Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-11-21


Richmond, Virginia, November 81,
The modern "Iron Maiden" whose
embrace will crush out the life OF
Henry Clay Beattie, Jr.. three days
hence, tested the strength of her
electric arms today.
While the doomed murderer Knelt
quietly in the innermost cv.ner OF
his cell, and called to him all OF
the consolation Of religion" which
his spiritual advisers say he is trying
to accept, the busy overall-garbed
state electricians held rehearsal
with the grim death chair. Every
wire, electrode and strap was tested,
to make ready for the gloomy cere-
mony that will attend the punish
ment of Beattie for the murder OF his
wife, in the gray dawn Of Friday
morning. The heavy current was
turned into the chair while the big
testing lights were in place. While
the electricians puttered about the
wire connections and tightened every
Joint, the test showed that the chair
was we'll prepared for Its grim duty.
No word came from the death cell
where Beattie whiled away the fleet
ing hours OF his third last day on
earth. The Rev. ]. ]. Fix and the
Rev. Benjamin Dennis spent several
hours with the condemned man, pray
ing and exhorting him. Neither min
ister would discuss the attitude OF
Beattie, or the possibility Of his con-
Tossing before he is led, blindfolded,
to the chair.
A shadow of the same jauntiness
with which Beattie faced his trial
and conviction horers about him in
his last fight, but it is only shadow.
His cigarette. outward mark OF the
debonair youth who smiled at court
and law, is still with him, but it has
lost the devil-may-care tilt Of a month
ago. The seriousness of impending
death has finally touched Beattie, and
prayer is his refuge.
Reports continue to be circulated
here that Beattie has made a confess
sion to Rev. Benjamin Dennis, but
there is absolutely no confirmation
available and it is certain that even
in the event OF a confession no an
nouncement will be made until after
the execution. 1t is not believed that
even then any detailed statement will
be made.
The prisoner is alone in murderers
row. He occupies cell nearest
to the death chamber and after the
warrant has been read to him Will
have to take scarcely 80 PAGES from
his cell door to the chair. The death
chamber will be in total darkness save
for the white rays Of an arc light SO
arranged as to focus directly on the
chair. and it's occupant. AS result
of this arrangement it is impossible
for the prisoner to see the execution
er or the witnesses.
Throughout the day the report OF
a confession became more persistent
and despite the vigilance of the auth
critics in seeking to prevent any
news from the death cell reaching the
press, it became known that Beattle
is much nearer physical and mental
collapse than has been generally
known. His air of bravado has en-
tirely disappeared and practically ev-
cry moment OF his time is put in eth
er in prayer or in reading the bible
and other religious literature select
ed for him by DR.. Dennis.
1t was learned today that Beattie
has written letter to his former
pal" Billy Sampson, in which, while
not making any actual confession OF
the murder. the writer warns his
friends Of the dangers Of the loose
life he admits having led. and attrib
utes his horrible situation to hi:
own wildnees prior TO the time OF hi
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