The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-21
NEbvY TH0UGH IN
DEATHS SHADOW
Prison Officials Say Besttie
is Unmoved by Approach
ing Doom
NOT LIKELY HE WILL
MAKE A CONFESSION
Spiritual Advisers Still En-
terrain Fear for Welfare
of the Condemned
Mans Soul

It@AtA - N|SAt
n Henry Clay Beattie. Jr-. is weak
sning. officials at the penitentiary say
they are not aware OF II. In fact,
they say he appears even more nervy
and cheerful than When he arrived at
the big white house on the hill nearly
two weeks ago. As for q confession.
they do not expect the condemned
wife-murderer to unbosom hIs secret
10 the world though he may confsde IN
his spiritual advisers. pledging them
]. to eternal secrecy. He may also IN
bosom the story OF his guilt to his
aged father. though that is not ike
Iy. For the elder Beattie is stu
steAdfast in the belief that his son
Is innocent OF the crime charged
against him. and in all probability
would shun the revelation OF truth.
preferring to believe Henry suiltiess
always.
According to his guards. Beat,ie
laughed yesterday when told OF the
report that Governor Mann would be
willing to reprieve him for thirty
days, provided he confessed his crime.
Governor Mann smiled when news OF
the report. which was published IN
ono of the New York papers. reached
his ears.
RESPITE Not Likely.
salvation OF Beattics soul Ii al
mitted to be- the only motive that
might prompt tho Governor to take
action In the case at this late date.
But even that II not beloved to be
xufncient to move the chief executive
who recently declared that Bcattte had
had In reality several months In
which 70 prepare for his AakH<. and
no there wan no need for a stay of
execution. However. being deeply
spiritual himself. there arc some who
believe that the Governor will weaken
within the next day or two. and grant
the condemned man a respite OF .
couple OF weeks or more As II Is.
II looks as II Baatti6 were going to
his doom without the proper faith TO
save his SOUL At least, that Ii the
view taken by his spiritual advisers
and his most intimate friends.
Spends 0uis< Day.
Beattic spent his usual quie, un-
eSentfui day yesterday. Early in the
afternoon. ne was visited by his father
his sister. Miss Hazel Beattie. and his
aunt, Mrs Ella J. Bowman. who has
been more Of q mother than an aunt.
TO him since the death OF his mother
fifteen years ago.
his spiritual advisers. also called dur
ing the afternoon hours. remaining
for some time after the departure ct
the other vinitora
Though he took on nearly twenty
pounds OF flesh during his so1ourn
In the city jail following the trial al
Chesterfield Courthouse. Beattie Ia
reported to have lost several pounds
since he was removed 90 the death
chamber in the State prison. This Il
attributed to the terrific nervous
strain under which he must neces-
EARLY be laboring day and night. even
II his outward bearing and demeanor
would seem to indicate that his iron
nerve In impervtous to any such SEN
aation a. fear OF the dread electric
chair In whose shadow he now stands
Only three days and nights now lie
between him and that vast unknown
realm from whose bourne no travel.
er ever returns.
Guards Alternate vigil.
Three guards alternate doing vigi
at tho cell OF death. Ono does day
duty. while the other two divide
the prison rules. must Be In bed b,
p. ~. and II allowed 70 sleep til
1880 A. ~. So far he has experienced
no trouble in sleeping. though Mi
night guards say he tosses rather
restleesly, as IL annoyed by turbulcn,
dreams.
Baattie shaves with his safety razor
each morning after arising from BIZ
= cntch. white the guard stands W Il
500 that he does himself no harm
After that he breakfasts on prison
papers. which he scans IN quest al
stories about himself and his case
After reading these he invariabl!
turns 10 the sporting page. Yestcr
day afternoon the prison oficial
wers especially cautious In not per
hitting him TO see = copy OF the pa
pers containing an account Of Oh,
triple electrocution At Osstning. ". y
BeaAtie asked for the papers, as usual
but be was told that for some rea
son or other copies were not avail
able.
Go to Death Early.
Bcattie will 60 to his death edrl,
Friday morning, unless tho unex-
bected happens In the meantime. Tn
hour OF execution IL usually .abou
A. NJ. Members Of the press viii
be excluded from the death cham
her. which 10 nearby Beattie's cell
The law prohibits publication Of de
tails about etectrccuttons IN Ftrgtniu
hut there II no penalty provided. FO
this reason there u some speculation
NJ to what extent the papers In thi
state Will observe the dictates of tn