l-
ness prevailed in the room as hrs next
word were awaited, but he said no
more. and hracinG himself In his
chair. turned his sharp chin toward
the bench. where the prisoner ana
counsel sat and locked hxedly at he
latter IN preparation FOR the cross-eN-
animation.
H. NJ. smith, Jr., for the defense jump
ed t. his fent He waved a tpck book OF
type written testimony il tho face OF
tho witness and almost shouted as he
asked MIN why he had not in his enur'
flfty-fivc pages OF testimony at tho
coroners inquest. given the slightest in
timation that Henry Clay Reattie, Jr.
had ever said to him; II wish to God
had not done it,"
You were under oath then. to tel
tine whole truth" he cried, as he leanet
over tie bench AMI pointed NJ the wit
ness, why dii you not do i'''
The witness said he was in bad physi
cal health at the inquest and he hardly
knew what he was saying then or tina
he could not remember being asked any
thing concerning his knowledge Of Beat
Ties alleged confession
He practically declared that lie had sai'
at the coronor's Inquest that 81 pages o
testimony were not all he knew about tn
case. but that his mind was 50 CONFUSED
he could not decide whether he shout
tell the single thing that almost leape'
from his lips at that time,
When his mental condition was bet
ter, tho witness said, he told Wendcn
burg the prosecuting attorney hi