Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-11-08
GOES TO DEATH HOUSE.
Henry Beattie Removed today to
Murderer's Row in State
Penitentiary.

Richmond, Va, Nov. S.-Henry
Clay Beattie, Jr.. sentenced 10 die No
veulber oath for the murder OF his
wife. In July OF this year. was today
removed from the city jail to the state
penitentiary, where he was placed in
the detention cell and guard stationed
in front Of the door, so that Beattle
will be under the attendant at all
times. Supt. Wood made the trip to
the jail taking Beattie into custody
and escorting him to the cell. Beattle
!, had not been served with breakfast and
OH mis- arrival at the prison his cloth
| ing vas removed and a new suit was
given him. He appeared to be IN
| good spirits. He made no reference
whatever 10 the charge which placed
| him in the hands of the law.
/ The exceptions in the plea for new
trial and writ Of error in the case vi
Beattie which are now being considered
by the Court OF Appeals, differ from
the ordinary exceptions in that more
than the mere tcchnicalities OF the law
are specified. The sensational portion
of Attorney Wendenburg's closing
argument to the jury is cited, the petit
ten holding that the words we're grossly
improper and liable to prejudice the
Jurors. Two exceptions are MADE TO
the testimony Of Mrs. r. Y Owen,
mother OF the slain girl, who testified as
to the relations OF Beattie and his Slfe.
The proper fixing OF the expenses in
the trial OF Bcattie, has for some days
past held the attention OF the governor,
and certain state officials aud other
officers OF the law have held one or
more conferences with bis axrellency
in regard to this matter. Among those
interested in this matter, besides Judge
Walter A. Watson, who otiatc has been
\ freuuent caller at the guhernatorlai
offices, is Luther l.. Scherer, who took
entire charge OF the accumulahns OF
evidence against Beattie to prepare the
case for the prosecution.
i II is the expressed opinion OF Mr..
Scherer that the expenses in the BeattIe
trial will fall from $500 to 81, 900 be-
low those in the trial and execution OF
Samuel J. McCue, which latter OK
penses, according to Governor Mann,
Appropriated about So, 500.
The expenses Of the Baattie case
will be pretty evenly divided between
The state Of Virginia and thr county Of
Chesterfield. 1t is estimated that the
total expense Of the whole trial VIII DC
| in the neighborhood Of $4,000, which
is considered very reasonable con
lsilerinjg the Importance and length o.
the court proceedings, and the inaccos-
sibility of Chesterfield courthouse,
where the trial was held, from the city
OF Richmond, where the accused and
most Of the more important witnesses
were held, and where the attorneys IN
! the trial resided.
! The services OF two OF the most I'M
portaut figures who appeared in the
trial were given free to the state.
! These were Louis O. Wendenburs
associate prosecuting attorney, and
! Luther l.. Scllerer, than whom no man
accomplished more to bring the author
of the murder OF Louise Owen Beattie
to justice.
In recognation OF the singular abili-
ties, Lawyer Wendcnburg was elected
to the state senate from his district IL
Henrico county, without even so much
as ever starting campaign. In the
case OF Mr.. Scherer that officer tender
ed his services without cost to the
state, the Chesapeake and Ohio rail
road consentiug to allow him all time
necessary from his duties as their gen
eral claim agent that he might prose-
cute the gathering evidence in the
Beattie case.