The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-14
FATHER, SISTER
AND AUNT VISIT
CONDEMNED man
Sitting in Death Chamber,
Maintains Fortitude to
Remarkable Degree
FAMILY STANDING
BY HIM TO LAST
Harry M. Smith, His Chief
Counsel, Also Called and
Spends Some Time
in Conversation

Henry Clay Beattie. Jr., will not
spend his last few days or weeks On
earth in solitude or neglect.
lie Will not be left to carry his
burden Of grief alone, amid the grim
surroundings of the prison.
All that an ever-kind and aiTec-
tionate father can do for him will
Yet be done. and his few remaining
hours OF earth win he sweetened by
the loving attention of his family and
friends.
Every member VI his Immediate
family called to see him yesterday
afternoon. and his sturdy champion
Attorney Harry NJ. smith. called az
well. to cheer him UP and to con
suit with him.
Mr.. Smith reached the peniten-
tiary shortly after 4 o'clock yesterday
afternoon. and after heart hand
shake with Superintendent Woou, he
was escorted to HIS clients cell. lie
had hardly disappeared before the
grated doors swung open and way was
made for Mr.. Henry c. Beattie. Sr,
father Of the prisoner; the prisoners
sister. Miss Hazel Beattie, and his
aunt. Mrs. Ella J. Bowman. They
were escorted to the cell OF their I'M
fortunate relative. where an affecting
scene was enacted.
The meeting of the condemned
brother with his fair young sister
was touching in the extreme Beat
tie retained his CONF osure remark
ably we'll. and when goodbyes were
said he was apparently In good spir-
its.
Hope Springs Eternal.
He had been made aware OF the
decision OF the Court of Appeals with
rhfn tE, b .-1tn
day by his father. and his courage
was buoyed up and his spirits were
sustained by the belief that the Gov
ernor would grant him n respite and
eventually d communication of sem
tence.
SO far AZ could be ascertained
there was no ground for any belief
that the prisoner was on the verge
OF a breakdown. On the contrary,
superintendent Wood. while very
guarded in his expressions and de-
clining absolutely TO be interviewed
on any subject with regard to HIS
noted prisoner stated that Beattts
was In fine physical trim. and that
he seemed to be in good spirits and
appetite.
While no visitors viii be permitted
except close relatives and the legal
and spiritual advisers OF the con-
demned man. those who are near and
dear to him will continue their min
istrat!ons daily. carrying AZ much Of
sunshine and helpfulness into the last
days OF their unfortunate relative as
the circumstances will permit.
When Mr.. Smith was asked how
his client was holding out under the
strain. he said: He IL bearing up un-
der 1t a great deal better than I
could"
The marvellous self-controi Of Hen
ry Clay Beattie. Jr.. daily exemplified
during the trial Of his case. viii. It ie
believed. not fail him even to the very
h,ur and article of death That he
will die by his own hand. az some
have made bold to forecast, is another
OF those improbable 30 frequently
advanced by the ili-tnformed. He 10
under the constant surveillance Of the
deathwatch. Dav and night his every
movement 10 carefully guarded. Even
should he desire to commit suicide
there Is little probability that he would
succeed in any attempt that he might
make.
Last night, Mr.. Henry Clay Beattie,
ST., stated that he did not desire to
make any statement for publication
with reference TO the case. at this
time. While extremely disappointed
by the unfayorable action OF the Su-
preme Court Mr.. Beattie will proceed
With his accustomed energy to the
rext move looking to the saving OF
the life OF his son. In South Rich
niond lis neighbors and friends have
never failed to show their unfailing
sympathy for him and his family In
their affection. Many OF them yester-
day and last evening conveyed to him
their deepest regrets over the action
of the Court OF Appeals. and they VIII
NIL his petition for Communication OF
sentence.
Governor to Act Promptly.
The attorneys of Henry Clay Beat
tie. Jr.. his family and friends will NOT
De left long in suspense as to execu-
tive action in the matter OF re-
spite for the condemned man.
This morning Governor William |
Hodges Mann Will confer with IL NJ I
Smith. Jr.. and Hill Carter and, after |
hearing such request for respite for |
their client as they may desire to |
make. he will promptly advise them |
what he is willing to do.
There is little doubt that the Gov !!
ernor has had u deep settled convic- |
ticn as to his duty In the matter ever |
since the questions OF respite or COM
murn.ion of sentence were first agi-
tated.
Attorney Smith last night said that |
he did not feel that II would be wise |
or proper for him to make any state !
ment ns tc what the friends and at |
torneys Of the accused would ask the |
Governor to do. He preferred to await |
the action Of the Governor before |
making any abatement Whatsoever,
Governor Mann will return at an
early hour this morning from Psters-
burg. A. to what action NJ would |
take in the Case. hs said Nc would N
no0ncs his declsaon todAy.