The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-29
Unexpected Confession of Paul Beattie Falls Like Thunderclap In the
 Courtroom
MOTHER TELLS OF
 UNHAPPINESS OF
 MURDERED WOMAN
Prosecution Causes Dramatic Turn In ! Beattie Trial By Unexpected Testimony of Two Star
 Witnesses

Chesterfield Courthouse. Va, August S -Between gulps of intense emotion, Paul D. Beattie, cousin of Henry Clay Beattie, Jr.. who stands indicted for the murder of his wife revealed on the witness stand late today that the accused told him "A hours after the murder how sorry he was .he had done it. circumstance relating to the crime that the witness has sup pressed hitherto. Coming as dramatical- av and as unexpectedly as the pathetic tale an hour before of Mrs. R. V. Owen, mother of the dead woman. as to the do- snestic infelicity of her daughter due to nhe husbands loathsome condition, the brief but thrilling testimony given by Paul Bcattie, created a profound sensa- sion.
 Paul Beattie, at the coroners inquest, a nervous wreck but today strong and determined, told a tale which confessedly has troubled his mind not only because he purchased the shotgun for Henry, but because he did not until today tell all he hxnew of the case. With quivering lips and tear-dimmed eyes, he set forth the story against which his heart and sym pathy had for days been revolting.
 T hated to testify against my own flesh and kin,' he murmured as the mus cIes of his throat pulsated, but my wife, sny child and the duty I owe to my town forced me to do so.'
 The gasp that rose simultaneously from khe throats of those in the stuffy court room was strikingly audible, and for moment the crowd held its breath while Paul Beattie continued: Henry himself told me that he wanted me to stick by him, but. said to him, This looks mighty black to me and you've got me into a lot of trouble Henry told me I wish to God had not done it; would not have done it for a million dollars, but she never loved me; she only married me for my money
 af Paul Beattie paused and his plaintive tone sank lower, but he did not break ffdowp.s A hushed stiffness prevailed in 1g the room as his next words were await led but he said no more and bracng himself in his chair, turned his sharp chin toward the bench where the pris- \ oner and counsel sat and looked fixed Ily at the latter in preparation for the cross examination.
 Cross Examined
 Harry Smith, Jr., one of the lawyers for the defendant rose from his seat.
 
 loud voice. confronted Paul with the charge that at the coroners investiga- Ition he had not told the whole truth as his oath required when he- omitted Ito make the statement concerning 1ienrys alleged confession to him. Paul Booked appealingly at the counsel and hardly able to repress his emotion told how he had not been able to clear his lmind at the inquest when he col llapsed, or for some days later, and rhat he had only recently been able to force himself to give damaging evil Hence against his own knsman.
 It was late hour when this part pf the trial was reached and adjourn 1nent was taken until tomorrow morn nng when cross examination will con tnue. In the meantime Henry Clay Beattie. Jr., was taken back to Rich mond to permit of a conference there with counsel. The prosecution let it be known that 1t had practically fn- ished its case.
 From early morning. when a mother, Mrs. R. w. Owen, stifled her pride and in a choking voice. almost a whisper at times, told the jury the sordd de- tails of how Henry C.. Beattie, Jr.'s alleged physical ailment caused his wife heart rending grief and hours of anguish, the prisoner faced the hardest strain thus far witnessed in his fight for life
 
 woman's mother, the prosecution en- deavored to define the motive for the crime, the fear that news of the alleged ailment might reach Henry C. Beattie, 6r., and cause rupture between the Son and the father upon whom he de- pended.
 To reinforce it's theory of the motive. the prosecution put on the stand also Mrs. J. E. Binford, mother of Beulah. .the girl in the case and Henrietta Pittman, her chum. Their testimony Drought to the surface story of Beat ties four years of acquaintance with Beulah Binford, of alleged numerous tndic"retions. of the birth and death of the child named Henry Clay Binford and how just prior to the murder this relationship was carried on
 Enough was told today of the Binford girls connection with the case, in the opinion of the prosecution. to make it unnecessary for the commonw ealth to call Beulah to the stand
 Paul Beattie Takes Stand
 When Paul Beattie took the stand at i4.20 o'clocK a f1utter of excitement ran through the court room. It's placid stiffness was renewed when the wit ness, in monotone, told of his early occupation what positions he had held and perfunctory details which removed from the minds of all the idea that any thing sensational was forthcoming. His most startling testimony, in fact was uttered in the same voice the first part of his story. Attired in neat blue suit. his brown hair brushed back from his forehead, he turned an earnest, determined face to the jury.
 MT. Beattie. how old are you?" Pros ecutor Wendenburg began. Twenty one. was Paul's response.
 What relation ale you to the pris- oner at the bar?" First cousin"
 Here Henry Clay Beattie. Jr whis- pered to his counsel, Second cousin
 Paul Beattie was cool and calm, in sharp contract to his weakness at the coroner's inquest. He told with a slow drawl of his early occupation in life and spoke of various positions he had held. The gun In evidence was at this point produced.
 Look at that gun and tell the jury when was the first time you saw it, t,'' said Prosecutor Wendenburg.
 'The first tme.' Beattie answered quickly. was at the pawn shop when bought it on a Saturday, the one u.- fore the murder. and the next time was at the coroner's inquest"
 
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