Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-09-02
BEAT TIE PREPARED
To TAKE THE AND.
Judge Watson Receives Threatening
Letter---0thers Sent by Un-
known Persons.

resentatlves Of both defense and prose-
cution took 6tteen-mile trip to secure
a deposition from Mrs. NJ. G. Steger
who professed to having seen a bearded
man similar to the highwayman as de.
scribed by Beattie near the scene of the
crime The nightBeattie' 3 wife was killed
This delayed the opening of court from
10 O'Clock until eleven, and it was
sometime after even that hour before
proceedings were begun. But despite
the delayed opening OF court the
crowds were on hand early.
A wealthy Richmond business man
was reported to the defense to have
been Joy riding 10 a Buick car, very
similar to Beattie's ON the Midlothian
turnpike the night of the tragedy. The
defense hoped to prove that he stopped
his automobile near the scene of the
crime, and as he was accompanied by
a woman, to show that this was the
car seen by the boy joy-riders who
almost positively identified the stand.
ing auto as Beattie's. But grilling
examination evidently did not satisfy
the defense that the mans testimony
would be helpful to the prisoner and
it was reported this morning that the
defense would not summon him.
Oae of the objects OF the fight of
the defense for delay is to prevent
the defendant taking the stand late in
the day. Confident they would be
unable TO call Beattie before the noon
recess, they planned to put it off
until Monday, for by beginning his
direct examination this afternoon they
would give the merciless Wendenburg
the precious hours over Sunday to
study out the details of the direct
testimony.
A death threat of vengeance if
Henry Clay Beatsie, jr., is sentenced
to the electric chair was received by
Judge Walter A Watson today.
Among scores Of freak letters re-
ceived by the judge, who is sitting
in judgement on the alleged wife
was one declaring that if
Henry Clay Beattle was sentenced to
death, the days of the jurist would
be numbered. The letter was written
in a scra Wing hand and was unsigned.
You all better not attach too much
to this letter." /" smiled the
courteousyoung Judge as be exhibited
the death threat.
Another letter, printed in great
letters on coarse paper, purported to
be from an eyewitness of the murder.
This letter was signed and came from
Petersburg nearby, but Judge Watson
refused to give the name affixed to it.
Detectives will look up the writer.
Lawyers of both the state and the de-
Tense have received scores of letters as
we'll as Judge Watson. Much time
has been wasted in following them up,
but so far none have brought any
tangible results.
a witness discovered by Judge Wat
son was the first called today. She was
Eliza Moseley negro woman. The
Judge explained that she had been in
his employ and had told him that she
lived half a mile from the scene of the
crime and heard some OF the noises on
the road the night of the killing. Her
testimony was unimportant.
Charles H, Kastelburg, a wealthy
Richmond merchant, was called to the
stand to admit that he was on the Mid
lothian turnpike the night Mrs. Beattie
was murdered and that he stopped bis
car about the scene OF the crime.
Under cross-examination Kastelbure
admitted that he was guessing as to
the time.
"Who was the lady?" demanded
Wendenburg.
L don't know her name. l picked
her up in front of hotel and took hel
out the Midlothian pike. 1 never saw
her before nor have since. I've bsen try.
ing to find her." admitted the witness
fdegting about in his chair.
Il was afraid it might cause some
embarrassment at home. dIdn't
want any notoriety about the affair
"Kastelburg declared that he owned
a Knox 7-passenger car with blacI
body and black cover.
Kastelburg admitted that in an inter
view with a newspaper man, month
ago he had denied that he was on The
Midlothian pike the night of the killing
The witness described the appearance
of the woman he had taken out in the
automobile. He said she wore white
suit. The boys testified that the wo
mali in the car wore a yellow raincoa
or duster.
Where did you dispose of this littl,
encumbrance that you had ?" asked
Wendenburg.
At Broad street.
| Did anyone see her leaving you?
I hope not"
did she appear to be refined? ("
II saw nothing improper about her
| / had three or four drinks before
met her and did lot know just what
was doing and ! wasn't exactly my
self.
Kastelturg admitted that he coul
not tell within half an hour OF the tim
be was out on the road.
When Kasteiberg was excused b
walked out of the courtroom with bow
ed head and downcast counteuance
Smith then called W. II. Sampson
personal friend of Henry Clay Beatti
who was with Beattie in Norfolk Whel
| he met Beulah Binford. Sampson wa
summoned by the commonwealth.
Did you know of Beattie's relation
with Beulah Binford?" he was asked.