The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-23
Ministers Give Him
Communion in Pres
ence Of Father.
HIS MENTAL POISE
REMAINS NORMAL
Seems to Realize Significance os
Religious Act-Governor Still
Importuned by Letter and
Telegram-Last Farewells
Will Be Said
To-Day.

In the presence only Of II. C. Beattte, \
Sr., the sacrament of the Lords Supper
was administered to Henry Clay Beat
tie, Jr, in the death cell at the State
Penitentiary at o'clock yesterday
afternoon The ceremony was conducts
ed by Rev. John ]. Fix. pastor of Por-
ter Street Presbyterian Church, as
sisted by Rev. BENJAMIN Dennis, for
mer rector OF Meade Memorial Episco-
pal Church. South Richmond.
To all appearances, the man who Is
to eSpiate the crime OF which the law
has ad1udged him guilty received the
communion in sincere contrition for all
his sins and In faith of the efficacy of
the religion which he by this act pro-
fesses. Naturally the ministers would
not discuss the details, even Il there
had been those inconsIderate enough TO
ask. a
Has Kept In Ignorance.
Trying to know as little as possible
about the case. superintendent Wood
gave directions to the guards to admit
members of the family. the two minis
ters and attorneys without question.
and unless some matter required his
personal attention, he has known ilttlo
or nothing of the movements to and
from the cell
While during the past few days Beat
tie has softcned considerably from the
standpoint of religious influences,
there is nothing in his condition to JUS
tify a statement as TO anything ap-
preaching a physical or mental break
down. There has been no hysterIa. no
pronounced nervous symptoms, no
bodily illness. He Is fairly composed
at ali times. and seems to be glad
| that the agony VIII not be delayed.
| Twelve Arc Summoned
Invitations have been sent ont to
/ the twelve witnesses provided by law,
and these are directed to present them
selves at the prison not later than z
o'clock tomorrow morning. Execu-
lions enevr take place before that hour,
and usually they are few minutes
| later. Breakfast hour at the peniten-
| the law is carried out, and the con-
| demned man is fed as are all others.
Usually the prisoners eat with reason
| able heartiness.
Beattie eats eggs and beefsteak and
fried pork. with vegetables. and drinks
| coffee The question asked him Is that
| usually propounded in many eating
places: How viii you have your
| eggs cooked?" He still sleeps with
| reasonable soundness. arises early.
spends most of his time reading when
visitors are not with him. and main
tains an equable though subdued de-
meauor. t.Hg
Many write GOvcrnOR. F.F.rs
Nearly 100 letters were received yes
terday by Governor Mann in regard to
the Beattie case, In spite OF his Very
evident Discrimination to discuss the
matter again or to pay any attention
to any demands made upon him In this
regard Six Of these came by special
delivery. In addition there was ono
telegram Similar experiences have
been the lot of every executive author
ity In modern times over the disposal
OF case which has filled the public
mind.
However. the custom OF sending tloW-
ers and other presents 10 the prisoner
has not been inuulged in by Richmond
women. This Is 4 common practice IN
other places. Hysterical letters are
the lint in this instance to which those
interested have gone. 1t is not to DO
unuers TODD that ali the communications
evidence an !l-baianced mind, for some
have Keen received wnicn are distinctly
nrgumentntive III tone. AL fill the
executive waste baskets with cUnsid-
erab.e frequency.
The most trying of all the horrible
experiences OF the past four months
viii be the saying OF the last goou-pyS
to-day before TIE usnering OF soul
into the unknown.