Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-11-25
DOES NOT 60 INTO DETAILS
Says that Much that Was Published
is Not True.
HIs pEATH IS MsTANTANE0Us
Murderer Taken to Death Chamber
Shortly After Seven O'clock.
MEMBERS OF FAMILY ABSENT
only Officers and Twelve witnesses
Required by Law of the state
Are Present at Elec-
trocuttOn.

RICHMOND, va, Nov. 2L-Henry
Clay Beattle, jr.. before his death In the
electric chair az T.2S a. m. today. cons
fessed 20 tho murder of his wife, Tho
statement which was given out In the
rotunda OF a doSntown hotel. follows:
II, Henry Clay Beattie, jr.. desirous OF
standing right before God and man. do
on tho 2Sd day Of November, 1911, con-
fess my guilt OF the crime charged
against me. Much that was published
concerning tho details was not true, but
the awful fact, without the narrowing
circumstances remains. For this ac-
tlon. / am truly sorry ana, believing that
l am at peace with God and am soon to
pass into His presence. this statement is
made"
Beattie's confession was followed by
tho following statement by the attending
ministers.
This statement was signed IN the
presence of the two attending ministers
and Is the only statement that can and
will be made public by them.
"Mr. Beattie desired 20 thank the many
friends for kind letters and expressions
OF interest and the public for whatever
sympathy was felt or expressed,
Many RumOru About Confession.
Throughout the forenoon the city had
been rent with rumors that Beattle had
confessed. These were denied at the peni-
tntiary. where. in connection with the
announcement OF the death. It was said
the condemned man had made no state
ment. The attending ministers would not
discuss the case until they had visited
Beattie's parents In South Richmond and
| h0A "a. .. r..
confession public.
The confession evidently was made at
the eleventh hour, when Beattie finally
becnme convinced that all hope Of escap-
ing the electric chair had passed.
Two days ago Rev Or. Fix announced
that Beattia said ne would not confess
This was aacrihed TO the fact that Beattia
desired 70 spare hts father the blow OF
admitting guilt after hlh many protesta-
tIons uf Innocence 10 the aged parent
There was a fight between filiai devo-
tion and desire not to 60 to his death
with a lie upon his lips He was urged
to confess by his spiritual advisers and at
last broke down.
Beattie's death was instantaneous, ac-
cording to the prison surgeon. The ut
most care had been taken In the prepara-
|
the straps and clamps were prepared 20
Withstand any strain.
In his home In South Richmond, the
father. surrounded by his other son.
Douglas. his daughter, Hazel, and two
aunts Of tho condemned man, awaited
word that all was over.
Final Prayer with Condemned.
Just before Superintendent Wood and
his men appeared Rev. Or. Fix kneit In
prayer with the condemned man. He
prayed for Divine forgiveness for him.
Beattle appeared affected, but when the
prayer was finished he was as emphatic
in his refusal to confess as at any time
since his arrest.
No member OF the Beattie family was
present at the execution nor at the penl-
tentlary when the death march was
fbegrn. Preparations for the reception OF
Douglas Beattie, brother OF the doomed
man. had been made In the superintend-
ents office. but the young man did not
appear. The failure OF any members OF
the family 10 be present was welcomed
by the prison authorities. for they feared
their charge might break down az the
last moment.
Carriages we're waiting for the Wit
nesses and they were driven rapidly away.
The Identity OF but few was known.
After the legal formallties had been
complied with and the witnesses had gone
the body OF Beattle was removed from
the chair ana taken to the mortuary
room adjoining. Here II was laid to
await the coming OF the coroner. who
arrived shortly afterward. The Rev. Dr.
Fix remained as the sole watcher.
All preparations had been made for
the removal OF the body. The elder Beat
tic last night sent TO the undertaken tho
brown suit which his son had worn in
court when the jury declared his guilt.
In this the body was clad for burial.
Henry Clay Beattie, jr., was electro
cuted In the state penitentiary at 7;23
a. m One minute after the shock he was
pronounced dead.
In downpour or rain, the twelve Wit