Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-08-22
CONFESSED MURDERER UNcoN-
cERNED WHEN SENTENCE
is PRONOUNCED.
TO FORT MADISON
TODAY TO BEGIN TERM
Robert j. Williams, Who Shot Down
Blind Mrs. Matilda Steward July 20,
Committed to Fort Madison by
Judge Cumminss-Senteneed to
Thirty Years for Assault.

Showing little concern and no notice
able emotion, Robert J. Williams, con-
fessed murderer Of Mrs. Matilda c,
Steward, the blind mo ther of his sweet
heart, Miss Ruby Steward, was sem
| fenced to life Imprisonment at hard
| ahor in the Fort Madison penitentiary
by Judge B. F. Cummings this fore
noon. On the second charge, Of assault
| with intent to kill Wendell P. Foote,
Williams was sentenced TO not more
tnan thirty years at hard labor at Fort
Madison.
Williams will begin serving his SEN
tence at once. Sheriff J. G. Edgar and
Overseer of the Poor Michael Clark left
with Williams for Fort Madison early
this afternoon.
Whole Proceedings Formal.
It was thru wholly formal proceed
ings which Williams passed in the dis,
trictc curt room this forenoon in pay
ment for the murder and attempted
homicide at the Wendell P. Foote home.
south of Dillon, the night of July 20.
Williams had already signed written
confession, and on both true Informal
tons" that County Attorney Ray P.
Scott filed. Williams pleaded guilty IN
court thru his attorney. Tie proceed
ings were Identical in each case.
It was as Judge Cummings ex-
pressed II, "superfluous." inr the court
to impose sentence for the attempted
murder after sending Williams up to
prison for life for the murder. But the
second case was before the court and
he acted on it.
Williams Is Unconcerned.
Williams showed little concern and
no emotion. He appeared to take not
ice. but not much interest in the pro-
ceedings of the court in sentencing
him. He watched the judge and fire.
quently glanced about the court room
while the cases were being docketed
and the record Of the entries made.
When asked to do so by his attorney.
3. o. Tankersley, Williams arose from
his seat and apparently calmly signed
his name to written plea Of guilty.
Courts Remarks Brief.
Judge Cummings remarks in passing
sentence OF life imprisonment were
brief. After reading the formal record
came to the conclusion; 1T is the judg-
ment Of the court" he read. then he
paused and looked up from the record.
"Of course you understand Wal
Iiams," he addressed the prisoner.
your plea of guilty to hrst degree
murder puts your life in the hands OF
the court. II comes within the power
of the court to send you to death or to
a life Of Imprisonment. 1t is sad con-
dition that one gets his mind into SUCH
a state that he is willing to throw
away his life in murderous act Ut
vindictiveness.
There Is only one thing the court
can do in such case. and that is 10
inflict such punishment as the law pre-
acribes. I think punishment Of death
in any case is barbarous. l think 1t
would be more punishment for you to
be imprisoned for life than for the
court to order your execution.
You have made a sad mistake.
probably due to your early environ
ment and lack Of education. 1t Is the
Judgment of the court that you be con-
fined in the pententiary at Fort Maol-
son at hard labor for the term Of your
natural life"
Affdavits Tell Story.
AS part of the record of the case that
was filed with the complaint lodged by
County Attorney Scott were the affi-
davits of Miss Ruby Steward and Wen
dell P. Foote. They recite the details
of the murder Of Mrs. Steward and
the shooting of Foote.
The sentencing Of Williams attracted
little attention from the public, prob
ably because 1t was not known until
this forenoon that he would be ar
raigned Not more than thirty persons
were in the court room at the time.
The only relative Of any of the VIC
tins was E. E. Foote. of Tama, the
aged father Of Wendell P. Foote. who
was sleeping upstairs while Williams
committed murder below.
Neither Miss Steward nor Foote was
in the court room. Probably the most
interested of the spectators was John
Williams. of near Garwin. brother OF
the prisoner With him came his en-
ployer, Mr.. Bacon; and the latter's
wife. The three were permitted to
have a short private conversation and
farewell with Williams in the court
room before the prisoner was led back
y-lr