Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-11-25
Made Dramatic Entrance to Chamber Where
He Forfeited His Lie
MADE A CONFESSION TO MINISTER'S
Acknowledged His Guilt to Attending Clergymen Two
Weeks Ago, But Youths Father Did Not Know of
it Until After the Executon-Funeral Be Held
Sunday-Grand Parents. Have Orphaned Baby.

Richmond, Va. Nov 24-Henry Cla.
Eeattie. Jr-, went TO his death at dawl
today. the self-confessed murderer o
his young wife, although the confes
sion was not made public until fou
hours after he had paid the penalt,
prescribed by the law. He maintaine,
e Fne end the remarkable nerve he ex
FfAted from the time he was accuses
o. killing his wife on the lonely Mid
lothian turnpike last July His las
expression was a sneer when he OBJ
served the chair which was to sent
him into eternity
Acknowledged His Guilt Nov g.
The confession was made public il
the rOtunda OF s downtown hotel b,
the Rev Benjamin Dennis, one of tn,
ministers who had labored with Beat.
tie TO repent Indeed it was acknow-
lodged by the minister Beattie frs
admitted his guilt Nov 9, the day af-
ter he entered the death chamber anc
before the fruitless appeal for a com
mutation of sentence was made tC
Governor Mann It was not until yes
terday that he would agree to its be-
ing put into writing for his signature
Then all hope that the governor would
i-.terfere was gone The extraordinary
document follows;
6eattie's Confession.
Il Henry Clay Beattie, Jr, de-
sir0us OF standing right before God
and man. do on this the 23d day of
November. 1911, confess my guilt
OF the crime charged against me.
Much that was published concern
ing the details was not true, but
the awful fact. without the har-
rowing circumstances, remains.
For this action I am truly sorry,
and believing that L am at peace
with God. and am soon to pass into
His presence this statement is
made
Statement of Ministers.
Beattie's confession was followed by
the following statement by the attend
ing minister's
This statement was signed in
the presence of the two attending
ministers and is the only State
nent that can and will ~e made
public by them Mr.. Bea Se de-
sired to thank the many friel- for
terest and the public for whateo-f
sympathy was felt or expressed
cIoried in His Notoriety.
Bezttie's attitude throughout the trial
Ind the imprisonment that waited only
n his death was a study for a psychol-
sRist He read the newspapers avidlx.
Every reference TO his iron composure
md TO the fact that he was going to
he chair without acknowledging his
rhine in the hope OF saving his old
'ether further sorrow. according to
hose who were with him to the end,
seemed to afford him supreme salts
= ctfon- Apparently he glol led in the
his crime had brought him
Maintained Air of Bravado.
Even axter his confession he main
aimed his air OF brsvsdo- What had
since Nov 9 been considered stoicism
. now recognized as having been
,ynfcisrn- His remarkable nerve seems
70 hEvo had its basis and support in
he knowledge that he was being ap-
II rxAaA r.r Gr1r r.fn CD
tnt fndexfb1e Will
Father Ignorant of Confession
The secret OF his confession was held
nvio1ate by the ministers until today
Sof even the broken hearted father
rnsv OF its existence friends of the
.fter he had been pronounced dead in
ne death chamber in states prison
r ere the murderers' attorneys cogniz-
Mt that he had made a clean breast of
Iis guilt with the same intrepidity
hat had marked his conduct from the
sxfunfng. Beatffe went TO the chair
nd brought the sordfd story to a dra-
matte end
Death Was instantaneous
The shock which killed Beattie was
iven at exactly T-1s O'Clock this morn
nz- Three distinct and separate times
he current was turned on, and at 7.23
/ was shut of Doctors w. T. and
4. Julien Oppenheimer, a minute later.
nnounccd that death had been in
tartareous- The % persons in the
cath chamber thereupqh filed out and
he end Of q lengthy and costly battle
or Justice had ended
Those Present at Eleetrocution.
In addition 70 the two physicians,
sere were gathered IN the death house
-hsu Bszttfe appeared the twelve wit
ss4ea to the electroeation as rquired
y Law. the Revs- John J. Fix and Ben
min Dennisl Major James B. Woods
OF The penitentiary. the
Iectrfrfzn and four deputy wardens.
he room was flooded with light from
group Of incandescent lamps set in
low ceiling and a light that swung
b its cord Immediately above the
hair.
Instrument Of Death Tested
Fnere was no conversation. The
illnesses iAbored under too great a !
rain and all, even the hardened pris- |
= attendants, seemed i'll at ease and /
nxious 70 be done with the task The |
ith electric bulbs and laid it across
he arms OF the chair. The lamps |
axed brightly. Then in other ways |
le instrument of death was tested and |
naiiy, at a signal. attendants went |
rer the apparatus, alta ching the dead !
electrodes and testing every strap |
I'd clamp
Chamber Plunged in Darkness.
When the prelininaries were over,
lper1ntendent Woods. accompanied by |
70 deputies, threw back an iron |
udded door and started for the death |
H. Instantly the death chamber was
unEed in blackness with the excep- |,
,rs OF a vivid circle of light from the |
'cded and powerful lamp above the
iatr. The chair. an oaken bit of fur |
fure. which except for its straps and |
eel bands. might grace any library.
as On q rubber mat All but it WAS
secured. the dazzling rays from the
= swinging lamp throwing everything
- into darkness so dense as almost
be felt
The March to Death.
The little party in the chamber |
ard the superintendent few feet
ray droning out the death warrant.
'ztrse listened TO it with intensity. but
c not finch He stood during the
adinx. as is the custom. and when. II l.
~ ooded he zwaTed just a trlf1e but y