The Windsor Tragedy.

Manawatu Herald, 22 March 1892, Page 2

The Windsor Tragedy.

The results of enquiries prosecuted by the police in London show that Frederick Deeming, alias Williams, was born near London. He served as a steward in various sailing ships during the early part of his life, and in 1881 married a woman named Mary James, at Birkenhead. They had two children, Bertha and Mary, born in Sydney, and a boy named Sidney, born at sea. Williams returned to England in 1890, and a baby named Leilia was, born, at Birkenhead. v . n 'The bodies found at Kainhill are those of the wife and children. A copybook found in the house bears the name of Bertha Deeming. It has been ascertained that another woman is missing, who was last seen in Williams' company. In 1890, Deeming, under the name of Harry Lawson, an Australian farmer, lodged with Mrs Mathson, of Beverley, and married her daughter in May of that year. He gave her a large quantity of jewellery, but deserted her at Hull at the end of the honeymoon, taking away with him the jewellery he had given her. The articles had been obtained from local tradesmen under false pretences, and a warrant was issued against Lawson, who was arrested in Uruguay and extradited to Hull, where he was imprisoned on the charge for nine months. During the proceedings it came out 'that he had been already married at Birkenhead. Williams .was released last July. Many robberies occurred in the vicinity of Bainhill and St. Helens last year. From the positions in which the bodies were found it is supposed that the cement was poured on them wet. The police are now digging in the pantry, which also bears traces of being newly cemented It is believed that the heavy luggage which Williams is supposed to have sent away contained the bloodstained clothes of his victims. It is supposed that the murders were committed on the 10th August, a few days after the villa was rented. After the murder of his wife and four children at Denham villa, in Lancashire, Deeming visited his sister-in-law, and on her inquiring for his wife and family, he stated that they were at Brighton, and, according to the last letter he had received, were well and happy. Before leaving Rainhill for Australia, Williams sent a heavy box by rail to Plymouth. He gave the railway officials the name of Wilson, stating that his address 'was Prescott, a town eight miles from, Liverpool. Some^ questions arose with regard to tha^ carriage of the box, and the railway department wrote to Wilson, but the letter, which had been addressed to Mr Preseott, was returned to the Dead Letter office. The police are now trying to trace the box.

Deeining's brother viewed the bodies of the murdered woman and children at Bainhall, and identified -fibem asj th? remains of his brother's wife and family. The woman's sister has also identified the remains. " Tlie; landlord of the Ooinmercial^ Hotel says that he saw Williams after he had 'spent two Rights at ; Denham Villa, and he noticed tha£* his coat was bespattered with blood. This was about the time Williams is snpposed to have committed the deed. — Press Association.