The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-09-02
The BEITTIE TRIAL.
PRISONERS COUSIN GIVES SEN.
s.ATIONAL TESTIMONY.
Mrs. R. ". owen Tells Of Daughter's
Domestic Infelicity Prosecution
Almost Through.

Chesterfield Court House. Va. Aug.
2s.-Between moments OF intense
emotion Paul 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 E'hs
had done It." circumstance relating
to the crime that the witness hither-
TO had suppressed.
Ginning as dramatically and as un-
expetcedly as the pathetic tale told
an hour before by Mrs. II. v. owen.
mother OF the dead woman, Of the
domsstic infelicity Of her daughter.
due TO the husbands condition. the
brief but thrilling testimony givon by
Paul Beattie created a profound SEN
saton.
Paul Beattie. at the coroner's in
quest a nervous wreck. but today
strong and determined. poured out a
tale which confessedly has troubled
his mind not only because he pur-
chased the shotgun for Henry hut be-
cause he did not until today tell all
ne knew OF the case.
With auivering lips and tear
dimmed eyes he 30. forth the story
against which his heart and sympathy
Rad for days reen revolving.
Il hated to testify against my own
flesh and kim" he murmurej. but
my wfe. my child and the duty owe
To my city forced me to do so."
The gasp that rose simultaneously
from the throats Of those In the stuffy
court room was strikingly audible.
) Paul Beattie continued:
Henry had told me that ne wanted
me 10 stick by him. but I said to
him, This looks mighty black to me.
and you've got me into a lot Of
trouble" Henry then told me. I wish
60 God had not done II. would not
have done II for million dollars
but she never loved me-: she married
me for my money
a hushed stiffness prevailed In the
room ss his next words were awaited
but he said no more and bracing him.
self In his chair turned toward the
bench where the prisoner and counsel
sat and looked hxediy at the latter in
anticipation of the cross examination.
Henry NJ. Smith. counsel for tho de-
fense. rose from his seat. sasod hard
at the witness and In a loud voice
confronted Paul with the charge that
al the coroner's inquest ne had not
told the whole truth and that he had
omitted TO make the statement con-
corning Henry's alleged confession to
him. Paul looked appealingly at the
counsel and hardly able to repress his
emotion told now ne had not been
able to clear his mind at the inquest
when he collapsed. He Rad only re-
Gently been able to force himself 20
give damaging evidence against his
own kinsman. he said.
After the testimony Of Paul Bea;tIe
adjournment was taken until .omor-
row morning when cross examination
will be resumed.
In the meantime Henry c. Beattie.
Jr.. was taken back TO Richmond to
permit Of conference with counsel.
The prosecution announced tna. IL
had practically finished It's case.
From early morning. when a
mother. Mrs. r. v. owen. stiaed her
pride and in n choking voice almost
n whisper at times. told the jury the
sordid details Of how Henry c. Beat
tie. Jr.'s physical condition caused
his wife heartrending grief ana
hours OF anguish. the prisoner faced
the hardest strain thus far witnessed
In hfs ns.ht for tiSa