The Express. — 1861-04-24 (London, England)

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 convicted 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 Telabout 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 foldand his victim was in the house, sitting in • highbacked 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 exclaimed " that his aunt had shot herself." It was subsequently 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., chaplain 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.