New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-29
WISH TO GOD | HADN'T
DONE |T'-BEATT|E
Cousin Gives Damaging TeStl-
mony in Trial of Young Vlr-
ginian for Murder.
BOUGHT GUN FOR PRISONER
Mother of Slain Woman Testlfies
to Her Daughters Unhappi-
ness-State Practically
Ends It's Case.

Chesterfield Courthouse Va, Aug. o.
Between gulrs Of intense emotion Paul H.
peattie. cousin Of Henry Clay Beatue. jr
who stands indicted for the murder OF his
Eife. revealed on the witness stand late
today that the accused man told him
lwenty-four hours after the murder how
,orry he was "he had done It," circum-
stance relating to the crime that the wit
tess hitherto had suppressed.
Coming as dramatically and as unex'
pectedly as the pathetic tale an hour be
Tore of Mrs r. V Owen. mother of the
sead woman. as 10 the domestic infehcitl
bf her daughter. due 10 her husbands con
sition, the brief hut thrilling testimony
tfven by Paul Beattie created A profound
tensation.
Paul Boattie. at -coroner's inquest
hervous wreck but to-day strong and de-
ternined. poured out a tale which con
tas.edIy has troubled his mind. not only
because he purchased the shotgun foi
Henry. but because he did not until TO-
eay tell all he knew Of the case
With ouivering lips and tesr-dimmec
ives he set forth the story. against whieF
his heart and sympathy had for DAYS beer
tevoltinG.
Il hated TO testify against my own fesf
and kim he murmured, as the muscles
B: his throat pulSated. but my wife, my
child and the duty l owe TO ny city forceC
u,e 70 do So
II Wish 70 Cod | Hadn't Done IT.
The gasp that rose simultaneously from
the threats Of those IN the stufy court
room was strangely audible, and for
moment the crowd held its breath Whit
Paul Beattie continued. Henry had toll
ule that he wanted me to stick by him, bu
| said 10 him: This looks mighty black t
me. and you've got me into lot OF trouble
Henry told ne: I wish TO God | had no
done IT, ( would not have done II 70
o.. oo1esp, but she never loved me-she onl
married me for my money
Paul Beattie paused, and his plaintiS
tone sank lower, but he did not break down
A hushed Stiffness prevailed in the room
as his next words were awaited, but h
said no more, and bracing himself in hi
chair, turned his sharp chin toward IN
bench where the prisoner and counsel sa
and looked hxedly az the latter in pepara
ton for the cross-eXamination.
Harry NJ. SnHth, jr., one Of the lawyer
Tor the defendant rose from his seat gaze
hard at the witness and in LOUD Voic
confronted Paul with the charge that
the cornpers inquest he had not told IN
whole truth as his oath required when n
omitted 10 make the statement concernin
Eenry's alleged confession 10 him. Pa,
looked appealingly az the counsel and, haro
ly able to repress his emotion, told how u
had not been able TO clear his mind at IN
lnouest when he collapsed or for som
days later and that he had only recent
been able TO force himself TO give damag
Inc evidence against his own kinsman.
II was a late hour when this stage o
the trial was reached and adjournment wa
|. taken until tomorrow morning, when IN
cross. examination will continue. In IN
mean time Henry c. Beattie jr, was take
back to Richmond 10 permit Of a confer
ence there with counsel The prosecution
let it he known that it had practically nm
ished its case
From early morning, when a mother, MRS
r V owen. stihed her pride and in
choking voice, almost A whisper at times
told the jury the sordid details of how
Henry c. Beattie. jr.'s, alleged ailmen
caused his wife heartending grief an,
hours Of anguish, the prisoner faced tn
hardest strain thus far witnessed in hi
night for life.