The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-25
final CHAP TER
WRITTEN AT LAST.
One Great Sigh Sweeps Over
Richmond as Beattie's Con-
fession Goes Out.
PUBLIC FEELING INTENSE
End OF Famous Murder Case
Brings Relief to Entire
Country.
PUBLIC FEELING INTENSE

With the writing of this final chap
ter in tho Beattie case. there, comes an
end to period OF long drawn-ou ex-
element. greater than any ever ex-
perienced heretofore by the c,plc OF
Richmond. When the account CT the
murder was first Published in The
Times Dispatch on the morning of
July 10 there was no hint or sugges-
ton that Beattic was the slayer. His
own story. given in his own words. was
published, and on this story the public
quickly formed Its verdict-gullty.
Then came three days of wild rumor
and talk that could not be printed.
From all sides. from. other cities. tho
conclusion was quickly reached that
the husband--not the highwayman-
and detectives were abused for not
making an arrest. they worked on In
quiet and got the evidence which was
later used to convict.
Ills Once Chance to Escape.
Henry Beattie had one glorious
chance to escape. The night before
Paul Beattie's startling affidavit was
secured, Henry Beattie. at his home on
Porter street. was unguarded. Report
ers had been informed that the home
was surrounded by officers: that he
:
~ with friends and came over the river
to see his lawyer. He went later to a
store at Seventh and Main Streets.
from which he sent q telephone mes
sage to his cousin Paul then back to
, his fathers. He had every chance to
escape, and the fact that he did not
do so was put down as an evidence OF
his innocence. Later in the night re-
porters went 10 Porter Street. and
will So ~
that no guards were on duty there.
Town WINS SETTLING.
Meanwhile, the town was seethinE.
When Beattie was formally arrested
and brought to the City jail, rumors
flew thick and fast that Paul was an
accessory or hired assassin. Then.
with the coroner's verdict the follow
Ing day. the excitement became inten-
SHED. spreading from Richmond to ali
quarters where newspapers are read.
The sensation was too great sor town
which had Few sensations. While thou
sands OF people were wildly discussing
the crime and the possibility of con-
yictlon, Henry Beattie, calm and I'M
ruffled. lounged In his cell In tho Herr
rico Jail reading magazines. To re-
porter for The Times Dispatch he iuace
this statement:
III the detectives would endeavor
to find the highWayman with that Same
diligence with which they have TT
tempted to fasten this crime on MIC, the
mystery would soon be cleared and
my vindicatlon would be complate.,'
Nobody--in view Of his subsequent
confession--can understand how lie
acted as he did He displayed nervo
that was truly. astounding. He seemed
to enjoy the excitement outside. The
limeliGht suited him.
ffa1ts mt Gun Incident.
But while this Same excited popu-
lace was discussing the murder from
this angle or that,it could never COM
prehend how Henry Renttie would put
Ills life in the hands of his cousin
Paul. That gun purchase seemed In
credible. According to his own state5
2ment, *ne tossed the weapon Into the
Z back OF his motor cara5tntending to
take 1t home. He had seized II,
81 SCont lnued on Second Page.l