Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-08-29
SURPRISE FOR H. G. BEATTTE
Alleged Murderer is Confronted by
Mother of His Dead Wife.
SAYS DAUGHTER WAS UNHAPPY
Night of the Murder She Had Cau-
toned Mrs. Beattie Not to Go
out with Her Husband
Alone.

CHESTERFIELD COURT HOUSE, Va.
Aug, S-Suddenly, and without the faint
est intimation hitherto, the prosecution
today confronted Henry Clay Beattie, jr,
with Mrs. r. " Owen. mother Of the
woman he is alleged to have murdered.
In a taxicab, whose arrival was arranged
to coincide exactly with the moment Sher-
If Gill exhibited the clothing worn by
Beattie on the night OF the murder, Mrs
owen, came to Chesterfield ner presence
in this vicinity having been a well kept
secret by the prosecution.
Quickly and without the usual perfume
tory questions incident to the introduction
Of a new witness, Prosecutor Wendenburg
questioned the woman as to her knowledge
of the domestic life of the Beatties and
brought to the surface point intended as
relevant to alleged motive for the murder
namely, that Beattie's physical condition.
due to dissipation, had caused much un-
happiness to his wife.
The witness said that on the night of
the murder she had cautioned Mrs. Beattie
not to 20 out alone with her husband.
The prosecutions idea for today appar
emily was to prove that Beattie killed his
wife because of his fear that his father
might learn of his condition and cut him
off from the family.
The testimony Of Mrs. owen took Judge
Watson, as well as the crowd in the court
house, by surprise, and Immediately the
court suggested a recess and a conference
with counsel for both sides. jury and pris-
oner, TO discuss furthe Testimony along
this line.
Mrs owen had come from Dover, Del,
last night with her husband, who accom-
panied her to the court room. When she
took the witness stand the prisoner raised
his head in surprise, recognized the woman,
and his head dropped. At first he endeav-
ored not to look in her direction. but she
spoke so feebly that he found 1t necessary
to Join the row OF projecting heads on the
bench to hear her testimony.
once he nervously whispered to Lawyer
Smith beside him:
ASK her to speak louder; can't hear"
Mrs. owen is said to have been her
daughters confidant and is believed to
have known OF Besttie's relations with the
Binford girl. on the stand Mrs. owen
told how she arrived at the Beattie home
on May 22, Of the birth OF the Beattie
child on May 81 and hinted at the tribula-
tions OF her daughter, caused by Beatties
relations with the Binford girl.
II was learned that the prosecution ex-
peCteu MIS. O"en 10 leStliy on ulfecl eA-
animation late today that from Henry Clay
Beatue, jr.'s, actions when he brought his
dead wife home she suspected MIN OF MUIR
der. Outside the court room It was rumored
that Mrs owen even asked young Beattie,
practically II he did not commit the deed.
Detective il First witness.
he prisoner arrived at the court house
ON Richmond al 10 o'ciock and was
sought into the court room at 1879, whcn
ne days session was begun. The accused
vas attired in q grey suit today ana ..oNed
refreshed after his rest in a commodious
ell in Richmond over Sunday.
Detective l.. l.. Scherer Immediately took
he stand, Hill Carter beginning the cross
examination for the defense.
You have examined or talked with
nearly all the witnesses for the prosecu-
ton and have been practically in charge
of gathering the evidence for the COM
monwealth since the murder occurred. have
you not?" asked Mr. Carter OF the defense.
Il have" answered Scherer.
Two OF the witnesses have been in iail
since the coroner's inquest have they not?''
Yes, Beulah Binford and Paul Beatte"
Have you had interviews with those two
Witnesses
Yes / have discussed the case itself
with Paul twice, hut with Beulah Binford
quite frequently"
About how many times have you been
to see Beulah Biaford since she has been
IN tan?"
If can't say, but quite frequently; per-
haps twenty 10 twenty five times"
Counsel for the defense continued ques-
doning along this line with the apparent
purpose OF developing whether or not
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