The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-11-16
Governor MANN
CALLSDEATT|E GUILTY
ANDREJECTSAPPEAL
Refuses To Interfere on Behalf
of Prisone- Convicted of
Killing Wife.
EXECUTION HAS BEEN
SET FOR NOVEMBER. "a
Executive Deplores That Cruel
and Malicious Crime" Was
Committed in Virginia.

RICHMOND, Va, Nov. 15,-Henry
Clay Beattie. Jr., will die in the cleo
trio chair on Nov "A for the murder
or his young wife, Louise Owen Beat
Y tie. The next TO last chapter In the
most sensational murder case in the
annals OF the Old Dominion was enact
ed today when Gov. Mann refused to
\ Interfere
II believe that Beattie was guilty
OF the cruel and malicious murder OF
his young wife, said Gov. Mann. in
his decision. in which he dwelt upon
the fact that Judge Watson in the
trial at Chesterfield gave the prison
or every advantage in all his rulings.
With only nine Gays OF life left 10
him. Beattie calmly heard of the re-
fusal OF Gov. Mann to interfere In his
y behalf. and urged those about him not
to worry.
When the Rev. Benjamin Dennis,
Beattie's spiritual adviser, arrived at
the penitentiary from the governors
cfice, he found the prisoners sister,
Mss Hazel Beattie, in the death cell
IS taking TO her brother. He did not
break the news then, hut waited for
the girl TO go. She left the prison
soon after the ministers arrival She
appeared so utterly detected and hope
less that IL was clear she had sur
missed the meaning OF the minister's
arrival
in the death cell, with no one else
to- hear, the minister told Beattie of
a his fate. The guards who were near
n BIZ reported that Beattie, who had
been in a cheerful mood all morning,
smiled
The execution will take place be-
tween s a. m. and p, m. on Nuvem-
Der "a and probably will be at sun
rise. ,---.-
The sgoyernor,s statement follows:
tWhile sympathize very profound
lyiwith the father of Henry Clay Beat
tic, Jr,, and would be glad to help
hi,n IL / could do SO with proper re-
gard for the public interests, cannot
with any consideration of these in
tefests interfere with the due execu-
* ton Of the sentence of the court.
rI followed that case during the
trial and as its horrible facts were
developed regretted that a crime so
crslel and malicious should have oc-
Cured within the confines of this
state In the decision of every ques-
ton which was presented 10 the able
and impartial judge who presided at
the trial he was careful TO give the
4 benefit of every reasonable doubt TO
the prisoner: his instructions were as
Favorable as the counsel for the pris-
oner could have expected; that he did
not err In the. admission or exclusion
of.evidence or in his instructions given
to- the jury is shown by the refusal
Of the supreme court of appeals TO
grant a writ OF error,
There is no question OF the hon
esty and fairness OF the jurors try
ing the case, nor is there any ques-
ton that the defense made by law
yers OF character and ability obtain
ed for Fl. C. Beattie, Jr., every ad-
vantage guaranteed by law TO persons
charged with crime.
THAT Beattie is guilty OF the viii
fA, deliberate and cruel murder OF
his young wife have not the slight
est doubt. nor is IL insisted that there
shall be any greater relief offered
than the communication OF his sentence
X TO- imprisonment for life. In the adj
Ninistration of my Office. | am re-
qnired TO see to il that the criminal
laws are executed unless there shall
be some facts or circumstances arising
since the action OF the court, or some
important fact not offered to the
court tending TO create I'm the mind OF
Reasonable man a substantial doubt
as to the guilt of the prisoner. ] do
not think the affidavits of Paul Beat
tie printed in the papers, or any other
evidence Of condition brought TO my
attention sufficient for that purpose.
Nor dol question the wisdom l
might add 10 the necessity of capital
p,,nishment in cases where human
life has been, wickedly and deliberate.
lystaken.
II have given this expression OF my
views in order that the people OF Vir-
ginia may understand that I will not
Interfere With tie verdict OF juries
afsl- judgments of courts, Furnishing
criminals. Unless IL shall plainly ap.
near to me that great injustice will
be done by the execution Of the judg-
ment of the court. | have been asked
20 respite the prisoner and 10 allow
him thirty days at least from the de
cjslon OF the supreme court His ap
peal to the court OF his own county
based on the verdict OF his fellow citi
zens, constituting the jury; and
most think. with the purpose IL pos
sible of avoiding the consequences o.
a crime Of which he knows he !:
guilty To grant respite in SO plair
case would be TO set a precedent
IN which IL ! were called upon to fol
low would be TO temporize with tn,
law and to encourage appeals TO the
supreme court with the sole purpose
OF gaining time.
II believe the best way to prevent
such crimes az this is TO punish them
adequately. certainly. speedily.
TheFerUrp me Judgment " tiire- cfr
cuff court OF Chesterfield will be car
rleri into effect without interference
from me-"
lsisnedJ WILLIAM H. MANN,
Governor"
When Gov. Mann gave out his de.
cision, the Rev Benjamin Dennis, an
Episcopal rector. was present to re-
ceive the news In behalf OF the Beat.
tie family He Is one OF The spiritual
advisers OF Henry Beattie and Il was
supposed that he would take the news
I'd tho prisoner at the state peniten.
tlary.
What puTported TO be an afi1dEvfI
signed BY Paul ID. Beattie. a cousin