Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-09-01
WITNESSES SWEAR
AGAINST EVIDENCE
OF PAUL BEATT|E
Continued Attacks Made on
Veracity of Paul Beattie--His
Testimony Is Contradicted.
Was Seen With Shot Gun

CHESTERFIELD COURT HOUSE.
Aug. 3l.-Continued attacks on the We
racity of Paul Beattie as to his story of
the purchase of shot gun for his cou-
sin. Henry Clay Beattie. Jr.. brought
out at the trial today statement from
Z. H. Neblitt that he saw Paul with a
shot gun day after ne claimed to have
delivered the weapon TO Henry. On
cross-examination. Neblitt said that he
had only yesterday given this informa-
ton to counsel for the defense.
Ibid you tell anyone else about it?''
mot until a few days ago, when
told my wife and J., G. Saunders
why didn't you tell of it before p
asked Mr. wedenburg.
IT did not think 1t was of much inn
portance until Paul Beattie denied it
on the stand
but did you not tell Mr.. Smith yes
terday morning and did not Mr.. Smith
base his question, told of in the papers
on information you gave him?"
yes"
The witness was excused and several
character witnesses Intended to tell of
Henry Clay Beattie, Jr.'s good reputa-
ton in this county. were introduced
A thick fog hung like pail
over the little brick court house
where Henry Clay Beattie. Jr. indicted
for wife murder, is fighting for his life
today. The prisoner. after restless
night. gazed YEARLY from the barred
window of the tiny Jail in the rear OF
the court house at the flooded ROADS ana
rain-soaked fields stretching away FOX
miles around Another day OF slow
and unpleasant ira vel greeted the httie
knot of lawyers and witnesses as they
made the Journey of yesterday and the
steady downpour during the night,
brought streams to OVERLOOKING and
made the roads one mass of mire.
The IL jurymen, housed In small
hotel a few yards from the court mouse,
were forced 70 abandon their usual
morning stroll into the country for ex-
ercise and some of them occupied them
selves with matching coins on\the We
randa while others INDUCED in song. one
of their number. j. H. Purdie. was treat
ed last night for a toothache, but with
this exception the health of the jury
remains good today. Permission TO at
tend the sick juryman had to be obtain
ed from Judge Watson. who before
granting il conferred with counsel Tor
both sides, In view OF the rumors 81
yesterday that one of the 5urymen had
been found to be a personal friend OF
the accused.
Though the prisoner denied this and
counsel for both sides declared them
selves satisfied with the jury, special
orders were given by the court that the
Jurors be kept safely guarded from any
possible approach.
The defense was prepared to resume
its attack on the evidence presented for
the commonwealth ano a score of wit
nesses were summoned to appear today
to testify as to the various points of the
case which the prosecution has built
up to support its charge that Henry
Clay Beattie, Jr., killed mis- wife with
the shot gun purchased for him by his
cousin Paul In as much as the accus-
ed and his cousin Paul were alone, not
only at the time of the alleged trans
fer of the gun. Paul 70 Henry and at
the conversation. on the. day subsequent
to the commission Of the crime, when
Henry is alleged to have told Paul that
he was sorry that he done it," the case
has resolved itself into question OF
veracity between the cousins.
ATTACK PAUL'S CHARACTERS.
Raul ALREADY mas given ms leSIlLuOuy
and the defense from now to the end of
the trial. which is expected, to be some
time next week, will occupy itself with
efforts to break down Paul's story
through attacks on his character and
reputation for truthfulness. This VIII
be reinforced by the testimony of the
prisoner himself, who will take the
stand at lie last moment and is ex-
pected to repeat the denial that he mace
at the coroner's inquest that he not only
took no part In the purchase of any gun
but that he made no such confession
as is alleged by Paul
Already the defense has introduced
testimony intended to support the prs
oner's story that the murder was corn
mitted by q bearded highwayman and
has endeavored to show that a man with
a shot gun was Seen prowling arouno on
-the Midlothian turnpike a few hours be-
fore the murder.
WON'T PLEAD INSANITY.
Harry NJ. Smith. Jr.. counsel for Beat
tie today put an end to rumors that
ultimately insanity would be offered as a
defense for the prisoner by making a
definite announcement that under no cir
cumstances Would such a plea be entered
1t was the announced intention of the
defense to ask that the court have the
jury visit the scene of the crime. but
the muddy roads may cause a postpone
ment of this for several days
David Weinstein, son of the pawn
broker from whom Paul Beattie pur-
chased the shotgun. was the first wit
ness for the defense today.
The commonwealth knew you were
the boy who sold the gun to Paul Beat
tie?' asked Harry M. Smith, Jr., counsel
for the defense.
Yes"
You were not summoned by the pros
IL