The Recent Sydney Sensation.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 338, 13 June 1894, Page 3

The Recent Sydney Sensation.

EXECUTION OF MONTGOMERY AND WILLIAMS.

The Australian Star on June Ist published the followiog account of the execution of the Bridge street burglars : — " Thetatecutiou of Montgomery and Williams, the« Bridge street burglars, took place in the Darlinghursi gaol this morning, iv the presence of the sheriff of the goal, officeis, medical officers, and members of the press. The executions. Williams was of a •hocking and ghastly character, but Montgomery died instantly. The men slept soundly until six o'clock this morning, when they rose and had a good breakfast. Both wore firm and collected. After breakfast Williams joined in prayer "with the Rev J Austin, and from the convict's cell could be heard his voice singing, •• A Day's March Nearer Home." This prayer and devotions wero continued until close upon tbe hour for execution, when thoroughly fortified he submitted himself to the last attentions of the executioner quite unmoved. Montgomery, who was attended by Canon Rich, preserved a cold and callous demeanour throughout. FINAL FAREWELL. On Wednesday afternoon the unfortunate wife of Williams, with their two little girls, visited him and remained with him till 5 o'clock, when an affecting farewell between the father and children took place. The unfortunate mother saw her husband for the last time later in the evening and a painfully affecting interview took place. He was also visited by his brother. Later at night he spent a considerable time in silent prayer, and throughout yesterday was extremely penitential. He said to the Rev. J. Austin, tlie clergyman who had been ministering to bim in his last hours, tbat he was quite prepared for death, and that the idea of killing had never entered his head, upon which he was glad no blood-guiltiness rested. THEIR LAST TALK ON EARTH. The night before the execution Montgomery made a request to the Sheriff to be allowed to have a chat with Williams. Tbe Mieriff then asked Williams if he would like to see Montgomery, and receiving a reply in the affirmative the men were allowed to see one another. They chatted together for about half an hour, discussing the facts of tbe crime. In the course of tbe conversation Montgomery asked Williams what be bad said about him, and he replied that he did not think he had said much, Williams complained that Montgomery had led him into the affair, and he said Montgomery ought not to have done so, knowing bim to be a younger man nnd married. Williams further said that Montgomery did not strike Constable Bowden, but another man as big aa Montgomery. As the men parted Montgomery remarked, " Well, we die together to-morrow," and Williams replied, "Yes, I suppose we shall meet again." " I think so," said Montgomery; and Williams, turning to his companion in crime, said, " You should not say • I think so ; ' you should be sure."