The Washington times., 1911-07-23
Beathe's Father Refuses to Furnish Girls Bond

er's inquest, will aid in the prosecution
Members of the family of Mrs. Louise
Owen Beattie, the murdered woman
are still maintaining silence. Those
most intimate with them, however, de-
clare that from the first they have be-
lieved in the guilt Of Beattie.
Ben" owen is the most conspicuous
member of the family. He has been
private secretary to several governors,
including Governor Mann, the present
chief executive of Virginia, and he Is
widely known.
The little five-weeks-old baby, Henry
Clay Beattie, third, is being cared for
by Mrs. Thomas owen.
1t developed today that Beattie spoke
facetiously of his ride last Tuesday
night as his honeymoon trip. When
he called in his machine at the residence
of Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Owen, where
his wife was visiting, Mrs. Beattte sug-
gested that her mother should also go
along. The family knew there had been
a little jarring recently between Henry
and his wife, and wehn the latter sug-
gested that her mother should accom-
pany them, Beattie Is said to have Ie-
piled: "Oh, no; let us go by ourselves:
This is to be little honeymoon trip;
Paul Beattie's testimony was the dig Dlg
factor in determining the coroner's jury
to hold his cousin accountable for the
brutal murder which has stirred Viz
ginia to the depths. While the jury may
have had doubts concerning PauHs own
part In the affair, 1t is certain that his
story led them to the conclusion that
the murder victims husband should be
forced to offer a better explanation
than the crumbling one on which he now
stands.
The shrewdest LAWYERS are wondering
what effective defense can be made Tor
the husband. Paul told in detail about
the purchase of the gun, and his testl-
mony was backed up by the pawn
broker who sold it to him: In his sworn
My cousin called me up and made an
engagement with me to meet him at
Short and Main streets. / met him. ana
he asked me to buy him gun. he
came over in an automobile with me the
day I bought II. I didn't think there
was any harm in buying gun.
From the line Of the examination con-
Quoted. by Attorney Smith, foE the de-
tense, II was gathered that possibly an
long as he bought the gun, Paul, and
not Henry, did the shooting. But there
the question of motive enters. the
facts were brought out that Henry had
been neglectful Of his wife. The very
night before the murder he spent sew
eral hours at a disreputable house with
the Binford woman. according to her
1wn testimony. He had been constantly
with this woman prior 10 and since the
birth of his ffve-weeks-old baby.
Smith Objects.
Attorney Smith objected to many Of
the questions asked Henry about his
with Beulah Binford, but the
woman told enough to demonstrate that
he had not broken off his relations with
her as he had promised his wife to do.
She tried to protect him whenever pos
sible, and declared that the renewal of
-. 70 Tola IL
ngs. She admitted these relations had
existed several years, and said that
when she was thirteen years old Henry
Academy, in Alexandria, Va, but that
L was too lonely there for her, and
she left and returned to Richmond.
1t cannot be denied that the commun-
against Henry c. Beattie. jr. So strong
S this feeling that he would be forced
to seek a change of venue were his
rial scheduled for Richmond or in the
south side. Accordingly. he will be
ried in Chesterfield county.
The officials believe the whole truth
has not been told; they believe that
Paul 6eattie, though wholly innocent, |
knows more about the killing |
than he has 30 far admitted under |
oath. |
Denounced everywhere, this relative |
Of the husband has been put into a |
plight which any man would give for
tunes TO escape. There were streaks in |
his testimony which did not hold or |
swing together. He appeared in the !
witness stand a pitiful figure-so pitt |
full in fact that counsel did not have |
the heart 10 rake him.
Nobody who heard him testify could |
doubt that something was lacking
that some vital point was held back |
Men who have sat through the many