The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-11-24
Youthful Wife Murderer To
Be Elecuocuted at
Sunrise.
PATHETIC SCENE WHEN TIE.
AGED FATHER AND MEMBERS
OF THE FAMILY TOOK THEIR
LEAvE-WHEN THE PARTING
CAME THE SON LAID HIS HEAD
ON HIS FATHER BREAST AND
soBeEo coNvULslvELY.
by Associated Press.

Richmond, Va, Nov. 23.-Taking
pathetic leaYe of his Immediate family,
Henry Clay Beattie, Jr., tonight made
ready to take the final plunge into the
unknown. Tomorrow before the sun
is an hour high he will have paid the
penalty demanded by law for the mur-
der of his young wife in July. There
is absolutely nothing to Indicate that
Governor Mann will act to stay the
hand of justice.
For brief moment today Beattle
broke down. This was when he took
leave of his father and brother, Doug
las When the parting came the son
laid hts head on his fathers breast
and sobbed convulsively. But he re-
covered quickly. With spartan cour-
age the father kept his emotions in
check. although tears raced down his
cheeks and his lips twitched pa
thetically When the relatives enter
the pneitentiary again it will be to
claim the body of their kinsman.
Hazel the eighteen-year- -old sister
of the condemned man, and his two
aunts, spent an hour in the death cell
today.
The day was spent in prayer, except
at the time of farewells to the family
Beattie is said to have declared COM
plete conversion and to have no fear
that peace has been made with God
Ministers believe that if Beattie is
guilty he will make a confession.
Beattie at o'clock retired as usual.
he SLEPT WELL.
Beattie awakened at the usual time
today. He slept well, but tossed rest
lessly as though bad dreams had been
his companions throughout long
h1ghe. Jl4ern yere .-,8.l sse e7s-sss5s
A1.4 tae <lfsiC
dressing with the same fastidious care
that he has taken ever since he enter
ed the state penitentiary and the death
cell.
Rev. John J. Fix put in an appear
ance early and remained with Beattie
during the day. The elder Beatt1e'
Douglas Beattie, brother OF the con-
Victed man, and the attorneys who de-
Tended him in the trial that ended in
his conviction of murder, Joined the
minister soon afterwards.
Neither Beattie's attorneys nor his
relatives believe he will confess before
his life Is taken. His spiritual ad-
visers are of another opinion. They
entertain the hope, amounting almost
to conviction, that he will do so.
IF he is guilty / feel reasonably
certain he will acknowledge all" said
DIR. Fix. ITO go to his death with a
lie on his lips would be sacriligious,
and Beattie is at peace with his
Maker
BELIEVES SON INNOCENT.
The fact remains, however, that
through all the ordeal attending his
trial and conviction, young Beattie has
sought in every way to spare his aged
father as much as possible. The elder
Beattie is said to remain firm in the
belief of his sons Innocence.
1t is a question as to whether the
condemned man considers he owes it
to his father to whom he has brought
so much pain and so much disgrace, to
go to his death with sealed lips. 1t is
doubted by many that the new found
religion will outweigh the prisoners
sense of consideration he believes is
due his father and prompt con-
fession.
Beulah Binford, the seventeen-year-
old girl, for the love of whom Beattie
is alleged to have killed his wife. is
said to have appeared here today. De-
NAL is made by the police that this is
so. but several persons are said to
have recognized her on the streets. 1t
is reported the Beattie family are
afraid the girl will make a scene at the
simple funeral. Later word came from
New York that the girl was still there
and would make no attemtp to come to
Richmond.