The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-08-31
D AssocIated Press.

FEa30SAa~tN
Chesterfield Court House, Va, Aug.
30.-Testimony corroborative Of the
story told by Henry Clay Bsattie, Jr,
that q bearded highwayman killed his
wife with a shot gun was introduced
by the defense in the Beattie trial to-
day. when W. r. Holland, who lives in
the vicinity Of the Midlothian turnpike
where the murder occurred. declared
he had seen a bearded man with
shot gun there about fve hours before
the tragedy.
1t was the first move OF the defense
after the prosecution had rested its
case at noon today, to establish. the
veracity OF the prisoner, and besides
Hollands statement concerning the
man with a gun, Eugene Henshaw,
farmer who travels the Midlothian
turnpike daily, testified he saw.
strange looking man proWling around
on three different days before the muir
der.
II Is reported tonight that the prose-
cution Is ready when it's time for re-
buttal arrives to put on the stand
man who passed along the railroad
tracks where Holland said he saw the
man with q shot gun and that the new
witness will say he was squirrel hunt
ing that day.
The defense sought to show that
being held up by a highwayman while
motoring in this vicinity Is not an un-
common occurrence and put on the
stand a chauffeur who related his ex-
pertence with highwaymen q year ago.
Breadnax Robertson. the companion
Of young Robertson, corroborated his
chum's testimony OF yesterday con-
cerning the presence of additional
blood spots said to be found In spots
two days after the murder.
The prosecution today placed on the
stand fourteen witnesses to controvert
the testimony df young Alexander
Robertson regarding the presence OF
nfurB than one blood spot nn the turn
pike Paul Beattie was placed on the
stand again today by the defense and
admitted he had q conversation with
e. w. Booth concerning the murder,
but denied he had told Booth he did
DELAYED BY BAD ROADS.
Rain soaked roads gave the prin-
cipal figures in the trial, including
Judge Watson and q number OF wit
nesses. much difficulty in reaching the
court house today. When the scheduled
hour for the opening Of court. 10
o'clock, arrived, only a few people had
reached the pastoral scene where
Henry Clay Beattie. Jr., is making his
fight for life. A long string Of auto
mobiles splashed through an almost
continuous stream OF water which hid
the road in many spots and when the
first few cars anchored at the court
house, the mud-bespattered passen-
gers hastened to get indoors, Several
machines were stuck In the/road, and
hacks and other sea-going vehicles. on
other days scornfully abandoned for
the big touring cars that ply between
Centralia, the nearest railroad station.
and the court house, were popular to-
day
Court finally convened and Harry M.
Smith, Jr., counsel for the defense,
suggested that during the wait for MT
Elburg. a canvass be made OF the sew
eral witnesses for the defense present
so that absentees might be brought to
the court house.
Many witnesses for the defense were
excused by Mr.. Smith as he said Ger
tain Rhasse OF the case anticipated had
not been touched upon by the prosecu
tion."
The prosecuting attorney finally
reached the court house after an un-
comfortable experience with the muddy
roads.
G. Steger. by a doctors certificate, had
been declared unable to appear in
court.
"She's a very important witness for
the defense" said Mr.. Smith, who sug-
gested that If she had not recovered
when needed. a deposition would have
to be taken.
Miss Louise Reams finally appeared
as the prosecutions first witness OF the
day. She came to the court room with
her father.
did you know Mrs. Beattie?" asked
Prosecutor Wendenburg.
Yes"
maid Of honor at her wedding, were
you not7"
"Yes."
The hairpin alleged to have been
worn by Mrs. Beattie on the night Of
the murder was produced
Did Mrs. Beattie wear that kind Of
q hairpin?"
YES"
The witness was excused after a
brief cross examination in which she
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