The Sentinel=record., 1911-09-01
BEATTIE SR.
 ON THE STAND
RELATES PATHETIC STORY OF HIS LIFE AND LOVE FOR THE
 PRISONER AND DEAD WIFE.
Says His Son Sincerely Mourncd the Death of His Wife-.Prisoner Will Take the Stand
 Tomorrow.


 Chesterfield Courthouse, Va, Aug. S1.--fienry Clay Beattie Jr.. indicteo for the murder of his wife, sobbed like q child today when his gray. haired fathcp. in a low, tremulous voice, told of the domestic felicity or his son and the slain woman, Louise Owen Beattie. It was the first time Ahe stoical calm of the prisoner@ countenance had given way during the trial. The testimony of the father Bn behalf of the son, came as the dramatic close of long days battle by the defense against the evidence heaped by the prosecution. Tomor- row the accused will go on the stand and the defense will rest it's case.
 Battering constantly against the testimony of Paul Beattie, cousin ot the prisoner, as to the purchase of tho gun, his delivery of it 10 Henry and his subsequent conversations with the accused, the defense introduceo several witnesses to cast doubt upon the veraciiy of Paul.
 It emphasized that point when 1t produced David w. Beattie, Paul's grandfather and the uncle Of Henry, who testified that Paul's character was not good. It was another in tense period in the trial, for with apparent regret, the aged man tolo of his grandson's shortcomings. The most surprising refutation of the uay against Paui's testimony came when Ernest H. Nesbit said that on Sunday July 1G, he saw Paul Beattie on the bridge where he worked, handling a single barrelled shotgun. Paul had maintained ever since the coroner's inquest that he disposed of the shot- gun the same day he bought it. Sat urday, July 15, by giving it to Henry Subsequently, the defense brought many witnesses to tel of Mir. Nesb litts good character and brought otn- CTS to attack Paurs yeracity.
 E. II. Lewis, an cmploye Of Ae Beattie store in South itichmona, spoke of Paul Beattie as "the biggest liar in town"
 Henry Clay Beattie. Sr., father ol thel accused, was interrogated for an hour just before court adjourned for the day As he stepped to the wlt- ness stand the prisoners face was Flushed. The grayhaired man his face deeply wrinkled and pales spoke in voice scarcely above a whisper. Counsel leaned forward over the bench to listen to nim. He talked with great effort, rdpressing an ey- CT recurrent emotion. He told of how his life had been saddened by the death of some Of his children, how Henry in his infancy had been ne t.eeted because twins came into he family during his boyhood and de- scrlbed how on this account and the death of his wife he had grown close ly attached to his son. He described the strong love that had existed be- tween Henry and the ill fated wife, testifyine that he himself grew to love his daughterin-law as one oi his own children,
 When her baby was born." said Beattie speaking of the dead woman, tit was like starting life oyeb for me to see the grandchild. It drew us aR together very much"
 The father spoke highly of his sons character and eontroverted the testimony of many witnesses for the prosecution that Henry showed no signs of grief after his wifes murder. He declared he sobbed and tnoaaed almost ali night afier the tragedy.
 Henry Clay, said his father, was 16 years old when the poy's mother died The relations between the two were very close. His son's repu- tation for truth and veracity Is good. Hd had been employed in the Beattle store for eight years and had charge of the shoe and gents furnishing de- partments. He does the buying The elder Beattie had learned of his sons relations with Beulah Binford two o' three years ago. He mad heard ru mors and had asked the noy about it. He thought Henry Jay had tolo the truth concerning thel girl, Beulan, The relations were broken off prior to his sons marriage
 Was your sons marriage a source