The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-11-15
Governor Mann Refuses to Interfere
With the Wheels Of Justice
Which Must Kill
Him.
HE rs TO DIE ON NOV. "a
statement Of Executive Says There is
no Reason Why He Should
Offer Any
Mercy.

RICHMOND, Va Nov. 15.-Henry
Clay Beattie, Jr., will die In the ele.
trio chair on November "a for the
murder of his young wife, Louise
Owen Beattie. The next to the last
chapter in the most sensational muir
der case in the annals of Virginia was
enacted today when Gov. Mann refus-
ed 10 interfere.
81 believe that Beattie is guilty OF
the cruel and malicious murder OF his
young wife," said Gov. Mann in his
decision, in which he dwelt upon the
fact that Judge Watson in the triaa
gave the prisoner every advantage in
all his rulings.
The governors statement follows:
while / sympathize very profound
ly with the father Of Henry Clay
Beattie Jr, and would be glad to help
him If could do so with proper re-
gard for the public interest, cannot
with any consideration for these in
terests interfere with the execution
Of the sentence Of the court in the
Beattie case.
II followed that case during the
trial and as its horrible facts were de-
veloped, regretted that crime SO
cruel and malicious should have OF,
Cured within the confines Of this
l&E state. In the decision of every ques
S&tion which was presented to the able
and impartial judge who presided at
the trial, he was careful to give the
benefit of every reasonable doubt to
the prisoner; his instructions we're as
favorable as the counsel for the pris
oner could have expected; that he did
not err in the admission or exclusion
Of evidence or in his instructions civ
en- to the jury is shown in the refusal
OF the supreme court Of appeals tc
grant writ of error.
There is no question Of the homes
4 ty and fairness of the jurors trying
the case nor is there any question
that the defense made by the lawyers
obtained for the accused man was mo-
OF the very best possible character.
THAT young Beattie is guilty o.
the willful, deliberate and cruel muir
der of his young wife have not the
slightest doubt or is 1t insisted tha
there shall be any greater relief OF
fered than the commutation of hi'
sentence to Imprisonment for life. II
the administration Of my office an
required to see that the criminal law
are executed unless there shall b.
some facts or circumstances arisini
since the action of the court or som
important evidence existing but no
presented to the court tending t
create in the minds of reasonabl
men substantial doubt as to tn
guilt Of the prisoner. l do not thin
the affidavits of Paul Beattie printe
in the papers or any other evidenc
or consideration brought to my after
ton sufficient for that purpose.
Nor do | question the wisdom
might add Of the necessity of capita
punishment in cases where huma
life has been wickedly and delibe
ately taken.
81 Il have been asked to reprieve tn
n prisoner and allow him thirty day
n from the decision of the suprem
II court His appeal to that court wa
his own act taken to avoid the jud:
ment of the court in his own count
q based on the verdict of his fello
citizens constituting the jury /
II grant respite in SO plain cas-
would be to set a precedent to ten
porize with the law.
n Il believe the best way to prever
N such crimes as this is to punish the
II adequately certainly, speedily
Therefore the judgment OF the CT
n cult court Of Chesterfield county wi
be carried into effect without inte
ference from me-"
81 (Signed) WIN. HODGES MANN