Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-09-04
Prisoner Seems Eager for his Final
Fling with DEATH in Giving
His Testimony.
REPEATS HIS STORY,
Tells OF His Relations With Reulah
Rlnford. Sticks Closely to Original
Testimony. Terrific Cross-examina-
tion Awaits Him This Afternoon.

Clay Beattie, jr., who took up the Ia
borious taskof clearing himself from
the shadow of death for wife murder
Thank God I am at last to make
nv own fight" the accused man re
marked, with good deal OF agitation
he prepared to take his life in his owr
hands, on The witness stand before THE
twelve good men and true who vii
settle his fate. I am certain that Wher
I have told my story the jury will be
convinced OF my innocence, and thai
they will allow me to leave the court
room a free man
r would take the stand and tell my
own story if l thought it meant death
the next minute. Some people have
thought l would weaken my case by
testifying. but I am confident that |
will clear myself. y
Attired in new blue suit, carefully
pressed and wearing summery white
tie, the prisoner looked like young
man out for lark, rather than an ac-
cused man about to make bis final
fling with death. But the weeks OF
Jail life showed plainly in the lined
face as he greeted with affection the
gray-baired father who has sat by his
side showing bis abiding faith in his
son, since the trial began.
For days Beattie has spent
hours pouring over the stenographic
report OF the coroner's inquest that
placed him on trial for his life and the
testimony OF witnesses annined up to
date. The story he was prepared to
tell today will not vary iot from bis
original tale at the inquest, OF the
bearded highwayman" who held up
his automobile and shot bis wife.
Beattie's real battle for his own lie
will come, however, when astute Pros
ecutor Wendenburg undertakes to
cross-examine him on the story Of his
cousin, Paul, who declares he gave
Henry the gun with which bis wife
was murdered. The gun is the only
piece OF physical evidence connecting
Henry with the crime, and Paul's story
| is ali that connects Henry with the
gun. Half score of witnesses for the
defense have attacked the veracity OF
Paul and fat denial by Henry would
make it question solely OF veraclty
between the two.
And on that point have no doubt
of the outcome" declared II. NJ.
Smith, chief counsel for Beattie, to-
day, "the jury has had an oppor-
tunity to learn OF PauPs reputation
and after Henry has told his
story I will leave it to them willingly. "
After Beattie has cast his final hope
into the balance and the prosecution
has attacked him with a grilling cross
examination, the state will begin an at
tempt 10 pull down the fabric the de-
tense has built up with 50 much labor.
In rebuttal the state will call witnesses
who will corroborate enough OF Paul's
story they say to justify belief in biz
entire tale.
Immediately after court convened to-
dav, Chief Counsel Smith, for the de
tense, called Henry Clay Beattie, jr.,
to the witness stand, to begin his su
preme ordeal in his fight against the
electric chair.
| Smith did not begin bis examinati on
Immediately, however, and while the
accused man sat in the witness chair
recalled the father, Henry Clay Beattie
sr., to arise in his place and refute GER
tain statements made by Paul Beattle
about the confession" Henry was sald
to have made on the night OF the MUIR
der OF his wife.
Once again, however, Smith delayed
beginning his questioning of the cen,
trail figure in the tragedy. lie asked
indulgence of the court while he re
called C. H. Kastleburg and Lee Pas
chal.
With steady step and defiant mier
Henry Clay Beattie, jr., took the wit
ness stand.
A push of expectancy swept the gap
ing crowd of morbidly curious as th'
aged father OF the prisoner leaned owe
his son with his arms about his shoul
ders and whispered the last few word
OF encouragement in his ear. Then th
young man with nervous smile walk
ed to the witness chair and seated him
self The crowd-iamming cour room
and court yard settled down to feas
of emotion.
After the prisoner had been brough
through the lane OF gaping humanit
that crowded the courthouse yard. th
crowded courthouse sat in hush Q
expectancy waiting for the defendant
take the stand sigh of impatlanc
swept the room as Smith called Henr
G. Beattie sr., pectedly.
Beattie gave bis name, age and bus
ness, meantime wringing handkeI
chief. Have yotus yer been a cont
dent OF Paul Beat ie?"
No"
Has be betn an intimate Of yours2
; No. The only time I've seen Pat
t IN the last year vas when he cam
over to the store 10 get money. An
3 then be was never left without water
: ing
i did you ever trust him With an
Y secrets?"
NO"
Then the accused cousin was le
and Beulah Binford came to the for'
ground.
!. 'Row long have you know Beula
p Binford?"
Since August 1907"