The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1911-09-02
DEFENDANT Is EXPECTED TO
MAKE GOOD WITNESS IN HIS
OWN BEHALF,
brother IS ON STAND
Douglas esattis, While on Stand Says
He Would Have Destroyed All Evi.
dsnee Had He Known That His
Brother Was to Be indicted for
Wifs's Murdsr-Nsw Witness Fourd.

Chesterfield Courthouse. Va, Sept.
1.-Henry Clay Beattie. Jr, indicted
for the murder Of his wife, did not
take the stand today In his own be-
half as was expected. but the asser-
tion was made just before court adj
journed that the defence would con-
clude its case tomorrow with the
prisoners testimony.
An argument ensucd between coun-
sci for both sides as to whether the
cross examination OF the accused also
could be finished tomorrow and II was
obvious that the defense wished 10
have the prisoner rest over Sunday
before the attack upon him by the
prosecution should begin.
Thomas Hancock. one Of the Jurors,
however, spoke up In a plaintive voice
to the court, saying. Please consider
u.s. judge" and the court Immediately
asked II. NJ. Smith. Jr., counsel for the
defense. how many more witnesses he
would introduce.
Just a few more" said Mr.. Smith.
But we will surely close our case to-
morrow by placing the prisoner on
the stand"
Judge Watson announced that he
would hold court later than usual to-
morrow evening II necessary to finish
the case, but an agreement was
reached to suspend Judgment as to
holding the night session until tho
testimony OF the accused had been
presented. Court will be delayed In
the morning by the taking of a dcpo-
sition Of Mrs. NJ. C.. Steger. who Is Ill
at her home near the scene OF the
crime and who, II IL claimed. saw the
alleged bearded highwayman prowl-
Ing around the day OF the murder.
Testimony Psrfunctory.
Testimony today vas perfunctory.
Several women friends of the accused
and his dead wife testified that the
couple lived happily together.
Except for the impromptu admis-
sion of Douglas Beattie, "A brother OF
the accused that he woulds have de-
stroyed evidences Of the murder had
he known his brother was to be
charged with the crime the most in
teresting development OF the day was
the discovery OF new witness by the
defense, Joseph Casselberg OF Rich
mond. casselberg It has been rumored
for some time. has had mysterious
knowledge OF the case. He Is reported
to have been on the Midlothian turn
pike with another person about the
same time that the murder occurred
and Is supposed to De the man who
stopped to crank his machine and was
seen by the group Of boys on their
way from the dance at Bonair. II he
Ii called as a witness and admits that
he had stopped to fix his machine q
the point where the boys say they
saw the car with woman on the
running board and a man In front pi
It. the defense considers this would
controvert much OF the testimony tend
ing to show that Mrs. Beattie was shot
while on the running board and moi
In the car seat. as her husband alleges
1t was rumored tonight. however
that the defense may not call Caseel-
berg because OF conflicting reports
concerning his probable testimony. .
Question Raised Again. Il
The question of whether Mrs Beattis
was shot while standing on the run
ming board or in the road, or. as hel
husband insists, while she sat dn thu
front seat to the left OF him. a9ail
was raised today when several auto
mobile experts testified that q larg'
pool of blood such as was found
! the scene of the crime could hav
trekled through the machinery OF tn
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