The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-01
LOCKS SCHERER
IN JAIL OFFICE
WHILE WAITING
County Jailer Stringent in
Treatment of Beattie
investigator
PROSECUTION ASKS
WITNESSES REMOVAL
Judge Watson is Appealed to
and Asked to Issue
the Necessary
Orders

Refusing point blank and with dogg
Cd determination not to allow detectives
TO remove Bulah Bnford and Paul ID.
Beatiie from Henrico County jail, Jailer
Garnett yesterday afternoon precipi-
tated u crisis In the investigation OF
the famous murder mystery. created
state resembling chaos in the ranks
of the sleuths and temporarily placed
the detectives at n disadvantage In
their fight to prove Henry Clay Beatue.
Jr. guilty of the murder OF his bride
Mrs. Louise Wexford owen Beattie.
Despite the fact that the detectives
appeared at the Jail armed with an
official order bearing the signature OF
Magistrate w. A. Jacobs. of Chester
field county. who committed the three
prisoners to the jail to await the ac-
ton OF the grand jury. Jailer Garnett
NaliantIy stood his ground against ap
parently overwhelming odds, scoffed at
the influence brought to bear against
him as we'll as any criticism. which
might result from his action and de-
clared he would not turn ths key which
would open the cells Of Paul Beattie
and Bulah Binford.
Baffied In their carefully planned
scheme to remove the prisoners. In
dalging in harsh criticism OF the OBJ
stinacy of the Jaller and declaring they
would remove the prisoners In twenty
four hours, the detectives abandoned
their plans for the nfgn, and took an
appeal To Judge Watson of the Circuit
Court OF Chesterfield county. request
Inc that he Issue an order without de-
lay for the removal of the prisoners.
Judge Watson was reached by long
distance telephone at his home In
Chesterfield county. fifteen miles from
Richmond. but he declined To issue the
order until after he had discussed the
tg.I sa-44 tfaI
nsnnw ealthx Attorney or Chesterfield
county and as this conference must he.
through the mails Ii Is probable there
viii be a tedious dvray before Paul
Beattie and Buiah Binford are re-
moved.
Aliese Carelex.ness.
Declaring that their cIief reason for
wishing to remove the prisoners is
that jaiier Garnett has non exercised
discretion in admitting visitors to the
presence OF the prisoners and has
shown himself unable to prevent
possible communication between the
prisoners when they are seen daily ty
several persons friendly to them. the
detectives assert that To allow the prs-
oners TO remain longer in the Heurico
Jail may impede their efforts to
fathom the mystery ard may damage
the cause Of tho Commonwealth against
Henry Clay Beattie, Jr.
Whether Jailer Garnett will he
forced to deliver the prisoners into
the custody OF electives by the writ
ten command of Judge Watson could
NOT he ascersained last night. hut ex-
citing developments are expected to-
day. Judge Watson, talking oyer
long distance telephone to The Rich
mond Nirgintan at late hour said.
Il was requested this afternoon by
Detective Luther L. Seherer and his
aid In the investigation, Detective
George FARRELL, to issue an order for
the removal Of Paul Beattie and Miss
Binford from Henrico county Jail to
the Richmond city jail. | have just
written a letter to the commemorative
attorney. asking his opinion In the
matter. and, OF course. will take
no action until ! receive reply from
him. Ii is possible. but not probahl
that the desired order will be issued
Tomorrow"
Detectives Have DIFFICULTY.
Since the prisoners were committed
10 the Jail by Magistrate Jacob de-
tectives have experienced difficulty in
interviewing them and have had sus-
picions that Henry Clay Beattie, Jr.
was in daily communication with Blu
lab Rinford as we'll as his cousin, Paul
Beattie. Realizing that communica-
ton between the trio would be dam
aging to the prosecution, detectives
tried in every way to detect by what
route the messages were carried.
Detectives have also been alarmed
by the large number OF persons al
lowed to see the prisoners. and ii ID
stated proper care has not been ex-
ercised In admitting visitors to the
cells Of the Beauties and the girl. 1t
Ia believed the prisoners have been
seen by several persons who would
not have been admitted had their
identity been known to the detectives
before the jail doors were thrown
open by Jailer Garnett.
Commemorative Attorney Gregory,
his associate. Attorney l. o. Wenden-
burg. and Detective Luther l. scher-
er, directing the investigation. have
"a held several conferences for tho pur-
pose Of considering the advisability
OF preventing further communication
between the prisoners by removing
Paul Beattie and Bulah Binford to
another Jail and keeping Henry Clay
Beattie. Jr.. in confinement at the
Henrico Jail. For reasons not made
public the confrerees delayed their
decision and no action was taken.
Must Make Appointment.
An incident at the Henrfco county
ja1l yesterday in which Detective
Schercr and Jailer Garnett were the
principal participants precipitated the
crisis which. In the opinion OF Mr..
Scherer. necessitated the immediate
removal Of the prisoners. Mr.. Scher-
er called at the jail to interview Blu
lah Binford. He had Just unearthed
some valuable and important infor-
nation, which made an. immediate
Interview with the girl witness es-
sential to the progress of the hives
tigation. The detective drove to the
Jail hurriedly in taxicab.
He was admitted to the Jail office
by Jailer Garnett and requested to be
shown Mt once to the cell OF Bulah
Binford. Jailer Garnett said: You
must let mo know the hour when you
!, Acontinusd on seventh Pagal