Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-11-28

Richmond, Va, Nov. 24.-Taking
pathetic leave Of his immediate
family yesterday Henry Clay Beat
tie, Jr., last night made ready to take
the final plunge into the unknown.
This morning before the sun was an
hour high he paid the penalty de-
manded by the law for the murder of
his young wife last July.
For n few brief moments yesterday
Beattie broke down, and it was fear
ed his remarkable rerve and stoi-
cism had deserted hi.. This was
when he took leave Of his father and
brother, Douglas. When the parting
came, the son laid his head on his
fathers breast and sobbed convul-
sively. One arm was flung across his
fathers shoulders, the other hand
gripped that Of his brother. But he
recovered quickly. The fortitude Of
the elder Beattie had more to do
with the recovery than the soothing
offices Of Rev. Benjamin Dennis, who
had ministered to the doomed pris-
oner. With Spartan 3elf-control the
father kept his emotions in check, al
though tho tears raced down his
cheeks and his lips twitched patheti-
cally No words were spoken, but
the young wife-murderer must have
felt the stern repression Of his par
ent, for his sobs we're strangled
Last Farewell.
"Good-bye," he said as he t'Irned
away. Neither father nor brother
trusted himself to make rerly, but
made their way from the peniten-
tiary. When they entered II again 1t
was to claim the body OF their kins-
man.
Hazel, the lS-ycar-old sister of the
prisoner, and his two aunts drove to
the penitentiary in closed carriage
yesterday afternoon. They were in
the death chamber a trinc more than
an hour. When they emerged Hazel
was on the verge OF collapsing, while
all three were violently agitatcd. and
the eyes Of each were rcd and puffed
with weeping.
Their entrance and departure were
observed by Il morbid crowd OF seve-
raj hundred persons gathered to wit
ness the rumOred visit of Beulah Bin
ford to the prison. The report proved
to be untrue, the girl, whose subtle
power over young Bcattie is said to
nave driven him to the killing OF his
wife, having been discovered in New
York
Only one minister visited Beattic
yesterday, Rev. Mr.. Dennis. Rev. ].
Is. Fix, the young mans former pas
tor, was so worn out by the emo
tional strain he had undergone that
he did not put in an appearance, saw
ing all his en- orgies for to-day's
dawn, when he fully expected the
condemned man to confess.
Yesterday was spent in prayer,
save for the time occupied by the
iarewclls of the family. During the
day Beattic declared rs complete
conversion and that his peace was
made with God. lie told his spir-
itna! adviser that he faced the here
after with supreme confidence.
The sustained nerve Of the con-
dcmned man was the wondcrment
and admiration Of his guards Fol
lowing the pathtic farcwclls between
himself and the members OF his fam
lly, in which he broke down com
plctcly, he disclosed such q ouic;
ana complete rcvcrsion to his placid
dcmeanor that it Occasioncd the ut
most astoniShmcnt. The death
watch had looked forward to a har-
rowing night. When, under the
rules OF tho prison, the lights were
ordered out at s O'Clock, Bcattic
showed every evidence of prcpara-
ton to spend a quiet and rcstful ne
riod before being summoned to the
death chair.
Confessed just Before End.
Henry Clay Beattic, Jr, before his
death in the electric chair, at 1928
a. m. to-day, confessed to the muir
der OF his wife. The statement
which was given out in the rotunda
OF downtown hotel, is as appcars
at the head OF this dispatch.
Statement OF Minister'S.
Beattie'S confession was followed
by this statement by tho attending
ministers:
"This statement was signed in the