The Express.
London, England, 1861-04-24 00:00:00

EXECUTION OT THE TALGAETH MURDERER.

The final sentence of the law was carried into
effect in front of the county gaol at Brecon, at eight o'clock
yesterday morning, upon William Williams, who was con-
victed at the Brecon Assizes in March for the wilful murder
of his aunt, on the 19th of October, 1880. The culprit bad
lived in the service of au uncle, on a farm about seven miles
from the house where his aunt resided, at Pawydden Tel-
about 20 miles from Hereford. Williams slept at her
house on the night of October lft, and seemed on good terms
with his relative. He brought with him a gun, which
be usually carried about his uncle's farm for bird keeping.
The next afternoon his sister went into an adjaosot field
for some hay, taking with her • little boy, an 'Desalinate
son of the aunt. Williams was at this time in the fold-
and his victim was in the house, sitting in • high-
backed chair by the fire, picking wool. Just as the sister
was returning, she heard the report of fire arms, and running
forward met her brother ccmiog out of the house, who ex-
claimed " that his aunt had shot herself." It was subse-
quently found, however, that it was a murder which had
been committed, and that Williams was the murderer.
Since the culprit's sentence, which was accompanied by
• recommendation to mercy, but which Mr. Justice Byles
warned him could hardly be expected to avert his doom,
the miserable youth (for be was only 19 years of age) for
the first time subsequent to the crime appeared to realise
his awful situation. He hes been attended with the most
sedulous eernestaus by the Rev. David Prim. 8.D., chap-
lain to the county gaol. He has been visited by his
relations, the final parting with whom was of the most
affecting description. He attended Divine service in the
chapel on Sunday, and heartily joined in the responses. He
roes at an early hour yesterday morning, and seated to
see the reverend chaplain, who at once attend him, and
continued with him until the last. Upon the arrival of Mr.
llaybury, the under-sheriff, shortly after half-peat seven
o'clock, that gentleman, accompanied by Mr. Lazenby, the
governor of the gaol, proceeded to the cell, and informed the
wretched man that the hour was come when he must meet
his fate. His fortitude quite forsook him, and he burst
into tun, which the exhortations of the Rev. Mr. Price
could not allay. The process of pinioning having been
gone through with much difficulty the culprit rallied a
little, and shook hands with the governor, thanking him
for his great kindliest, and also for that ot the officers ot the
prison. He acknowledged the justice of his sentence, but
expressed himself in penitence and hope of a belief that he
would receive pard6n for his crime. The procession having
arrived at the drop, the fatal knot was qnickly adjusted,
and while most earnestly joining in the burial service, as
read by the chaplain, the bolt was withdrawn, and after •
momentary struggle the wretched youth ceased to exist.
There was • vast number of persons present, and a feeling
of commiseration pervaded them, from the extreme youth
d the culprit, and his lamentable state of ignorance. After
hanging the usual time the body was cut down, and iu the
course of the day was buried in the precincts of the gaol.