Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-10
TIMES REPUBLICAN, MARsHALLToWN IOWA AUGUST TO- 1916

his form shadowy and inGistinct as II
spread upon the dark carpet, was an
indistinct and vague target. That cir
cumstance Williams thinks, is why he
missed vital spot altho he shot Foote
three times. Not so Mrs. Steward, who
was very large woman. Dressed in
a white night gown, her form doomed
large and fairly filled the dark door
way into which she stepped.
Much that had been unraveled as
circumstantial evidence against Will
ltams, as to his whereabouts both be-
fore and after the murder have proved
to be true by his confession.
Attitude Changes Greatly.
County Attorney Scott came from
Williams cell about II o'clock in the
forenoon. He left Williams moros~
sullen and defiant.
Early in the afternoon Williams sent
a telephone message to the county at
torney that he wanted to see him.
When Scott came to his cell Williams
said he wanted to confess.
God. want to get it off my mind"
Williams said, betraying signs of hav-
ing passed thru some mental anguish.
of come back. l knew it. I knew they
wanted me. 1 knew l could have lost
myself in the Ozarks where they never
would have found me. But what's the
use? I've had no peace. l want to get
1t out of my system" he said while
Scott and Sheriff Edgar listened.
Tells Story in Detail.
What was later set out in the written
confession was told with much morL
detail by Williams to the officers.
4 had planned it for two weekk
Williams said. To carry it out he went
to Dillon on the evening NJ. & st. l..
train. This wat known as he was seen
both on the train and getting off from
it at the station.
He walked along the railroad track
south thru Dillon. He was seen walk
ing along it. Then he cut west thru.
the corn field, across the road from
the Foote home. There he hid in the
weeds back of the hedge while evening
faded into night. He was there when
Ruby came out and went up to tn.
store. He hid on until it grew late,
about 1890 Williams says. Lights in
the Foote home were put out. The
dark and quiet. Then Williams stole
thru the hedge, sneaked thru the barn
yard, thru the dooryard gate up to the
kitchen door, which was unlocked, and
into the house.
Escapes to This City.
The deed committed, Williams fled in
panic and terror from the place. He
ran to Dillon. passed thru the village
and struck toward Marshalltown on the
NJ. g. st. l.. tracks. He walked rapidly.
even running at times.
Near Peterson's crossing he remem-
bered he was carrying the revolver. II
was damaging testimony. He cast il
away, and it tell by the track. There
ii was found the next morning by the
Dillon station agent, walking home
from this city.
Il didn't care. who found it," Viii
liams said.
Reaching this city he came up thru
the depot district, up Third avenue to
Linn street. Stopping at the wate.'
fountain there he slaked his thirst
with a long drink. Then he went to
First avenue where he had left his
about o'clock, when he went to the
union station. Taking a train on the
NJ. & st. L. at 2:l0. ne got to Mason
City about o'clock.
He took an early morning train from
there to Des Moines ana from there to
Mexico, Mo- He has been in Mexico
until he left there and started for
Tama.
1t viii, be noted that his confession
differs in details Of where he went
and by what route, from the story he
told Sheriff Edgar soon after his ar
rest.
Williams had told the officers ne
went to Des MoincS on the Chicago
Great Western al $40 in the morning.
Knew He Was Trapped.
1t is much more than probabi that
Williams knew he was trapped and,
believing there was 40 escape, decid-
ed to confess. AT the forenoon con-
ference Wednesday with Williams.
Sheriff Edgar had laid bare in detail
against him.
1t was pointed out he had been seen
and recognized on the train to Dillon
anu at DlHoH inc OdS ol tle Huruel.
He was shown how Miss Steward
would go on the witness stand and
testify she recognized Williams IL
the beam Of her flash light just be-
fore he fired the shot that killed her
mother.
He was told how the revolver found
near Peterson's crossing of the NJ. &
St. L. had been recognized by Miss
Steward as the one she had seen Will
liams have.
He was shown the sock that was
found near the first railroad bridge