EXECUTION" OF AN ATROCIOUS CRIMINAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 377, 14 June 1856, Page 5

EXECUTION" OF AN ATROCIOUS CRIMINAL.

James Ross, alias Griffiths, suffered the penalty of his crimes on Tuesday morning last, at Geelong. Pursuant to the provisions of the Act which abolishes the old mode of public execution, the aff.ur was witnessed by certain officials only, to see that the sentence was duly carried nut. An inquest on the body was,in conformity with the Act, held in tiie uao] at noon. It will he remembered that James Ross was convicted of the brutal murder of his own child, and also of the murder of a Mrs. Sayerds. Ross intended to murder his wife also, and left her for dead ; but she recovered, and is still alive at Horsham. Seldom in the annals of crime has there occurred so atrocious a case—a crime of so black a dye, committed without any apparent adequate motive. From the lime of his commitment to the last hour of his existence, Ross admitted the crimes of which he stood charged. On the Monday night preceding his execution he intimated a wish to write down a few particulars of bis life. On being furnished with writing materials, he drew out the following statement: —

"My name is James Griffiths. I was born in the year 1825. I remember nothing particular of my lite till about the year 1535 ; at that time I committed my first crime by breaking into a chapel and taking from there about £-1 in money and a bottle of wine, and soon after that I broke into another chapel, and then I went to service, wben I saved a few shillings, when my fellow-servant persuaded me to go and drink, and when all the money was gone to get more. He promised me he would go with me and rob another chapel, and when the night came he would not go, and then I, with rage, caught him by the throat. I then put my knee upon his chest and swore I would have his life if hedid not go with me. Went and broke into two chapels, when we >rot but a few coppers. Iti en left my service. 1 then by myself broke into one or two more ciiapeis, and from them got a few more shilling. I then went apprentice on board a ship, there I shopped but a few mouth* and ran away ; and then I apprenticed myself to another ship, and there 1 stopped two years, then I stole the Captain's coat ami ran away. I then enlisted in the 11th regiment, in the year' 43, when nothing particular happened, until my comrade and me had some words,, when with rage I drew my bayonet, but was prevented doing harm by the sergeant; but he had a narrow escape of ids life, tor with a maul 1 threatened to knock out his br.u'ns but I was soon mobbed by many of my comrades and put in the black-bole : and from that time my thoughts were of leaving the regiment. In the ISSI I deserted in Adelaide. I then came overland to Victoria, and went as shepherd for six months, but then I ran away after engaging for six months more.

"I then weut in the name of James Ross, for f. ar I should be known. I then went as shepherd for Mr. Darlot, where I stopped till I <aved about £100; but I could uot stop any longer,

for mv mind was very uneasy about the chapels I bad robbed and my leaving the regiment: my thoughts were of sending home the money that I had taken from the chapels, but the devil was too strong tor me, and drove all such thoughts from my mind. I then went to work at a place about eight miles from Geelong, and it was there for the first time that I fell in with this tin fortunate woman, where I stayed for six months when 1 took her to Geelong to «>et married at Christ Church. But soon after mv marriage I began my ill-treatment to her and from that time up to my doing the dreadful deed no pen can write what she has suffered from my ill-treatment to her, such as stripping her nuked, tieing her hands and feet, and putting bu-kets of water over her, heating her with a .stick till I have thought her dead ; and times out of number I beat her till she has gone into tits, and has been black and bine all over: and when she was in the family-way I heat her so had that she miscarried ; "and many nights have I sent her out into the brush-yard without her clothes, and in the morning when she asked me to let her warm herself, but I would not; and I have put her in a water-hole, and when there I put my foot upon her and lore all her clothes off her. v- I cannot give any cause for all my illtreatment to her more than the robbery, of the chapels, and leaving my regiment, as troubling my mind so that I knew not what I was doing; and a-< for the tarey stick that I put, in my wife, when I had no cause for doing so I must have been mad when I did it, for my wife was a good and prudent woman as ever came in this country, but she could hear my ill-treatment no longer, and that was tite cause of her going to thedioine station, and when there I wanted her back, but she would not come; and then I thought Mrs. Steers would keep her to do her wa-diing and other work, and then the devil put it into my head that she should not be a slate for an? one.

" I tlien went with the full intent to murder the three. The rest of this horrid deed is wellknown. I have no cause on the part of my wife or any one else for doing this dreadful deed, and that I could swear before my God whom I trust I shall soon be with. lam heartily sorry for all my past crimes, and truly repent of all my sins, for they are many. God promises to forgive all that come to him with true repentance, and I thank God I feel be has for<riven me; and I am ready and willing to suffer the just sentence of the law, and I pray God to receive mv soul.

" Before I depart this world, I return my sincere thanks to the Rev. Mr. Harnett, Chaplain ; Rev. Mr. Goodman, for the pains they have taken in my soul's welfare. " I also thank the Sheriff, and iMr. Brodie, and Mr. Smith, for their kindness to me since I have been cast for ueath.

"James Griffiths."

Popdt.atiom of Melbourne —The populalatioti has lately considerably increased, and to judge from appearances is likely to be still farther aiii-mented before long. Not move than thirty thousand males, including dancimj masters and linen drapers' assistants, have however immiisrated to this colony during the last month. The present population of Victoria is estimated at three millions, live hundred and forty thousand, six hundred and fifty-two souls, which are classified us follows: — Adult males 1.054,321 Adult females 096.787 Lola Montes 1 Gtiildreu ; 1,189,543 Total... 3,540,652 — Melbourne Punch.