The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-09-02

mother OF a baby only n few
weeks old.
Young Beattle, who has chewed
gum, smoked cigarettes, posed for
photographers and TESTED about the
courthouse lawn during recess hour.
broke down when his gray-locked
father described the events close
ly following the death of the young
wife His face turned from white
to red; he sobed openly; he made
no pretense to conceal his grief, as
his parent battled for his life.
The story OF Mr.. Beattie, sr and
an attempt by the defense to show
that Paul Beattie. the cousin, was
unworthy of belief, were the two
main points made Thursday by
those looking after the young de-
PENDANTS interests.
+. H. hewlett, foreman OF a
paper works, swore that he saw
Paul Beattie have a single-barreled
shot gun I'm his possession Sunday.
July l6. two days before the tragedy
while Paul was employed rs watch
man at Mayo's bridge. crossing the
James river The significance OF this
Is that Paul said he bought the
gun for his cousin, Henry. on Sat
urday night, and delivered II to
him within a few hours. He said
that was the last he (PauD saw
OF It. II Paul had the gun on the
next day, part Of his story fails
The witness could not identify
Paul's weapon as identical with
the fatal one shown to him in court.
Nevertheless. Nevlett's story SEEM
cd TO influnce the jury. Also a
great number OF witnesses were
brought to show that Paul Beatths
reputation for truth and veracity
had been bad His own grandfath-
er. David Beattie, said he would
not trust the boy.
hewlett swOre: "On Sunday July
1G, two days before the homicide.
drove across Mayo's bridge, where
Paul Beattie was Waterman, with
n young son OF mine. There is a
place there called the cement
house Paul Beattie was Just
breaking a single-barreled shotgun
in this place before we arrived No;
can't say that it was the gun
that you show me here. But Is was
OF the same type, single-barreled
shotgun"
II this story were true, II would
break up Paul Beatties contention
that no gave his cousin on Satur-
day, July IS. a single-barreled
gun and never saw ii again.
There we're several character wit
nesses to testify that hewlett was
a truthful man. There were some
other witnesses to swear that young
Paul Beattio (who the other day
swore that his cousin. Henry, the
defendant, had confessed to him)
was generally regarded as liar
Then the defendants father made
his plea for his boy.
He declared that Henry, jr.. had
shown great grief upon the death
OF his wife; in fact, that he fear
ed the boy would attempt suicide.
After telling first that he (the
elder Beattie) had led an unhap-
by life because OF the death of
several Of his children and then
that of his wife, and how Henry
jr., had always been an especial pet
Of his. after the death Of the wife,
the old gentleman said
ION this fatal night, after /
raced over TO the home of his un-
Tom Owen, in a taxicab. |
met Henry in the parlor. He had
a bad scratch upon his nose. He
told me he had had an encounter
with a highwayman. asked him If
he was all right. Then | asked
him about Louise.
"A woman neighbOr came in
and told me that Louise was dead.
| spoke to Henry about this, but
he did not answer me. Then
| noticed what nc was doing"
And what was that" inquired
the defense's counsel.
He was sort OF fondling one of
the slippers his wife had worn when
they started out on that ride" said
the elder Beattie. "He was crying
and moaning. and was in a pitt
full way. | soothed him as best ]
could. | feared"
What did you fear Mr.. Beat
tie?" asked Attorney Smith.
Il feared he might do something
RASH" said the father. 80
stayed with him every moment,
watching his every movement"
II was just about at this point
that the boy defendant broke down
and began to weep. Constantly he
kept gulping in his throat, which
produced an indrawing of his
cheeks. Then the tears came. His
eyes were sunken as deeply as those
of a man who had been on a fort
nights debauch. His hands quay
cred. Never once, while his faith
or was on the stand. did the youth
look at him.
The boy had grown up. He had
been indiscreet with Beulah Bin
ford, but had completely confessed.
He had married-to the fathers
great joy-and the proudest mo-
ment of the old gentleman's life
had been when he was permitted
to carry his grandson. Henry Clay
Beattie III, in his arms.
He 1.-THE elder Beattie) had
become as devoid to Louise Owen,
mis- son VIE, as 10 any OF MS own
When the grandchild
was born ut was like starting life
over again" to him. He (the old
mani had been an elder in the
Presbyterian church for % years;
had been councilman in South
Richmond for almost as long; MS
boy had run his department store
for six or seven years-he could
not, would not believe that young
Henry, his namesake, his pet, could
possibly do such a thing as shoot
his wife.
Gently was the elder Beattie
dealt with. He was allowed to fan
himself and to have copiOus sup
plies Of ice water and to take
his time about answering questions.
And when he was through-it was
a bit of Virginia courtesy as well
as. a pretty wise legal move-the
lawyers for the State did not cross
question him, but simply said:
THAT is all, Mr.. Beattie."