The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-11-22
BEATTIE PREPARES
TO GO TO THE CHAIR
Disposes of His Personal Be-
longings to the Guards.
By j. j. O'NEILL.

Richmond, Va, Nov. H-With only
two days and a fraction to live, Henry
| Clay Beattie, jr., the rich youth who
was convicted of wife murder and is
facing the electric chair, began to-day
his final preparations for the end.
He could not make a will, because he
had no property to dispose Of having
lived upon his wealthy fathers bounty
ever since he arrived at the money
| spending age. But he had a few per-
sonal belongings, and these he gave to
prison guards who have been kind to
him since he has been in the death cell
To one he gave a rain coat; to another
an overcoat; a third received from him
seal ring. and a fourth got a silk
covered cigarette case. He is said to
have remarked that he hoped each would
live to enjoy his little gift for many
years.
This morning the condemned man
spent the better part of an hour writ
ing a letter to his chum, Billy Samp-
son, who, at his trial, testified: Yes;
Henry and I hit a pretty fast pace
around this country" The letter, Of
course, was read by the prison officials
before it was allowed to go out. 1t is
said the missive advised young Samp-
son to contemplate his pals position;
that as to the gay life both had led
there was nothing in It. and that while
making no admission OF murder. Henry
wrote in effect, THE wages of sin is
DEATH" as the Bible tells u.s.
1t is regarded as signiicant-and prac-
| tically as sign OF absolute guilt-that
young Beattie never once, since he has
been in prison here from the time of his
| conviction early last September, has
| asked to see his little baby, Henry Clay
Beattie. third. the infant son Of the young
wife he killed on the Midlothian turn
pike in July. Once or twice, 1t Is re-
ported, he has been spoken to about the
child by his guards and his spiritual ad-
visers. But he has made no reply to any
queries. The baby now Is with its grand
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Owen, in Dover,
Del.
1t has been decided that the electrocu-
ton will take place as soon as possible
after sunrise Friday morning. perhaps a
little after o'clock. Virginia has one
most merciful rule about sucf State kill
ings. Before Beattle leaves his cell. his
head will be covered with black silk
cap. Therefore. he will not know who is
present to witness his death; and the
witnesses will never know what his face
expressed at the end. For all they can
tell, until they look upon his body, il
might be a dummy sitting in the electric
chair.
tim OF the current enters the death cham
Der with his eyes wide open. But this
boy will be led in blindfolded by two
guards. preceded by his two ministers.
His brother, Douglas, to-day received
permission to represent the Beattie family
in the penitentiary at the time of the
execution. He will be granted charge of
the body as soon as it is pronounced dead
by DR.. Oppenheimer. representing the
State.
To-day the death watch upon the young
man was increased.N Instead of two
guards, three now watch him. One covers
the daylight hours, while the others al
ternate at night, making sure that one
Is always awake to prevent him from kill
ing himself. even though he has no weap-
on with which he might do so.