Crockett Kelly Harrell (1889-1942), originally from Draper Valley, Virginia, was a millworker, first in Fries, then in Fieldale. An accomplished songwriter, he mat have written this true crime stort hinself. Twenty-six-year-old Henry Clay Beattie Jr. , the We'er-do-well son of a wealthy Richmond businessman, was arrested in July of 1911 for the murder of his wife. He Steadfastly maintained his innocence; but the jury, mindful ofHenry's notorious womanizing, and the fact that the murder weapon waa Henry's own gun, didn't buy his tale of the mysterious Bearded StraWger, and quickly found him guilty.The sone says that he confessed before his execution on November 24,1911, but murdegecS ~ ofen do that -- at least in the songs,
Kelly Harrell and the Virginia String Band: Kelly Harrell, vocal; Posey Rorer, fiddle; R.D. Hundley, banjo; Alfred Stegall, guitar.
Camden NJ 3/22/27 Victor20797
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