The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-09-05
d. Assoerated Pres.


Chesterfield Court House, Va, Sept
Although six weary hours. in the
crowded stuffy court room, Henry
Clay Beattie, Jr indicted for the MUIR
der Of his wife, battled for his life to-
day. The cross examination continues
tomorrow. A lone figure was young
Beatties in the crowd surrounding
him, as even the windows and trees
commanding a view of the court room
were. thick with staring faces. The
prisoner sat for hours, his manner
cool and collected, and unfolding the
sordid details of his relations with
BeuIah Binford, the seventeen year.
old girl. for whom the prosecution al
leges Beattie killed mis- bride of
. year. Not alone ofsthe orgies of four
years before his marriage and those
that preceded the tragedy, but the
gruesome tale Of the attack by the
highwayman and the wild ride to the
Owen home with the lifeless. blood
covered body of his wife in the ma
chine beside him was given the jury
IN all its horrible details.
In no essential did the prisoners
version of the affair today differ from
that which he gave at the coroner's
inquest. or that to which the defense,
through it's witnesses has hitherto
clung. The direct examination lasted
two hours and a half, wazile the cross
examination had proceeded three hours
ana q half when court adjourned for.
the day. Denial after denial came
from the lips of the prisoner as Prose
cutor Wendenburg questioned him
concerning the alleged purchase or
shot gun for him by Paul Beattie on
Saturday before the murder, apd the
testimony of the latter as to the con-
fession In which Henry is alleged to
have exclaimed Il wish to God hadn't
rrO141dntf do II QQain Tor q
million dollars"
Beattie disclairned any connection
with the purchase Of the gun and any
k1sowledge Of the transfer of any gun
ny Paul to him, declaring he never saw
ths~fatal gun until the night 1t was
raised by the highwayman on the
Midlothian turnpike. He said he was
with his cousin only on Saturday night
hefore the murder and merely. carried
him home In his car from South Rich
mond. Ere emphatically denied he had
been with Paul any time within
week or fortnight previous. That his
wife suggested the ride on the Midlo-
THAN turnpike after they were nearing
the Owen home on returning from the
drug store, was the statement of the
prisoner as to the occasion for the ILL
fated ride. The prisoner deprecated
the idea that he loved Beulah Binroro,
but admitted that three evenings OF
the week before the murder he had
seen the Binford girl, as well as the
night before the homicide.
EVERY SEAT FILLED.
Every available seat in the little
v-oono early today was occupied and
large crowd had gathered on the lawn
surrounding the little red building.
The crowd came in a constant stream
Of automobiles, farm wagons, and rigs
Of every description. bringing loads or
people from Richmond. and vicinity IN
q hone of hearing the prisoners story.
Harry M. Smith, Jr., and Hill Garter,
LAWYERS for the defendant, arrived at
9.80 and Immediately were closeted
with the prisoner in his cell.
PROSECUTOR Louis o. Wendenhurg
reached the court house few moments
later. accompanied by the other attor-
ney for the commonwealth, L. M
Gregory.
A An eager. expectant crowd jammed
the little court room to overnowing.
AS soon as the prisoners name was
called there was rustic behind the
bar and a straining OF necks through
the windows from the outside. where
rKatforms had been improvised by
those eager to catch a'giimpse OF the
accused and hear his testimony.
Beattie wore a new blue suit and
snow white cravat. His face colored
as he rose from the seat beside his
father, kissed him, then walked calmly
to the witness chair, facing the twelve
men who before the week is ended are
10 pass Judgment on his story.
After being sworn by the sheriff he
was asked by Mr.. Smith:
~PIease state your age"
Twenty six.
your business" ?"
Mercantile business with my
father"
what do you do?"
IT do all the buying OF shoes and
mems furnishings"
do you open thesstore?"
Yes, carry the keys to the store
"aow long have you been doing it 2"
About year"
what relation to you is Paul Beat
tie?"
"A second cousin"
"Have you ever had any confidential
relations with him, or has, he been
your intimate?"
mo, sir" said Beattie with emphasis.
HAS he ever run around with you? -
NO. The only time I ever saw him
n Continued. on Page Nine.)