Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-11-25
He CONFESSED HIS crime
IN 4 SIGNED STATEMENT THH
WIFE MURDERER ADMITTED
HIS GUILT.
Was brave 70 The last
Not An Instant Did Tie Falter and
lie Went to His Death With
Srcer ON Ills Face.

RICHMOND. Va, Nov. "a Henry
Clay Beatrio, Jr,, went to his death
at dawn today %le self-confessed
murderer of his young wife, although
the confession was not made public
until -four hours after he had paid
the toll eXaeted by the law.
lie maintained 10 the end his re-
markable nerve he has exhibited from
first he was accused of killing his
wife on the lonely Midlothian turn.
pike last July His last expression
was sneer when he observed the
eternity.
The confession was made public In
the rotunda Of downtown hotel by
the Rev Benjamin Dennis one OF
the ministers who had labored with
Beattle TO confess 1t was acknowl-
edged by the minister that Beattie
first admitted his guilt November .,
the day after he entered the death
chamber and before the fruitless ap-
peal for a Communication Of sentence
was made to Governor Mann. 1t was
not until yesterdaa that he would
agree to its being put into writing for
his signature.
The Confession He Made
The extraordinary confession fol-
lows:
81. Henry Clay Beattie, Jr.. desir-
Gus of standing right before God and
man. do on this, the 23rd day Of No
yember, 1911, confess my guilt of
the crime against me. Much that was
published concerning the details was
not true, but the awful fact, without
the narrowing circumstances, re-
mains. For this action. | am truly
sorry. and believing that / am at
peace with God, and am soon to pass
into his presence. this statement is
made"
Beattie's attitude throughout the
trial and the imprisonment immedi-
ately prior to his death was a study
for psychologists.
He read the newspapers avidly.
Every reference to his iron nerve and
to the fact that he was going to the
chair without acknowledging his
father further sorrow. according to
those who were with him to the end.
seemed to afford him supreme salts
faction. Apparently, he gloated over
the notorety that his crime had
brought him.
Even after his confession he main
tanned his air OF bravado. What had
since November been considered
street criticism Is recognized as cyni-
ncism. His remarkable nerve now
seems 10 have had its basis and sup
port in the knowledge that he was
being applauded as a man of spartan
courage and inflexlble will.
Secret Was Inyiolatc.
The secret of his confession was
held inyiolate by the ministers un-
til today. Not even the broken
hearted father knew of It's existence.
friends OF the family declare. Not
until four hours after he had been
pronounced dead in the death cham
Der in states prison was the muir
derer's attorneys cognizant that he
had made clean breast Of h IS guilt.
with the same bravado that had
marked his conduct from the begin
ming Beattie went to the chaic and
brought the sordld story to a d a.ultic
end.
The shock that killed Beattie was
given at exactly 7:19 o'clock this
morning. Three distinct and sepa-
rate times the current was turned on
and at 1923 It was shut off Drs. w.
7. and St. JULIEN oppcnheimer a min
ute later announced that death had
been instantaneous.
When the prellmiuarles were over
superintendent Woods accompanied
by two deputies threw back an iron
studded door and started for the
death cell.
Only Chair was lighted.
Instantly the death chamber was
plunged in bilckness with the cxcep-
tion Of vivid circle of light from the
hooded and powerful lamps about
the chair. The chair, and except for
its straps and steel bands might grace
any library. was on a rubber mat. All
but It was obscured, the dazzling rays
from the low swinging lamps throw
ing everything else iEtO darkness so
dense as to almost be felt.
The little party in the chamber
heard the superintendent a few feet
away dronlng out the death warrant
Bsattie listened to It with Intensity,
but did not flinch. lie stood during