Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-07-20
SENSATIONAL ARREST
PROMISED BY OFFICERS
Mysterious Woman in Beattie Muir.
der---C. & O. Detectives AT
WOrk---Funeral of Victim.

III SAaiSC VI CApelt5, ~ pSlIIcilltL, (,
county officers and citizens without,
number yesterday secured Chesterfield
county for the murderer of Mrs. Louise
Owen Beattie, ir., whose head was
blown off by shotgun in the hands OF
an unidentified man while Mr.. and
Mrs. Beattie were motoring on the
Midlothian turnpike near Richmond,
Tuesday night.
Despite the dragnet which had been
placed to capture the murderer no de-
velopments have occurred, only the
gun being found at railroad crossing
where it is thought it bounced out as
the auto hit the tracks.
The dead woman was niece Of Beu
jamin ?. Owen, secretary to Governor
Mann.
Two pools OF blood we're found in the
road at the scene of the murder yester
day morning, some distance apart, and
this is somewhat puzzling to the detcc-
tives.
Il do not believe" said Mr. Beattic
today, that the man intended to kill
| think be was some person with an
antipathy against automobiles, who
merely intended to fire into the air and
frighten u.s.
Irving Brown, a negro, Is years old.
was arrested early yesterday afternoon
on suspicion. Bloodhounds followed 4
trail through roadside cornfield which
led to Browns home, two miles from
the place where Mrs. Beattie was mur-
dered. His father said Irving bad not
spent the right at home. He dcnti-
fed the shotgun as one his son had
bought some time ago. The young
negro's shoes matched the tracks in the
cornfeld. He was found picking
blackberries not far from the cabin.
Irving maintained his innocence, al
though put through a severe third
degree" examination by detectives.
Mrs. Beattie, 81 years old, was bride
of year. She was the mother of
two weeks'old infant.
Beattie gave the following account
of the shooting yesterday afternoon:
We had been out in the country
rs far as Warwick road, and we're on
our way back, and while going at
about Is miles an hour l discerned in
the darkness a man ahead of u.s. He
entered the road from the left and
stopped about the middle Of the road.
I jammed the brakes down hard, which
stopped the auto. What the hell are
you trying to do-run over me?" the
man asked, and l replied there was
room enough for both OF us, The
man appeared to be drunk, and his
attitude was surly and defiant. !
noticed shotgun in his hand. With
out moments warning he raised the
gun and fired, while standing not more
than 6 feet from the car, the muzzle
not being more than yard from my
wife. Following the report, | leaped
from the car and grappled with him.
The man was every bit OF six feet and
lowered above me. / seized the gun
with the intention OF wrestling it from
him, but he broke my grip and brought
the gun down with terrific force, the
butt striking me singing blow on the
nose and rendering me momentarily
senseless. When l recovered, the man
had disappeared
The wound on Beattie's nose is slight
and looks as though it might have
been caused by walking into an un-
seen obstruction in the darkness. the
charge of shot entered a space in Mrs.
Beattie's face not larger than half
dollar.
Richmond, Va, July 19.-On the
ownership OF shotgun OF an ordinary
type hinges today the solution Of the
sensationally mysterious Staying Of Mrs.
Louise Owen Bcattie, jr., wife OF the
Manchester banker, who according 10
the story told by her husband, WAS
shot down while seated behind him in
their automobile.
The murder is the most mysterious
in the history nf the state
The coroner has possession c: !he
blood stained automobile, the suit OF
clothes worn by Beattie and the shot
gun He is trying 10 trace the gan
and If its ownership can be established
the slayer will be found. To give the
police time to work on the case, the
inquest will not be held until tomorrow.
Richmond, Va, July 20.-An ar
rest within the next twelve hours is
this afternoon promised hy lhc R:ch.
moEd aulhoriri.s as the next de,rl"y-
ment il the M, 81 r.om- murder II
Mrs. Henry Clay Baattie, of Tuesday
night
The young wife OF the Manchester
merchant was buried today. The hus-
band is at the home of his uncle
The police have asked him to remain
there, giving as reason their desire
to have him Immediately at hand II
additional information regarding the
mystery OF the Midlothian turnpike is
wanted.
That sensational developments are
forthcoming is evidenced by the ex
traordinary secrecy with which the
police are yelling their hunt for the
real murderer of the young woman.
c. & 0. Railway detectives we're
placed at the disposal Of r. v Oven,
father OF the murdered woman, by
the railroad officials today, 10 cooper.
ate in rnnning down all clues.
Mayor Richardson this afternoon ex
pressed vigorous criticism OF the action
of the police here in losing track OF
woman whose name has been brought
into the case. Just what connection
she has with the mystery, the police