Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-09-09
BEATTIE'S LIFE AS PRICE FOR
Feeble CAPERS Of Passion
JURY or SIMPLE FARMERS FIND Wealthy VIRGINIAN
GUILTY OF SI.NNlNG
IERDICT CONES At The CLOSE or A GLORIOUS DAY
Jurymcn I1>cuuy May of Justice
% Electric CHAIR on
is Es4i

For ffty-ciEht minutes the Jurors
were together in deep consultation
and prayer Men Of simple life, they
were, who, zach morning during the
trial sang hymns and strove TO for
get the story Of dissipation with its
filthy character as related on the
witness stand.
What had been generally predicted
was true, namely, their minds were
well made up before they left the
lnWcd man with an earnest face, WAS
elected foremrn. They bailoted and
1t was no surprise, they afterward do
clared, that all voted alike. They
prayed they might not take a life
wrongfnlly and they opened their
cOnsciopcc9 10 one another for near
ly an hour 50 that they might go
back TO the court room firmly con-
vinced of their duty. and of one mind.
Contrasted with that picture was
another where, in the court room.
meantime, sat Henry Clay Beattie, Jr..
the sporting page of a newspaper
spread before him. But he did not
read II long. He folded the paper
and concealed his face in IT,
Those who sat near the boy Of iron
nerve observed a twitchng of his
lips as though moving in prayer, as
he sat with closed eyes awaiting the
return of the jury.
le raised his head for a moment
dropped the paper. and then again
began reading Then he whispered a
few words 60 his father and brother.
1t was for them he felt and to them
ne counselled cheerfulness
1t was nearly dark in the court
room when tho jury returned. Three
oil lamps really added gloom to the
scene. The sunsets rosy red stream
ed through the windows, and bathed
the close of glorious day In all the
softness Of choicest enrapturement.
on every sill rested telegraph in
strument and operators tensely await
ed for the announcement OF the ver-
dict. A thick mass of faces, rising in
an incline to the shabby ceiling.
stared at the jurymen. Famous jur-
lists looked down from soiled paint
ngs In the minds of the gaping
crowd remained a ring OF the pow
erful speech Of the prosecutor, who
denounced the man who exchanged
the bloom of virtue for passions fee
BILE capers."
The court asked the prisoner to
rise. He calmly stood up and waited.
Have you gentlemen agreed on
verdict" asked Judge Watson.
1--WE have" said Foreman Burgess.
and almost at tho same instant they
were asked What is your verdict?"
All twelve of the men yelled, Guilty"
Unversed in law and the form Of
murder trial the iurymen had not
specified what degree of murder.
Asked in what degree, Mr. Burgess
answered simply, Guilty as Indicted
Under Virginia practice murder is
presumed second degree unless other
wise specified. II was incumbent on
the jury to fix the degree. so Judge
Watson advised the iurymen to con-
fer again on that point Seven MIN
utes later they returned with the YER
diet Of murder In the first degree"
The prisoner stood erect and mo-
tonless. His face. which was Of yell
lowish green color throughout the
day. was Immediately mobile. The
lamp cast shadows on his counten-
ance as he faced the Jury. His eye
lids sagged. but did not blink In
steady gaze. he held his eyes on the
twelve men who had pronounced the
judgment az If to penetrate their
minds and determine why II was not
resentful expression, however, and
when the court asked II the prisoner
had anything to say, he answered:
II have nothing 10 say" and sat
down.
The pcrfunctory motions for a new
trial were made by counsel for the
defense. The usual granting Of per-
mission TO argue the points was not
given rs Judge Watson declared all
trial rulings OF the court have been
on comparatively unimportant detail,
and in no way would have Influenced
the verdict. A stay Of execution was
granted. however. IN order 10 give
counsel en- opportunity TO apply for
a writ or error to tho Court Of APP
peals whom It meets in November.
Judge Watson delivered an impress
slve speech TO the prisoner. He told
how the Young man had stained his
own life and that Of the community
by his sorid acts When the trial first
started. said Judge Watson. he had
hoped Virginia might be cleared Of
the crime for which not only the
state fel' ashamed. but which the en-
tire country deprecated. He had
hoped that the counsel would prove
The defendant innocent. but the et-
dence. he regretted TO note, was all
convincing and overwhelming.
"The court in this trial." said
Judge Watson. has endeavored In
all its decision to lean toward the side
OF the prisoner, and its charge TO the
jury also attempted to give him the
benefit Of every doubt, and every ops
portunity TO establish his innocence
The rulings mostly have been not on