THE WILLIAMS TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1924, Page 2

THE WILLIAMS TRAGEDY

&USTKALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION MADNESS SUSPECTED. SYDNEY, .Fob. 11. Williams told the Newcastle police—- “ The eldest girl said she would rather be ill Heaven than hero, and I sent: them all there.’’ The police suspect 1 V illiams’s mind is deranged lor, despite Us coolness and apparent rationality, he appears to think lie Tuts dene nothing wrong. WILLIAMS’S CONFESSION. SYDNEY, Feb. 12, T!>-.. precincts of tlie* Newcastle polico , < were crowded when Williams apis .•••••! 11> answer the charge cf fflur.J- i.w ; Ins three children. While awaiting lh- opening of the Court, Williams appeared calm. He smoked a cigarette, and chatted with detectives. Detective Ryan told the story of Williams’s surrender. "Williams said lie killed his children through love for them. He said—“lt took me over an hour to summon the courage to do it. 1 kept going backwards and forwards to them, razor in hand.'’ Williams handed Detective Ryan a written statement. Asked if lie desired fo add anything to it. he said—- • No. I killed my children when asleep. I did not wish them to suffer. They were dead asleep when I did it. ' Timt is why 1 cut so heavily. Ho stated lie committed the crime at eleven o'clock at night. Tie took the man who removed the furniture next morning to tin* room where the dead children wore lying in lied under tho coverlet.

Williams, when first charged, made lio reply, hut later ho objected to the word “maliciously” in the charge.

In reply to the Magistrate to-day, he said lie had nothing to say. He was remanded to Sydney.

In the written statement handed to tlie police hv Williams, he says—“On the night of February 4th, I told my child. Rosalie 4 had no one to care for my children, and me. and that we cntild not sit at home and starve. She said—“ When I try to mind them for you. they will not do what 1 tell them, and Hint makes me very sick. 1 wish wo were all up in Heaven with God; and you can't do no good Daddy. Von are the best daddy in the world.” Rosalie was worried. She could not sleep. I went to her many times, four or five times. She spoke ol Heaven ami going hv a hole, meaning tho grave. Looking into the long years before its. despairing of being able to keep and rear them, 1 asked inysoli, bail I a love big enough to kill them. 1 had. and I -aid to Rosalie, “Do you r really wish to go to Heaven?” ‘Acs, Daddy,” she said. 1 said “Kiss your father who loves you ; and I promise to make you very happy to-morrow. Sleep now and rest your little head!” Rending over her, she put her arms round my neck, kissed mo and said—- “ Good Daddy! I know you will make us happy to-morrow!” I answered—

“Your Daddy loves you very much, and would give hi- life for you.” T planned a death without pain, and they pa-seil without a cry into Heaven. 1 intended giving myself up and came to Newcastle, only to read the ease In the newspapers.” The statement is signed hy Williams on the date Februarv 10th.