Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-07-28
BEATT|E's TRIAL
To BEGIN IN AUGUST
Prosecution Claims to Have Wit.
ness Who Heard Wife Scream
on the Night of Murder.

AailOa lClRucQ III hlClllllOtlu SUCltiN '
this afternoon when it was announced hy
attorneys for both the prosecution and
the defense in the Beattie case, that
Beulah Binford, the Other Woman in
the mystery. would be made to tell Of
her relations with several prominent
young men here.
Detectives have discovered that on
the night OF the murder OF Mrs. Henry
Clay Beattie, ir., young married man
OF Richmond, socially prominent, was
out automobiling with the Binfnrd
girl.
The defense will lay bare every bit Of
evidence obtainabe as to Beulah's init
macy with other men, in order 70
combat the contention Of the prosecn-
ton that Beattie killed bis wife for love
of the seventeen-year old girl.
1t was said today that one young
man who may figure in the Binford
girls testimony, had offered to go Cm
her bond Of $1,000 in order II
get her out Of town. In view
OF this offer, which was declined, th.
authorities this afternoon increased tia"
girls bond to S., 900.
Detectives on the case are delugeI
with written confession" and crank
letters. Several writer's offered 10 e.
to the electric chair for the crime.
Richmond, Va, July 28.-July 2S.
While county detectives continue
their search for further evidence in the
Beattie case, interest here today shifted
to the preparations being made by the
commonwealth and the accused man,
Henry Clay Beattie, for the actual
trial, set for early in August.
Harry NJ. Smith, ir., chief counsel
for Beattie, and L. 0. Wendenburg, OF
The states counsel, will center their
efforts on Paul Beattie, cousin of the
man whom the coroner's jury held for
the murder Of his young wife. The
prosecution believes Paul has not told
all he knows; the defense claims
that the circumstantial evidence
given by him-that he purchased the
gun with which the crime was com
mitted at his cousins request and de
livered the weapon to him three days
before the murder-can be broken
down.
Hill Carter, recognized as one OF the
foremost criminal lawyers in the state,
was today retained as additional coun.
sci Tor Henry Clay Beattie, jr.
Special detective Scherer, in charge
Of the investigation for the prosecution,
admitted today that he had found Il
new witness who laims to have heard
Mrs. Beattie scream just before the
shot that ended her life was fired.
Greater secrecy than ever was thrown
around the developments in the Beattie
murder case today by detectives, who
have said that it was not desired to ac.
quaint the defense with the evidence
gathered.
It was said, however, that a witness
had been secured who heard woman
scream, then shotgun explosion. fol
lowed by the footing of an auto horn
on the night OF the murder. When
the witness gained the roadside the
road was clear This is contrary to the
statement OF Henry Clay Beattie. ir.,
in which he said that after the shot
was fired by the highwayman, he
yelled for help and footed his horn.
The witness, while not an witness,
was upon the scene of the crime with
in few minutes after it occurred. His
name was not divulged.
Maizi Green, negro "mammy''
who was nursing Mrs. Henry Clay
Beattie ir. during her Illness when The
baby was born, said today that one
midnight about four weeks before the
tragedy, as she was sleeping IN the
same room where Mrs Beattie and
her babe were she bad fearful dream,
awakening Mrs. Beatle with a shrek.
What is the mater. Maizi2" Ak ed
Mrs. Beattlc, startled from irer s!uin.
Der.
Mis- Lrui.e, / saw = man rrerp in,
to this room. pass around NY r"ucl
aud point i gun III your fac,---.'
Then the woman hesltated!
Well, 90 on, came the answer
"Whal else?"
The man put the gun in your f,,,-
and pulled the trigger. Just - ihs
gun exploded it tore into Your face,
continued the negro woman. aud vor
were killed.
Tie dream was discussed Il, tht
nurse and Mrs. Rratrir tnr spmc'inlt
and then they retired MKT day tht
negro woman told lLe dreams TO others
and on Tuesday night, July 18Th, til,
fearful dream was made n reality ol
the Midlothian Turnpike, when tlit
young wife and mother after expressin:
fear to go riding with her husband
was shot to death.
Henry Clay Beattie. ir, is beginning
TO weaken. Postals and letters received
by him yesterday seemed toirritate hin
while heretofore he appeared to take
everything in don't-care spirit Peo
pie who have observed men under al
kinds Of circumstances assert that wher
hardihood such as Beattie has mani
tested starts to give way the downfall
is sudden and complete, and the de
tectives anticipate a total breakdown
| within very short time.
GThe envy which was noted last weel
at the coroner's hearing over the gur
and other articles in evidence still exist
between the county authorities ant
city detectives. While the gun is il
possession of Officer FARRELL, Of thC
no11nf,, IF Nh aotars.lJ H.