The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-26
THE HANGING OF WILLIAM Adm.
The story Of the Murder Of a wife and
stepda nghter and Their Friend.

stepd. nshter and Their Friend.
CLEVELAND, June 22.-William Adm, the
murderer, who killed his wife and his step
daughter, Hattie Mckay, and Mrs. George l..
Benton, on Dec. II, was hanged In this city to-
day. The story Of his crime, as told by himself,
Ia as follows The Adm familv lived In n little
grocery on the "South sloo." and to II was at
tached a dwelling and corner lot. Mrs. Adm
and Hattie Mckay took care OF the grocery. and
her husband drove an express wagon Vuarrels
between husband and wife had been frequent
for many years, the former accusing the latter
Of squand eriug tue proceeds Of the grocery for
the benent OF Hattie. These dificultes ~
length led to a separation. and Mts. Adm and
her daughter went to live with Mrs. Benton. A
few days previous to the murder. Adm prevailed
upon his wife to return TO her home, but Hattie
| remained with the Benton family. On the day
/ preceding the tragedy there was violent quar-
/ rel between Adm and his wife, the subject being
some money that he needed to pay taxes 90 his
property. He again accused her OF squnnd erlUR
I his estate, and to these accusations Mrs. Adm
p..id not the slightest attention..
Her Indifference increased his rage, and ex-
claiming " Then YOU cont care what becomes
OF me-" he ran to the door leading to the wood
shed and picking up gn axe se, b nnDh .he
she fell i,An Ia. n the floor. but the murderer,
not satisfied with his work pounded her be.d
end face with heavy CLAW nans'a dn,r tnen .e
locked up the house and dro, uo"n town too
tho Central Market ana called for = quarter on
beef that he delivered at the house o: d hexn
Dor. Then he set out for the Benton res,nence,
aud M he passed along he exchanged pleas mt
greetings with acqu int noes
At the street corner nearest his destination no
hitched hls horse. ana then he went the rest OF
the way afoot. At tho house MIS-. Benton IN
/ formed him that her husband was away, and
went into Tie kitchen. followed 10y Mrs. Benton.
Having locked the doors, he drew the claw
hammer from his overcoat, and before his vic
I . lima naaff AZ An
| the floor Mrs. Benton, while intercedinR for
the life Of Hattie and trying to stay the arm OF
| the murderer. was also beaten down. She par
| italy recovered from the effects of the blows.
and tried TO crawl on her hands and knees 10
the porch TO summon assistance. Adm, seeing
| her movements. caught her by the halt and
dragging her back to the middle II tho room,
! beat cut her bra ins. He returned the hammer
! 20 his pocket, and drove urconcernedly back 10
his home.
Wrs. Adm was member of the South Side
! ConRregatioual Church. She was about 90 YEAR,
| old. Her daughter. VINO was about % years old
/ fingered fora day or wa after the assault. and
Just before her death PRAYED mat her ste pistss,
! Of 81 Pau = Episcopal Church. ser only Of
fence In the eyes Of Adm was that she had be
friend ed his wife aud ste daughter.
The trial Of the murderer OCCUPIED less than
week, and ON SUNDAY morning, March 3, at
| o'clock, he MAS sentenced TO he hanged. Adin's
manner IN his cell WIS c.reless' aud lie seemed
to tie affected Ia no way by his 9pproachl nl
doou. He told ST ries aud joked with hr
friends, and until few cay ago refused to lis
ten to spiritual advisers. Even the noise Of tht
hammer and saw Oh the timbcrs II his - noid
did not rouse nun to a retlliza ion Of ms cOndI
ton; ms rest and bpuette were good, and hii
last night ON earth was passed IN unbrokef
slumber.
The culprit arose nj about O'Clock this morn
I ing, d eS-cl himself In suit OF black. anC
breaktustci an tire q aud coffee. At o'cloct
the Rev. Mr.. Cooley prayed with hin, and Am
Joined In tho deVotiOns. Soon atterward. wall
walking through corridor, he saw the Hallo~
nd jOculary ~aid to his guard, " here's tn
nSins ira 10 tho forenoon he sent for
ncishbor aud Ikea cheerfully II old time
with MIN. His dinner was given HIM at
O'Clock, but he tasted only the tea. At 1890 Tia
Sheriff aud officers entered the Cell. ana tn
d., a,u warrant Was read. The murderer shei
few tesrs, aud then brushing them away
chnchcd hts hands and teeth. lie told tn
officers that he had nothing to say, and then ia
| PROCESSION, beaded bV the SneriR, marched 4
the ecafoid. ADM was accompanied hy tw
| gyinen. He went up the steIs with Cru
Tread. 1be blst Psalm was read. and the II,
MIR Cooley PRAYED fervently. Then Adm w
asked whether lie desired to say any hing, an
he SLOWLY shook his head. he moose was al
Justed, and as the black cap was pulled dow
I ere was a smile on the murderers face. A
l:07 the trap was sprung. Death was instar
tdneOus.
Adm was native Of England be came {
worked a farm In tho suburbs OF CLEVELAND
| hen he sailed on the lakes as cook for Nv
years. Next he went into the peanut bushes
and his granddaughter. Hattie, attended ID
stand while he drove his express wagon. III
| saved money enough to Purchase gro -ctv, an
added to 1t "a little dwelling. HE body ",
claimed Oy AN only sister.