Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-04
In Beattie Murder Case Is
Expected on Monday,
Alleged Murderer Of Wife Is
Expected 10 Take Stand.
Thought that Miss ReuIah Einford
May Also Be Called.

Chesterfield Court House. Va. Sept
3-Under wide spreading oak Tree il
The twilight tonight sat Henry clay
Beattie. Jr.. indicted for the murder
of his wife, in secluded spot on
Midlothian turnpike last July, Beside
him on a riekety bench was Harry Nj.
| Smith, .Ir., his lawyer, talking rapidly
and earnestly To the man who tomor-
row will take the witness stand in an
effort to clear himself of the grim
charge against him.
While they talked, not less than 50
yards away. on the grass under anoth-
er tree. reclined the II men in whose
LANDS the life of the prisoner hangs.
The conference between the accused
and his counsel was brief Mr.. Smith
shook the hand of the prisoner warm
~ and bespoke his best wishes for the
events of the morrow.
I'm very glad to get the chance to
go on the stand" said the prisoner to
an Associated Press representative.
They couldn't keep me oft if they
tried"
Did somebody try to keep you from
the stand"
Yes. Some people thought | would
weaken my case if / testified but ]
have told them and I say now that I'd
go on that stand and tell my story If
thought / was going to be killed the
next minute l want to tell the jury
my story and when they hear it, I'm
confident their verdict will establish
my innocence.
When Beattie had finished talking he
bit nervously at toothpick. For q
few minutes he stood alone with the
1ailer, watching his attorney enter an
automobile in the road. But his eXcur
sion into the outside air was short
lived for soon he sauntered with the
iailer to the stuffy stone Jail, where
the yelping of a dozen Negro prisoners
and the midnight pranks of a family
of rats furnished his only diversion.
Il am sure Henry Beattie will clear
himself" said Mr.. Smith. 'Why, just
consider what has been said against
him has been almost entirely circuln-
stantial evidence and just remember
what Mr.. Kestleborg's testimony
showed about the danger of accepting
circumstantial evidence. The discov-
cry of Mr.. Kestleborg as a witness was
an accident and when we found out
what he knew we had to literally drag
him to court. He shows that 1t was
he who the boys saw fixing that au
tomoble on the night of the murder
and does not that cast big doubt as
to the other evidence which the pros
ecution has brought out?"
The attorney said he was confident that
the prisoner would convince the jury of
his innocence.
| a of he
| Henry and Paul" continued the lawyer,
and / reckon the jury will soon decide
the issue when they hear the prisoner
tell his own story of the affair
Beattie did not look as bright today as
he has on other occasions since the trial
began. His face was pallid and his eye
lids sagged as If sleepless Inc uncom-
Portable little cell that he occupied was
cheerless.
Two dainty little girls tonight, one in
pink and the other in white proudly
brought the prisoner his supper.
A thunder storm and douwnpour did
not add to his comfort He retired early
TO rest for the ordeal of tomorrow.
Labor days respite for the public is ex-
/ pected to bring an unusually large crowd
: to the court house tomorrow, but. as its
2 capacity is limited to barely 100 there will
be scramble for seats at an early hour
The prisoner will take the stand imme-
diateiy after court conYenes at 1915
O'Clock. The prosecution is prepared to
Z attack the prisoners story with merci-
/ less ire In the rebuttal which will fol
e low ON Tuesday, the commonwealth viii
: bring to the stand many witnesses pur
e posel. withheld until the story of the &C
: cused is before the jury. 1t will not bt
e surprising TO see Beulah Binford. the s,
! called Girl in the case" on the stant
I confronting the prisoner
:. whether Beulah is called to the stant